Sister site: www.pamshouse.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

This site is an extension to my original site (sister site in links above) which was originally set up in October 2003. I have now used the full capacity allowed on this site and cannot add any further information, hence this site.

I am a carer myself, now employed to work with like carers who are caring for a relative or friend with a mental health problem in the community. I would like to express that both sites are independent of the organisation that employs me, as well as any contents included.

I have based the information included both here and on the sister site, on the information I needed to know when I first became a carer which took years to find out. What else I found helpful was learning about the condition my relative had been diagnosed with. There are god knows how many links on the links page on the sister site, I am adding to it all the time. It's true what they say about information being empowering, as a carer the more information you can find out about the condition your relative has the better your understanding will be and how to deal with this. I also think your relative or friend should be given information to help them understand what is happening to them.

The both sites are not just aimed at carers but service users as well, there are pages and links that I hope will help both.  Carer and service user are usually addressed separately, which doesn't make sense to me at all. When it comes to caring or supporting someone everyone involved should be working together. Isn't this what holistic means? Of course both may need their own space to talk things through with others, but it is also important that they are encouraged to talk to each other.

Added to this is a page of links for professionals, not a lot but I hope some find it useful.

A word of advice to carers who reach this site, the more people you network with the better the source of support and information you will receive. Logging on to sites and joining them is a starting point, registering for any newsletters that are available can provide an outside link of communication with others who understand the situation you find yourself in.

I have also started a carers forum, which is run by email. Everyone who joins the forum receive the email's and can reply and communicate with each other. It is also a place you may be able to get a few tips on how to deal with certain problems you are experiencing from others who have experienced something similar. You will find the link on my sister site with instructions on how to join this forum, I am also going to add a link to this site shortly. 

A quote I think is quite fitting here is:

"There is always light, no matter how dim, if only you seek it"

2nd September 2006: