Comments
At Ceartas we are always keen to hear people's views and comments about our services or indeed their feelings on the situations that they have faced. Here is a selection of some of the things that people have shared with us.
The challenge for us all is to hold on to our mother's spirit, to not be embarrassed by her difficulties but to embrace that diversity. She has earned the right to be treated with respect and have services when she wants them, delivered by who she wants, where she wants them.
An excellent, first class service. I am always treated with the utmost kindness and consideration. Ceartas are very much an organisation that are behind me and give me the confidence that the right outcome will be achieved.
You have created an energy driven wee woman in me. THANKS A MILLION. I think I simply needed someone to believe in me and point me in the right direction and help me initially with the doctor and you have done that in more ways than you can imagine.
From schooldays we are taught to know our place - it’s better to sit quietly and say nothing than to stand up and make a fool of yourself. We accept it rather than cause a fuss. In adulthood the principal is the same - we passively receive services rather that actually determining what those services are... people we care about being made to fit into services rather that services being re-designed to fit individual needs…that is why Ceartas is so vital so that individuals are given the right support at the right time.
Why Ceartas? Because it has given me confidence, making me feel important and at ease by helping me get over the hurdles in my life. It looks at the whole picture of the person. The advocacy worker helped me make sense of things. I really appreciate the help you gave me through difficult times.
Ceartas allows us as social workers to focus on the needs of the person. It encourages that way of thinking as sometimes other things get in the way. It’s a big thing moving someone into care, I take it really seriously, I know what it means for people and part of taking it seriously means bringing in advocacy.
No matter where you are, or your situation, you can do something. We must become more confident and believe that we can change things for the better. Professionals need to embrace that change. Ceartas can help that process as it is community led, vocal, visible and a practical presence on the ground.
De Café is supportive the staff make you feel at home. We quickly realised and appreciated that it wasn’t just a cuppa and chat but it was also very informative about Ceartas. We all have troubles and worries but for that hour and a half at De Café you can forget everything else when you are talking to someone. It is an open house for people with dementia and their carers and is a valuable service.
My mum was the rock in the family, now my father does mostly everything. She has changed, repeating conversations, becoming incontinent, aggressive and emotionally detached. But she will always be the head of the family and the cement that holds it all together. But what about all those families that don’t have that? That is why Ceartas should be proud of it's organisation.