Karin De Novellis

KICK OFF WITH A VERSE: FREE, WEEKLY, ONLINE SESSIONS

FOR UNPAID CARERS OF SOMEONE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

AND FORMER CARERS ADJUSTING

Thursday afternoons 14.00 - 15.30 GMT

and

Wednesday evenings 19.00-20.30 GMT

Term times until mid-August 2025

The sessions are for unpaid carers of family members or friends,  

• wherever you live, internet connection and time zone permitting

• whether the person you care for lives with you, independently or     in a residential setting; or if you are recently bereaved.

What happens in a 90-minute session? We….

• check in to clear the air

• share with other carers in a confidential space

• develop relaxation skills

• are curious about the challenges which come up when caring

• listen to poems and find our own words to say it how it is

• finally, we check out.

Here are some things participants have said about the sessions

“You feel you are not on your own and that your experience is normal.”

“You can lose yourself doing something creative.”

“It - the group, the time - was for us; this one hour and a half was ours and it felt safe.” 

My first training was as a speech and language therapist but most of my work has been in mental health. I have an MSc in Psychological Counselling and worked as a counsellor in primary care in London for 18 years, alongside my private practice as both therapist and clinical supervisor. I trained in hypnotherapy and brought both counselling and mindfulness/relaxation skills to the different kinds of support groups I have facilitated over the years.

Alongside my practice, for 15 years I taught counselling skills on the MA in Psychotherapy at the Minster Centre in London.

Everything changed when my husband was diagnosed with vascular dementia and our relationship became a care-partnership lasting six years. I used to write to get things off my chest which resulted in a collection of poems, Closing Time at the Kings Head. In Kick off with a Verse sessions, the poems are used as a springboard for reflection and sharing.   I bring together the skills I have learned over the years and offer them in a structured way.  

Although the intention is that every week we shall: check in - stretch - ground ourselves- listen to a poem - talk about what has come up for us - say it how it is in our own words  and then check out, at times the group may decide on something different. The sessions are "organic ", responding to what participants share.

Working together

The group is limited to 12 members.  People may join over time until the group is full.

So that we can share with confidence and trust, I have drafted an agreement for working together. This will be sent to you before your first meeting. 

When there are six plus participants, we meet both as a large group and in small groups using the breakout room facility on Zoom. This is so that more people can have a say. 

We shall be writing things down at times. Please have pen and paper handy. Perhaps invest in a beautiful notebook; our words are of value.

As a carer, it is very difficult to carve out some personal time. Don’t worry if the person you care for requires your attention during the session. It is completely understandable.

When a new person joins, we introduce ourselves to each other and then carry on pretty much as usual. You will receive information about the group before your first session, including the agreement for working together. If necessary, you will be able to query any of this with me before joining.

There is some flexibility around attendance, because, as a carer, that is needed. For example, I know that due to the responsibilities of caring, some absences may be unavoidable. However, as much as possible, I ask you to prioritise the sessions for a period of time rather than using the sessions as an occasional drop in.

The group is on-going until mid-August 2025, but your circumstances may change and you may wish to leave beforehand and that is fine. Please give us some warning - ideally the week before your last session. That way we know when we shall meet with you for the last time and ready ourselves to say goodbye.

If you are interested in joining but are unsure or have questions, please contact me to arrange a time to talk.