Carers on the Isle of Wight, UK to be given respite thanks to thousands in funding from the National Lottery
Community group, Carers IW, is celebrating after being awarded almost £48,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work with those that are caring for loved ones.
Carers IW has been running since 2014 and offers support to unpaid adult carers of adults across the Island.
It offers a range of support from emotional support, craft sessions, meditation, self-care cafes, and training.
Based at the Riverside Centre and St Mary’s Hospital, it will use the cash to offer carers six free respite hours of support so they can have a small amount of time away from the home, or some help around the home.
Elizabeth Martin, manager of Carers IW, said: “We’re delighted the National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.
“Now, we will be able to offer carers some time away from their caring role. This is even more important now as a lot of carers across the Island have had little time off from their role during the last few months.”
Lynette, one of the carers, said: “During a prolonged and traumatic journey with my husband’s Alzheimer’s disease, Carer’s IW have literally been a lifesaver for me.
“They have provided a brilliant, knowledgeable, empathetic key worker and also an advocate for me.
“They have a huge variety of workshops and drop-ins for information, training sessions and ‘salvation’ respite weekends.
“The whole team is enthusiastic, friendly and totally dedicated. In fact, I don’t know how I would cope without them.”