Hello, my name is Linda M Byrne and l lead Carers Together that is held on the first Monday of each month from 10.30- 12.15, with the exception of July and August.
The group was established on 2nd October 2023.
I am a qualified social worker and for many years specialised in childcare & Child protection. Moving on to community care & mental health and for the last 21 years l have worked with unpaid carers and their families.
From my work experience l realised that there was a need for carers to have a safe environment where they could meet. This has resulted in us meeting monthly. Our door is open for carers to call in, discuss the caring role, carer related issues, have tea, coffee, sometimes soup, fruit, laugh, cry and essentially just be away from the caring role for a short period. We also have a short pause point/ reflection at the end of each session.
Since our meetings began we have had varied discussions, made jewellery, potted plants had social care workers/ physio visit and have had musical entertainers perform during our December session.
The running of the group is only possible with the help of three volunteers, Hilda Janet and Flo
If you are an unpaid carer please know that you will receive a warm welcome.
Please note we are all Safeguard trained, PVG checked and l also have had ASSIST and safetalk training as well as Trauma Informed practice level 1 2 3 .
if you wish to know any further information please do not hesitate to contact Linda or pop in where you will be made very welcome.
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Email - linda77byrne@gmail.com
Monday 5th January 2026
Carers gathered in our church hall on Monday morning and were eager to speak of their ventures over Christmas and Hogmany with some updates regarding their caring roles.
Our main topic for the session was looking at carers facing social isolation and how to combat that. The discussion was interactive with one sharing how they have been attending sessions in the community to meet with other carers.
They shared quite openly their experiences and seemed to enjoy being in a safe space doing so.
Pause point was our opportunity to have a few moments of silence. We then shared some different experiences we had in life and some further discussion took place.
Today was a lovely session where there was a sense of going forward in harmony.
If you a caring for someone then please come and join us at 52 Westbourne gardens on the first Monday of the month a warm welcome awaits you.
Monday 1st December 2025
Due to unforeseen circumstances l was not able to attend the carers group for our festive session. But, Hilda Flo and Janet ensured all ran smoothly.
Six carers were in attendance and had a time of sharing with lots of laughter and they continued to paint the animals they have been working on.
We look forward to meeting again the first Monday of January 2026.
If you are an unpaid carer please know that you will receive a warm welcome in a safe place.
Monday 3rd November 2025
Our Carers Together group met again on 3rd November. The carers arrived early and were laughing away prior to the session commencing.
The dynamic of the group is one of confidential sharing, trust and friendship.
Everyone was eager to continue painting the animals they selected in September and we turned to that during the second half of our session.
During the first part of our time together l shared some changes to finances related to the caring role. There was interactive discussion around that and details of several support agencies were provided.
We also looked at some of the work/ support that GAMH are involved in.
The theme of pause point was, "The way"
and 2 carers shared their own thoughts following that. We had a few minutes of total silence and a beautiful sense of peace.
If you are an unpaid carer our doors are open to you on the first Monday of the month or you can pop into our informal church cafe any other Monday. Come and join us, you will receive a warm welcome.
We now look forward to our One plus One Christmas lunch to be held on Monday December 1st 2025
Monday 6th October 2025
We held our carers group today in the session room. There were 12 of us in attendance and that includes two medical professionals from, Chest Heart and Stroke. Today's focus was, 'Reducing the risk ' of a stroke or heart attack.
G.... did a presentation that was interactive, looking at life style choices, the need for exercise healthy diet with relevant leaflets and information being made available. The carers were also offered the opportunity to have their blood pressure checked and some accepted that offer.
Whilst the session today was educational there was also laughter and carers readily commented and asked questions.
We had a moment of silence followed by pause point and there was a lovely stillness and peace in our midst.
Quotes from several carers at the end of today's session, consent to share has been provided.
Z Said:" l was feeling a bit low before l came out. I am so pleased l came to the group it has been so helpful and l got my BP checked. Thankyou."
Q commented: " l have learned so much from G . l really must change my diet and l may join the walking group she mentioned.
I really feel relaxed here"
Y stated: " Thanks for letting me attend the carers group it will help me face the winter and l got a laugh. "
If you are an unpaid carer then please come and join us at 52 Westbourne Gardens on November 3rd at 10. 30-12.15. You will receive a warm welcome.
Monday 1st September 2025
Today was the first autumn meeting of our carers group. From the outset there appeared to be a sense of anticipation and happiness from all involved.
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We spent some time looking back at our previous sessions prior to the summer break were we looked at the impact of the caring role on the carers health. Looking forward from now into 2026 our theme is "The Journey". There was time for the carers to share what they are living through with Q&A.
This is always a relaxed time and very interactive with most if not all participating.
We then had a moment of silence followed by "Pause Point" where we looked briefly at some of the things experienced in life's journey. Such as happiness, failure, marital breakdown and abusive behaviour.
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This was followed by a time of selecting a plaster cat, pig or dog to paint!
We have some budding Picasso's in our midst!
This allows the carers some time of complete relaxation whilst chatting away with another tea or coffee!!
Todays session was one of sharing, happiness and peace.
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If you are an unpaid carer please know our dorrs are open and you will recieve a warm welcome when we next meet on the 6th October 2025 at 1030am
Monday 2nd June 2025
We met again today and had a time of discussion regarding a specific grant that can be awarded annually to anyone who is an unpaid carer.
It was time for our Pause point when we took a moment in silence then looked at faith in a world of chaos. Looking at Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity. There was a lovely sense of peace in our midst.
We then moved on to enjoy the two entertainers who came to sing to us and Henry did some fun tricks and basic illusions.
The singing and illusions were excellent and at times we all joined in.
If you are an unpaid carer looking after someone and would like to meet with other carers then you are welcome to join us on the first Monday of each month at 10.30-12.15. The exception to that is July and August.
Some of our carers look after someone with dementia, cancer, learning disability or autism as well as parkinsons disease.
Our door are open, please come and join us the first Monday in September.
Monday 5th May 2025
At Carers Together today we spent some time discussing the need for carers to have a break themselves and looked at the various resources and grants that can be accessed to assist with this. During this time the discussion was in part lead but also participative.
We had a period of pause point and that seemed to be enjoyed by the group. There was a real sense of happiness and peace with us today.
Following on from our session Flo lead the group in Silk painting and that seemed to be very popular.
Monday 7th April 2025
Carers Together, our monthly group for unpaid carers met today.
We had an interactive discussion regarding the financial implications of being an unpaid carer and looked at some of the DWP changes being implemented.
We then had a 1 minute of complete silence as carers struggle to "get a minute to themselves." This was followed by gustily singing 1 song, a period of contemplation regarding spring and the Easter message.
We also took some time to select a plant pot, some bulbs and potted them.
Today there was a lovely sense of unity, happiness and worthwhile sharing.
We look forward to our next meeting on Monday 5th May.
If you are an unpaid carer this door is always open to you, please come and join us.
Monday 3rd March 2025
This months Carers Together session took place today and we did have such a laugh at times. We spent some time looking at the issues regarding sleep deprivation and some of the ways to combat it. The discussion was totally participative and informative with excellent contributions.
After our healthy comfort break we moved on to a time of crafting and that seemed to be enjoyed by everyone.
We then had our contemplative Pause Point and a lovely sense of peace and comfort was in our midst.
