FROME-based charity We Hear You (WHY) is offering a 12-week course of group therapy for carers from 27th September.
The group will run weekly on Wednesdays from 10.30 till 12pm at the Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome BA11 1BE. This follows the success of the first course which finished in July.
The free sessions are facilitated by qualified counsellors, and open to anyone who is caring for or supporting someone with cancer or a life-threatening condition.
Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, the groups enable We Hear You to offer their service in a new format, in addition to the one-to-one counselling the charity has provided since 1994. The funding will allow the groups to run for the next three years and future groups will be aimed at those moving on after cancer and a group for men, as well as further courses for carers.
The first course of group therapy received extremely positive feedback. Anonymous responses to We Hear You’s survey included: ‘I really valued the shared emotional experience. That helped me feel like it was OK to let my emotions out.’ ‘I reached out for help and WHY came to my rescue. I have got stronger every week and talking about all my issues has been such a great help to me. The counsellors in the group were so helpful in helping me to find myself again and be strong.’
Cath Wilkins, clinical manager at We Hear You, commented, “Supporting someone who is unwell can be isolating and stressful and people can feel that patients are the only ones deserving of support. However, we have found that it can be very beneficial for people to share their experiences of supporting and caring for others with those in similar situations. Being able to express feelings in a safe and confidential environment facilitated by professional counsellors can provide a healing experience, with opportunities for learning and self-growth. We are therefore delighted to have received the funding from Macmillan to carry out this important work in the community.
“If you care for someone with a life-threatening condition and you think counselling would be helpful, please get in touch to book a place.”
The course runs every week from Wednesday 27th September from 10.30am to 12pm at the Cheese and Grain. People are welcome to join the group at any point in the first two weeks, provided spaces are available. As with all the counselling We Hear You offers, this service is free to use, although donations from service users are welcomed.
For more information, and if you would be interested in participating please call 01373 455255 or email info@wehearyou.org.uk
