'I know I'm not alone' - Orkney Carers Conference sparks hope and confidence

Orkney’s first ever Carers Conference has been enthusiastically received by unpaid carers in Orkney, with many saying the conference was both informative and reassuring.

The conference – believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland - was held Thursday 18 May at the Pickaquoy Centre and hosted a range of expert speakers and a marketplace with 15 local support groups. The afternoon was dedicated to facilitated discussions with unpaid carers about the support they need to continue caring while also enjoying life and maintaining their own mental and physical health.

Maureen Swannie is Orkney Health and Social Care Partnership (‘Orkney Health and Care’) Head of Strategic Planning and Performance, and Interim Head of Children, Families and Justice Services. Maureen helped organise the conference and led one of the many facilitated discussion groups on the day. She said: “Both at the conference and in the last few days we have had many comments from carers thanking us for putting it together, telling us it was far more informative than they had expected - one person had said they had no idea that all this support was available to them, and that they felt more confident about their caring role, knowing there was somewhere to turn. That comment alone made the conference worth it.”

Following the conference one carer said: “I found it to be a really special day. Hearing other people’s stories in the discussion groups was humbling, and realising how many of us are out there doing it was very moving. I came away with fresh hope, even if it was just knowing I’m not alone.”

Another said: “This is exactly what was needed.”

“(The) event was seamless and could not have been better. I can honestly say it's the first time I've felt that as an unpaid carer I mattered.”

Speakers at the conference included:

• Arlene Montgomery, Manager, Crossroads Care Orkney, who spoke about the support they offer – from helping arrange respite to advice, equipment, support groups and a listening ear.
• Beth Friel, Research & Influencing Officer, The Carers Trust, spoke about work the Trust does to better inform policy and support, and how to get involved. Find out more at https://carers.org/our-work-in-scotland/our-work-in-scotland
• Dr. Eduard Vasile, Researcher, Scottish Government Social Security Directorate, spoke about planned reforms in government support for carers and urged attendees to sign up to their current research, saying; “We can’t design these services and support without you – we have to learn from you. You are the experts.”
• Jaynie Mitchell, Island & Rural Engagement Worker, Coalition of Carers in Scotland, talked about her own experience as a carer for her son, and how the innovative use of short breaks has helped her and her family to keep everything together.
• Jim Love, the 'unpaid carer' representative on Orkney’s Integration Joint Board. Together with his wife Marie, Jim provides care and support for an older person.

The facilitated discussions in the afternoon covered the themes of short breaks / respite, mental health and wellbeing, and finance. Carers were also encouraged to share other aspects of their caring lives, whether good or bad.

It’s estimated more than 100 people attended the conference.

Stephen Brown, Chief Officer for Orkney Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Over the course of the day I had the opportunity to speak to unpaid carers and even lead one of the discussion groups. It was a privilege to hear people speaking about their challenges, openly and frankly and with a real focus on what we can do better in Orkney to support our carers. I would like to thank everyone who came and gave their time and experiences so freely to help us build services which support and celebrate caring.”

Feedback from the conference will help Orkney Health and Social Care Partnership develop a draft five-year strategy for Orkney’s Integration Joint Board to consider by the end of this summer.