News items from May 2017
The Carers Centre: Carers Self Help Group
The Carers Centre runs a self-help group for carers in Leicester. With the support of either Charles or Gill from The Carers Centre, carers get together to help each other deal with caring issues. This could include thinking about how to put your message over on a form or at a meeting, looking at specific issues such as safeguarding or carers' assessments or anything else around caring. The groups meets at The Carers Centre, Unit 19, 7 Constitution Hill, Leicester, LE1 1PL from 11am-1pm.
May meeting dates
Friday 26th May
June meeting dates
Thursday 1st June
Friday 9th June
Thursday 15th June
Thursday 29th June
To find out more call The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999.
Do you live in Leicester and care for someone with a learning disability?
The Carers Centre is holding a meeting for carers who live in Leicester City and care for a person with a Learning Disability. The meeting will be held on Friday 30th June from 10.30am to 12.30pm at The Carers Centre, Unit 19, 7 Constitution Hill, Leicester, LE1 1PL. Feel free to go along to find out more and talk about the Learning Disability Partnership Board, local and national issues around learning disabilities and the types of short breaks available - while raising any concerns you have.
To find out more call The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999.
Do you live in Leicester?
The Carers Centre is holding a City Carers Forum on Thursday 25th May from 10.30am-12.30pm at The Carers Centre, Unit 19, 7 Constitution Hill, Leicester, LE1 1PL. The meeting is open to people from the City, who care for someone with a disability or someone who needs additional support due to their age or frailty. The topic of the meeting is 'Caring and mental health' and is an open disussion for family carers to raise any concerns they may have.
To find out more call The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999.
Do you care for someone with autism?
The Carers Centre is inviting carers of people with autism to a meeting on Thursday 18 May from 10am - 12.30pm at The Carers Centre, Unit 19, 7 Constitution Hill, Leicester, LE1 1PL. The meeting is open to all carers, parents and friends of people with autism from the city, county and Rutland. The topic of the meeting is The Triad of Understanding and the guest speaker is Jackie Robinson.
To find out more call The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999.
Have your say!
Leicestershire County Council are inviting carers to help them develop a new strategy for carers - that focuses on the things that can make a real difference to you as a carer. Join them to share your views, ideas and experiences on 30th May, 1pm at Leicestershire County Hall.
To find out more and book your place please call Nicki Jarvis on 0116 305 9382 or email [email protected] or call Chetna Keshav on 0116 3053982 or email [email protected]
Afternoon tea anyone?
Age UK is opening a "Forget Me Not" Memory Cafe for people with dementia and their carers on Friday 28th July. You're welcome to go along to the opening from 2.30pm-4pm at Age UK Oadby & Wigston, 51 Paddock Street, Wigston, Leicester for Afternoon Tea - including a selection of sandwiches and cakes plus tea or coffee (£8 for 2 people).
To find out more and book your place call 0116 288 5203.
The cafe will be hosting regular entertainment and memorabilia every Friday afternoon.
To find out more call 0116 288 5203.
Age UK Open Day for carers of people with dementia
Age UK are holding an Open Day for carers of people with dementia on Thursday 15th June from 9.30am to 4pm. Come and enjoy a complimentary drink and cake and see what Age UK have to offer - at Age UK Oadby & Wigston, 51 Paddock Street, Wigston, Leicester.
To find out more call Joy Husband on 0116 288 5203.
New cafe opening
Look out for the "Forget Me Not" Memory Cafe opening on Friday 28th July!
To find out more call Joy Husband on 0116 288 5203.
FREE course: Caring with Confidence
The Carers Centre is running a FREE course for carers in July called Caring with Confidence - for anyone caring for a family member or friend, with any condition. The course starts on Thursday 20th July from 10am-1pm at Countesthorpe Village Hall, Station Road, Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, LE8 5TB.
Caring for a chronically ill or disabled loved one can have a huge impact on your own health and wellbeing and many carers say they feel isolated, experience feelings of being unable to cope, are unsure where to go for advice and support, are worried about the future or feel they are not being heard. Others say they would like the chance to meet others in a similar situation.
The Caring with Confidence programme can help with these problems and is held in a relaxed and friendly environment. The programme runs over six weeks so come to as many sessions as you can. Everyone welcome! Bring a friend or a family member if you think they could also benefit. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.
To book your place or to have a chat about the programme, please call Ranjana or Debbie at The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999. Alternatively, please download the programme flyer (please note it will download as a Word document to your desktop or downloads folder).
About the Programme
Finding Your Way
Thursday 20th July
An introductory session which welcomes you to the programme and explains more about each session and how it can help you in your caring role. It looks at the importance of your health and wellbeing and how to tackle your concerns constructively.
Caring and Coping
Thursday 27th July
Gives you time and space to look at the emotions involved in looking after someone and how to recognise and deal with stress more effectively.
Managing Stress Effectively
Thursday 3rd August
Relaxation and how not to avoid it! Will reiterate the negative effect of stress on you, physically, mentally, how you feel and its impact on your behaviour. Learn simple relaxation techniques to incorporate in everyday life to help you combat the effects of stress. Explore ways to help you juggle your caring role and find valuable time for yourself!
Caring and Communication
Thursday 10th August
Helps you get the best from communicating with professionals and service providers. Ideas to help with self-advocacy and find out more about local support available to you.
Caring Day-to-Day
Thursday 17th August
The essentials of caring for someone every day from medication to emergencies. Discussions around equipment available to help keep someone safe in their own home and looking at the awareness of moving and handling.
Quote from carers who recently attended the programme:
"Feeling very lost and alone, carers need these sessions for their own wellbeing and development. These sessions have been a voyage of personal discovery, hopefully leading to my own restoration, both mentally and physically." Karen
"I can certainly recommend this course, as it helped me understand where we are, how important we are and take time out for ourselves. The sessions where carried out in a friendly atmosphere." John
"I am able to keep calm and feel more confident about making decisions etc. Thank you so much for this. It has made me feel more positive and confident. This has been the best help I could have wished for, better than any therapy. If only I had found this sooner, I may not have been so down." Debbie
To book your place or to have a chat about the programme, please call Ranjana or Debbie at The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999.
FREE course: Prepared to Care with Confidence
The Carers Centre is running a FREE support programme for anyone caring for a family member or friend, with any condition. The popular course is called Prepared to Care with Confidence and it's on at Age UK, Clarence House, 46 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 3PJ from Tuesday 13th June 2017 at 10am to 1pm.
Caring for a chronically ill or disabled loved one can have a huge impact on your own health and wellbeing and many carers say they feel isolated, experience feelings of being unable to cope, are unsure where to go for advice and support, are worried about the future or feel they are not being heard. Others say they would like the chance to meet others in a similar situation.
Prepared to Care with Confidence can help with these problems and is held in a relaxed and friendly environment. The programme runs over six weeks so come to as many sessions as you can. Everyone welcome! Bring a friend or a family member if you think they could also benefit. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.
To book your place or to have a chat about the programme, please call Ranjana or Debbie at The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999. Alternatively, please download the programme leaflet (please note it will download as a Word document to your desktop or downloads folder).
About the programme
The programme will include the following sessions:
Finding Your Way
Tuesday 13th June
An introductory session which welcomes you to the programme and explains more about each session and how it can help you in your caring role. It looks at the importance of your health and wellbeing and how to tackle your concerns constructively.
Caring and Coping
Tuesday 20th June
Gives you time and space to look at the emotions involved in looking after someone and how to recognise and deal with stress more effectively.
Managing Stress Effectively
Tuesday 27th June
Relaxation and how not to avoid it! Will reiterate the negative effect of stress on you, physically, mentally, how you feel and its impact on your behaviour. Learn simple relaxation techniques to incorporate in everyday life to help you combat the effects of stress. Explore ways to help you juggle your caring role and find valuable time for yourself!
Caring and Communication
Tuesday 4th July
Helps you get the best from communicating with professionals and service providers. Ideas to help with self-advocacy and find out more about local support available to you.
Caring Day-to-Day
Tuesday 11th July
The essentials of caring for someone every day from medication to emergencies. Discussions around equipment available to help keep someone safe in their own home and looking at the awareness of moving and handling.
Caring, Working & Life
Tuesday 18th July
Invites you to take time out and think about how to juggle competing demands and how your caring role fits with other aspects of your life. This session also explores options available for work, including training, education, volunteering and leisure. You’ll look at the many skills you have (even if you haven’t spotted them yet) and start to decide what changes, if any, you want to make in your life.
Quote from carers who recently attended the programme:
"Feeling very lost and alone, carers need these sessions for their own wellbeing and development. These sessions have been a voyage of personal discovery, hopefully leading to my own restoration, both mentally and physically." Karen
"I can certainly recommend this course, as it helped me understand where we are, how important we are and take time out for ourselves. The sessions where carried out in a friendly atmosphere." John
