Carersjoin

Welcome to the Carersjoin webpage

“Meeting others in a similar situation, it makes you feel that you are normal” 

“As a community it is extremely important that we recognise, support and value the vital contribution made by millions of men and women who are informal carers”

“You run out of options, feel trapped, isolated”

“The challenge for many men who are informal carers is to reconnect with other men”

If these statements strike a chord with you then you are not alone!!!  So read on!!

How the Group Started

Carersjoin commenced life in June 2007 when a Birmingham based registered learning disability nurse, who was also a male informal carer, realised that there was very little, if any, specific support for him in his role as an informal carer. 

About Carersjoin

The aims of Carersjoin were and are to:

• Offer peer, social and appropriate professional support to other men who were and are informal carers
• Regardless of age and the condition or disability of the person being cared for
• In a friendly, “male oriented” and safe environment

Carersjoin continues to:

• Provide a listening and non- judgemental ear for men who are informal carers
• Provide, where appropriate, both informal and professional support and help to men who are informal carers
• Share information about carer experiences and resources
• Organise “fun” activities for men who are informal carers
• Raise awareness about the needs of those who are informal carers
• Campaign for change

Carersjoin is a great way to talk, share and network, keep up to date and to access support if you want to.

Carersjoin Talks/ Events

2008 started with a bang with Carersjoin’s formal launch event held at the Birmingham Carers Centre, an event that attracted media attention!
Throughout 2008 we held occasional talks and events. To date, we have arranged a session on welfare benefits, a meal at a local Chinese buffet restaurant, a “laughter workshop” and a go-karting event. We plan to arrange a visit to “Conkers” – an outward-bound attraction at the heart of the National Forest. Dates for this event will be posted on this web page as soon as they are confirmed. We have also had a presence at the 2008 Birmingham Gay Pride event, the 2007 and 2008 world mental health day events in Birmingham and the Birmingham Council’s Adult and Community Directorate’s annual conference at Birmingham’s ICC during Birmingham Carers week.

Campaigning

Is there any issue to do with caring and being a male carer that makes your blood boil, where steam comes out of your ears? 
Carersjoin wants to be a carers support group that makes a difference! From time to time we will provide links to information about carers campaigns, documents, consultations, policies and proposed legislation that we feel are appropriate and important. Please share your issues with us – there are bound to be issues to do with caring and being a male carer that you would like help on or would like to share with others. Together, we can provide a voice for these concerns; together we can make a difference!!

When and Where?

For meeting dates and venues, please contact:

Chris Barber: 0780 7676 258 
      or
Raymond Pollack: 0121 777 7739