Kristiansand municipality – Relatives conference in Kristiansand

Welcoming: Nina Tanggaard Lomeland (Caregiver Contact in Life Management), Grete Mykstu Schulze (Children as Relatives Coordinator Life Management), Jorun Marie Kveldro (ATROP Support and Aftercare Center) and Eli Vasstrand (NKS Guidance Center for Relatives). Photo: Marianne Sletta Hansen.

Through lectures, films and studio conversations with skilled professionals, committed researchers and experienced relatives, this year’s theme “When everyday life turns” is illuminated. The conference itself is organized by the Relatives Center in Stavanger, and will be streamed on the big screen.

Before the streaming starts, deputy mayor Charlotte Beckmann Finnestad and municipal director for Health and coping Brede Skaalerud will open the conference.

There will be a presentation of various local offers for relatives, as well as several stands.

Cooperation

The conference is a collaboration between Kristiansand municipality, ATROP support and aftercare centre, NKS Veilingssenter and Sørlandet hospital. The parties organize coping courses for relatives.

Many relatives and professionals are calling for meeting places and skills development, and this is a measure to meet that need. New this year is that Sørlandet Hospital is participating in the collaboration.

Ann Christin Haugen works in the department for substance abuse and addiction treatment at the hospital, and meets relatives on courses and in groups.

– Many relatives we meet feel alone and powerless in the situation they are in. Their own lives are put on hold. It feels very meaningful to be able to take part in this great and important event about and for relatives, she says.

Relative contact in the municipality

Family contact Nina Tanggaard Lomeland is employed by Kristiansand municipality. She has been mainly responsible for the conference in all years.

– We look forward to repeating the success of creating an inspiring meeting place where we can build networks and meet others in the local community who are interested in relatives, she says.

She says herself and many others are looking forward to listening to a star-studded program consisting of, among others, Trond-Viggo Torgersen, Peder Kjøs, Dora Thorallsdottir, Kristiane M. Hansson and relatives.

Comedian Else Kåss Furuseth will chair the conference together with the general manager of the Relatives Center in Stavanger Unn Birkeland.

– We have good experience with that from last year. It will probably be a good mix of seriousness and humour, and a lot in between, says Lomeland.

The hospital

She also highlights the good collaboration that has been going on for several years, and which has now been expanded further.

– It is fantastic that the hospital is involved in the collaboration from this year. We are proud that we are four parties that join forces and collaborate on the conference. It also contributes to it being free for the participants, she says.

Last year the conference was fully booked, so it pays to register early as it is “first come, first served”. We are keen to give places to those who are present throughout the day, and expect those who sign up to attend the entire conference, she says.

The project group consists of: Nina Tanggaard Lomeland, Grete Mykstu Schulze and Monica Fronth from Kristiansand municipality, Jorun Marie Kveldro from ATROP support and aftercare centre, Eli Vasstrand from NKS Veilingsenter for relatives and Ann Christin Haugen from Sørlandet hospital.

Free

The conference is free for all registrants, and a delicious lunch, cakes, fruit and coffee are served.

Enrollment

Registration deadline: 15 August – first come, first served!

There are 90 places, and it is first come, first served. We want participation all day, so if, for example, you have to leave after lunch, please let us know when you register, so that we can prioritize those who can participate all day.

If you represent a local relative offer and wish to have a small stand, or if you wish to present the offer to everyone – then please let us know when you register. If you have allergies that we must take into account with regard to lunch, this must be stated when registering.