A ground-breaking programme to support those caring for sick or disabled loved ones will cease at the end of this year unless funding can be found. St John Ambulance Isle of Man launched Carers Support in May as part of its commitment to the community. Sessions cover the carer’s role and how to cope with the emotional and physical demands of looking after a family member or close friend, as well as practicalities such as first aid, fall prevention, safe handling and dealing with incontinence and dementia. So far three groups of carers have benefited from the four-week programme. All have sung the praises of the sessions and said it has made a difference to their lives. However, a lack of funding means the next sessions, starting in November, will be the last unless a supporter steps forward. Dr Iain Kewley, Commander of St John Ambulance in the Island, said: ‘As a charity, we receive no public funding and run all that we deliver from the proceeds of our commercial training and from money generously donated by the public. ‘We have financed Carers Support from our charitable resources since its launch but, without external funding, sadly we cannot continue to run it.’ Dr Kewley outlined the benefits of Carer Support, saying: ‘Supporting carers means keeping people in their own homes, avoiding hospital and residential care costs, and improving quality of life for both the carer and those being cared for. ‘It saves money for government departments at this time of financial constraint.’ Around ?15,000 is needed to fund the programme for a year, Dr Kewley said. This covers the salary of Myrtle Dubost, the experienced Registered nurse leading it, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the health service, plus the costs of lunches and stationery. ‘People find their lives drastically altered when they care for a loved one and, as well as all the practical benefits, the programme offers them emotional support and a social network,’ Dr Kewley said. ‘It would be a terrible pity if we had to close the programme and lose this unique assistance.’ Myrtle said 22 carers had so far passed the course and it had improved their lives in a number of ways. ‘We were able to inform one gentleman, caring for his wife, about chair-based exercise sessions, and as a result of attending them her mobility has improved and she is less reliant on her wheelchair,’ she said. ‘Another lady is working to getting her disabled son back home with her and has benefited from the course. And another lady says that simply knowing about access to disabled toilets around the Island has made a big difference to her caring role.’ Myrtle said there was plenty of scope for developing the programme if a way could be found for it to continue into 2012. Her plans include setting up a Skype-type service for carers to contact someone 24/7 to reduce isolation and to invite in speakers from other relevant charities to offer help and advice. ‘We have not had the chance yet to develop Carer Support to its full potential,’ Myrtle said. ‘Though having to miss sessions when practicalities intervene, some carers still haven’t completed the whole course and may not be able to do so if we have to finish.’ Anyone who wishes to discuss how they can help Carer Support should contact Myrtle on 412284. For further information about St John Ambulance Isle of Man or to find out how to sign up for first aid courses, volunteer or support its work via donations, please ring 01624 674387 or visit www.sja.org.uk/sja/counties/isle-of-man.aspx ENDS