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(March 2001)Initial findings paint a bleak picture. All approaches to my local colleges drew a blank. It was like I was trying explain a totally alien concept : "training for carers ? What do you mean ???" Organisations like the Carers National Association (and interestingly enough their Australian equivalent) run a range of courses - but all seem to be aimed at professional care staff - and lawyers. Unless I am missing something... There's lots of reports highlighting the urgent need to provide training and edeucation for non-professional care workers in the UK. But try finding any where you live..! I came across two organisations : Carersnet and (confusingly CarersNet) who seem to be leading the way in showing what is possible . It's good, yet even this I would suggest, is a bare minimum.
(September 2001) : I have written asking for CarerTraining & Development to all my local colleges, Oaklands in Welwyn Garden City and North Herts College. I have also written to the University of Hertfordshire. No reply - nothing. Additionally I have written to NIACE - the National Institute for Adult and Continuing Education - still no reply whatsoever.
(September 26 2001) : Well things have dramatically picked-up ! I joined an email discussion group run by NIACE on Lifelong Learning - and it's been great. NIACE have been in touch, as result - and they have been more than wonderful ! Extremely helpful. I now have more of an idea of how to approach colleges and educational institutions - plus some pointers on who to approach on a national level. So I'll follow those up. Plus it's been great to receive communication from all around the UK. Uplifting and inspiring !! Sadly though - although good things are happening and have happened, it's terribly piecemeal - and short-term and I have yet to come across any work that's been done on validating the carers - and the person being cared for 's experience - which is where I want to go. Also there's a whole language you need to learn..... Anyway, I'm going to put up a Resources page - beginning with Hairnet -which I hope will be much more than a link list - more of a "rough guide" to what is going on for carers - nationally. Wouldn't it be great to be able to click onto your town and see at a glance what's available - with a local report on what it's like ? I realise, sitting here on my own, that this is pretty ambitious - especially when it's so hard to find the time. But I'm going to try. Because it's so needed.
(Nov 25 2001) It's been a difficult few weeks, I've been ill and my wife extremely unwell. So I haven't been able to do much with the site.
(Dec 11 2001) Frustrated because this is going at a snails pace - partly because my wife is so ill and partly because since September I've started training to be a counsellor. Wondering whether to narrow my focus upon the issues involved in caring for someone with ME... The site is advertised today in The Quarterly, the 25% Group Magazine. Hopefully there will be some feedback and suggestions....
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