“I wanted to start Partners and Carers Support with OUTpatnents (formerly Live Through This) because I remember when I was caring for my sister, I had hardly anyone to talk to about the things that I was feeling when I was angry, tired or when something was going right and happy for me. It was hard to share it when my sister was so ill. For me, I would have loved to have a group of people where I could have gone to share that and all the other feelings that came up for me.

I think for me the most important element is that people feel supported through the group. It is a place for them to come and talk about what is affecting them, without feeling guilty or bad about discussing those things. It is a forum for them to talk about what is going on for them, their partner or loved one and talk about these things openly. However in a confidential space where they know that they can be honest without being hurtful.

A space to feel “normal” and to be just me. Not a carer or someone having to deal with sickness. Just someone who happens to be going through this, yet isn’t defined by it.”