ellenor has unveiled the dates for its next Carers’ Course, which the charity is running jointly with Carers First. The course is open to anyone locally who is caring for someone with a lift-limiting illness, whether their loved one is an ellenor patient or not. Over six weeks, carers will receive information, guidance and practical help for caring for someone with a life-limiting illness.

“Previous sessions have been positively received, with those attending finding them ‘helpful’ and ‘supportive’,” says Dr Russ Hargreaves, Head of Wellbeing at ellenor. “We appreciate that time is valuable for carers, so we have created sessions that have proved very useful to others in similar situations. The course aims to recognise and help with some of the challenges that carers face when caring for someone who is ill.”

The course will run weekly on Fridays from 9 September from 11am to 1pm at ellenor Gravesend (people do not need to attend all the sessions) and will cover the following topics:

Sep 9: Practicalities – equipment, wheelchairs, moving and handling.

Sep 16: Financial support – what help are you entitled to?

Sep 23: The dying process – what happens as we reach end of life?

Sep 30: How does it feel to be a carer?

Oct 7: Nutrition – how to cope with a reduced appetite.

Oct 14: Open session – moving forward in your caring role.

To find out more or to book, call the Wellbeing team at ellenor on: 01474 320007. Carers who are worried about leaving their loved one or have difficulties with transport are also encouraged to call to discuss potential options.