Well, we achieved what we set out to do! Eight IMTA therapists from East Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath happily treated 15 members of the Carers Association to a massage treatment of their choice last Saturday in Athlone.

We were delighted with the turnout of both therapists and carers and with the very positive feedback.Both myself and AnneO'Brien were very pleased with how the day went. Bernie Dowling, Manager of the Roscommon Carers Association, was also well pleased with the venue and the positive feedback she received from all the carers who received treatments.

It was a wonderful opportunity for us all, it gave a chance to put faces to names, make new contacts and friends, exchange ideas, experiences etc., and most importantly have a laugh. It was good fun as the carers were such a lively, outgoing bunch.

The treatments  were free, however many  gave donations to the Carers Association which generously amounted to €180. Bernie was both surprised and delighted  with this.  Bernie certainly helped make the day extra special being the perfect hostess, welcoming all the carers, providing tea/coffee and homemade cakes which had everyone relaxed and ready for their treatments.  Bernie also kept all the therapist well watered and feed.  Thanks, Bernie.

It is a great feeling when a good idea mixed with a little hard work, plenty of support and interest pays DIVIDENDS. Both Anne and myself were delighted to have been part of the BIGGER PICTURE for Massage Awareness Week this year

	Bernie (CA) Maureen Benson (seated) & Anne O’Brien, IMTA Regional Officers
	Carers and Therapists at the Athlone ‘Caring for the Carers’ Day

Report from Dublin City (Hospice)

A total of 11 IMTA therapists from the Dublin City region were available on Saturday 10th to give massage treatments to carers. Due to the wonderful facilities in the Education & Research Centre in Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross, we were able to create a very special setting, with dimmed lights, soft music, candles and incense. The comments as carers came into the room said it all.

The feedback from the 20 carers we treated was really positive and heart-warming. They enjoyed their time out and after their treatments  stayed to enjoy refreshments in our Café Corner.  It was a pity that 9 carers who had booked in could not make it on the day but for those who did it was a very worthwhile experience and the therapists got so much out of the experience as well. We raised €250 for the Carers Association and look forward to repeating the experience for carers in Clondalkin on Wednedsay 14th.

	Aileen & Diana giving treatments
	Therese & Aileen with Richard & Nuala O’Reilly after their treatments

Report from 3 Centres in County Kerry

Well this is another success story.  Our therapists worked out of three centres in Kerry over two days: Hidden Spa, Killarney, Massage Clinic, Caherdaniel and the Coisceim Natural Therapy Centre in Tralee. Becuase of the large size of the Kindgom this made perfect sense and made the event more accessible to carers.

In total the girls treated 31 carers and raised €355 in donations for the Carers Association.  From all reports, this was a great bonding experience for the therapists themselves, not to mention the loving care and time out offered to the carers.  Everyone involved felt a great sense of achievement and camaraderie - which is what the IMTA is all about.

After the event on Monday evening there was a handing-over ceremony in the Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee amid much celebration and plans to expand the event next year.    A special thank you to Betty Rohan, recently retired and long- standing member of the IMTA.  Betty volunteered for the task of scheduling the carers' rotas for all three centres and ensured that all ran smoothly - many thanks for this invaluable input, Betty.

Therapists from Kerry Region presenting cheque for €355 to the Carers Association in Tralee.

Report from Clondlakin, Co. Dublin

On Wednesday 4 members of the Dublin city region travelled to Clondalkin to set up camp for the day in the Carers Association officers in the middle of the town.   Within an hour, we had transformed a drab meeting room into a mini-oasis of calm, soft candle light, incense and  the aroma of lavender wafting throughout to welcome the carers.

During the morning both therapists and carers were interviewed for Morning Ireland on RTE1 - it was heart-breaking to hear the plight of some of the carers and what they have to do every day to care for family members.  The interview  was transmitted the next morning and resulted in many telephone calls to the Carers Helpline enquiring about venues for the rest of the week.

During the day we treated and pampered 18 carers who just loved their time out while the staff kept everyone fed and watered - our thanks to Cathy, Mai and Catherine.   It was a pleasure and a privilige to work with the carers and to see the difference even these short  treatments made.   Exhausted,  but content that we had given 'something back' we wrapped up about 5.30 having raised another €180 for the Carers Association.

Report from New Ross, Co. Wexford

Germaine Reidy our Wexford RO, organised the venue for our event in the sunny sourth-east, but unfortunately had other commitments that week. Our thanks to Angela Devereaux who stepped in to co-ordinate the activities on the day. We had 15 carers for treatments, ranging from Indian head massage, reflexology and lots of back massages. The therapists were Susan Walsh, Marie Stafford, Paul McLaughlin and Joseph Foley and myself coordinating it although I did give a hand with a treatment.

I really was impressed with the Brandon House Hotel Solas Croi Spa. There was nothing they wouldn’t do for us;they provided towels, oil, tea, coffee, juices and fresh scones (which were delicious). Our thanks to Olga, the manager of the spa, who looked after all of us .....both therapists and carers so well during the day. Marion from the Carers Association in New Ross was very impressed with how everybody felt after their treatments and with the hospitality offered by the Hotel. We raised a total of €160 on the day.

Report from Bray, Co. Wicklow

Ten Wicklow therapists volunteered their time to share the hours available on 15th & 16th October to pamper Carers as part of Massage Awareness Week. At 2 p.m. on Thursday the Carers Association offices in Bray were transformed, with the computer equipment moved to make room for plinths and chairs. Candles lit and gentle music playing the Wicklow and South Dublin Region kicked off their contribution to Massage awareness Week.

26 carers took the opportunity to have much needed treatments and by the comments and happy faces, they really appreciated their treatments which included: Thai Foot, Swedish, Seated, Aromatherapy, Sports, Holistic and Reflexology, all of which raised €260.

A very rewarding experience for both therapists and Carers, a big thank you to all involved and a special thanks also to our therapists who kindly loaned plinths over this period. Following on this very successful event in Bray, a number of therapists felt the need to offer their services on a monthly basis for a reduced fee to carers - this suggestion is being followed up with the Carers Association.

Report from North County Dublin Region

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who gave their time and help on Saturday 17th October for our Caring for the Carers in the North Dublin region. We had a great day out in Beaumont Hospital.

The room that we used was donated by Beaumont Hospital free of charge. The Porters where great and helped us sort out the room and even gave us screens to divde the room into six -   that way we could have treatments on-going throughout the day. We were also given flowers by one of the gardeners (Miriam) from the hospital as a donation towards  the day.  We had the room set up with music playing low in the background and candles burning.  I arranged with the car park for all therapists to get free parking so there was very little cost to ourselves, except for lunch.

We had 10 therapists on the day and they all worked very hard.  We also had Jacquline Milman from the Carers Assoication in Dublin north with us. Jacquline made it easy for carers to come in and have a treatment. Some of the staff from the hospital came up for  treatments. All carerss came out of our tranquil room very relaxed and asking, when we were doing it again? and could we do it more often?  We were all delighted that we gave our time and effort for them for the day.

We raised €340, I also pulled a few strings to get my Job to match this which  gave us €680, and the girls in my office said that they would round it off to €700.

SO I AM DELIGHTED TO SAY THAT WE RAIISED €700 FOR THE CARERS ASSOICATION OF IRELAND.

Letter of thanks from Carers Association in North County Dublin

A short note to say thank you for the wonderful support we received from your members. We were able to hold Pamper Day massages in Porterstown, Beaumont Hospital & Navan. I attended Beaumont myself, I was there all day with Natasha and she organised a wonderful day for family carers.  I can't be sure how many therapists were there but over the day there must have been more than 12. Clodagh, in Navan, also had a great day and family carers phoned us the following week to thank us and said how much they enjoyed their pampering. Bernadette organised a venue for herself  and had 5 family carers, they also enjoyed their massage and pampering time out.

Bernadette had donations of €50, Clodagh received €180 and  Natasha raised €360 which was matched by her employer the Bank of Ireland. A total of €950 - this was a wonderful amount of money to raise and I am very grateful to have the use of it.
This was a great opportunity for family carers to make a little time for themselves in such a nice way. Thank you for supporting the Carers Association in general & Blanchardstown office in particular. Jacqueline Millman, Manager, CA

"Clodagh Roche, Meath/Louth Regional Officer, presenting cheque to Jacqueline Millman, Carers Association"

Report from Limerick/Clare Region

The Limerick/Clare Area of the IMTA decided to place our focus for Massage Awareness Week on the parents of the children attending the Mid- West Spina Bifida Association.  Five therapists, including myself were available on the day and 18 mothers had a relaxing massage.

The Mid-West Spina Bifida Association have a wonderful new centre where they have a large physio gym fully equiped with plinths ideal for massage, with the added bonus of a single therapy room. The Association takes great pride in their new unit and service and they personally provided a lunch and delicious treats for all present. The Chairperson said that in all the iniatives they have offered the parents this event got the most positive reaction, uptake and positive feedback. Mothers commented  'in all their years they have never had a massage' or  'they have never had time to think or care for themselves';  'massage was very relaxing'; 'it was a wonderful day out'. 

I would like to express my sincere thanks to John the Chairperson of the Mid-West Spina Bifida Association. To the therapists who kindly gave of their time: Margaret O Connell, Una Collins, Marion Fenton and Sharon Quilligan who also helped organise the venue and event before and on the day.  Ann Cosgrove, RO.