Do you have an interest in magazine production? Do you want an opportunity to write articles relevant to other disabled people?

Living Options Devon is recruiting a team of disabled people to make Devon Link the disability magazine that everyone will want to read.

You don’t need any previous skills or qualifications, just commitment, enthusiasm and an interest in disability information and networking with local people and organisations. In return you will receive payment (to complement disability benefits), expenses and training.

For further details please write to Living Options Devon, West Grange, Clyst Heath, Exeter, EX2 7EY, or tel (01392) 445666.

From 1 December 2003, claiming Carer’s Allowance has been made even easier for some claimants with the introduction of a new service. Customers can now claim Carer’s Allowance—and report a change of circumstances—online, as well as by post or in person at a Jobcentre Plus Office.

The e-service can be found at: www.dwp.gov.uklifeevent/benefits/carers_allowance.asp.

The easy step-by-step form can be completed online and sent electronically. All a customer has to do is go to the online menu, choose ”I want to start a blank claim form” and answer the first page of questions. Depending on their answers, they will then be taken to the parts of the form that apply to them.

It also deals with things like diet, mental health, personal problems and how to cope with them. After the course my wife’s confidence and general outlook on life improved by at least 20 percent. I would advise any one with long term health problems to seriously think about going on one of these courses.

…was founded in 1969 and is an organisation of bereaved parents and their families helping others through their grief. It is open to all parents whose son or daughter has died at any age and from any cause.

Immediately after death, parents and families are usually surrounded by relatives, friends and those in the caring professions. Later this support often lessens just when the pain of bereavement seems to grow more intense. This is when The Compassionate Friends offers continuing help, which is there for as long as the parents or family want.

If you think The Compassionate friends may be able to help you, please contact them on (0845) 123 2304 or write to them at:

This organisation helps people with disabilities to integrate more effectively with the community at large, and receive their rights in regard to monetary and physical assistance and access.

The Association was started in 1998 and it provides a much needed information service, help and advice. They also list places where wheelchairs can be hired, they can help people to fill in forms, and their database is full of worthwhile information on various topics from mobility aids to gardening and cooking.

Membership is not restricted to people who hold a Blue Badge, but it is open to all disabled people, their carers and anyone who has an interest in disability and access matters.

Since April 2002, certain carers and parents have been able to build up additional State Pension through the Second State Pension. Many carers and parents will build this up automatically, but some may need to take action to ensure they get more when they retire.

To find out more about the Second State Pension - who can benefit and who needs to take action - you can obtain a free guide from the Pension Service by ringing 0845 731 3233 or you can write to them at:

The Carers Christian Fellowship offers support and encouragement for people who care for friends and relatives who are elderly or have physical disabilities, mental health problems or learning difficulties.

They offer contact with other carers, personal support, and a newsletter sent out four times a year.

...is a free booklet issued by SWEB Energy detailing lots of information to make life easier for you. From energy saving advice, to practical ways to make sure that your home is secure - keep it safe and you’ll always have help at hand.

Spend a couple of hours having fun, exploring your creativity, learning assertiveness techniques, and boosting your self-esteem!

Join Philomena, a trained Dramatherapist and Assertiveness Facilitator, for either the morning or the afternoon of 1 October. The session will take place at a hotel in Teignmouth, in a lovely garden setting. Places will be strictly limited to a small group of carers.

The annual Carers Recharging event has come around early this year, due to the refurbishment of our regular venue over the winter/spring. So, if you are a carer, you are invited to join other carers for fun and relaxing therapies and activities at the Thurlestone Hotel on 30 September (entry by ticket only).

At the last event, we saw a 220% increase in the number of carers wanting to go from South Hams & West Devon, so this time we do not intend to invite carers from Torbay to boost the numbers. This means there should be more on offer for local carers. We will also be trying new types of activities, along with the old favourites.

Rethink is running a one-day workshop for people wanting to gain an understanding of mental health issues. The day will be looking at stigmas and society, common myths and realities, problems and recovery, and working with people who have mental health problems.

This will take place on Monday 5 July, 10.00-4.30, at the Rethink Office, Birdwood Court, Totnes. The cost is £10. Please contact Cait Leeke for further details on (01803) 868899.

If so, there is a monthly get-together of carers, supported by a Carers Support Worker from Social Services (Claire Webber). This group meets on Tuesday afternoon, usually at Kingdon House Community Association, Pym St, Tavistock. They also go out to places for lunch or a wander around a garden centre.

Did you know there is a Devon Learning Disability County Carers Forum which meets every two months in Exeter?

The Forum brings together family carers of people with learning disabilities from every area of Devon to discuss issues which are important to the lives of such families.

The Forum became a constituted group last year and membership is open to any carer who fulfils the following criteria:

Carer or cared-for must reside, or receive services in Devon County Council catchment area

The cared-for person is aged 18 or over, or is a young person in transition, and has a learning disability

Carer must be interested in furthering the group’s objectives

Young people with special needs pass through a period of ‘transition’ between the ages of 13 to 18+ years as they move from Children’s Services to Adult Service Provision. Transition can be a time of uncertainty for them and their families.

Parents from the Teignbridge Parent Carer Network have set up a Transition Interest Group that offers parents of young people with special needs:

v Parent-to-parent support

v Useful information

v A way of making their views on the Transition process known to the statutory agencies and other relevant organisations

The next meeting of the Transition Interest Group is on Monday 28 June, from 10.00 to 1.00, in the Training Room at the Maltings Resource Centre (next–door-but-one to Tuckers Maltings) Teign Road, Newton Abbot. The main item on the agenda will be ‘Information for Parents about Transition’.

Carers UK Devon Network has set a challenge to managers from Devon Social Services and Devon PCT’s to shadow a carer for half a day. They could then be the champion for carers in their areas. Would you like to take part in this new venture and volunteer to be shadowed? Carers of all ages are needed.

If you would like to be shadowed, please ensure you get permission from the person you care for. Once the managers have followed you they would then have a realistic view of the everyday work that is involved.

Spend a couple of hours having fun, exploring your creativity, learning assertiveness techniques, and boosting your self-esteem!

Join Philomena, a trained Dramatherapist and Assertiveness Facilitator, for either the morning or the afternoon of 1 October. The session will take place at a hotel in Teignmouth, in a lovely garden setting. Places will be strictly limited to a small group of carers.

Torbay Carers Participation Scheme, which started in Sept 2001, drew to a close in May. Torbay Partnership Committee has no further funding for the worker’s post, so Amanda Woolley (Carers’ Participation Worker) has left South Devon Carers Consortium. We wish her well for the future.

Meanwhile carers’ representatives still fly the flag for carers on many Task Groups. Unfortunately, they will no longer receive the level of support they previously received from Amanda. We are hoping that a group of key Task group members will soon meet with carer representatives to see how support and development can continue.

After years of carers and service users experiencing problems because of the split between Health and Social Services, many of the services provided by these 2 authorities are finally being integrated into one in Torbay. Starting with a pilot integration in Brixham, the intention is to eventually create a single Care Trust for the whole of the bay.

Research and feedback over the last couple of years from various sources has indicated a need for an easily accessible counselling service. A pilot voucher scheme to enable Torbay’s carers to access emotional support/counselling is being launched to meet that need.

…or ACE, is a charitable group based at Brixham Community College who support less able bodied students, their carers and volunteers by providing educational and leisure activities. They have a video we can lend to interested parties giving a flavour of the support they provide to physically disabled people in Torbay.

Some events for carers have been organised over the summer, including a singing workshop on 13 July and an aromatherapy day on 22 July, with refreshments and lunch included.

...Mary Squire at Compass House Medical Centre, and Pat Reeves at St Lukes Medical Centre.