Café supports 300 carers in first year

A café providing support for local carers in Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan has celebrated its first anniversary by welcoming its 300^th carer for afternoon tea.

The Marie Curie Carers’ Café launched at the charity’s Cardiff & the Vale Hospice in Penarth in March 2015, inviting carers from Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan along for a cup of tea, slice of cake and an informal chat about their caring role.

The Marie Curie Caring for Carers in Wales project team hosted a special St David’s Day-themed café on Tuesday 1^st March, and were delighted to welcome new visitors which extended the number of carers supported to 303 in just one year.

Among those people to have been supported at the café is Maureen Kettlety from Barry. Maureen has been helping to care for her sister, Annie, who was diagnosed with cancer in November last year.

Maureen, whose parents were cared for at the Marie Curie Cardiff & the Vale Hospice, said the café was a ‘fantastic’ resource for local carers.

“It can be a lonely place when you’re supporting somebody, but if I do have a few bad days I know I can come here and there will be people around who I can speak to and who can give me support. There’s always a good listening ear here.

“I can speak to people here and I can bring my sister along and she can share things that she may not want to talk about in front of her family. You can learn about the services that are available here, like the day therapy unit and reflexology, and you can also get information about other support that is available.”

As well as receiving advice and support, Maureen, 62, also helps out at the café by providing refreshments and talking to other carers about their experiences. She encouraged other carers to come along to the café and take advantage of the support that’s on offer.

“Once you get through that door the first time you’ll never look back. I think the ambience is quite relaxing; it’s a warm, friendly atmosphere and there’s people around to offer you support. I think that is what a lot of the people who come here are looking for.”

Sarah Johnson, who has been running the Marie Curie Carers’ Cafés, said she has been blown away by the success of the project.

“When we set up the first café one year ago we never could have imagined that we could have supported over 300 carers in a little over 20 sessions. We’ve been really pleased with the positive response that we’ve had.

“I think the most rewarding thing, from the project’s perspective, has been the feedback that we’ve received - that this café is making a real difference for the carers who attend, often providing them with support at a time when they need it the most.”

The Marie Curie Carers’ Café takes place at the Marie Curie Cardiff & the Vale Hospice on the first and final Tuesday of every month.

Such has been the success of the scheme that the cafés have been rolled out to other areas of Wales.

For more information about the Marie Curie Carers’ Café, please contact Sarah Johnson on 02920 426023 or email sarah.johnson@mariecurie.org.uk.

Carers’ Café is part of the successful Marie Curie Caring for Cares in Wales project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

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