Name: Isobel Wilson

Proposed idea: Fortnightly reiki therapy offered for carers and bereaved carers. Support offered by Sarah Renwick, who will use the acquired equipment one day per month.

Start-up funding received: £1301 for equipment and initial room hire.

Project start date: 20th October 2014

Sustainability measures: Users of the service donate £5 /session to cover running costs and keep the service going.

Isobel on the background to her idea: As a carer, I was given free Reiki Therapy in Aberfeldy and then Perth. The benefit I received from this treatment was utterly amazing. Relaxing, healing in muscle pain and generally very therapeutic.
There are so many carers in Pitlochry who do not have access to this therapy that with the qualifications I now have, I feel I am able to give back to the community of Pitlochry some of the benefits I received through Reiki Therapy.

Isobel’s reflections on the process: I wasn’t up against any barriers at first but I needed support. I didn’t think of financial support at first, and then the financial support option came along and that did make a difference because I got little things that I would never have taken for myself, which has made the therapy much easier to apply. It has really taken off! The first and third Monday of the month. I had the second session full before the first session was finished. I had limited myself to the linen that I needed which meant that I’d have to get home and wash them and get them dried, and ironed…that’s the worst bit. But with the funding I was able to buy another two sets and that has made a big difference. I am not so rushed and I don’t get panicky. And being able to have a stool on wheels so I don’t need to pull a chair along, I can just wheel it, that’s made a big difference too.

But the main thing is the support I have had from the project! From Fiona in particular. She has been outstanding, because she is always at the end of the phone. Even when she is in a meeting she gets back to me. At the moment I am meeting with Craig Lewis, the senior charge nurse from the older people’s mental health team, and he is looking to see if I can get accommodation for the service at the community hospital in Pitlochry. And also from a friend down at Aldour Court because they have two little rooms. I’m still waiting to hear if we can have one of those.

(Image by Pablo Nicolás Taibi Cicare)