Caring for a family member or friend irrespctive of age or illness can be a very anxious and traumatic experience. I myself have had the experience of being a carer as my father, (called home on 7th December 2006), had combined Dementia/Alzhemier's and Vascular Dementia.

As I travelled the 'journey' with my father we both experienced the tremendous love, guidance and provision of God, however, I longed to be identified with a Carer's Support Group that had a Christian perspective but unfortunately I did not find any.

As a result of my research into this area I discovered "Carers Christian Fellowship" based in England. After contacting them and receiving their information it clarified and reinforced the need to pursue the possibility of establishing and developing a similar support group here in Northern Ireland and so the concept of "Called 2 Care Ministries" was conceived.

We have already held several information sessions in the new Monkstown Village Centre and have been encouraged by the numbers attending, which has included carers, former carers, ministers, pastoral visitors, professionals and others interested in the work.

To date the following has been established: -

• A Steering Group consisting of seven people
• A Constitution
• A monthly Support Group - 1st Monday of each month
• A Resource Library
• A Prayer Ministry
• A Web Site
• A Quarterly Newsletter - Called 2 Share

At present we are in the process of registering as a voluntary charity.