MORE than 80 carers from all over Devon have overwhelmingly welcomed a special course created by St John Ambulance which has been run in the county for the past year.
The free St John Ambulance Carers‚ Support Programme has taken place in towns and cities including Tavistock.
In West Devon alone St John Ambulance estimate there are 5,231 carers.
A survey of all those who took part showed that what they had learnt had made a tangible difference to the way they carried out these demanding and stressful roles.
The four-session course gives carers a range of help and advice on everything from basic first aid and managing continence, to stress management and safer moving and handling to reduce the risk of back injury.
Emma Healey, St John Devon's Carers' support programme manager, said: 'When we started a year ago we thought there would be a demand but we had little idea of the scale of the issue.'
Each carer taking part is given a resource pack full of valuable information and details of local services and support, and a first aid kit to take away at the end of the four-session course.
To be eligible for the free course, people have to be aged over 18 and care for someone over the age of 18, unpaid. The programme features four morning sessions, over a four to six week period, starting at 10am and closing with a free lunch at 1pm.
Subjects covered are: an introduction to caring skills; managing continence; safer handling, advice on back care and prevent of injury; prevention of falls; basic skills in first aid; stress management; coping with dementia — recognising and dealing with it.
The next course runs in Exeter on November 17 (then on November 24, December 1 and 15).
For further course information please contact Emma Healey on 01392 822646.
St John is also looking for support and sponsorship from local businesses, the public sector and carers' groups. Anyone who can offer a suitable venue is also asked to contact Emma.