This online group is an opportunity for carers of people with dementia to still be able to meet and share carer experiences. This is a fantastic forum to allow support and learning from one another. Using these shared experiences and with the help of the experienced facilitators, each carer will come away with coping strategies to enable carers to continue.

This group is a safe and confidential environment in which to gather support and guidance from others in a similar situation. It will also help carers realise ‘you are not alone’ and there is still support out there for you despite the current circumstances.

The group will be facilitated by friendly wellbeing workers from Carers Support West Sussex and Sage House.

Booking is essential as there are limited spaces per group.

Please note that these groups are for family and friend carers only. If you are not a carer and you’re looking for more information about CSWS please contact 0300 028 8888 or visit our website www.carerssupport.org.uk

About your hosts:

Nicky Begley – Carer Support West Sussex Dementia Wellbeing Worker

Nicky has worked for Carers Support West Sussex for 6 years, as a valued member of the Dementia Team. During this time, she has supported many carers connected to someone with Dementia. Nicky also benefits from personal experience as a family and friend carer which gives that edge in understanding the emotional and physical distress that caring can sometimes cause. This experience coupled with her background in health and social care backs her belief that carers need to have a space to connect with other carers to share their experiences and emotions.

Louisa Stockdale – Wayfinder of Sage House

Louisa is a Wayfinder at Sage House, supporting families through the dementia journey. She has worked as a carer within an agency and in a care home and has experience with dementia and end-of-life care. She has done a lot of training around dementia and designed and created fact sheets and video-material to help and support Wayfinding families. For more information about Dementia Support and the services on offer at Sage House, please visit https://www.dementia-support.org.uk/.

Carers Support West Sussex - Online Group Meeting Agreement

Joining in with an online virtual event or meeting can be daunting if it’s a brand-new experience. We would like to establish some ‘house rules’ for the understanding and comfort of everyone involved.

By signing up to this event, you agree and consent to the following:

1. I wish to participate in the online group session

2. I will treat any shared sensitive information with confidence and will remain within the group

3. I understand that others may be able to see and hear my space at home and that it is my responsibility to ensure this is an appropriate environment

4. I understand the session will not be recorded, either by Zoom, CSWS or by anyone participating. I will not share or publish it in anyway to external parties

5. I will not forward the session invitation to anyone else

6. I will not take any ‘screen shots’ of the session – recognising others in the group may not wish their identity to be shared

7. I am responsible for providing the wifi/phone/laptop etc I need to access Zoom

8. I’m aware I can withdraw from the group at any time if I chose not to participate

9. If I wish to prevent my email address from showing on the screen, I will choose to rename it when joining the meeting