Carers Courier. Neath Port Talbot Carers Service. Neath Port Talbot Carers Service. Support for all Carers. Neath Port Talbot Carers Service

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1 Neath Port Talbot Carers Service Support for all Carers Winter 2016 Carers Courier Neath Port Talbot Carers Service Neath Port Talbot Carers Service 21 Alfred Street Neath SA11 1EF Registered Company No Registered Charity No

2 What s Been Happening 2 On November 24th Carers had an opportunity to have a break for the day and attend a shopping trip to Cardiff. The German Christmas market stalls along with the variety of shops provided an action packed day! The Carers Annual Christmas Party was held on 15th December at the Glyn Clydach Hotel. The Carers enjoyed dancing, raffles and the annual game of Irish Bingo along with a great buffet. We would like to thank all the Carers and staff who kindly donated to the raffle. The Carers Service runs various activities and events to decrease isolation, provide carers with a break from their caring role and give opportunities to meet others in similar situations. We are currently running courses as part of Reclaim your Life This is in partnership with NPT Mind. The courses are being held in The Centre Baglan and run every Tuesday from 9:30am to 11:30am If you would like to know more contact the Carers Service for information. Attend one or attend them all!! REMINDER! When attending our activities and events please remember only Carers Service staff are to take photographs/videos. We are able to get permission from Carers and their families to use the photographs for publicity such as newsletters, social media etc. Due to confidentiality those attending the events are not to take photographs. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you at future activities & events

3 Information 3 Our aim is to provide people aged 50 plus with the assistance, support and services that are needed to live a healthier, more active and independent life. Currently, our services include: Nail Cutting and Pedicure Service (chargeable) Volunteering Opportunities (working directly with older people, providing administrative support or help with fundraising activities) We have also developed a range of products and services with the needs of older people in mind. Through our Advant-AGE partnership we offer financial advice, funeral plans, stairlifts, personal alarms, equity release, legal services, energy provision, gift experiences and more. For more information or if you have any spare time and would like to volunteer, please contact us on: HELPLINE: info@acnpt.org.uk Registered Office: Alfred Street, Neath, SA11 1EH Charity: Company Number:

4 Carers Voice 4 What s happening now in Neath Port Talbot? Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council (CBC) provides day services to a wide range of groups, comprising of older people, adults with learning disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities and people with mental ill health. Services are currently delivered from 13 dedicated buildings, which are geographically spread across the County Borough. The Council s proposal aims to move away from the traditional building based model of Day Services and assist individuals to access existing activities that are available in people s own communities. If approved, the proposal will result in changes to services for older people aged 50+ who currently use the day centres and individuals with mild to moderate learning disabilities aged 16 to 64 who use the Care service, which is a building based day care service. Neath Port Talbot CBC has organised a number of events where you can discuss the consultation with representatives from the Local Authority. The dates for the events are below: Event 1 Date: Monday 7th March 2016 Venue: Neath Town Hall Time: pm Event 3 Date: Wednesday 9th March 2016 Venue: St Mary Centre, Church Hall Port Talbot Time: 10.30am-12pm Event 2 Date: Tuesday 8th March 2016 Venue: The Cross Centre Pontardawe Time: 10.30am-12pm Cuppa with Cllr Rogers Date: Thursday 3rd March 2016 Venue: Briton Ferry Community Centre Time: 10.30am-12.00pm For further information, please visit communitycareandhousingstrategyteamdirectservicesintegratedommunityservicemodel?tab=files What s happening nationally? The Welsh Government is currently consulting on the following documents: Working together to reduce harm Delivery plan The delivery plan describes the work that will be carried out to reduce the harm caused by substance misuse. Closing date: 30 th March 2016 Consultation on Together for Mental Health Delivery Plan The Welsh Government is seeking views on the priority areas and actions for it s Together for Mental Health Delivery Plan. The plan is part of a ten year strategy for improving mental health and wellbeing, and improving the care and treatment of people using mental health services, their carers and their families. Closing date: 4 th April 2016 Get in Touch For more information on any of the consultations or to access hard copy/ alternative versions of any of the documents, please contact Helen Evans, Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Facilitator at Neath Port Talbot CVS on or HelenE@nptcvs.org.uk. I d also like to hear your feedback and views regarding this page, so please get in touch.

5 Information 5 Home from Hospital Supporting People We are a free short term service helping people to regain their independent lifestyles. We take a holistic approach, finding out what matters to you. working with you, your family and friends to identify where support would be beneficial. We can help you with physical tasks such as shopping, light housework, monitoring, personal care, and laundry. We can help you with paper work such as benefits and tenancy applications, debt management and paying bills. We also empower people to enhance their lives by combating social isolation by supporting people to gain access to local services and activities. We are committed to providing an approach that puts you at the heart of the decision making our support, your way! Useful Contacts Care & Repair Community Safety Welfare Rights Neath MIND Citizens Advice Bureau

6 Information 6 We would like to welcome 3 new team members to the Carers Service! Jan Thomas is our newly appointed Carers Health Liaison Worker. Jan is in post to ensure health staff are aware of carers and issues carers often face. Jan will be having a presence in GP Practices and NPT Hospital developing stronger partnership working and making sure carers get the right information at the right time. Carol Jones and Carly Hastings have joined the team as Carer Support Workers. Carol and Carly are here to make sure Carers and their families are in receipt of the appropriate benefits, will carry out carers assessments in partnership with Social Services and will also assist with general support. The Carers Service has recently been awarded a grant from the Big Lottery. This grant will enable us to develop and deliver a sitting service for carers. The aim of the project is to provide opportunities for carers to have a life of their own and a meaningful break from their caring role. Volunteers will be available to keep the person being cared for company to give carers piece of mind knowing the person they care for is safe. The project will also have a Carer Connector in post to provide support to carers who have become isolated but want to get involved in community groups, leisure activities, training etc. All carers will be notified as soon as the project is up and running!!! Please contact us if any of the following apply to you : You are no longer a Carer. You no longer wish to receive information from us. Your contact details have changed. Your caring role has changed in any way. If you could please contact us on with your name and postcode and we can then apply any changes to your records on our database.

7 We Can Help 7 Don t Wait...It Could Be Too Late Have you ordered and received your benefit form to complete? Do you need support with filling it in? Your form will have a date to be returned on it... Get in touch with us ASAP once you receive it. If you delay in completing it by the date on the form you could be missing out on backdated payments. Are you entitled to Carers Allowance? Are you receiving the benefits you should be? Have you received a letter about changes to your benefits? Do you have any concerns or queries about the Benefit Reform and how you may be affected? For information on benefits you are entitled to, contact the Neath Port Talbot Carers Service on Did you know that you can now make a claim for Carers Allowance online? The Department of Work & Pensions are now promoting this as a preferred method of claiming. It can be much quicker and easier to claim this way if you have access to a computer as: A paper form can take 7-10 working days to arrive after requesting one. If you require help to fill the form in you may have to wait for the next available appointment. The form then has to be posted back to the Carers Allowance unit which has the possibility of postal delays. When completed online the claim form reaches the Carers Allowance unit immediately. If you need any help or advice in completing the online form you can contact the Carers Service, we will be happy to help you either by phone or if required, a home visit. The website to access the online form is

8 Carers Market 8 Top of the range shop rider mobile scooter. Has lights, indicators, rear view mirror and an adjustable seat. Comes with charger and instruction manual. 600 or nearest offer. 5 wheeled Quingo compacter scooter. 1 yr old. Can be dismantled to go into a car. Reasonable offer accepted. Foldable Delta Sports Rolator. Never used. Red & Black. Seat and bag included. 40 o.n.o. Lazyboy Electric power Riser/Recliner armchair. Choc brown leather. Immaculate condition. As new. 500 o.n.o. Red/Blue Go Go Elite Electric Mobility Scooter. Can be dismantled. Comes with charger and instruction manual. Ex condition. 380 If you are interested in the above please contact the Carers Service on If you have anything you would like us to advertise in our newsletters, please contact us and we will place it in the next edition. Tell your GP you are a Carer. Don t Forget!!! As a carer you have rights and there is support available. If you need advice or information just contact us Neath Port Talbot Carers Service now has a Facebook and a Twitter page for anyone who has access to the internet. This page will have up to date information on the service and any activities and events that are happening!!