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South Devon Carers' Consortium

"Identifies, values, supports and promotes carers"

Spring is...

...a busy time of year in the carers' calendar, with new services and events popping up with the daffodils all over the place. It is particularly pleasing to see information and training sessions being made available. Make the most of them while they are on offer!

Calling all carers in the South Hams!

Do you have any comments to make about the help and support you receive or don't receive? Would you like to have a say in how services are provided in the future? In partnership with Health and Social Services, South Devon Carers' Consortium is launching a new group to enable carers living in the South Hams to be more involved in this sort of decision making.

The group's initial meeting will take place on Tuesday 18 May, (including free lunch and refreshments). The venue is the Cary Room at Follaton House (the District Council Offices), Plymouth Road, Totnes (help with transport can be arranged). Carers will be offered payment for attending, as well as the cost of extra care if needed.

If you would like to attend, or just find out more about it, please contact us (details on the back)

New training in mental health issues for carers

National Schizophrenia Fellowship run a project called Accommodation Plus, which includes training for landlords involved with people with mental ill health. Carers living in South Devon are also welcome to attend the training sessions, which are free and take place monthly (topics range from specific illnesses to benefits).

For details of the training programme, please call Mandy Lyons on (01803) 213084.

More landlords in Torbay are also needed to join the project.

Carers' Conference 1999

This year's conference to launch Carers' Week in Devon is focusing on the new National Carers' Strategy. Speakers include the Deputy Project Manager for this strategy (from the Department of Health) and the Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Disease Society. The date is Friday 4 June, and it is being held at Dartington Hall, near Totnes. If you would like to go, contact your local carers' network and ask to be sent an invitation. South Devon Carers' Consortium has a limited number of tickets for carers living in Torbay. Anybody else should call Dave Myatt on (01803) 762385.

'A different kind of support'

The Alzheimer's Disease Society have started a new 'drop-in' coffee morning for carers who have a relative with dementia now living in a residential or nursing home. Sometimes these carers have specific issues around funding or changing circumstances. It can help to talk to someone outside the family when friends and relatives think you should feel better once your 'cared-for' has entered a care home.

It is being held on the last Wednesday of every month, in the Royal British Legion Club, Marsh Road (facing the Cricketfield Road car park), Newton Abbot (10:00 to 12:00). For further information please contact Jo Hill on (01803) 856399

South Hams Information Bus

Run by Carers National Association's Ivybridge & South Hams Branch, this resource for rural carers is now on the move again after the winter break. It will be parked at the following locations on these dates:

7 April: Modbury Health Centre
14 April: Yealm Medical Centre
21 April: South Brent Health Centre
28 April: Dillons, Newton Ferrers
5 May: Cornwood Inn, Cornwood
12 May: Modbury Health Centre
19 May: Yealm Medical Centre
26 May: South Brent Health Centre
2 June: Dillons', Newton Ferrers
9 June: Tesco's, Lee Mill

Please ring (01752) 690278 for further information,

Special Service for carers

A service of thanksgiving for all carers in Devon is to be held in Exeter Cathedral during Carers' Week. The speaker will be Martyn Goss, the Diocesan Social Responsibility Officer.

It will take place on Monday 7 June at 2:30, and vehicles transporting people with disabilities will be allowed to park outside the west door as a special concession. Contact Elise Harding on (01392) 202055 for more information.

It's party time!!

The Client and Carer Liaison Group, for carers and users involved with mental health, is celebrating its 5th birthday with a buffet and live music from the Beacon Quay Band.

The event will take place on 2 July 2:30 -4:40 in Torbay Hospital's Social Club. To get your free entry ticket call (op1803) 294275/201109.

Grants for holidays!

Does a member of your family suffer from Arthritis? Do you live in the Newton Abbot postal area (TQ12 and TQ13) ? Are you on a low income? If so, the Newton Abbot branch of Arthritis Care may be able to give you a grant to go on a holiday this year. For more information contact Nora Richards, Home Orchard, Ideford, Newton Abbot, TQ13 0BG (10626) 854043.

A peepover the fence.....

For carers living in North Devon, 'Cares Link' exists to provide advice information and support to individual carers groups. Denise McDonald their Carers' Development Worker, also runs the North Devon Young Carers' Support Project, which has recently been working with school children, using drama to explore the various issues, For more information, call Denise on (01271) 372811.

Social Services use of Carers' Act money

South Devon Carers' Consortium has been asking Social Services to give details of their spending of Carers' Act money. This money has been ringfenced for carers' services by the local authorities, and its use should be clearly visible.

Unfortunately, they have not all been forthcoming with this information.
The exception is Teignbridge Social Services who have presented the spending to the Teignbridge Carers' Action Group. The Consortium will continue to seek out this information, in response to requests from carers and voluntary groups working with carers. We will keep you informed as to our progress in future newsletters, so watch this space.

Young Carers -New Drop-in and Support Service

A new project for young carers living in and around Totnes has now opened it doors. Open to young people, aged 11-13, who are involved with providing care to a family member or relative, the Drop-in is open on Wednesday, 4-6pm, in the Youth Support building (35 Fore Street, Totnes) It is staffed by trained and experienced workers, who are on hand to offer information and support, and help the young people relax in a safe environment. To find out more, call Susie Porter or Rupert Brooks on (01803) 868505.

Options for Change Clubs

Caring Options for Training and Work is a project for carers living in Devon who might like to think about training, with a view to increasing your income in the future. A number of informal clubs are now running, or are being planned, in Teignbridge and the South Hams to take you through the various options.

On 27 May, an Awareness Day is being held for carers to find out about what is involved in running a Co-operative Business. This can lead to flexible work, and comes with lots of support from specialist organisations.
The day will consist of a 4 hour programme with lunch. If you are still interested after attending the Day, a series of short workshops on Starting a Co-operative will be run later in the year.

All care and transport costs to enable you to attend any of these clubs or events will be met by the project. For more details, call Sharon Barker on (01626) 203050 or (0403) 404247.

New group for parents

Parents of children with special needs or disabilities, living in and around the Ivybridge area, are in the process of setting up their own support network. If you think you might benefit from this, or you know someone who might, give Beryl Perrin a call on (01803) 863665.

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