Carers Newsletter CARERS WEEK 2016 CONTENTS

Transcription

1 Carers Newsletter Vol 27 September 2016 CONTENTS CARERS WEEK 2016 Thank you to all the carers who attended the Carers Week events in June. All three adult events were very successful and the evaluations reflected how much carers gained from the time out. Christy Kenneally was a great hit with everyone at the Fermanagh event. Christy was inspirational, funny and demonstrated a great empathy of the demands of the caring role. Siobhan Heaney from Sintonicity was engaging and energetic. Again Siobhan having been a carer herself can identify with the specific and unique needs of carers to have time out. The energy in the room following Siobhan s workshop was palpable. The evening event in Omagh was well attended. We were delighted that so many carers attended as this is the first time we have run an evening event. Gene Fitzpatrick was entertaining with his light hearted repartee engaging the audience throughout. We appreciated the way in which carers joined in this good humour of the evening. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Laura Ritchie and Geraldine McLaughlin for their organisation of the events and thank the Trust senior managers who took time out of their busy schedules to show their support. 1. Carers Week Carers Week Benefits 4. Short Breaks 5. Short Breaks 6. Help and Support 7. Carers Forums 8. Contacts Dates for your diary! Pictured Left Carers and guest speaker Christy Kenneally at the Fermanagh event in the Killyhevlin Hotel Below Carers and guest entertainer Gene Fitzpatrick at the Omagh event in The Silverbirch Hotel. Pictured Left Carers and staff at the L Derry event in the City Hotel

2 Another Successful Carers Week for Regional Young Carers Service Campsie Karting : Thursday the 9th June In attendance were 24 Young People from across the Western trust who came together for an evening of fun at Campsie Karting. The young people had chance to Go Kart and play Bubble Mania Football inside giant zorbs. For a lot of the young people in attendance it was their first time trying such activities and there was a great sense of excitement. The young people all give it a try and spirits were high. After coming off the track the young people could not hide how much they appreciated it. Todds Leap: Saturday 11th June We had a fun packed day at Todd s Leap, Ballygawley with 24 young carers in attendance. Activities included: Team games, giant swing and Hilly Rally. Again this was the first time for some of the young people to come here and try such activities and a lot of the young people faced their fears and tried all the activities. The young people mixed really well and new friendships were formed. There was a great sense of pride and the young people were proud to be young carers welcoming the chance to celebrate. The young people loved the fact that they were away all day and fun was had by all. Laser Space: Saturday 18 th June Young Carers from all over the Western Trust area attended Laser Space where they played Laser Quest, Neon Golf, and Football Pool. We had a break in the middle of the day for lunch where all the young people from different areas had a chance to mix with each other and catch up with others they hadn t seen since the last big event. All three activities were enjoyed greatly by all that attended. Those that were nervous faced their fears and participated really well including workers and volunteers. These opportunities really give young carers the chance for a break from their caring role. Their caring responsibilities at home can be stressful. The events give them a chance to take part in activities they wouldn t normally get a chance to do while mixing with other young carers who are in a similar situations. This enables them to be themselves and talk freely about their home life. We are very grateful for the help from the Western Trust Carers Support in helping us to make this happen. Page 2 Can we come back here? Thank you so much for inviting me. Young Carers at Campsie Karting I loved it! That was brilliant! Young Carers at Todd s Leap

3 Benefits Information Social Security Agency Improving Uptake of Benefits Community Outreach Officers Name Office Base Telephone Derek Moran Enniskillen Sharon Scott Strabane Steven Horner Foyle Lisnagelvin Limavady steven.horner.nissa.gsi.gov.uk Thomas Corey Omagh Not sure what benefits you are entitled to or need a benefits check? For independent advice and support contact: - Omagh Independent Advice Service Tel: (028) Dove House Resource Centre, Derry Tel: (028) The Resource Centre, Derry Tel: (028) Rosemount Community Resource Centre, Derry Tel: (028) Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI) Tel: (028) Citizens Advice Bureau: (Fermanagh) Tel: (028) (L/Derry) Tel: (028) Spencer Rd, L Derry Tel: (028) (Strabane) Tel: (028) Carers NI also provide advice and support via a helpline Tel: (028) Benefit Rates (April 2016) CARER'S ALLOWANCE Carer premium Earnings limit ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE Higher rate Lower rate DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE Care Component Highest Middle Lowest Mobility Component Higher Lower Page 3

4 SHORT BREAKS Taking a break is vital to your health and wellbeing. If you and the person you care for are considering a break/holiday here are some websites that you may find useful which cover Northern Ireland: Organises holidays for disabled travellers and their carer across the UK and abroad. Lists accessible holiday accommodation for people with disabilities in the UK Specialist travel agency for holidays within the UK and abroad Holidays for disabled travellers in hotels and apartments across the world. Charities assisting with the cost of your holiday: 3H Fund (Helping hands for holidays) Funding opens in January. Family income must be less than 30,000 and there has to be a disability within your party. Online directory of grant giving bodies that can offer financial support. One site we found on this was Saga Holidays well worth a look. Help provide breaks away for families usually a Haven Holiday Park. Assistance with funding holidays for carers. Offers grants to people with multiple sclerosis for respite care/holiday. Page 4

5 SHORT BREAKS continued Additional Hotels The Irish Wheelchair Association has 3 holiday centres: Cuisle Holiday Centre, Co. Roscommon welcomes both disabled and non-disabled guests, The Irish Wheelchair Association s Cuisle Holiday Centre is a fully accessible resort with a bar, sauna, hot tub and gym. In County Roscommon, Cuisle offers en-suite rooms, Wi-Fi, a restaurant and entertainment. Cuisle, Donamon, Co. Roscommon, Tel: Claddagh Court Holiday Centre offers accessible holiday breaks tailored to the requirements of each guest. The Holiday Centre is a four bedroomed facility which is located in the heart of Kilkenny City. For more information or a holiday booking form please contact: Tel: The Carmel Fallon Holiday Centre is currently offering Mid-Week and Weekend Breaks to people with physical and sensory disabilities. The Centre also offer self-catering weekends to IWA members via their local IWA Resource and Outreach Centres. For further details or to make a reservation contact or carmelfallonrespite@iwa.ie Bond Hotel Blackpool A respite break at The Bond Hotel, provided by Holidays With Care, allows both the carer and the person living with the disability the chance to relax, unwind and benefit from a truly enjoyable holiday, as well as providing support for individuals to explore and maintain their independence. All of their care packages, which are delivered by expertly trained and friendly staff, are tailored to suit the guest and the level of care they require. They cater for those with physical and learning disabilities, those with mental health needs and individuals with hearing and visual impairments. There are four easy ways to contact them: sales@bondhotel.co.uk Phone: (01253) Post: Bond Hotel, 120 Bond Street, Blackpool, FY4 1HG Fax: (01253) Page 5

6 GOOD DAY GOOD CARER There are times when it all gets too much and it is good to have someone to talk to. Good Day Good Carer is a regional telephone service with trained volunteers who will listen. The volunteers will try to match you with support within your area where it is available. The Good Day Good Carer project is part of the Mind the Gap project funded by the Big Lottery. Contact Good Day Good Carer Telephone (028) Carers Information Follow us on:- Western Trust Health Improvement The Western Trust Health Improvement department have a training brochure available on the Trust website. The Health Improvement department can deliver training in the community to Carers Groups. The types of training available are Mental Health First Aid, Safe Talk, Nutrition and Walk Leader Training. Link below Carers UK Support Carers UK run a listening ear service where carers can talk about their situation with one of the volunteers who are trained in listening support. This service is run through the Carers UK Adviceline ( ) on a Monday and a Tuesday (9am to 5pm). If you would like to just have a chat about your feelings then you are more than welcome to give the Adviceline a call during these times. Carers UK also have an online Forum run by carers for carers, offering a safe space where carers can talk to others who know what they are going through. People post messages, questions and comments onto the Forum and other cares reply and offer their experience. You can access the Forum at Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help. Page 6

7 Adult LD Carers Forum The Adult LD programme has a Carers Voice Forum established. This forum has two functions: To inform carers on the range of services provided, plans for change, reform and modernisation. To provide a forum for carers to come together to discuss their views, thoughts and ideas on how services are run and where they can see opportunities for service improvement change. Who The Forum is attended by carers and the senior management team from the Adult Learning Disability programme. Where There are 2 meetings per year in each of the following localities: Limavady Benbradagh Centre Derry Lakeview Hospital Strabane Glenside Day Centre Omagh Omagh Centre Enniskillen Lackaboy Day Centre CARERS VOICES FORUMS Communication of dates and venues will be via Day Centres, the LD page of the Trust website and social work staff. The next round of meetings will be scheduled for September / October 2016 dates to be confirmed. Parent Carers Forum for Disabled Children Within the WHSCT, Disabled Children s Services established a Project Team which operated from April March This ensured engagement and communication with families and staff regarding the Trust s review of short break provision. A News Sheet was regularly issued to families availing of this service; this was also made available on the Trusts Carers webpage. Expressions of Interest have now been obtained in preparation for establishing a Parents/Carer s Forum. The service is committed to parental/carer s involvement in the development of services for disabled children and young people. The first meeting of the Parents/Carer s Forum is scheduled to take place in September Carers Forum Adult Physical Disability and Sensory Services Adult PD and Sensory Services have established a Carers Forum in the southern sector of the Trust. The forum have met twice and are currently reviewing information available for carers. The plan is to develop an equivalent forum in the northern sector, if you are interested please contact Geraldine or your key worker. Older Peoples Services. The senior management team in older peoples services are currently exploring models of carer involvement. The service is committed to meaningful engagement to ensure best outcomes for carers. We will have more information in the next newsletter of how the older peoples programme of care plan to take this forward. Page 7

8 Cathy Magowan Carer Support Co-ordinator Cathy Magowan Carer Support Coordinator Western Health and Social Care Trust 2 Coleshill Road, Enniskillen Co. Fermanagh BT74 7HG Tel: (028) Cathy.Magowan@westerntrust.hscni.net CARER DEVELOPMENT WORKERS Laura Ritchie (Mrs) WHSCT Carers Development Worker Community Services Dept 2 Coleshill Road Enniskillen BT74 7HG Direct Line: (028) Laura.Ritchie@westerntrust.hscni.net Geraldine McLaughlin (Mrs) WHSCT Carers Development Worker Shantallow Health Centre Racecourse Road Londonderry BT48 8NL Direct Line: (028) GeraldineAnn.McLaughlin@westerntrust.hscni.net DATES FOR YOUR DIARY DATE TIME EVENT VENUE 23/09/ CARER AND STAFF 19/10/ CARER AND STAFF 15/11/ CARER AND STAFF 09/12/ CARERS CAROL SERVICE FOLLOWED BY CARER /STAFF BREAKOUT ROOM (BESIDE LECTURE THEATRE) LEVEL 2, SOUTH WEST ACUTE HOSPITAL, ENNISKILLEN LCDI (Roe Valley Hospital Site) LIMAVADY OLD SCHOOL CANTEEN (T&F Hospital Site) OMAGH next to staff canteen. ST. COLUMB S PARK HOUSE, L/DERRY Please register with Geraldine (028) /12/ CARERS CAROL SERVICE LECTURE THEATRE, LEVEL 2, SOUTH WEST HOSPITAL, ENNISKILLEN Please register with Laura (028) /01/ CARER AND STAFF ST. PATRICK S HALL, STRABANE 23/02/ CARER AND STAFF. ST. BRIDGET S HALL, CARNHILL, L/DERRY Page 8