It provides support and strives to help family members adjust to a different sort of life when their loved one move to Northlands, and then the journey as we all move at a different pace along the inevitable path, sharing experiences and advice which is invaluable.

The group changes by its nature but it is rather telling and warming that family continue to come along and bring an insight many of us don’t have when their loved ones pass and with their reflective advice and thoughts. There is definitely a sense of camaraderie and a feeling we are in this together which is great to see and feel, especially with those who don’t have much support outwith. A feeling which permeates from Shirley, down through the staff in the caring environment at Northlands too; we don’t ‘put’ family in Northlands, we place and are part of Northlands.

The group also brings positive and beneficial elements to the residents too as through the family we feel we get to know the residents and can ‘tap’ into their world. As an example, if someone in the group is nervous about going on holiday ( usually through unwarranted guilt or what if??) we will make sure we take extra time with that resident when visiting; the small things make a difference. There feels a stronger connection by the group with the residents which can only be a good thing for them with additional interactions as we all visit throughout the week.

The group meet monthly, is informal (no agendas or minutes!), a friendly, supportive group which benefits the family but residents too as we all feel passionately that Northlands is their home and although not living with us we are part of where they are.