A SUPPORT group for those who have suffered the isolation accompanied with seeing a loved one taken into full-time care launches in Bournemouth today.

Enid Evans spent 13 years looking after her late husband Bill as he battled with vascular dementia.

In October 2013 Bill was taken ill in the middle of the night, requiring urgent hospital admission and long-term respite care.

A heartbroken Enid was told, given the nature of Bill’s condition, he would not be allowed to return home again.

“And that was it – just like that he was gone,” said Enid. “There was no way I could have continued to look after him. And that feeling of hopelessness was just overpowering.

“There was no-one there offering any help. I can only describe it as a desolate situation.”

Enid said this spurred her on to help others who may be enduring the same circumstances.

“If you have been in that situation, it helps to be around those who have faced a similar experience,” Enid added.

After detailed research Enid set up Carers Moving Forward in Dorchester, a group dedicated to offering friendship and support to those who been through that experience.

“The group has been a great success,” she said. “Everyone there has been in that situation. Having that support and friendship is so important in those times of desolation.”

The group in Dorchester continues, but Enid has now moved to the east of the county and today officially launches its Poole and Bournemouth branch in Alumhurst Road, Westbourne.

The monthly meetings will include information, speakers as well as outings and activities.

Enid said: “We understand why they may feel abandoned, guilty and confused about what is expected of them now. That’s because we have first-hand knowledge of what it’s like.”

For more information about Carers Moving Forward visit carersmovingforwarduk.co.uk, email info@carersmovingforwarduk.co.uk or call 0300 111 3303.