This website uses Cookies - you can control them from this page: Cookies Page

Functionality Cookies Performance Cookies Targeting Cookies
VASL Logo
SFC Phonenumber

News items from March 2018

Getting support over Easter

Please note: Support for Carers will be closed on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. 

If you need urgent help and support over Easter, here are some useful numbers to know: 

NHS 111 – for urgent medical concerns

Call: 111

Find out more 

Leicestershire County Council - Adult Social Care Emergency Team

Call: 0116 255 1606

Find out more 

Leicester City Council - Adults' Services Emergency Helpline 

Call: 0116 255 1606

Find out more 

NHS Carers Direct helpline

(excluding Bank Holiday Monday) 

Call: 0300 123 1053

Find out more 

Read the full story


Do you have questions about dementia?

The Alzheimer's Society are running a series of Dementia Community Roadshows in Leicestershire, to provide information and support to those affected by dementia. 

Wednesday 4 April, 10am-4pm
Market Place (by Boots) Loughborough 

Thursday 5 April, 10am-4pm
Highcross, Shires Lane, Leicester

Friday 6 April, 10am-4pm
Asda Fosse Park, Leicester

To find out more visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/roadshow

For advice and support please call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122

Read the full story


Are you a carer in North West Leicestershire?

Professionals supporting carers in North West Leicestershire are getting together on 12th April to attend a Carers Forum - enabling them to share information and ideas, and together improve the support network for the growing population of carers in the area.

Kerry, our Carers Service Manager, will be attending on behalf of Support for Carers and we'll bring you an update from the event very soon. Professionals attending the event will include medical professionals, health visitors, social workers, Patient Participation Groups, local charities and hospices. 

We currently support 641 carers in the North West Leicestershire area.

If you, or somone you know, could benefit from our support:

Call: 01858 468 543
Email [email protected] 

Read the full story


FREE Writing for Wellbeing course for carers

Are you an older carer living in Leicestershire?

Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland have teamed up with Beauty and Utility Arts to run a FREE Writing for Wellbeing course for older carers at Charnwood Museum, Granby Street, Loughborough, LE11 3DU. 

The course will run on Wednesday 11th, 18th, and 25th April and Wednesday 2nd May, from 10.30am-12.30pm. 

Join writer Katie Sone at four relaxed and enjoyable Writing for Wellbeing sessions and explore how writing can be good for you, slowing busy minds and stimulating ideas and precious memories. 

Numbers are limited so please book your FREE place by calling Jeanette Silver from Age UK on 01509 260327 or email [email protected]

Find out more about the course

Read the full story


Carers UK App designed by and for carers

Developed by Carers UK, Jointly is an innovative mobile and online app designed by carers, for carers. 

Jointly is designed to make caring easier, less stressful and more organised, by making communication and coordination between those who share the care as easy as sending a text message.

Using the app, you can communicate as a group, keep all your notes together, make a list of tasks for each person, create date/time specific events and invite peope along, store useful information about the person you're caring for, so it's available at the touch of a button, keep track of current and past medications and store useful contacts. 

Even if you're caring for someone on your own, the app could be a useful way to store information and create reminders for yourself. 

Find out more 

Read the full story


Do you care for someone who feels unsteady on their feet?

Leicestershire County Council are holding a Slipper Exchange Event at Coalville Library on 10th April, between 10am-1pm. Designed to help people feel steady on their feet, the person you care for just needs to bring their old slippers and they'll be given a FREE pair of comfortable, safe, Velcro slippers in exchange.

Read the full story


Reaching new carers

We've been out and about in the community again - this time at an event organised by Age UK in partnership with Nicky Morgan MP on Saturday 10th March in Loughborough - to help older people plan for a more positive retirement and ageing well. 

We had a stand at the event with other exhibitors including charities, emergency services, health providers and public sector suppliers. 

It was a great opportunity for us to talk to a wide range of people and best of all, we reached five new carers who are now receiving help from Support for Carers, underlining the importance of attending community events like this. 

Many thanks to Gurjit from our Support for Carers team.

Read the full story


Health Awareness Event: Coping with Cancer - 17th March in Quorn

If you're caring for someone with cancer and live near Quorn why not come along to Quorn Medical Centre's Health Awareness event 'Coping with Cancer' on Saturday 17th March from 1pm at Quorn Village Hall, 64 Leicester Road, LE12 8BB?

There'll be a range of help and advice on offer including talks from two consulants and the chance to visit information stands and talk to representatives from a range of organisations - including VASL's Support for Carers project, as well as Age UK, Bowel Cancer Screening, Coping with Cancer, LOROS, Loughborough Cancer Self-Help Group, Macmillan, Together Against Cancer and Quorn Medical Centre.

Kerry from the Support for Carers team will be on hand to tell you all about our support services for carers and how we can help you, so please come and say hello!

To find out more please call us on 01858 468 543 or email [email protected]

Read the full story


Have your say on carers services in Leicestershire

Help shape services for carers in Leicestershire by making sure you have your say on the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland draft Joint Carers Strategy 2018-2021

The strategy sets out a shared vision and priorities for recognising, valuing and supporting carers. It's been put together by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council and the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland - with feedback from local carers. 

Partner organisations have also helped to develop the strategy including VASL - the charity behind Support for Carers - as well as Healthwatch, Alzheimer's Society, The Carers Centre, Barnados and Age UK Leicestershire. 

The strategy includes key priorities and planned actions to support carers across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, to help you continue in your caring role and maintain your own health and wellbeing. Your feedback will help Leicestershire's councils and CCGs develop detailed action plans to support the Joint Carers Strategy. 

It's really important for you to have your say and help shape the carers' services you'd like to see where you live, including how you might be affected by the new strategy. 

Find out more and complete the survey 

Please submit your views by midnight on 22 April 2018

Read the full story


The Big Social Care Survey

The Government has promised to change the adult social care system in England to make it fit for the future. The Care & Support Alliance, representing over 80 of Britain's leading charities, want the Government to hear the experiences of people and their families who need, or have needed, adult care and support. 

Social care can include:

Please take 15 minutes to complete their short survey to share your experience

The Care & Support Alliance will use your answers as part of their campaigning work for a properly funded care system - to give older people, disabled people and their carers decent care and support.

Your responses won't be used in a way that identifies you, or your family publicly, and any data you share will be held securely and deleted when no longer needed. If you'd like to share your story more widely, there's an opportunity to give the Care and Support Alliance your contact details at the end of the survey.

Read the full story


Back to Top

Leicestershire council logo
Support for Carers Leicestershire is funded by Leicestershire County Council. However, we rely on donations to enhance the services we provide for carers in the area. If you would like to support us please contact us.