Carers Voice. Issue 99 September North Tyneside Carers Centre

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1 Carers Voice North Tyneside Carers Centre Issue 99 September 2017 Features: New Carers Centre Strategy Carers Assessments Carers Rights Day Autumn Activities and Peer Support Groups Calendar of events And we re moving, but we ll be back soon!!!

2 Carers Centre Strategy: Have your say in shaping our five year Strategy: North Tyneside Carers Centre Strategy runs out at the end of We want to make sure that carers have their say on the future direction of the Carers Centre to help us deliver our mission to: Improve the quality of life for carers in North Tyneside Over the last five years our services have changed to meet the needs of carers and to cope with increased demand. We have: Developed peer support groups across the borough to increase opportunities for carers to access emotional support and share experiences with their peers Developed a training programme which offers a wide range of opportunities for carers to learn new skills and gain confidence Worked as a lead partner with North Tyneside Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group to deliver actions within North Tyneside s Commitment to Carers Worked with North Tyneside Council on the implementation of the Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act, regarding the increased rights of carers Delivered carer awareness training across social care, health and education, to improve recognition and support for carers Developed a model of family support to meet the needs of young carers Expanded our breaks and activities service for young carers Worked with local employers to identify barriers to carers seeking/maintaining employment We understand that your time is very limited so we have organised three different ways for you to have your say: Carers Survey - Complete the hard copy enclosed and return to us using the prepaid envelope enclosed, OR Complete online at

3 Formal consultations about the strategy will take place on: Date Time Area Venue Monday, 18/09/2017 Monday, 18/09/2017 Thursday, 21/09/2017 Thursday, 21/09/ am pm Whitley Bay Customer First Centre/Library 1.00 pm pm Wallsend Customer First Centre/Library am pm Dudley Customer First Centre/Library 5.30 pm pm North Shields Carers Centre, YMCA Carers Assessments: Are you aware of your right to a Carer s Assessment? A carer s assessment is for adult carer caring for an adult (over 18 years) who is elderly, has an illness or a disability. Any carer who appears to have the need for support should be offered an assessment by the local council. As a carer you will be entitled to an assessment, regardless of the amount, or type of care you provide. You can have an assessment whether or not the person you care for has had a needs assessment, or if the council has decided they are not eligible for support. The carer s assessment is the opportunity to discuss with the local council what support or services you need. The assessment will look at how caring impacts on your life and wellbeing, for example physical, mental and emotional needs and whether you are willing to carry on caring. If you and the person you care for agree, a combined assessment of both your needs can be undertaken at the same time. Following the assessment, North Tyneside Council Adult Social Care Team will decide if you are eligible for support, which can be provided either to you as a carer, or to the person you care for, to reduce the impact of caring on you. Not all carers will be eligible for support; however you may still benefit from the opportunity to talk about your situation and how the caring role is impacting on your wellbeing.

4 If you have not been offered an assessment, you can request one by: Talking to the professional who is assessing the person you care for Contacting the Carers Centre on Contacting North Tyneside Council s Gateway Team on , fax , or send an SMS text message to Carers Rights Day: 24th November 2017: With a focus on our new Carers Strategy and carers assessments, we have decided to get out and about across the borough to inform and advise those carers who are not aware of their rights to an assessment how to go about requesting one. We will also be holding a conference for Health & Social Care professionals. We will use the opportunity to explore carers rights with them and explore how we can all improve our services to you, the carers. We will feedback to you in our November newsletter. For further information on Carers Rights Day visit: New Temporary Location: Due to the continued refurbishment of the YMCA building, we will be moving out of our third floor home. At the time that this newsletter goes to print we do not have a moving date or a new location but we won t be very far away. All activities will go ahead as advertised but if you are planning to attend an activity at the Centre please check out our website at or telephone the Centre on to confirm the venue. Please contact the Centre on for further information and to book any of the activities listed.

5 Autumn Programme: Book Club: Our Book Club meets on the 3rd Thursday of the month, from am to pm. For further information contact Jacqui Horton at or on Walking Group: Details of our next two guided walks can be found below: Thursday 19th October am Enjoy a pleasant walk from Whitley Bay, along the coast to Tynemouth. Meet at Whitley Bay Metro Station, Platform 2. Thursday 16th November am The group will visit Dobbies Garden World, Ponteland. The coach will leave Dobbies at 3.00 pm to return to the Centre. Clinics: Admiral Nurse Surgery: Admiral Nurses, from Age UK North Tyneside, offer monthly surgeries at the Carers Centre. If you care for someone with memory problems or dementia and would like to book an appointment please call us on Benefits Advice: A member of the Warmzone team delivers one to one sessions, providing advice, guidance and help on benefits and with the completion of forms. To book please call Tech. Days: Monday, 30th October & Thursday 30th November If you are having problems with your phone, laptop or tablet help is at hand! Maybe your new device has features you are unfamiliar with, or you have a problem or query with an existing device. Book a consultation with Suzy Hall, our Training Officer, on

6 Training: All sessions must be booked in advance. First Aid Tuesday 3rd October 1.00 pm pm & Friday 17th November am pm Learn some basic first aid for the most common things that might happen in and around the home, including burns, cuts and CPR. Coping with Panic and Anxiety Monday 9th October 1.00 pm pm Why do we feel anxious? What can we do to stop anxiety taking over our lives? How can we deal with panic and feel more in control? Come along and find out! Stroke Awareness Tuesday 17th October 1.00 pm pm Helping you to come to terms with physical and emotional changes that can result from a stroke; giving you a better understanding of the condition and how the person you care for is affected. Infection Control for Carers Friday 20th October am pm Looking at the importance of infection control, especially when providing personal care. We will look at how to recognise common conditions, infection and how to limit its spread. Assertiveness Tuesday 7th November 1.00 pm pm Explore reasons why we might not be assertive. Learn techniques you can practice to be assertive in situations you find problematic. Internet Safety Tuesday 21st November 1.00 pm pm Learn about the World Wide Web; how to stay in touch with friends and relatives, booking holidays, banking and staying safe online. Burns Prevention & Fire Safety Thursday 23rd November 1.00 pm pm Take a look at how burns happen, how we can prevent them and First Aid for burns. We will also look at planning an escape route from a house fire, taking into account the needs of the person you care for.

7 Caring with Confidence Dementia Course: Finding your Way Thursday 5th October 1.00 pm pm This session will give you an overview of the course. Learn how to identify what matters to you as a carer of someone with dementia. We will do our best to shape the course to meet individual needs. Caring for Someone with Dementia Thursday 12th October & 19th October 1.00 pm pm We will look at: symptoms and how they relate to behaviour, how to communicate effectively and how you might deal with a variety of situations such as repetition, aggression and unusual behaviour. Caring and Coping Thursday 26th October 1.00 pm pm We will look at strategies to help you to minimise stress. You will have a chance to take some time out and think about how you juggle competing demands and how your caring role fits with other aspects of your life. Caring Day to Day Thursday 2nd November 1.00pm pm We will look at the practical aspects of looking after someone with memory problems and how it can affect your life - from medication and finances, to emergencies at home. We will discuss resources and services that can help you. Unforgettable When his mum was diagnosed with early onset dementia, her son, James Ashwell, along with his siblings, discovered that, although products were available to help his mum and her carers, it was not always easy to find them. This led to the creation of Unforgettable, a catalogue that is available in paper format and online, which contains details of products, tips and services that help people with dementia and their carers. The Centre has copies of the catalogue if you would like to borrow one or you can visit their website at

8 October/November (Check Training and Peer Support Pages for times) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 2 3 First Aid 9 Coping with Panic & Anxiety 10 Killingworth Dementia Support Group Centre Support Group Stroke Awareness 4 5 Men s Group CWC Session 1 Step up Group 11 Centre Dementia Support Group 12 Coast Support Group CWC Session Autism Support Group Book Club CWC Session 3 Walking Group CWC Session 4 Mental Health Support Group 30 Tech. Day 31 Early onset Dementia Support Group November 1 Men s Group 2 CWC Session 5 Step up Group 6 Centre Support Group 13 Live Well Project 20 Wallsend Support Group Infection Control 27 Out and About Group 3 Centre Support Group

9 November (Check Training and Peer Support Pages for times) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 6 7 Assertiveness Killingworth Dementia Support Group Centre Support Group Internet Safety Centre Early onset Dementia Support Group 8 Centre Dementia Support Group Coast Support Group Autism Support Group Walking Group Book Club Burns Prevention & Fire Safety Mental Health Support Group Tech Day 17 First Aid Live Well Project 24 Wallsend Support Group Out & About Group Carers Rights Day!!!

10 Male Carers Group Peer Support Groups: We offer a range of support groups, including condition specific support. Our groups are run by friendly volunteers who will welcome you to each session. No need to book, just turn up on the day, except for activities marked with a B, which denotes that booking in advance is required. Contact the Centre on to book. All Carers Coast: New Prospects, 38 South Parade, Whitley Bay on the second Thursday of every month, between am pm. Wallsend: Parkside House, Elton Street East, Wallsend on the third Friday of every month, between am pm. Centre: North Tyneside Carers' Centre on the first Friday and third Tuesday of every month, between am pm. Dementia Support White Swan Centre, Killingworth on the second Tuesday of every month, between am pm. (Room 12) North Tyneside Carers' Centre on the second Wednesday of every month, between 1.00 pm pm. Early on-set Dementia Group North Tyneside Carers Centre on the last Tuesday of the month, between 1.30 pm pm. Autism Support North Tyneside Carers' Centre on the third Thursday of every month, between 6.15 pm pm. Out and About Group Whitley Bay Lighthouse - followed by a cuppa and a chat in the Rendezvous Café. Entry to the lighthouse (B) Friday 27th October 1.00 pm pm. Wetherspoons, Wallsend (85-87 High Street, Wallsend) Friday 24th November 1.00 pm pm. (B) Live Well Project The following events have been arranged in partnership with Tyne & Wear Museums. Kath Boodhai, Assistant Outreach Officer for the Live Well project, will accompany the group on both visits.

11 Shipley Art Gallery: Friday 13th October 1.00 pm pm Enjoy a visit to the home to William Irving s famous painting, The Blaydon Races, in this the gallery s centenary year. Introductory tour and craft making activity (optional). (B) Laing Art Gallery: Friday 17th November 1.00 pm pm Enjoy a trip to this popular gallery in the heart of Newcastle. Visit the Paul Nash Landscape exhibition. (B) For both events meet at the YMCA café, North Shields at pm Men s Group (Free Activities) Durham Cricket Club Wednesday 6th September am pm Watch a match, enjoy a light lunch and a tour of the ground. Transport will be provided. Please meet at the Centre. (B) Bowling Thursday 5th October am pm Enjoy a game of ten pin bowling at Star Bowling, Royal Quays. (B) My Antarctica Expedition Wednesday 1st November pm Enjoy a lively talk at Whitley Bay Comrades Club given by Peter Talbot. (B) Step Up Group (16-25 years) Planning Session Thursday 5th October 6.00 pm pm Step Up members, past and present, are invited to help the group plan activities for the coming year. Buffet tea provided. Come and have your say on the future of the Step Up Group!! (B) Pirate Escape! Thursday 2nd November 6.00 pm pm Our pirate crew will set sail to Whitley Bay to take part in a Pirate Escape - an exciting immersive live escape room game - 60 minutes to solve challenges and puzzles, find the treasure and escape!! (B) Mental Health Group: Two informal information sessions, delivered by Paula Edwards, our Mental Health Care Support Worker, will look at the following: Managing Difficult Behaviour - Thursday 26th October Suicide and Self Harm - Thursday 23rd November Both sessions will run from 6.00 pm pm.

12 State of Caring 2017: Each year Carers UK undertakes a survey of carers to get a better picture of what it is like to be a carer in the UK. Over 7,000 people completed the 2017 survey, the largest State of Caring survey to date. Carers UK have now recommended the implementation of a cross government plan which would set out how improved support for carers would be achieved and they suggest the inclusion of the following measures to achieve the targets and milestones they believe should be introduced in order to monitor progress: Carers and their families should not suffer financial hardship as a result of caring There should be sufficient funding to ensure that older and disabled people are given the care they need and that the care given is affordable Carers should be able to juggle work and care, enabling them to return to work if they wish Funding should be available to enable carers to take the breaks they need Policies should be put in place within the NHS so that carers are identified and supported, to create a more Carer Friendly NHS. GP monitoring should be in place to ensure that carers are being identified and supported in the management of their own health, as well as that of the people they care for Information and advice should be made available to enable carers to plan for and make provision for care Based on the findings of their 2016 State of Caring survey, Carers UK have produced a report entitled Missing Out - The identification challenge The research focusses on the time it takes carers to identify themselves as carers, which in turn can have a significant effect on, for example, if or when a carer would ask for: a Carer s Assessment, apply for flexible working, apply for Carer s Allowance. The longer identification takes, the longer carers will struggle on their own. You can read the full report at carersuk.org

13 Learning Disability Care Forum: The Learning Disability Care Forum (LDCF) is a partnership between carers, users, providers, North Tyneside Council and Healthwatch North Tyneside and is open to all. The Steering Group welcomes new members so if you are interested in getting involved please contact the management support team at North Tyneside Council. SMT.Adminsupportservice@northtyneside.gov.uk or call Learning Disability Care Forum meetings will be held at the Linksill Centre, North Shields from am to pm on the following dates: 12 September November 2017 If you have any specific agenda items please the steering group at smt.adminsupportservice@northtyneside.gov.uk For LDCF agenda and minutes go to ldcareforum Looking for Support? Adult Social Care, North Tyneside Council Age UK Alzheimer s Society Care Call, North Tyneside Council Emergency Response Carers Allowance Unit Carers Direct, NHS Carers UK Adviceline Carers Trust Citizens Advice Bureau Healthwatch North Tyneside LD: North East MIND North Tyneside NHS Non-Emergency Number 111

14 Carers Young Carers in Employment Corner! Summer Holidays! The Young Carers Team delivered an action packed Summer Holiday programme at North Tyneside Carers Centre! Members of the team have been out and about across North Tyneside and beyond. Activities included kayaking in Cullercoats, a trip to Newcastle s Theatre Royal to see the Wizard of Oz, a coastal bike ride, foot golf, orienteering and an excursion to Go Ape, at Matfen Hall with the Step Up group; young adult carers aged Weekly craft sessions, for those who enjoy creative pastimes, proved very popular and young carers were given ideas and tips on how to make festival hairbands, photo frames and bracelets by making use of materials that might already be in the house, such as buttons, wallpaper and material remnants. The final of the four sessions gave the young people the chance to get really messy when they got to grips with GLITTER SLIME!! Social Action: Our Young Carers are now getting involved in Project 24. Aimed at young carers, aged from ten to twenty, the aim of this exciting new venture is to encourage young people to take social action through the arts, using drama and a range of other art forms. Carers will use drama to explore 24 hours in the life of a young carer. The project aims to raise awareness of young carers, to professionals who work with young people and adults, as well as provide a creative opportunity for the young people to develop their artistic skills and experiences. Workshops will take place each week at the Carers Centre, from August to February. No previous arts experience is required, just dedication. All work created will be showcased at a special event at Live Theatre during the February half term. We will keep you informed on how the project is going. Anti-Bullying Week 13th - 17th November 2017 North Tyneside Carers Young Carers team are supporting Anti Bullying Week and its theme of All Different, All Equal. The Anti-Bullying Alliance chose the theme following the results of a survey completed by approximately 600 children and young people who felt that they were bullied because they were seen as being different, for whatever reason.

15 Research carried out by Carers Trust through their Bullying Prevention Project (Young Carers) found that young people with caring responsibilities were more likely to report being bullied than their peers. An online survey by Carers Trust in 2015 found that 68% reported having been bullied at school because of their caring role. Anti-Bullying Week will also see the introduction of the Power of Good award, for teachers, support staff and youth workers who are deemed to have helped children who are dealing with issues including bullying. For further information on how to get involved in Anti-Bullying Week visit Fundraising News: A huge thanks goes to Hannah, aged 8, from Hannah s Helping Hands who, with the help of her family, recently organised a fundraising tea party. Hannah raised which she has kindly donated to the Carers Centre. We are very grateful, thank you so much Hannah!! Great North Run: Tracey Harkins is competing in the Great North Run on Sunday, 10th September to raise money for the Carers Centre. If you would like to support Tracey please visit our JustGiving page at Carers Christmas Party Monday 4th December 2017 And, last but certainly not least, maybe it is a littler early to say that it s beginning to look a lot like Christmas however, we have now reserved the Chandelier Suite at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle for our Carers Christmas Party lunch. There will be a disco for those who feel like dancing and for those who prefer to exercise the mind there will be a special Christmas quiz! We are delighted to be able to offer carers the same discounted rate as last year: Carers: Guests: Booking will open on Monday 2nd October, until Friday 10th November.. Full payment will be required on booking and payment can be made in cash or cheque, made payable to North Tyneside Carers Centre. We are unable to accept payment by card. Please telephone the Centre on to book your place.

16 Next issue: November 2017 For the latest news and updates from the Centre, visit our website: /NorthTynesideCarers Comments and Concerns North Tyneside Carers Centre is committed to providing a high quality service to carers. If you feel we have failed to meet our usual high standards, for whatever reason, please let us know and we will endeavour to make the necessary improvements. If you are still not satisfied then please contact the Chief Executive. If you have any difficulties reading our newsletter, please contact us so that we can discuss your needs. We endeavour to provide an alternative format where possible. Usual Opening Hours Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm Friday: 9:00am - 4:30pm On the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month we are open until 8:00pm. enquiries@ntcarers.co.uk North Tyneside Carers Centre, Third Floor, YMCA Building, North Shields, NE29 0AB