Tag Archives: carers

Young Carer overcoming the odds awarded

March 22, 2013   Carers, Multiple Sclerosis, young carers

Overcoming the odds

Published on Friday 22 March 2013 11:58

A TEENAGER who battled anorexia while caring for his mother has been awarded with a top honour.

David Dorrian, from Hartlepool, admits he had an obsession with losing weight after joining the gym and getting addicted to cardiovascular training and cutting his calories.

His weight plummeted from 14st 2lb to just 8st in a matter of months after his addiction got out of control and he was surviving on just a packet of steamed vegetables a day and soup.

Medics feared he could be close to death and were concerned about the effect on his internal organs.

But during a year-long battle with anorexia aged just 16, he continued to care for his mum Janet, who was diagnosed with the debilitating condition multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 21 and has limited mobility.

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Scotland: New mental health and wellbeing information is a piece of cake

March 22, 2013   Carers, mental health, Scotland

Accessing East Lothian’s new mental health and wellbeing information is a piece of cake

Eastspace launch 2

ONE in four people will experience some form of mental health issue in their life* and for many individuals and their families, it can be a lonely, frightening and worrying time.

Residents living in East Lothian are now able to access information about local mental health and wellbeing services from a new website, www.eastspace.org.uk.

Jamie Morris, from NHS Psychological Therapies, commented:

“If someone is worried about themselves or a friend or if they are a carer, a health professional or simply want to find out more about mental health and wellbeing services in the area, the website will signpost them to appropriate services and help them to make informed choices.”

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University of Sunderland raising the profile of unpaid family carers

March 21, 2013   Carers, disability, family, health, Older care

Exhibition focuses on Sunderland’s carers

Published on Thursday 21 March 2013 10:02

THE precious breaks which carers take from looking after loved ones have been captured on camera.

And the exhibition – Time Well Earned – is now on display at the University of Sunderland’s Showcase Gallery in the Priestman Building, City Campus.

The university has joined forces with the Sunderland Carers’ Centre to raise the profile of unpaid carers – people who look after family members or friends who have a long-term illness, a disability or who are elderly and frail.

Many carers juggle care with employment, and the level of care they give can often exceed a full-time job and for some it can be a 24/7 role.

The photographs show carers taking well-deserved breaks from their caring roles and the idea for the project came from Daniel Dale, who is studying a photography degree at Cleveland College of Art and Design.

Daniel first approached Sunderland Carers’ Centre to sound out his ideas and to put him in contact with carers who now feature in the exhibition.

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