	CARERS of WEST LOTHIAN Providing Support, Information and a A Voice for Carers in West Lothian

Who Cares? Training course for Parent Carers - Feb/March 2004
an Evaluation by Annemarie Keast - Carers Support Worker

"This was my first carers workshop and I have found it to be very informative. I have enjoyed the company and I have got to find out things I didn't know. Please include me in any others."

"Very well planned - interesting speakers. Great opportunity of getting like minded carers together. Well done. Can we have follow up session to keep contact. Lunches great and great to be able to spend time with people over lunch."

"Have really enjoyed this course. Really great to have it especially designed for parent carers. Would love to be able to keep meeting with this group of parents"

These are comments made by some of the attendees of the course.

14 parent carers came along to the first session of the course on 4/2/04. On average 12 parents attended each session.

Guest speakers were invited to come along to tell the parents about their roles and services provided.

Session 1

Introduction to Carers of West Lothian by Mary-Denise McKernan
Young Carers Project by Wilma Philpot (Young Carer Development Worker)

Session 2

Role of Community Mental Health Link Worker by Linda Jenkins
Role and Services provided of Barnardos Family Support Worker by Laurna Cullen

Session 3

Overview of his role and vision for the future by Education Development Manager (responsible for additional learning needs) by Bryan Paterson

Session 4

Role of the Health Visitor/Oral Health Facilitator by Mairead Hughes
Role of Community Childrens Nurse by Sally Thomas/Fiona Mitchell

Session 5

Role of Social worker within Disability Team by Linda Sanders
Disability and Carers Directorate Benefits and how to claim by Kath Martin

Session 6

British Red Cross volunteer (Ruth Bell) discussed services available, how to prevent accidents and what you do when accidents happen.

These comments from the end of course evaluation form

"I have really enjoyed attending the course and am quite sad that it's finishing! While each speaker may not have been relevant to everyone, I think it was a very good balance and I learnt lots of new things."

"The fact that lunch was provided really rounded the morning off well - gave us the chance to sit and chat and just have time for ourselves - a rare thing!"

"I've made new friends and had a lovely time thank you! Keep up the good work"

"I think Annmarie has been brilliant - very friendly and chatty and ensured everything ran very smoothly."

"Annmarie was really helpful and approachable and has really done a great job with this course"

The only negative factor seems to have been the parking at Strathbrock which is a bit of a challenge.

The group decided for the follow up session, which is provisionally booked for 5th of May 04 (due to Easter holidays and lack of suitable meeting room), they would like someone to talk about making a will and setting up trust funds.

A very positive outcome of this course has been a commitment from Bryan Paterson who came to session 3 that he would find funding from his budget to enable the group in conjunction with Link Support Group, Carers of West Lothian and West Lothian Council Education Department to put together an information pack that could be issued to parents who have children with special needs. The first planning meeting to take place in Strathbrock Partnership Centre on Friday 26th March 04.

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