Sligo

In the Sligo/Leitrim area, we organised a ‘Massage Awareness Day’ at the Carers Association Drop-in Centre in Sligo on Saturday 6th November. Four members of the IMTA offered massage treatments to 12 Carers throughout the day. (Sorry that a few others couldn’t make it due to illness. but we’ll be around again!). €225 was raised for the Carers Association on the day, and many thanks to all who made a contribution.

 

 

 

Nick Nixon, Manager, CA, Sligo waiting for carers to arrive

The venue in Sligo was the Carers Association Drop-in Centre on Mail Coach Road... and a grand cosy venue it was too. While the rain poured down outside, we were lovely and warm. In between treatments, there was coffee, tea and sandwiches for all supplied by Nick Nixon, Manager of the Centre, and some yummy big cakes that two of the Carers brought in! Many thanks.

The treatments we offered were Back Massage, Indian Head Massage and Reflexology. The day absolutely flew by, between giving treatments, chatting to all the carers who came in, and trying not to fall over one another as we shifted couches around depending on what treatment was needed!

L to R Rainer, Frances, Iris, Declan & Diana Dixon

We met so many lovely people, the day was a real pleasure. Even though we were pretty tired by the time 5 o’clock came, it was a good sort of tiredness. Thanks to everyone who made the day a success; the IMTA, the therapists (Iris, Rainer and Declan) who gave their time, Nick (and his wife Diana), and especially the Carers...This is something we will do again!

Frances Farrell, R.O. Sligo/Leitrim.

Dublin City

This year we moved our venue from the Hospice in Harold’s Cross to the HSE Day Care Facility in Rathmines. We set up four stations in two very cosy adjoining rooms, 3 plinths and one on-site chair and added lots of atmosphere with candles, soft music, burners and insence.

Copious amounts of tea and coffee were on offer during the day with lots of other goodies (sweet and savoury) for the carers and therapists. We also had use of the staff kitchen and large dining room where we set up a café corner. Most carers stayed after their treatments, some for a few hours and really enjoyed their “time out”. Others had to bring the family members they care for so we looked after them as well

At one point, we got a call from the Manager in the Hospice saying she had a very upset woman and her husband who had gone there in error on the bus (they had been to the Hospice venue for the last 2 years). So that they would not be disappointed we asked the Manager to call a taxi and send them down to us – they duly arrived and really enjoyed their treatments.

Therapists & Carers sharing “a cuppa” in Rathmines

We had 6 therapists volunteering between 11 and 4, each treating 3 carers and it all went like clockwork – in total we treated 24 carers and raised €240.

Mary Hunter, RO, Dublin City Region

Mullingar

This year the lead up to the event proved stressful for both myself and Bernie (Carers Association project worker) as it was fraught with difficulties on both sides. HOWEVER, even though the numbers of carers available for treatments was low we had a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing day.  None of the carers were in a hurry to leave as the craic was mighty.  Plenty of caring and sharing between carers and therapists before and after treatments. Some carers had never experienced a treatment prior to this and were amazed at how relaxing and uplifting it is. The RO went all casual, sporting a specially designed t-shirt for the day.

Maureen Benson, IMTA & Bernie Dowling, CA

The atmosphere and ability to relax prior to and after treatment was greatly enhanced by the newly renovated lounge in NATC (it's now like the lobby of a posh hotel).  Free flowing banter, refreshments, home-made scones and a fab tiered pastry server filled with home-made pastries brought in by one of the employees of NATC went down a treat.

There were OUCHES and revelations, tight muscles and a few tears but mostly there was a lot of joyous laughter,  Numbers may have been low but the spirit and outcomes were MIGHTY.  Each carer left declaring that they felt great. Each was also given a small parting gift.

I was greatly humbled by the courage and spirit of the carers and felt honored that I was able to play a part in their day.

Therapist who volunteered were Paul Kelly, Athlone, Aine Jones, Athlone, Ann Fenton, Ballinasloe , Anne O'Brien , Roscommon did the meeting, greeting and catering with my good self. We raised €60, which was not great, but Bernie said that from her perspective this is not what the day was about.  Bernie, in the course of conversation, made new contacts that could be financially rewarding means of fund-raising for the Carers Association.

Maureen Benson, RO, Westmeath