Thirty carers from the region participate in the inaugural Carers Retreat Weekend, hosted by St. Angela’s College, Sligo earlier this month

The idea for the Carers Retreat Weekend stemmed from recent research funded by the HSE entitled: “Building capacity with family carers who care for persons in the community with long term conditions.” Dr Niamh Plunkett, Manager of the Centre for Lifelong Learning and author of the research explains the origins of this first-ever event:  ‘This study highlighted the need for family carers to have time away from their caring role, to engage in training to suit a carer’s specific needs along with time to relax and be pampered.’ Dr Plunkett also noted the research pointed to the necessity for carers to have time to meet other carers in a social environment.

The thirty participants included individuals caring for persons with either a physical, mental or intellectual disability/condition. ‘The weekend was a success thanks to the support of local volunteers and business and association sponsors.’ Dr Plunkett explains. The sponsors of the event included: the St Angela’s College, Sligo; the Carers Association Dormant Account; Sligo Lions Club; North West Stroke Group; Embassy Rooms; Sligo and Castlebar Credit Unions, along with other local businesses, organisations and individuals.

As a residential weekend, the participants stayed in accommodation adjacent to the College campus. The carers joined in group activities including bocce and curling on the Friday evening followed by a night of entertainment. The College campus was a hive of activity on the Saturday, with participants engaging in activities from yoga, reflexology, massage and make-up application, to computer tasters, individual counselling and skills training in the state-of-the-art clinical skills laboratory. Marian Harkin, MEP offered a workshop on the role of the EU Carers Interest Group. The day concluded with carers treated to a boat cruise on Lough Gill. On Sunday morning, Fr Michael Duignan arranged a special blessing for carers.  ‘This final event cemented for carers what the weekend was about,’ explained Dr Plunkett, ‘The anticipation of attending on Friday, the enjoyment and fulfilment received from activities on Saturday, along with making  new friends.’ She noted that the carers left on Sunday with a feeling and a sense of belonging and most importantly the sense of being cared for themselves.

The carers reported that the weekend exceeded all of their expectations.  Carers stressed the importance of regular Carer Retreat Weekends, with St. Angela’s College, Sligo on the tranquil shores of Lough Gill offering the ideal location for the event. Dr Anne Taheny, President of St Angela’s College, Sligo stressed the ongoing role of the College in community outreach such as this: ‘St Angela’s College, Sligo prioritises initiatives like the Carers Retreat Weekend that have the opportunity to enhance the well-being of our local community.’ Dr Taheny added that as a college of NUI Galway, St Angela’s College, Sligo fully supports the civic engagement ethos emphasised at the University.

For more information on the event or to note participation in future carers events, please contact Dr Niamh Plunkett at the Centre for Lifelong Learning at 071-91 35 623 or e-mail nplunkett@stangelas.nuigalway.ie. The newly established Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) provides a wide range of flexible programmes and skills training to adults of all ages, who seek flexible learning on a part-time basis. The CLL provides customised training & learning opportunities to suit both individual and organisational needs. For further information on this event and other training events available visit the Centre’s Web site at www.cll.ie.