Local and national news

Are you a carer supporting someone with a long term condition or accessing palliative care services?

If so, you may be interested in hearing more about a new carers programme planned by the Rowcroft Hospice team for the autumn which will cover the emotional and practical support, and information carers need to both look after themselves, and undertake the care of someone with a progressive condition.

If you are a carer living in Teignbridge, South Hams or West Devon and think this may be of interest to you, please contact Sue White, Carers Services Development Officer, on (01822) 614641 or email sue.white@devon.gov.ukIf you are a carer living in the Torbay area please contact James Drummond, Lead Officer, Integrated Care Services, on (01803) 208438 or email james.drummond@torbay.gov.uk

Rowcroft Hospice are also having a Garden Party on June 24th, 12noon to 4pm. Go along and enjoy the games, cakes and fun.Further information on any Rowcroft summer events are available by calling Rowcroft on (01803) 217628.

Carer’s
Soapbox

Need to get something off your chest? Got some helpful advice to pass on?

Please write and let us know!

News & Views Issue no 41 heading “Good News for Devonwide Pass Holders” prompts a thought. Certainly good news for those able to use public transport, but how good for many carers and the cared-for? How many in at least 4 of the 6 qualifying categories will be unable to avail themselves of this concession?

Many, like my invalid wife, although eligible, do not hold a Devonwide Pass because they are unable to mount a bus.

Thus the invalid relies on the carer using a car or other form of transport. Thereby the carer is restricted in using a Pass.

All of course is costly and not environmentally friendly. Further, many men and women over 60 will not be eligible for Carers Allowance or any other allowance concerning transport.

So much for Good News! Will SDCC represent this matter to the various Councils who will cover the cost of the scheme. It would appear that the most vulnerable who, as council tax payers, assist in meeting costs of the scheme have not been considered.

‘Looking After Me’ - Course for Carers

What is the Expert Patients:      Programme Looking After Me course?

It is a free course for adults who care for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability. The course is about you making time to look after your own health needs. The course looks at: relaxation techniques; dealing with tiredness; exercise and healthy eating; coping with depression; communicating with family, friends and professionals, and planning for the future.

Who can take part?

Any adult who has any long-term health condition themselves and gives help to a relative or friend who is ill, disabled, elderly or in need of emotional support (in other words they are a carer).

Or, any adult who is a carer and whose health is affected by their caring role (for example, back injury, stress-related illnesses, psychological ill-health, depression.

How has it helped others?

People who have taken part in a Looking   After Me courses have reported that it has helped them to: feel more          confident and in control of their life; manage their caring situation more     effectively; be realistic about the      impact of their caring situation on themselves and their family; develop more effective relationships with health and care professionals; use their skills and knowledge to lead a fuller life.

For more information contact:

Carol Paterson, Trainer for SW Peninsula, Hyperbaric Medical Centre, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth, PL6 8BU. Tel (01752) 703724.

New care advice will help millions

Millions of people looking for social care for themselves, a relative or friend, will benefit from newly published advice from CSCI (Commission for Social Care Inspection).

There is a new easy-to-read booklet available. Contents include, amongst other topics, where to get help, how to get the most from your provider, and also how to complain.

To get you copy you can either:-

Call the CSCI helpline on:

0845 015 0120

or visit their website:

www.csci.org.uk

Th

     Thanks to Carers UK and the chemist Superdrug...

        We are able to offer the first 100 new carers to join South Devon Carers

Co Consortium during Carers Week a voucher for 10% off a purchase made be between 12th and 30th June at Superdrug. Get your friends who are ca    carers to sign up now. Talk to the pharmacist get some extra advice

on what is   useful too.

Don’t forget that sunscreen as we get that summer sun and remember skin cancers amongst males is an issue

Carers Week Poem competition

We hope to be able to publish some of the poems entered into the competition in the next News & Views, so watch this space. We do welcome articles, ideas and news from our readers so please do think of any tips, ideas, jokes or other items that you feel other readers would enjoy and sent them to us here at South Devon Carers Consortium, 11 Castle Road, Torquay, TQ1 3BB (next deadline is early August 2006). Are you thinking of perhaps setting up a reading group/ card club for those Autumn evenings. Let us know and we will let other carers know.

Carers Locality Forum

The next meeting is on the 13th June at Ivybridge Town Hall, from 10.30—12.30 pm, followed by a buffet lunch. Come along to meet other carers, swap ideas, and listen to speakers. If you are interested, please contact us here at SDCC and we will arrange for you to receive an invite letter that:- acts as a reminder; has a tear off slip so we can include you in the numbers; informs you of the agenda items and who will be speaking. Hope you can make it.

This meeting’s speakers include: John Spurr - Dartmouth Leisure Centre and Erica Curno and Carole Patterson - Expert Patient and Carers Programme.

Tavistock Carers are selling general items on their stall in The Pannier Market, Tavistock, on Tuesday 13th June, from 0800-1600 hours to celebrate Carers Week. The theme of the stall is Terracotta and Blue. Why not pop along and pick up a bargain whilst meeting some other carers from the area.

During the afternoon Jackie Milan, Learning Disability Carers Worker, as well as Sue Hurley, Carers Link Worker, will be there if you would like to meet them and find out what they’re up to!

Are you a carer for someone with a Learning Disability?

Helen Babb, Fulfilling Lives Manager, will be the guest speaker on Tuesday 20th June at Ropewalk, Kingsbridge - from 10.30am.

Do you live nearer to Tavistock? Go along to The Molly Owen Centre from 2pm on Wednesday 21st June for the Carers Group. Speaker to be arranged. For more information please contact Jackie Milan, Adult Learning Disabilities Carers Worker on (07879) 881298. Rumour has it the company, tea, coffee and biscuits are good too!

Chill out at the Red Wizard

On Friday 16th June between 10am and 3pm, why not pop along to The Red Wizard in Totnes. The owner has kindly offered Claudia (from COOL Recovery) and Jenny (from South Devon Carers Consortium) a space to share information and answer any questions you might have. Claudia is there from 10-12, and Jenny from 12–3. You could visit the market before or after you call in to meet them.

In Sickness and In Health is the theme of this year’s Carers Week

Barrie Taylor is employed by South Hams District Council as an Inclusive Activator. His role is to promote the use of Dartmouth Leisure Centre to the whole population of the area, specifically including those who are physically less able or, perhaps, disabled.

Dartmouth Leisure Centre has made every effort to be fully accessible, and wishes to encourage as many people as possible to come and find out what might be possible for them at the centre. Barrie states

‘Our belief is that physical fitness should be available to all people, and that getting fit can be fun and is an important element in living life to the full’.

During June you can:-

organize two free taster sessions

(a carer goes free)

organise a personal fitness programme.

Contact John Spurr or Nigel Whitemore at Dartmouth Leisure Centre for more information on (01803) 837010.

call in at Wessex Way, Dartmouth, TQ6 0JL.

"COOL" FOR DARTMOUTH How is your emotional health?

Do mental health issues affect you?

Do you need help to get through life’s changes?

Are you a carer needing support?

Are you feeling isolated and

suffering in silence?

We think people in and around Dartmouth deserve help. Do you?

Please help us by supporting this new group -

WE NEED YOUR INPUT &YOUR IDEAS!

Meeting weekly between 09.30 - 12.00 starting Wednesday 14^th June 2006

Townstal Community Hall,

Davis Rd, Dartmouth

Cool Recovery helping Dartmouth recover its Cool

For more information please

speak to

Claudia or Martin on (01803) 299511 or (01803) 712669

email info@coolrecovery.org.uk

Or write to them at Cool Recovery 17 Morgan Avenue, Torquay,

TQ2 5RT

Charity Reg. no 1110955 / Company Reg. no 5490608

Devon Celebration for Carers

- Exeter Cathedral

- Monday 12 June, 12.00-1.00

An event for carers of all ages and religions and their friends, family and cared-for person (if appropriate). To be attended by a number of Devon dignitaries and to include poetry readings. Refreshments will be available in the Refectory afterwards. If you are a carer of an older person and would like to take part by reading out a carers story whilst a fellow carer reads out yours, please contact Sonia Barton or Rosemary Whitehurst on (01392) 824752.

Wednesday 14th June, 1.30-5pm -

Passage House Hotel, Kingsteignton

South Devon Carers Consortium, Westbank League of Friends and Take-a-Break Service are inviting you to an afternoon of the three ‘Rs’ (put that school uniform away) - it’s Relaxation, Refreshments and Reunion. Advice will be available from SDCC, and Take-A-Break. Information about free membership of Teignbridge Carers Link and the services it offers including the Emergency Response Card Scheme, the new Flexible Short Break Scheme and the New Flexible Respite Grant will be available. Tea coffee and biscuits on tap will be provided (there will be a charge for these) and we have Shiatsu and mini-facials on offer.

Contact either SDCC, Take-a-Break or Westbank League of Friends, or just pop along on the day.

If you can, get along to your local Community Hospital during

Carers Week…

All week the 5 Community Hospitals in Teignbridge will be displaying up-to-date information about what is available to carers in the form of help and support and for emotional wellbeing.

The Mayoral Reception at the Guildhall

- Thursday 15^th June, 2pm- 4pm

· Pre-submitted questions to an expert panel of Health and Social Care professionals in Exeter and Teignbridge.

· Presentation of awards for organisations giving particularly good service for carers, carers workers and a Carer of the Year Award.

· Refreshments in the Guildhall with the Lord Mayor.

We will need to know numbers for the Reception and would urge you to use this opportunity to get your voice heard by people who have the power to change things. If you would like to attend or submit a question, please fill in the slip below to reach us at the address below by May 30^{th
*}. For further information, please contact Sonia Barton or Rosemary Whitehurst on (01392) 824752.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I would like to attend the Mayoral Reception at the Exeter Guildhall on Thursday June 15^th

Name……………………………………………………...

Tel………………………………………………………….

I would like to submit a question

Yes No

My question:- ……………………………………...

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

Please return by May 30^{th
*} to: Rosemary Whitehurst, Freepost (SWB 30899), Westbank League of Friends, Farm House Rise, Exminster, Exeter EX6 8ZZ. (* or as soon after this date as possible)

Teignbridge Locality Forum needs you…and offers you a warm welcome

Any carer is welcome to attend the quarterly meetings of this Forum. You can meet other carers, listen to topical speakers chosen by you, keep up-to-date with issues that affect you, and enjoy a buffet lunch. Dates for your diary are:-

22/06/06 10.00-12.30, The Ten Tors Inn, Kingsteignton

05/10/06 10.00-12.30, The Dartmoor Lodge, Pear Tree Cross, Ashburton

18/01/07 10.00-12.30, The Ten Tors Inn, Kingsteignton

If you need help with alternative care or transport to attend, or if there are any other obstacles to you attending, please contact us at SDCC and we will see what we can do to help overcome these and get you there.

Care Direct - New Number

Friday 15th May saw Care Direct staff group move offices to the Tiverton area. Their new phone number is

0845 1551 077

However, do not panic, as you can still get through if you forget this one. Service improvements include:

- Care Direct extending it’s opening hours from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am - 1pm on Saturday.

- There will be a new number for textphone users and, a new number for SMS text messages.

Keep up to date by visiting their website

www.devon.gov.uk/caredirect

Carers Week: 12-18th June

Every day there is something planned in the Bay. The action starts on June 12th with The Carers Health Fair at the International Riviera   Centre. Contact Signposts for tickets on 666620. Transport and care for your cared-for can be available.

Tuesday sees the Celebration of     Carers Service at Exeter Cathedral. Contact Caroline Saunders (on 665834) for a place on the free coach.

We at SDCC have information stands in all the libraries. Talking of Torbay   library, did you know that the new     improvements to Torbay library          include:- a coffee area and chilling out resources, an X-Box and other          attractions.

Okay, summer may not be the best time to go, but bear this in mind on a wet day, or get yourself a good book or some information for when you are out and about, or even chilling in the     garden.

Other free events in Torquay for carers are available. For more information on all Carers Week events, call Signposts on (01803) 666620

Are you over 60 and living in the Torbay area?

Contact CONNECTIONS about whether you are eligible for a deckchair pass until 2008. Call in to your local office at Torquay, Paignton and Brixham as Connections only offer face to face services.

Loss of carer-led services in Torbay

After many years of working in partnership with the NHS and local authority in Torbay, SDCC is no longer in contractual relationship with the Torbay Adult Care Trust. The amount offered to us this year was so significantly reduced, and the terms were so poor, as to make the contract unviable when it comes to maintaining quality services.

This means there is unlikely to be any more Redcliffe Hotel recharging events organised by SDCC. Also, although we will still continue to send a newsletter to our members, the Adult Care Trust will produce their own version for Torbay carers.

However, we have found the means to continue operating in different ways for the benefit of carers living in Torbay, albeit in a reduced capacity. For example, we will still continue to support and administer the Torbay Carers Panel, amongst other things, so look out for forthcoming opportunities to meet other carers to have your say about services in your local area. Even if our independent status and role is not valued enough by the local authorities, we intend to continue campaigning for improvements in carers’ rights and services in Torbay for a long time to come!

Torbay Women’s Network

For all women - to look after mind, body and spirit, to meet people and make friends, to take part in activities with women sharing the same interests – call (01803) 203986, or Jo on (07786) 960273, or Susanna on (07717) 782844. Regular open gatherings across Torbay.

Why Not Enjoy the Great Outdoors and Support a Local Charity

On Saturday June 24th you are invited to a Garden Party at Rowcroft Hospice, Avenue Road, Torquay. Go along between 12 and 4 to enjoy the gardens, cakes, fun and games.

Feeling more energetic?

If you can run a half marathon or the fun mile to help Rowcroft and Macmillan on 25th June, please contact the fundraising office at Rowcroft Hospice on (01803) 217628, or visit their website for more information:

www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk

Fitness not you? Stewards are needed to help the day run smoothly. Again, please contact the fundraising office.

Carers Week Tasters from Brixham College Adult and Community Learning

All Taster Sessions will be held at the Adult and Community Learning Building, Westover Close, Brixham.

Tuesday 13th June, 10.30-12.30 - Art with David Webb

Wednesday 14th June, 10.30-11.30 -

Relaxing Reflexology with Sally Churchill

Thursday 15th June, 10.00-11.00 - Keep

Fit for Carers with Sonya Radmore

Friday 16th June, 10.30-12.30 - Pottery

with Alix Ward

Friday 23rd June, 10.30-11.30 - Pottery with Alix Ward

To book a place please telephone:

(01803) 853302

Need a ‘listening ear’?

There is a new Free, Confidential, Safe and Understanding service for People with a disability and their carers in South Devon.

Supported by The National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, the Coalition of Disabled People South Devon has a counselling project.

For further information please contact:-

Tony Wills, Counselling Manager,

Coalition of Disabled People (South Devon), Lymington Road,

Torquay, TQ1 4BW.

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Are you feeling isolated and

suffering in silence?

Meeting weekly between 09.30 - 12.00 starting Wednesday 14th June 2006

Townstal Community Hall,

Cool Recovery helping Dartmouth recover its Cool

Torbay Women’s Network

Meeting weekly between 09.30 - 12.00 starting Wednesday 14^th June 2006