News items from February 2013
Leicestershire Children and Young People’s Service - workshop 4th March
Leicestershire's Children and Young People's Service is holding a workshop to explore how they can listen to the views of children, young people and families - in all areas of their work.
The workshop is on Monday 4th March from 10.30am to 1pm at Beaumanor Hall Conference Centre, Woodhouse, Leicestershire, LE12 8TX.
Who should attend?
Parent Voice Representatives
Parent/Carer Participation Staff
Parent Volunteers in Children's Services
Parent Voice Champions
Places are limited so if you'd like to attend please register with Kim Cotton at [email protected] by Thursday 28th February.
Please note: lunch will be provided.
Are you caring for a child with disabilities? Free training coming soon
Menphys will be running a free training session for parent carers called "Having the Confidence to be the Voice of my Child" over two evenings on Wednesday 6th and 13th March from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Please note: you'll need to attend both sessions.
This is the second time Menphys has run the session, following fantastic feedback from last year.
The session will be held at Menphys, 20a Launceston Road, Wigston, LE18 1JP and will cover:
-Building confidence and confidence to get your point across.
-Feeling confident in meetings.
-Keeping on "the agenda" and communication skills.
-Strategies and phrases to assert yourself.
To find out more and to book a free place please call Kirsty Neale, Parent Participation Coordinator, Together for Families on 0116 282 3659 or 07793 443 482 or email [email protected]
Mencap ‘Planning for the Future’ event
If someone in your family or someone you care for has a learning disability, you can take steps now to ensure their finances are well looked after when you're no longer around.
Mencap has organised some FREE information sessions where you can find out more about setting up Wills and Trusts for the benefit of someone with a learning disability.
Mencap would like to invite you to a session in Leicestershire on Wednesday, 17th April, 6.30pm – 8.30pm at The Brite Centre, Braunstone Avenue, Leicestershire, LE3 1LE.
There will be a local legal professional speaking, who has experience of drafting Wills for the benefit of people with a learning disability. These seminars are always very popular, so please book your place(s) as soon as possible. Confirmation of your booking will be sent 2 weeks before the event.
To book your place, please call 020 7696 6925.
Have you or the person you care for ever been a victim of hate crime?
The most wide-ranging survey of hate crime victims ever to be undertaken is being launched this month in Leicester by a specialist research team based at the Department of Criminology, University of Leicester.
The survey is part of the Leicester Hate Crime Project - a two year study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, designed to examine victims' experiences of hate crime and their expectations of criminal justice agencies and other organisations in a position to offer support.
The Leicester Hate Crime Project is an independent piece of research, led by Dr Neil Chakraborti and Jon Garland. They want the research to be as inclusive as possible so they can give all victims, including those whose experiences of hate crime tend to slip under the radar, an opportunity to share their opinions.
Some victims of hate crime may be reluctant to share their experiences with the police and other agencies in a position to support them. Equally, some victims may be unfamiliar with the term 'hate crime' and will not recognise the acts of prejudice, intolerance and hostility directed towards them as hate crimes. This is therefore an important piece of research which will help to shape the way in which hate crime is understood and responded to, and the team behind it would very much welcome your support and involvement.
If you think you have been the victim of hate crime, please visit the Leicester Hate Crime Project website to find out more and to take part in the online survey.
A hate crime refers to an act of victimisation that you feel was targeted directly towards you because of who you are. This would include a wide range of acts such as being called an abusive name, being bullied, or being physically attacked, to name just a few examples.
What will the results of the survey be used for?
The findings from this research will help Leicester, as a city, better understand the prevalence, nature and impact of hate crime and hate-related incidents, improve support for victims, and ultimately help to enhance the way that the criminal justice system and other organisations deal with such incidents.
Are there other ways of completing the survey?
If you have any questions or concerns about the survey such as wanting to receive a hard copy of the survey or wishing to complete it in another language (e.g. Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Somali or Urdu), then please do not hesitate to contact Stevie-Jade Hardy at the University of Leicester on 0116 252 3784 or email [email protected] and she will be happy to help you.
Have your say on local libraries and museums
Communities in Partnership (CiP) is currently working with Leicestershire County Council to review the county's library and museum services.
The Council needs to make savings in this area and has identified five ways of doing so. Now, it wants to find out what local people think of these options, and if they have any ideas and suggestions.
The Council, together with CiP, is looking for members of the public to take part in focus groups, with one focus group being held in each Leicestershire district. They're especially keen to include carers and cared for.
You're welcome to come along to any of these focus groups:
Hinckley and Bosworth - Saturday 2nd March 10.30am to 12.30pm
Hinckley Library, Lancaster Road, Hinckley, LE10 0AT
Charnwood - Tuesday 5th March 10.30am to 12.30pm
Charnwood Museum, Queens Park, Granby St, Loughborough, LE11 3DU
Harborough District - Wednesday 6th March 2pm to 4pm
Lubenham Village Hall, Lubenham
North West Leicestershire - Tuesday 19th March 4pm to 6pm
Coalville Library, High Street, Coalville, LE67 3EA
Oadby and Wigston - Thursday 21st March 10.45am to 12.45pm
Wigston Magna Library, Bull Head Street, Wigston, LE18 1PA
Melton - Thursday 21st March 2pm to 4pm
Carnegie Museum, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1RB
Blaby - Monday 25th March 10.30am to 12.30pm
Brite Centre, Braunstone Avenue, Leicester, LE3 1LE
If you would like to take part in a focus group please call Liz from CiP on 0116 233 4243 to find out more.
New national project to support carers
National volunteering charity TimeBank has joined forces with Carers UK to launch a new way to support carers.
The Carers Together project will recruit and train volunteers to offer confidential e-mentoring to carers throughout England and face-to-face mentoring to carers in the Birmingham area.
TimeBank wants to hear from volunteers for the project who are carers themselves, or have caring experience, so they can draw on the experiences and techniques that have helped them in the past. No special skills are needed – just time, patience and commitment.
If you're interested in volunteering, take a look at www.timebank.org.uk/carers-together
Alternatively, email [email protected] or call 0121 236 2531.
Carers Together has been funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
More than six million people in the UK are looking after relatives or friends - unpaid. It's been estimated that in doing so they save the country £119 billion a year. Caring can be a rewarding experience but it can also bring emotional challenges, taking its toll on relationships, family life and carers' health.
Are you a mental health carer? Would you like to have your say on local services?
The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust would like to hear from adult mental health service users and carers.
In March, the Trust is running 'In Your Shoes' events, so staff can listen to adult mental health service users and carers talk about their experiences.
The Trust wants to hear what makes the most difference to you and learn about what they can build on, what they can do differently and what changes they should prioritise.
You can get involved by going along to any of the following sessions:
Tuesday 12 March (2.30pm prompt start, 4.30pm finish) at the Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester, LE4 6DP
Monday 18 March (10am prompt start, 12pm finish) at Braunstone Leisure Centre, 2 Hamelin Road, Braunstone, LE3 1JN
The Trust is also holding two informal sessions on 13 & 20 March at the Involvement Centre, Bradgate Unit. Please feel free to drop-in at anytime between 5-7pm.
For booking details and further information please visit www.leicspart.nhs.uk or call Bernadette Somerset, Patient Experience Assistant, on 0116 295 7689 or email [email protected]
Memory Lane - new project for people with memory loss
An exciting new project aimed at supporting people with memory loss and their carers is due to come to the Harborough District thanks to innovation funding from Leicestershire County Council.
The Memory Lane scheme, run by Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL), in partnership with Seven Locks Housing, will provide weekly reminiscence sessions in pop-up pods designed to look like familiar rooms of yesteryear.
The reminiscence pods (RemPods) are portable ‘rooms’ that will be erected for activity sessions at three sheltered housing schemes in the Harborough District. Pod themes include a 1950s living room, an old pub and an old shop.
The 1950s living room features authentic furniture, wallpaper, a stock of period newspapers and a fully working record player, television and radio (all fitted with modern digital technology).
The pub has been created as a fun meeting place and to encourage people with memory loss to drink more fluids (non alcoholic). It features classic pub furniture, pub games including tabletop skittles, and period music.
The shop features an old-fashioned counter, working cash register and products from the ‘50s and ‘60s.
Each pod will be set up in the community lounges of the following Seven Locks sheltered housing schemes:
• Huntingdon Gardens, Market Harborough
• Brookside Gardens, Fleckney
• Naseby Square, Market Harborough
The sessions will be open to anyone with memory loss and their carers – you don't need to be a resident at the Seven Locks sheltered housing venues.
A project co-ordinator from VASL will conduct weekly two-hour sessions in the reminiscence pods at each venue. Activities will include singing, arts and crafts, games, group discussions, memoir work and cooking.
Memory Lane Co-ordinator, Alex Reffell, is an experienced activities’ leader with specialist knowledge of working with people with memory loss and dementia.
To find out more about the Memory Lane project, which is due to start in March 2013, please contact Alex on 01858 433232 or email [email protected]
VASL is looking for volunteers to help run Memory Lane
VASL is keen to recruit a dedicated team of Memory Lane Volunteers to help run sessions and activities in the pop-up reminiscence rooms. You’ll be given training and support in reminiscence work, so this is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience, whilst helping to improve the lives of others.
To find out more please call 01858 433232.
Free electric blanket testing for over 50s
Are you over 50? Do you use an electric blanket? Would you like to know if it's safe?
Age UK is holding an Electric Blanket Testing Event on 28th February between 9am and 4pm at Clarence House, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 3PJ.
If you would like your blanket testing by a qualified engineer, please call Age UK on 0116 2237351 OR 0116 2992278 to make an appointment. (Phone lines are open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday).
There will also be a limited number of free replacement electric blankets available at the event, for those whose old electric blankets fail testing.
Please note: if you'd like your electric blanket testing at the event, you'll need to book an appointment as above.
The event will also include information and advice on staying warm and how to save on energy bills.
Important news from Harborough District Council - Welfare benefit changes
Do you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit from Harborough District Council?
As you may know, The Welfare Reform Bill became law in March 2012. Through this Bill, the government is introducing a range of reforms that will change the benefits and tax credits systems.
Below, are some of the key changes being made to welfare benefits by Harborough District Council, as a result of the Bill.
Housing Benefit
From 1st April, Housing Benefit will be reduced if a claimant of working age is considered to live in a home that has more bedrooms than they and/or their family need. The criteria for how many bedrooms a family requires is set by the Department of Work and Pensions. Under the new rules, ONE bedroom is needed for each single person (16 years+), couple, two children 10 years and under (regardless of sex) or two children up to 16 years (same sex). If a person or family has more bedrooms than needed, their Housing Benefit will be reduced by 14% if they have one extra bedroom or by 25% if they have two or more extra bedrooms.
All claimants have been advised of the changes, as have landlords, and it's thought the change will affect around 260 households in Harborough District.
Please note: Pensioners will be except from this change.
Council Tax
From 1st April, Council Tax Benefit is being replaced with a local Council Tax Support Scheme. Anyone of working age, who claims Council Tax Support, will have to contributute a minimum of 15% towards their Council Tax under this new scheme. This change is likely to affect around 1,650 people in Harborough District and you should have had an information leaflet from the Council explaining the scheme.
Please note: Pensioners and War Widows will be protected from any changes.
Other changes to Council Tax include:
The Second Adult Rebate Scheme is being stopped so there is no discount if someone has a second adult on a low income or in receipt of benefits living in their home.
Property owners will have reduced exemptions on buildings that are unoccupied or undergoing major structural repairs. These are currently known as Class A & C excemptions. If this change affects you, you should have had a letter from the Council explaining the new exemptions.
To find out more about any of the changes above please visit the Council's website or call them on 01858 828 282.
If you'd like to know more about Welfare Reform and how it may affect you, here's a useful guide from Carers UK
Respite care with a difference
Cafe Saturday was set up last year to provide a safe, relaxed, low cost and accessible place where disabled people, older people and people with learning disabilities can meet, with support staff on hand.
It's a joint project between mosaic:shaping disability services, Just Services and Self Advocacy in Action and is on every Saturday from 1.30pm to 5pm at mosaic:shaping disability services, 2 Oak Spinney Park, Ratby Lane, Leicester Forest East, LE3 3AW.
The cafe is open to people of all ages and includes drinks, light refreshments, magazines and papers to read, music and table games. There are also raffles and items for sale.
With support staff on hand, the Cafe offers respite care, so carers can take a break, but people are welcome to bring their carers free of charge, if they need personal care for example.
The cafe costs £5 for the whole afternoon, including refreshments and activities.
You're welcome to go along at anytime, you don't have to go every Saturday or stay for the whole afternoon.
To find out more call Kat Taylor on 0116 2318720 or 07912 480954 or download a leaflet
Timebank to be launched in Lutterworth
A Timebank is being launched later this year in Lutterworth, but what exactly is a Timebank?
Timebanking is based on the fact that everyone has something to offer - whether it's a skill such as gardening, baking or being a good listener or a little time to help someone else, with shopping or a lift for example.
In return for sharing your skills or time, free of charge, you can earn 'credits', to spend on free help of your own.
As you can imagine, it's a great way to 'pay' for things you may not be able to afford otherwise, whilst meeting new people, learning new things and feeling as if you're making a difference in your community.
How does it work?
Timebanking values all hours equally - 1 hour of time = 1 time credit. It doesn't matter what you do, every 'skill' is considered equal. For example, an older person may want some help with learning how to use their new television. They would ask a Timebank 'broker' who would in turn ask Timebank members if they could help. Let's say a young unemployed person with some spare time on their hands offers to help for an hour. In return, they would earn 1 time credit. The young person could then use their time credit to get help with writing their CV or interview techniques, from another member of the Timebank with relevant skills. And so on...
This is just an example, you can ask the Timebank for help with all kinds of things, and offer all kinds of things in return. It may be as simple as going for coffee with someone who needs a little company, you don't necessarily have to have any particular skills.
In short, you'll be able to get things done for yourself or in your home, whilst meeting new people and supporting others, all without money.
All Timebank members will be vetted and CRB (police) checked and will include individuals, local businesses and organisations.
To find out more and to join the Timebank please call James O'Flynn on 0116 3059212 or email [email protected]
Do you need extra help with essential items?
Leicester Charity Link helps people who are experiencing hardship including vulnerable people and children, those in receipt of Incapacity Benefit or Employment & Support Allowance who can't access a Community Care Grant, the elderly and people with an illness or disability.
They can provide essential items such as food vouchers, clothing, beds and furniture, together with medical and mobility equipment.
The charity uses a network of local organisations that are already in the community working with individuals and families in need. Using organisations already in place keeps the charity's overheads to a minimum and makes sure they can get help to people quickly.
The charity has an expert knowledge of the thousands of benevolent funds in the UK that have money to assist people in need. For every £10 donated to them, the charity can raise £50 from charitable trusts - with all the money going to those in need.
In 2012, the charity raised over £700,000. It helps over 2,000 people throughout Leicestershire every year.
To find out more please visit the charity's website.
NEW Dementia Art/Craft Cafes - start March 2013
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland has partnered up with two local venues in Hinckley and Bosworth to launch two new Dementia Art/Craft Cafes.
Both cafes will start at the end of March and will be at the Pathways Centre in Hinckley and the Elohim Church in Barlestone. The cafes will be run by experienced Age UK volunteers, with the help of the venues themselves.
The aim of the cafes is to provide dementia sufferers with a place they can feel at ease and comfortable in. Each session will involve a variety of basic arts and crafts activities like card making, jewellery making, cutting/sticking crafts, memory boards, photo collage, plant pot painting and wind chime decorating.
Tea/coffee and biscuits will be provided free, with a cost of £3 per session to cover the cost of art/craft materials.
The Pathways Centre cafe starts on the 19th March and will run on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 10.30am to 12 noon at the Pathways Centre, Hinckley Baptist Church, Baptist Walk, Hinckley, LE10 1PR.
The Elohim Church cafe starts on the 28th March and will run on the last Thursday of every month from 10am to 11.30am at the Elohim Church Hub, Newbold Road, Barlestone, CV13 0DZ.
NEW weekly activities for older people in Hinckley
Starting this April, there will be an Older Persons Day every Tuesday throughout the year at the Pathways Centre, Baptist Walk, Hinckley, LE10 1PR. The sessions will be run by Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland, in partnership with the Pathways Centre, a community centre and part of Hinckley Baptist Church.
The sessions will include all kinds of health and wellbeing activities at affordable prices and each class will be aimed at difference abiliites. For example, they'll be an Age UK HInckley Walk led by qualified leaders, a Zumba Gold excercise class with Jessica O'Donnell - Hinckley's Zumba ethusiast, various art classes including crafts and pottery making, laptop help sessions and a scrabble group. There will also be activities for older people suffering with early dementia, such as a singing cafe and an arts and crafts group.
Age UK and Pathways promise there really will be something for everyone!
To find out more or to pick up a leaflet please visit the Age UK charity shop at 56 Castle Street in Hinckley or drop into the Pathways Centre on Baptist Walk.
Alternatively, you can find out more by calling Age UK on 01455 619 519.
Bogus Trading Standards Officer Alert from Leicestershire Neighbourhood Watch
This is a message from Neighbourhood Alert Information sent on behalf of Leicestershire Neighbourhood Watch:
Leicestershire Trading Standards has received a report from a resident in the Coalville area who was cold-called at their home by a man claiming to be from Trading Standards.
The man had an ID badge which the resident described as looking 'home-made'. He explained to the resident that Trading Standards were collecting information about 'cowboy builders' who had been arrested in the area and asked for the resident's name and address. This was not one of our officers and further enquiries are underway about this.
All Trading Standards Officers carry official Leicestershire County Council photographic identification, including contact numbers for the Trading Standards Service that members of the public can contact to determine whether the caller is from the Service or not.
Residents are advised never to give any personal information to those calling at their homes unless they are able to verify that individual's identity and reason for their visit.
If you receive any reports of similar activity or callers please contact Trading Standards on 08454 04 05 06 and Leicestershire Police on 101, as there is a proven link between bogus callers and distraction burglary.
Harborough District Voluntary Sector Support Forum
Carers' groups are welcome to attend the Harborough District Voluntary Sector Support Forum on Thursday 14th March from 9.30am to 12.30pm in the Youth Wing of the Methodist Church on Northampton Road in Market Harborough (run by VASL - Voluntary Action South Leicestershire).
The forum is a chance for local community groups to get together and share experiences and discuss topics of interest.
Nickie Philbin from VASL will be giving a talk called 'Heads up on Funding' and in addition you'll be able to find out more about the Billesdon Good Neighbour Scheme.
Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) will also be there to tell you about some changes they're making to the services they provide. VAL has recently been re-awarded the contract for providing infrastructure support services to voluntary and community (VCS) groups in Leicestershire. They would like to ask you what you think about some of their services including their online directory and training, together with VAL news and e-briefing. They would also like your feedback on the opportunities and barriers you experience when accessing their services.
Please do try and attend if you can as this is your opportunity to influence future planning in your community!
To book a place or for more information please contact Joanne March on 01858 433232 or email [email protected]
Caring for someone with mental ill health, dementia or learning difficulties?
Do you care for someone with mental ill health, dementia or learning difficulties? If so, you may be interested to find out more about Carers' Action - Leicestershire and Rutland Carers' Forum.
The forum is run by carers, for carers and provides support to carers throughout Leicestershire and Rutland who care for an adult with mental ill health, dementia or learning difficulties.
The forum, in partnership with Labelled, a group for young carers, is currently running a carer surgery at the Involvement Centre, Bradgate Mental Health Unit, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9EJ on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm - for both carers and patients.
The forum says:
"The aim of the surgery is to offer support to carers and make sure they are signposted to the most effective and appropriate support for their own situations, whilst letting them know about improvements within the mental health service."
The forum is also holding two events to give carers and service users the chance to talk to professionals about their experiences - particularly of acute wards and the crisis recovery team - on 12th March from 2.30pm to 4.30pm and on 18th March from 10am to 12 noon at the Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue, Leicester, LE4 6DP.
To find out more about the surgery or the events please call 0116 262 1067 or email [email protected]
Do you care for someone with experience of mental illness? The Recovery College needs you!
Would you like to help develop a Recovery College for Leicestershire - which will offer courses around the concepts and principles of recovery?
The organisers are keen to set up a reference group - including carers and users of mental health services. The group will help to test ideas, concepts and processes as part of the development of the college.
If you'd like to get involved simply go along to the next meeting on Thursday 28th February 2013 from 2pm to 4pm at the Involvement Centre, Bradgate Mental Health Unit, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9EJ.
Alternatively, you can call the organisers on 0116 295 1196 or email [email protected]
Are you caring for someone with a mental illness?
In partnership with Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL) we’re launching a new free, confidential programme called ‘Mental Health Education Programme for Carers’ designed to help carers safeguard their own health and wellbeing, build on their own strengths, share experiences and gain useful information about looking after someone with a mental illness – helping you to grow and make positive changes in your caring role.
The programme is open to anyone who cares for someone with a mental illness living in Leicestershire.
Mental illness can affect anyone at any age and has a huge impact on family members. Remember, 1 in 4 people will experience mental health difficulties at some point in their life, and mental illness is predicted by the World Health Organisation to be the biggest health problem, after heart disease, by 2020.
Maybe you don’t see yourself as a carer? If you’re supporting, and your life is affected by, someone with a mental illness then you’re a carer and you deserve help and support, whether you’re a family member, friend or partner.
You don’t have to live in the same house as the person you care for to attend the programme.
More about the programme
You can attend the programme during the day or in the evening, whichever is easier for you. It includes 8 sessions, with each session lasting for 2 ½ hours with a short break for tea/coffee. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the facilitator before the start of the programme, so you know who’s running the sessions. If you miss a session for any reason, you’ll be able to catch up.
The sessions:
Exploring what it means to be a carer
Understanding mental health and mental illness
Understanding recovery and relapse management
Exploring the impact of mental illness on the carer and family
Understanding and coping with challenging behaviour and crisis
Looking after your own mental, physical and emotional health
Treatment resources
Understanding self harm
How will you benefit?
Meet other carers supporting someone with a mental illness
Share experiences
Don’t feel so isolated
Develop coping strategies
Feel empowered to make positive choices
Improve your confidence and wellbeing
Increase your understanding of mental health/illness
Explore new communication skills
Access a network of support
Have a safe place to talk with others who understand what you are going through.
To find out more about the programme please call Nicky Daly, Carers’ Mental Health Support & Educational Officer on 01858 432014 or email [email protected]
