Honiton Carers has returned from our visit to Chard Carers Support Group where we met with carers and loved ones from both Chard and Ilminster Carers Support Group.

We have had a brilliant afternoon mixing with other Carers and making new friends. We were served a lovely buffet and enjoyed a duo entertaining us playing mostly Country & Western, we even had a dance.

It was beautiful to watch seasoned dancers take to the floor where the cared for, living with Dementia, blossomed and came in to his own right, taking the lead when dancing Latin American with his beloved wife, something they had apparently practiced for 40 years plus. There was no doubt he knew was he was doing and was still in charge looking at his wife like lovers do. Just wonderful.

We met the Deputy Mayoress Claire Brown, The Chair of Chard Support Group Pat Gilpin and her lovely husband John, also Chair of Ilminster support Group Alison Brisket. They were well supported by Kath from Social Services and the Social Prescriber (Village Agent) they call Prescribers in Somerset, Pete Collen (not sure I heard his surname correctly)

The lovely catering was done by Wendy's Kitchen and Wendy definitely did Chard Support Group proud. 

There  was a very well stocked raffle with prizes all provided by all the local shops & supermarkets. Our Carers did extremely well with 4 of them winning more than one prize each.

What a brilliant support network there appears to be in Somerset, yet as Pete quoted it is never enough.

Honiton Carers are constantly trying to bring awareness to #UnpaidCarers, if you are a Carer or know a carer who would like to know more about Honiton Carers please get in touch with Winnie on [email protected] or telephone 07974 636926

The newspaper cutting about the gentleman who had a fall in Honiton is from 2011, so no response is necessary now, We know we care well in Honiton and have a wonderful and caring community