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Shetland, an archipelago of over 100 islands, is home to around 22,000 residents, including vital community members known as carers. Despite the significant contribution of the approximately 6 million carers across the UK, many lack necessary support and resources. Local carers groups in Central, North, and West Mainland are actively working to provide essential services, foster social networks, disseminate information, and coordinate access to healthcare. These groups aim to enhance the well-being of carers and raise awareness of their needs within the community.
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1. Shetland Carers Groups
A Rural Perspective
2. Shetland Islands Shetland is an Archipelago of over 100 Islands.
15 of these are inhabited.
Population of approx 22000.
Latitude 60 North the same as Siberia.
Nearest major sea port is Bergen 180 miles East.
3. Carers There are six million carers in the UK.
Only 1 in 4 have had an assessment of need.
1.6 Million carers also work full time.
Carers save UK 50 Billion per year.
2/3 of carers say caring has affected their health.
4. What are Carers Groups ? They offer support to carers and families.
They disseminate information.
Facilitate access to other services.
Assist in creating a social network.
Provide an informal access to health care professionals.
5. Shetland Carers groups There are currently 3 carers groups in Shetland.
Central Mainland
North Mainland
West Mainland
6. Central and North Mainland Central Mainland was the first area to set up a carers group, offering monthly meetings and social outings.
North Mainland group is coordinating the setting up of an island wide carers web site with links to local and national carers information.
7. Central Carers Group contd Central group are now fully constituted as a group and the group is chaired by a Carer. The first AGM is in early March.
Carers Rights Day December 07 was celebrated at the Town Hall in Lerwick with carers and the cared for attending for a Christmas Fayre
8. North Mainland Contd Due to the geography of the North Mainland and where Carers and their families live the concept of the group has been difficult to achieve.
Carers have taken the initiative and have received training on developing a web-site for all Shetland carers and a feasibility study is being undertaken re telephone help line
9. West Mainland Carers Group This is a joint working project with the Community Nursing Service, Walls Health Centre and Wastview Care Home.
Population for area 1754 with 49 identified carers which approximates to 1 person in every 40 being a carer.
10. What the West Mainland Group have achieved! Group meeting every six weeks.
Invited speakers at meetings.
Social event during carers week.
Raised awareness of caring in the community.
Support from QNIS (Queens Nursing Institute for Scotland).
11. Where do we go from here? Continue to raise awareness of carers needs.
Continue to update carers on changes to benefits and government legislation.
Offer health checks to carers.
Build the group to a level where carers run the group, with health professionals support as needed.