Hello, my name is Cath, Mum to Martin, Sister to Dave and meal ticket to my three cats! I have been asked to do a blog on an aspect of work that the Pasda Committee does, so I thought I would write about Our Weekend Coffee Mornings that I co-facilitate with fellow committee member Marion.
Our original Friday Coffee Mornings have been going for a number of years and are well established. They are well attended and we have a bunch of regulars that enjoy getting together with their peers for support and encouragement….the treats that Danni and Graeme bring along go down rather too well mind you.
Anyway, some Carers approached me to say that because of their caring role or because of work commitments they weren’t able to attend on Fridays. So, it was decided we, the Committee , would have a second Weekend Coffee Morning, run by a couple of Committee Members. Refreshments courtesy of Pasda.
As with the Friday event , it more or less runs itself. We have a few regulars, who have told me it is a lifeline for them, a place where they can escape the rigours of caring for a couple of hours.
We don’t always talk about Autism or Caring. Other subjects get an airing too….although invariably the conversation does turn to our family member.
Being a Carer, affects us all in different ways, sometimes you don’t have a choice in the matter and you just have to muddle through picking up tips as you go along.
Caring can be isolating, challenging and exhausting and it’s imperative you take time out and recharge your batteries.
I feel that just sharing your experiences, the challenges you have as a Carer and giving yourself a break is a type of therapy. It’s simple and effective. Someone once said to me, “You can’t drink from a broken cup” and that resonated with me.
Having the opportunity to meet other Carers who are in a similar position to you is a real boon, you don’t have to explain yourself,they just ‘get it’.
Usually we run over our allotted time, because we are having such a good time.
However, when I am on the bus home again, I can’t recall all the conversations we have had but I don’t forget the way I feel – I feel contentment.
I’d like to think that after an hour or two in the company of other Carers , you feel suitably refreshed to continue in your caring role.
A cup of something shared with a friend is indeed time well spent.
Cath Purdie