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Support for carers highlighted

Carers can’t afford to be ill. This statement is the title of a free public seminar at the University on Tuesday 10 June from 5.30pm to 8.00pm.

The seminar has been devised by the Tees Valley, Durham & North Yorkshire Neurological Alliance to take place during National Carers’ Week. It has been tailored for carers of people with a range of neurological conditions, including MS, Parkinson’s disease, head injuries, motor neurone disease, epilepsy and dystonia. It is also aimed at health professionals from the NHS and Social Services.

Guest speakers from charities and support groups will offer information and advice. These include:

• Lynne Barr, Regional Lead for the Neurological Conditions Network, Middlesbrough PCT.
• Dr Rebecca Courtney, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Lead for the Development of Neurorehabilitation.
• Two carers for people with neurological conditions.

The support group Carers Together will offer information packs, including details of their Emergency Card for the Redcar & Cleveland region. Also, the George Hardwick Foundation will have advisers to help people sign up for the Carers Discount Card for the Middlesbrough region.

Stephanie Kilinc, Senior lecturer in Psychology and an epilepsy researcher at the University, will also be speaking. She is a Trustee of the Neurological Alliance and has also interviewed volunteers as part of her PhD project about epilepsy. The only requirement was that the diagnosis of epilepsy took place at the age of 20 or older, not in childhood or teens.

Stephanie said: ‘Carers can meet other people who are in a similar situation and they can also bring along the people they care for. The talks will be invaluable, for example Lynne Barr from Middlesbrough PCT will discuss what they’re doing for carers. There will also be a session for any questions to the panel.

‘My research revealed there wasn’t a lot of support available for partners who are carers. This seminar will raise awareness of the carers’ role, showing how they need support and help.’ To book a place please contact Stephanie on 01642 384284 or e-mail s.kilinc@tees.ac.uk, by Monday 26 May.

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