New online course launched for carers in Wales

[wendy]

A new course for carers that can be studied online and for free has been launched by The Open University in Wales and Carers Trust Wales. The course - ‘What about me?’ - was officially launched on Friday 13 November at the Acton Community Resource Centre by Lesley Griffiths AM.

The course aims to help carers, who have busy lives and many demands on their time, to reflect on the skills and experiences that their caring role has helped them to develop and develop an action plan for their future. It can be studied at any time, in English or Welsh and is designed for carers of all ages and abilities. The course can also be studied as part of a group in a face to face setting. The course features carers from the North East Wales Carers Information Service (NEWCIS) telling their stories of caring, education and employment.

Hannah Pudner, Assistant Director, External Strategy at the OU in Wales said:

“We know that many carers are keen to study but that there is a need for introductory level courses to help them to recognise their many skills and develop their confidence. This new course aims to meet that need and offers a chance for carers to recognise and value the skills that their caring role can give them.”

Lesley Griffiths AMKieron Rees, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Carers Trust Wales, said:

“There are at least 370,000 people providing unpaid care to a friend or family member in Wales. Carers are not just one type of person, they are students, retired, engineers, careworkers, teachers and more. They are children, teenagers, parents, friends, and grandparents.

That’s why we’re so pleased to launch ‘What about me?’ with The Open University in Wales. This course recognises the diversity of carers and aims to help all carers reflect on their experiences and skills, and in doing so help them work towards their goals, dreams and ambitions.”

Speaking at the launch event, Wrexham’s AM Lesley Griffiths said:

“Carers play such an important role in society. They come from all walks of life and often have to find time to perform their duties within their busy schedules.

People who become carers often develop particular skills and attributes and this course, created by The Open University and Carers Trust Wales, can help address carers’ educational needs. Regardless of their busy lifestyles, the flexible nature of this course can help carers build on their experiences and develop their knowledge, helping them work towards and achieve their future goals.”

The launch event was attended by carers and those who support carers including Simone Perry from the North East Wales Carers Information Centre (NEWCIS). NEWCIS worked with The Open University and Carers Trust Wales to develop the course. Simone said:

“If carers have had to give up work or studying to care full time for a loved one, they can be a bit scared to come back into learning and employment. Courses such as the one being launched today offer a great opportunity for carers to realise the skills they have and how much they still have to offer when planning their future.”

‘What about me?’ is now available on The Open University’s OpenLearn Cymru site and more information can be found at www.open.ac.uk/wales/carers
16/11/2015
http://www.open.ac.uk/wales/news/new-on ... rers-wales

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