What s new in your area?

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1 Welcome to the East Surrey Area Carers Support Newsletter. In this edition you are able to meet the team, find out where the nearest support group is to where you live. The newsletter will come out 3 times a year. What s new in your area? News from East Surrey area NEW CARERS VOICE GROUP Come and meet to discuss current topics that affect you and the people you care for and receive support to make your voice heard. When: First meeting Tuesday 16th January 1:30 3:30 pm. Where: Pizza Express Caterham If you would like to come along for a drink and discussion please contact the Carers Information Centre on: Upcoming Speakers at Reigate Mental Health and Wellbeing Group 8th Jan 2018 Meet Carers Practice Advisers for local Adult Social Care boroughs. NEW! Colleagues as Carers Group Action for Carers and West Sussex Carers Support have jointly set up a group for staff at the hospital who are also unpaid carers for a relative, friend or neighbour. When: First Thursday of every month 15:00 16:00 pm Where: Redwood Annex at East Surrey Hospital Please contact Clare Percival if you would like to come along for a chat and some time for yourself. 12th Feb 2018 Wellbeing Prescription Advisers will lead a wellbeing activity. 12th Mar 2018 Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead Adviser will lead a topic based session. 1

2 Carers Voice This is your chance to have your say. What are we doing well? What do we need to improve? Surrey Young Carers In 2016, Surrey Young carers (SYC) commissioned Theatre of Debate to produce People Like Us, a play and a debate about the lives of young carers living in the UK. The production was developed with the input of health, educational professionals and young carers. People Like Us tells the story of two young carers Gemma and Tyler, who are both 16. This fast moving and contemporary drama with humour was written by Judith Johnson. The live play and debate toured to fifteen secondary schools in Surrey in January and February As a result of the performances and debates in schools many students were able to self-identify themselves as young carers for the first time. Now on 25th January 2018, At the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the film will premier to a select guest list. Well done Surrey Young Carers. Veterans Eligibility- Are you a Veteran? To qualify for support from Armed Forces carers support, you have to be a carer providing unpaid care to a family member who is a serving member, a Reservist, a Veteran or a member of the family. Armed Forces carers support accepts that a British Armed Force veteran who has received one day s pay is entitled to our services. This includes anyone that has completed their National Service. 2

3 BAME My name is Sally Burton and I have worked with Carers for over 13 years running a small support organisation in Waverley Borough. Having managed a case load for many years, I have now had a change in role and am the manager of the Carers Information Centre here at Action for Carers Surrey. I have a background in a variety of care roles and settings with a particular interest in dementia and elderly care. However I feel I have gained a sound knowledge base in all areas of Carer support over the years which I am keen to build on. Recent changes to the carers support services in Surrey have allowed Action for Carers to look at the equality of services and accessibility of support across the whole county, it is therefore important that strategies are in place to ensure we are not only reaching hidden Carers but giving everyone equal chance to access the support on offer. We are therefore, as a team, creating and developing various strategies going forward. I will be taking the lead in supporting BAME (Black and Asian Minority Ethnics) Carers and I will be working with as many groups as I can to try to make sure we are offering the right support with a timely and suitable approach. Needs and cultural differences are important to us and we will endeavour to learn and develop whenever we can to meet the needs of all Carers in all areas of Surrey. Dementia/Alzheimer's I m Tessa Emery, the Senior Carers Support Adviser for the East Surrey area, which covers the Tandridge District and Reigate, Redhill and Horley areas. So many carers in Surrey are caring for someone with dementia and I am developing a strategy to meet the needs of dementia carers. The dementia strategy plans include: Giving carers a place where they can support one another or simply get a small break from caring for a couple of hours. Providing all our advisers with comprehensive information about services and support that carers can access at any stage of caring for a loved one with dementia, whether the diagnosis is new or has been progressing for a number of years. Working in partnership with other charities and support providers that help people with dementia and their carers. Please look out for updates in our coming newsletters! 3

4 Groups in the East area Date Time Group Address Second Monday of every month 13:30 15:30 pm Reigate Mental Health and Wellbeing Carers St Mary s Church Centre, Chart Lane, Reigate Third Tuesday of every month 13:30 15:30 pm Carer s Voice Group FIRST MEETING: Pizza Express Caterham We are establishing new groups in the East Surrey area, so please let us know what kind of groups you would like to see by contacting our information centre (details below). If you would like to attend one of the groups or need more information please contact our information centre. Tel: or CSAdmin@actionforcarers.org.uk 4

5 Other services in your area Support for those affected by addiction. Tel: Tel: Safe Haven Redhill An evening and weekend drop-in service for people experiencing mental ill-health and their carers. Wingfield Resource Centre St Annes Drive Redhill Surrey RH1 1AU Monday-Sunday 6-11 pm 5

6 Contacts and useful information Adult Social Care Contact Centre Age UK Surrey Alzheimer s Society Blue Badge Team Christians Against Poverty Citizens Advice Centres Crossroads Care (Respite Care) East Surrey MENCAP Face to Face (Parent Befriending) Home Start East Surrey National Autistic Society National Helpline NHS 111 Service - non-emergency 24/7/365 service 111 Parkinson s UK Crawley, East Grinstead, Reigate and Redhill Samaritans Sailor Soldier and Air Force Association (SSAFA) St Catherine s Hospice Surrey Independent Living Council Surrey Law Centre Surrey SEND Information Advice and Support Service Tandridge Community Transport One Stop Shop (covers East Surrey) Action for Carers (Surrey) is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Charity no; Company No: Reg. in England & Wales. Reg Office: Astolat, Coniers Way, Burpham, Guildford, GU4 7HL. 6