Local carers will celebrate their lives as carers - the good and the bad - at a special event in Reading on June 13.

They will be telling their stories as part of the event themed My Life as a Carer, which is being held to mark national Carers Week (11-17 June).

Mum Irene Flen will speak about the ups and downs of caring for her daughter, Lisa, who has Downs Syndrome.

Irene, who lives in Woodley, has been caring for Lisa, since she was born 43 years ago*.

A further highlight will be author Mary Jordan, who wrote the Essential Carer’s Guide, which provides practical and emotional help. Mary, who has extensive knowledge of the NHS and caring for elderly relatives, will be talking about her experiences.

The event at the Renaissance Hotel in Reading town centre will run from 9.30am until 3.30pm and will offer carers the chance to relax and to meet others in a similar situation. There will also be the chance to sign up for free workshops and to enjoy a buffet lunch.

The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service is also hosting an open day on Friday June 15, which will feature a unique display of carers’ stories and photographs. Everyone is welcome to drop in to the Carers Centre in Cross, Street, Reading, from 10am – 3pm to find out more about benefits and services they may be entitled to. There will be the chance to meet staff and to win a prize in a free tombola.

John Shaw, chief executive of The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service, said the local events would be a chance for carers to get together and to share their experiences with others.

He said: “The idea of Carers Week is to help ensure that the lives of carers are changed for the better by raising awareness of the role they take on and the contribution they make to the community.

“We urge people with caring responsibilities to seek our support. Our service gives carers the opportunity to meet with people in a similar situation and find out about what can be done to support them in their caring role. Many carers find it useful to meet people who are in a similar situation, share experiences and find out more about local support and services.”

Carers Week, which will run from June 11 to 17, will also focus on financial planning for carers, benefits advice, career options and looking after your health.
For more information about local Carers Week events and activities contact The Princess Royal Trust on 0118 950 3941 or visit www.carers.org/berkshire.
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• Irene Flen will tell her story at the My Life as a Carer event.

When Irene Flen’s first child was born 43 years ago with Downs Syndrome she was advised that it would be best to put her away and forget about her.

Irene and her husband, John, were initially devastated but resolved to give their daughter Lisa the best life they could. The couple say it is the bond of love that has sustained them over the years.

Irene said: “It has not been easy. Lisa was not a great believer in sleep and we had her first 12 years without an undisturbed night. Looking back I do not know how we coped as Lisa was frequently ill and without modern antibiotics we nearly lost her three or four times in her first few years. There’s been so much anxiety and exhaustion but that bond of love has always sustained us.

“Lisa has taught us the absolute meaning of love in its truest form. We have found depths and strengths in ourselves that we would never have believed we could have.”

The family, who also have a younger daughter, are well-known in Woodley where they have lived for the past 40 years.

Irene says the best advice she could give to new parents who find themselves in a similar position is to take one day at a time.

She said: “I would say do not despair - what seems an end is a new beginning, I can truly say that in spite of the worry and the loss of the way of life we might have had we would not have missed having Lisa in our lives for all the riches on earth.”

However, the couple say there is now new dimension added to caring – fear for the future.

Irene said: “My husband and I are now pensioners and we worry so for Lisa’s future. We believe there is a failure by Government and local authorities to adequately fund care for people with severe learning disabilities and we are concerned what will happen when we are no longer able to care for Lisa ourselves.”