The supplement will contain more detailed information about some of the activities taking place just in your district. These activities may still get a mention in the main newsletter, as carers keep telling us of the need to know about what is happening in other areas. You can always call us and ask for copies of other supplements, if you are particularly interested in an issue.

Please let us know what you think about this approach......

Claudia Benzies has been employed for a year (initially) to develop a network of telephone contacts of experienced carers. These volunteer carers will offer telephone support to other carers who may be in crisis, going through their first experience of mental health, or simply need someone else to talk to. The volunteer carers will be able to give out information, emotional support and friendship.

If you feel you might benefit from this new service, please contact Claudia on (01803) 712669 in the first instant.  Claudia would also like to speak to you if you have experience of mental health as a carer, and are interested in becoming a volunteer for NSF COOL. Some training, guidance and ongoing support will be available for all the volunteers.

Based around the framework set by Carers National Association in the Carers' Code, the views of carers and professional were sought over the summer by means of questionnaires, telephone interviews, a conference, etc. The results were analysed be specialists in York, and a draft document is currently being circulated for consultation. If you live, work or receive services in Torbay, and you have not received a copy but would like one, please call (details on the back). Comments from any interested party will be most welcome.

(More details in the Teignbridge supplement)

It is hoped that once established, the group will become independent. For details about the time and place of the first meeting, please call Sarah on (01752) 872326 or Mavis on (01752) 690278.

(More information is contained in the South Hams supplement)

The seminar will take place at the Mill at Avonwick, from 10 - 2 (including lunch).If you would like to go, please let Claudia Benzies know on (01803) 712669.

Carers living in Teignbridge are being invited to a coach trip to see a pantomime, with a meal at the Plymouth Pavilions, on 2 February. The invitations should be included with this newsletter, or if not, call South Devon Carers' Helpline on (10626) 889288. Carers living in Torbay have a Caring for Carers' Day on 23rd March at a luxury hotel in Paignton. This day includes relaxing therapies for men and women, use of leisure suite, buffet, music and topical talks (again, invites should have been included for Torbay carers).

(Carers living in the South Hams watch this space - we are still seeking funding for a similar event for you!)

TELEPHONE: 0845 609 1919

South Hams spent £21,779, 86% of which was for more sitting hours;

Teignbridge spent £33,052, 88% of which went to different forms of respite;

Torbay spent £64,891, 75% of which went on different respite and benefits check scheme.

Carers' views will be sought during the early part of 2000 about how to spend Year 2 of the Grant. As this is even more money for services, in addition to what has been already given, please do your best to respond to invitations to have your say (call us to find out how)

Examples of what are on offer include:

Reflexology - Wed. evenings 6-9 (or Tues. / Wed. afternoon 2-5 until the end of January) (or Wed. mornings 9-12 starting in March);

Aromatherapy - Thur. evenings 6-9 (or starting in March, Fri. 2-5 and Tues.   / Wed. 1-5);

Body Massage - Tue. / Wed. 9-11 until the end of January;

Indian Head Massage - starting in February, Mon. 6-9.

Treatments are just as suitable for men as for women. For all of the above, please call (01803) 406319 to check availability and make bookings.

For a copy, ask your local carers network, call Help the Aged on(0171) 253 0253, or write to HtA, St Jamie's Walk, London, EC1R 0BE.

Mavis Russell, Chair of the Branch, said, "We have realised for a long time that the people living in the surrounding villages cannot easily get into Ivybridge to our Carers' Centre, which is why we have been going out with our Information Bus. We hope this group is just the start and that it will be possible, in the near future, to initiate carers' support groups in the other villages we have visited".

It is intended that this first group will be informal, independent, and run by carers themselves, with the help of any other resident who may be interested. The inaugural meeting will be on 11 February, at 11:00, but the pattern and frequency of future meetings will be decided by those carers that turn up on the day.

Details about the venue can be obtained by calling Sarah on (01752) 872326.

If you would like to have input into where finance goes in Year 2 of the Grant, the South Hams Carers' Planning Group is due to meet in late January/early February to discuss it. All carers of any type of illness or disability are welcome to attend this meeting.

Please call for further details, if you have not been to one of these meetings before.

The Totnes Carers' Group, also run by Totnes Caring, restarts its programme in the New Year. This group meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (i.e. 9 February and 8 March), in the Rehabilitation Unit in Totnes Hospital. 6:30 - 8:30. For further details on either of the above, please call June Wilkins on (01803) 865684.

Based in Exminster, Westbank will receive the grant over the next 3 years to fund a full-time carers co-ordinator, to work with local people and encourage them into voluntary work. Their ambition is to recruit 75 new volunteers, especially young people, those on low incomes and former carers.

Mary Nesbitt, Director, said, "We have been working for many years encouraging volunteers, and we already have around 80 trained volunteers who provide support, assistance and comfort within the communities of Exminster, Kenton and Starcross".

Part of the grant will be for training support for new volunteers, as well as other costs associated with attracting new recruits and opening a new carers' centre.

If you would like more information please contact Mary at Westbank, on (01392) 824752.  

Additional sitting hours                           £14,100

Additional residential respite                  £   8,700

Additional weekend day care                 £   3,252

Recharging days                                    £   3,000

Establish a carers' register                    £   3,000

Improve carers consultation                   £   1,000

Carers and their networks were able to have a say in where this grant went, mainly through the work of the Teignbridge Carers' Action Group, which is administered by South Devon Carers Consortium.

This group is likely to meet again in January/early February to discuss the draft plan for Year 2 of the grant. All carers of any type of illness or disability are welcome to attend this meeting. Please call for further details, if you have not been to one of these meetings before.

£16,223

for Policy Officer time for developing carer consultation, progressing the new Torbay Carers' Strategy, developing an information strategy, and involving carers in staff training  in care management (especially carers assessments).

£20,000

for 1,400 additional short stay, residential respite bed nights for older people.

£7,908

for 1,200 additional hours of sitting by Age Concern.

£6,000

for 280 additional short stay, residential respite bed nights for people with a learning disability.

£5,910

for 244 additional short stay, residential respite bed nights for people with physical disability.

£5,850

for welfare benefits checks for carers by the Torbay Finance and Benefits Team (min. 15 home visits per week).

£3,000

for 'recharging' day during March.

If you have any views about the above, or would like to be involved in consultation over Social Services' spending of Year 2 of the Carers' Grant, please give us a call - we would love to hear from you.

Adrian is no stranger to carers, as he has met with carers' groups and had dealings with South Devon Carers' Consortium before now.

If you would like to join in or listen to the discussion, you are welcome to go along to the St Johns Ambulance HQ building, Totnes Rd, Paignton, at 2:00, on Friday 14th January.