A FULL-TIME carer for her disabled husband, Moira Andrews says VASL has provided her with vital comfort and support.
Mrs Andrews, of Cobwells Close, Fleckney, has been a carer for her husband Anthony since a car accident in 1989 left him with brain damage and paralysed down one side of his body.
She benefits from VASL's carers telephone befriending service, whic
h sees her receive a telephone call weekly or fortnightly from one of the service's trained volunteers.
"I help and guide him walking and doing things he cannot manage on his own anymore," said Mrs Andrews.
"If you have experienced looking after someone with a disability or illness you will know it can be rewarding but also exhausting, and without the right help and support, the strain can affect your health and mental wellbeing.
"It is comforting to know there is somebody who cares about how you feel and how you are managing day-to-day.
"You can also get training to help you move and lift a person who is bedridden and advice on how to manage the condition of the person you are caring for, as well as help you deal with stress or depression."
Mrs Andrews says she also benefits from VASL's carers development project, which holds regular support meetings for full-time carers.
"It is interesting to chat and swap ideas and strategies on how to deal and manage our work.
"I also went on a canal boat trip which was awesome. We chugged down the canal and stopped for a picnic lunch and it was fun to sit back and be spoilt," she added.
The full article contains 276 words and appears in Harborough Mail newspaper.
