News items from July 2012
Conference - person-centred dementia care
Leicestershire Social Care Development Group and Dementia Care Matters are holding a conference on person-centred dementia care on 6th September from 9.30am to 4.15pm at the King Power Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester, LE2 7FL.
The conference is called 'Feelings Matter Most in Dementia Care' and will ask 'what does person-centred dementia care look, feel and sound like?'
It's being led by Dr David Sheard, Founder and Chief Executive of Dementia Care Matters, and the aim of the day is to look at what it takes for managers and staff responsible for implementing person-centred dementia care to 'get it' - emotionally and practically and why person-centred dementia care can be so difficult to achieve in dementia care homes.
There are a few free places for independent voluntary sector organisations and groups - but demand is likely to be high.
For more information, please download the event flyer (Word document) or email [email protected]
Do you care for someone with an eating disorder?
If you care for someone with an eating disorder, you may like to know that there's a carers' group you can go along to for support - set up and run by carers, for carers.
The group is located in the Eating Disorders Unit at Leicester General Hospital - and regularly includes talks from staff who work within the unit.
The group is independent but is supported by Leicestershire Partnership Trust, Eating Disorders Service, Lamp, Rethink Mental Illness and Leicestershire County Council.
It meets on the third week of each month but times vary - please check the group's website to find out more or call Julia Ruck from Lamp on 0116 255 6286 or Lynn Redfearn from Rethink Mental Illness on 01530 276525/07918196126.
Do you care for someone with Multiple Sclerosis?
If you care for someone with Multiple Sclerosis you may like to know that the Multiple Sclerosis Society runs monthly drop-in sessions at the Salvation Army Hall on Lancaster Road in Hinckley from 11am to 2pm (light refreshments provided).
Anyone is welcome to pop in for a chat, including carers and cared for.
The next sessions are on:
30th August - talk by specialist MS nurse
27th September - Coloplast incontinence products
25th October - talk by specialist MS nurse
29th November - talk by Pat Wilkins from Support for Carers
20th December - talk by specialist MS nurse
To find out more, please call the MS Society on 01455 442 440.
Information Day for older people - keeping your independence
The Autumn Leaves Group is holding an Information Day at Roman Way Day Centre for Older People, 36 Roman Way, Market Harborough, LE16 7PQ on 20th September from 10am to 1.30pm.
The theme of the event is 'keeping your independence' and anyone is welcome to go along including carers. You'll be able to pick up information about things like how to prevent falls, home care, assistive technology and benefits, and talk to local organisations like Vista.
To find out more please call Lesley Barker on 0116 305 3388.
Live in North West Leicestershire? Free swimming & discounts available
If you live in North West Leicestershire, you may be entitled to free swimming and discounts at local leisure centres.
North West Leicestershire District Council's Leisure Link scheme has special offers for registered carers - as well as for anyone on a means-tested benefit, aged over 60, or living with a disability.
For example, you may be entitled to free swimming, discounted swimming lessons, money off the Council's fitness membership scheme and reduced prices at local leisure centres including the Hermitage Leisure Centre, Hood Park Leisure Centre, Measham Leisure Centre, Ibstock Community College, Castle Donington Community College and Hermitage Recreation Ground.
To find out more visit the North West Leicestershire District Council website.
A date for your diary - Carers’ Coffee Morning
We're holding a Carers' Coffee Morning on Friday 26th October in Market Harborough if you'd like to come along?
It's from 10am to 12 noon at The Settling Rooms Coffee Lounge (in Sainsburys car park).
As well as being a chance to meet us and other carers, the lovely ladies from the Market Harborough Knit and Natter group have been busy knitting items to sell, to raise funds for our Carers' Pampering Sessions. The sessions aim to boost carers' health and wellbeing - if you live in Market Harborough District and you'd like to know more please call Diane from Support for Carers on 0845 689 9510.
They'll also be delicious home-made cakes on sale, as well as Bric-a-Brac, books and a Tombola - with all money raised going to support our Carers' Pampering Sessions.
If you have any items you'd like to donate - such as good quality Bric-a-Bac, books or prizes for the Tombola please give us a call on 0845 689 9510.
How we celebrated Carers Week 2012…
Thank you to everyone who came along to our Carers Week events - from 18th to 24th June.
The theme of this year's Carers Week was 'In sickness and in health' and we held a variety of events for carers over the week, many around this theme.
For instance, we held an information event in Market Harborough, featuring a range of organisations relevant to carers.
In Loughborough, we held a carers' forum, with guest speakers from the Pension Service, Leicestershire County Council and a local solicitor. Thank you to Councillor David Sprason for giving an update on Leicestershire County Council's Carers' Strategy for 2012-2015 and how this will affect carers.
The event also included a number of information stands, complementary therapies, laughter yoya and lots of tea and cake!
Healthy walks took place all over the county too - giving carers a fun way of getting to know each other whilst getting some fresh air and exercise.
Last but not least, we were involved in the Carers Week launch event at The Guildhall in Leicester too.
Over 100 Leicestershire carers joined in with the week's events - many of whom are now registered with us, so we can help to support them.
Are you affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use?
Snowdrops is a support group in Leicestershire that could help you.
It's for families and friends who are living with, or affected by, someone else's drug or alcohol use.
Families and friends often feel isolated, lonely and that there is nowhere to turn for help and support. Getting support through Snowdrops could help you feel less isolated, whilst helping you to gain a better understanding of addiction and ways to cope more effectively.
Snowdrops' aim is to help people find hope and consolation through mutual support, advice and information.
Confidentiality is extremely important for anyone attending a support group and Snowdrops offers a place where experiences can be shared in a confidential setting.
For more information on where and when the group meets please call or text 07528 109392 or download Snowdrops' leaflet.
Free workshops for carers - to boost health & wellbeing
Would you like to learn how to reduce stress, relax and unwind, enjoy a good night's sleep and generally improve your health and wellbeing?
Good Vibrations, a group of experienced, qualified therapists, is running free workshops for carers on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Barnabus Centre in Oadby - where you'll be able to learn techniques for relaxation and reducing stress for instance including massage, breathing and visualisation techniques.
The next workshop will be on 17th July, followed by one on 21st August.
To find out more or to book your place please call Sheila Lyon on 01455 274 988.
Carers - make sure you have your say on local services!
Leicestershire County Council is thinking about making changes to the way it charges for adult social care services and it wants to know what carers think.
The Council says the changes will help it create a better way of charging in the future, so it can meet its financial targets in a sensible way without reducing services.
It also wants to make sure people are charged in a fairer way, based on their personal circumstances.
The Council has ideas for changes in four areas - non-residential services, housing related support, extra care housing and assitive technology.
You can have your say on the Council's plans until the 26th August.
To find out more and to fill in an online questionnaire visit the Council's website. It'll take around 10 minutes to complete and if you prefer you can download or request a printed, Easy Read, Large Print or Very Large Print version of the questionnaire via the website.
If you'd like to find out more about the changes or speak to the Council in person there's also events coming up around the county:
1st August: 2.30pm to 5.30pm at Loughborough Town Hall
9th August: 2pm to 5pm at Parklands Leisure Centre, Oadby
9th August: 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Parklands Leisure Centre
14th August: 2pm to 5pm at Tiger’s Stadium, Leicester
14th August: 5.30pm to 8.30pm at Tiger’s Stadium, Leicester
For all the details please visit the Council's website or call the Adult Social Care team on 0116 305 0004.
