Support service set up for carers of people with mental illness

Carers in Jersey who support a loved one with a mental illness can get emotional and practical advice from a new service.

The Listening Lounge has been given a three year government contract to work with Dementia Jersey, Focus on Mental Illness and Jersey Eating Disorders.

The Carers' Support Service will offer one-to-one, group and peer support, courses, wellbeing and social opportunities and advocacy.

It is the first time Health and Care Jersey has awarded a contract that combines the work of multiple organisations uniting to provide a service.

50 carers have used it since it opened last month.

Lucy Nicolaou, from The Listening Lounge, said:

"Many Islanders provide ongoing support to friends or relatives living with a mental health difficulty, which can bring both rewards and challenges.

"We wanted to be part of this partnership because we believe that carers deserve accessible, meaningful support that recognises the importance and complexity of their role.

“Our aim is to empower carers with knowledge, connection, and confidence so they can continue to care while maintaining their own wellbeing.”

Health Minister Tom Binet says the service will be a 'lifeline for carers'.

Dementia Jersey says the funding will provide support groups for carers with trained dementia advisors three times a month and a quarterly meeting with a speaker.

Claudine Snape, Chief Executive Officer for Dementia Jersey said:

“We're delighted to be working within this innovative partnership with other charities, with funding from HCJ, to promote our support groups which provide a safe, environment for carers to meet, share their experiences, hear from expert speakers, and receive practical advice from our dementia advisors."

The Listening Lounge.

Similarly, Focus on Mental Illness says it will be able to enhance the support it provides to carers, including its Caring for the Carers course, an eight-week programme which provide carers with a range of skills from communication to problem solving and from relapse prevention to self-care advice.

The charity also provides a four-hour carer self-advocacy course and a confidential monthly Carers’ Forum which runs on the first Monday of each month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Salvation Army.

Jersey Eating Disorders Support has used the funding to set up a new course for carers of people struggling with food or body image. The sessions run between 6pm and 8pm at the Pomme d'Or Hotel on the fourth Monday of every month.

To find out more about the support available from The Listening Lounge email carersupport@lv.care or phone 866793.

Anyone who would like to find out more should call 723519, email info@dementia.je or drop-in to the Dementia Jersey Office on Halkett Place.

To find out more about Focus on Mental Illness contact stephen@focusmi.org or phone 07797 710900.

To find out more about Jersey Eating Disorders Support email hello@jeds.je.