Newport County AFC are delighted to support new group Carers in the County, launched by the Club and NCAFC Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) on the first ever #EFLDayofDisabilities
Carers in the County forms part of the club’s commitment to supporting the local community and has been created by Newport County AFC's Disabled Supporters Association in partnership with Newport County AFC and Newport City Council.
Although it has been set up to encourage engagement from County supporters who identify in this role, it is welcoming and open to everyone providing care for someone that is not part of their vocational responsibility.
The group aims to provide information and advice on services, grants, and support available to people that are informal carers for family members or friends who may need additional support.
Sometimes informal carers do not realise the rights or support they are entitled to as they see themselves as doing what is natural for friends or family. It is recognised that this can be a stressful role that can often change the dynamic of a relationship within a family or circle of friends and that is how Carers in the County can help.
Most people do not know where they can seek help and support, or may have a negative view towards the local authority and the assistance available to them.
With this in mind, Carers in the County allows those with a common interest to meet up informally with others that understand them and discuss their concerns, views and hopes as well as the chance to have some well-deserved time out.
Cllr Paul Cockeram, Cabinet Member for Social Services, Newport City Council said: “Newport County AFC is truly leading the way to ensure an excellent match day experience is accessible to everyone, from the club being dementia friendly to the support offered to unpaid carers and disabled supporters. Newport City Council appreciates how the club has worked tirelessly to ensure fans can continue to feel a part of their community and enjoy the well-being it brings to people supporting football at Rodney Parade. A special thanks to the dedication of the DSA for taking the time to volunteer to make the club inclusive and welcoming to all”.
The support group will meet monthly at Bar Amber and be facilitated by three volunteers who are also members of the DSA; Jane Brussalis, Tina Olander and Robert Taylor. Further details of the meetings will be shared on the Official Club Social Media accounts in the New Year.
All three Group organisers are informal carers but all have a very different matchday experience.
Tina Olander recently spoke to the Official Website recently about the new Carers in the County Group: “After being a full time carer for quite a number of years, setting up Carers in the County hopefully will give people like myself chance to meet up and have a chat to discuss what help and availability there is for ourselves which we might not otherwise know about.”
If anyone who is caring for a friend or family member would like to be a part of this new support group, please get in contact by speaking to any of the volunteers on a matchday, contacting the club Disabled Liaison Officer Colin Faulkner by email at dao.newportcounty@gmail.com or request to be a part of the closed group on Facebook Carers in the County.