New course in Kingskerswell to help carers of people with long-term conditions

People in Kingskerswell who give help to relatives or friends who are ill, disabled, elderly or in need of emotional support are to be offered free support from trained tutors.

This is part of an extra £1 million investment from NHS Devon so carers across the county can benefit from a wider range of services, including access to carers breaks and health and wellbeing checks.

The free Looking After Me (LAM) course, run by NHS Devon, will benefit adults, who may not realise they are carers, but look after people with many long-term health conditions. These include diabetes, asthma, MS, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.

The course will be launched on Monday 13 February 2012 at Kingskerswell Medical Practice and will be held every Monday, for six weeks, from 10:30am until 1pm.

It deals with communicating with family, friends and healthcare professionals and planning for the future and uses relaxation techniques, exercise, healthy eating, and problem solving.

This free course is led by trained tutors who themselves have experience of caring for a relative or friend.

Carmel Fanconi, coordinator for LAM, said: "The course helps carers to cope with their caring situation and gives them the chance to develop the confidence to take more control of their life.

Anyone who would like to attend any of these courses should call free on 0800 073 0792 or email d-pc.EPP@nhs.net

All these courses are free but it is advisable to book early in order to secure a place.