News in All Leicestershire
New Carers Information Videos now up!
Thanks to funding from Market Harborough and the Bowdens charity, we are delighted to present our new series of nine Carers Information Videos. Written in-house by one of the SFC team, they are concise, informative and friendly, and especially relevant to carers in Leicestershire. They are available to view on our YouTube channel now. Most of them last around 3 minutes and all are subtitled.
Benefits - Attendance Allowance, PIP, Carers Allowance, Carers Credit and Council Tax Reduction.
Legal stuff - Power of Attorney, Wills, Living Wills and Advance Decisions.
Looking after me. Ways to safeguard your own health and wellbeing while caring.
When Something Goes Wrong - Emergency planning, Message in a Bottle
Choosing residential care and coping with the end of your caring role.
What goes on at a carers support group?
“WHAT do you actually do at the support groups?” is a question we are frequently asked on the phones. Despite having worked for Support for Carers for five years, somehow I’d never actually been to one! All that changed today as I went along with Jacqui to her Hinckley Time Out for Carers group, in its super new venue of the Mary Forryan Centre on Leicester Road.
Jacqui had warned me that there might not be very many carers there as it was the week before Christmas, but in fact we got a dozen carers (eight women and four men) ranging in age from 40s to 90s. They were caring for loved ones including parents, spouses and children with a wide range of conditions - most commonly dementia, but also learning difficulties, mental health problems and physical maladies.
The first thing that struck me was how friendly everyone was. One chap had brought a cake as it was his 87th birthday (we didn’t believe it, as he looked a good decade younger!) The offer of a Christmas quiz was politely declined and conversation flowed over tea and cakes as people caught up – one lady hadn’t managed to go for a couple of years, in which time she had lost an amazing 4 stones in weight. The carers seemed genuinely pleased to see each other.
Topics of conversation ranged from different sorts of dementia and their presentation, to the specifics of people’s individual caring situations, to how a carer and his wife had been teenage sweethearts in WW2, to a daughter’s career in France, to how the A14 had improved journey times to Suffolk! The 90 minutes flew by. I was able to advise a carer about accessing a Lifeline alarm and sitting services via a Carers Assessment. They told me how useful a lady from Dementia Friends had been at the last group – expert speakers are regularly invited to talk to our carers groups.
If you are a carer and Hinckley is convenient for you, why not try going along? The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 10:30 – 12:00 at the Mary Forryan Centre, Leicester Road, Hinckley LE10 1LW. Next meeting is 15.01.2019.
Are you caring for a family member with difficult or challenging behaviour?
Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland have listened to local Family Carers pleas for help in learning how to handle repetitive, difficult or challenging behaviour from the family members that they are caring for. This could be anything from refusing to get dressed, refusing assistance, refusing to eat, to encountering potentially vulnerable situations. How do you maintain that loving relationship when the person you care for is pushing you to the limit or you simply don’t know how to respond?
With the kind support of Cedar Mews Care Home in Birstall, there will be a Professional Trainer on hand delivering an interactive session on how best to manage situations at their next Family Carers Workshop which takes place on Wednesday 28 November between 2pm and 4pm.
We anticipate this will be a well attended session and ask you to book via Age UK on 01509 260327, Cedar Mews on 0116 267 4835 or Eventbrite
Useful app for carers
Jointly is a mobile and online application created by carers for carers, thanks to Carers UK. It's designed to make caring a little easier, less stressful and more organised. Features include group messaging, to-do lists, medication lists and a calendar. You can use it on your own, if you're a sole carer, or as a group, if you care with others.
Carers share their stories
Gurjit from Support for Carers was on BBC Radio Leicester recently, together with Heather and Linda, two of the carers we support.
Listen to Heather and Linda sharing their experiences and find out more about Support for Carers from Gurjit (scroll in 15 minutes to go straight to the clip)
That's not all...
We've also published a series of videos, featuring just a few of the many carers we support.
Here are Heather, Linda, Philip and Chris sharing their stories:
Message in a Bottle campaign launches at Leicester Royal Infirmary
It was great to be involved with the launch of the Message in a Bottle campaign at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday - attended by Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Jonathan Ashworth, MP for Leicester South.
Kerry and Jackie from the Support for Carers team attended the launch, which was led by Leicestershire Police and attended by a range of organisations including The Lions - who first introduced the Message in a Bottle scheme.
We've featured the life-saving Message in a Bottle campaign in our latest newsletter (page 6), which has gone out to over 4,000 carers in Leicestershire and is also available on our website.
Leicester Royal Infirmary is adopting the Message in a Bottle scheme as part of its discharge procedures. The scheme involves giving a plastic bottle to anyone with a serious medical condition. They simply complete the form inside the bottle, with vital medical and personal information, and keep the bottle in the fridge. Keeping this information handy, in a place where emergency responders will know where to look, will make a real difference in the event of a medical emergency or if a person with dementia goes missing for example.
Leicester Royal Infirmary are planning to give every elderly or vulnerable patient a bottle when they're discharged from hospital, and the bottles are also available from any police station in Leicestershire with a front desk, as well as Leicestershire County Council Libraries and many GP surgeries.
Mike Cawley from Leicestershire Police gave a talk to staff at the hospital, and Jonathan Ashworth MP visited wards at the hospital, as well as attending the launch. We also spoke to him about the vital work Support for Carers does to help carers throughout Leicestershire and how we're preparing for Carers Week.
Find out more in our newsletter
Find out more about the event on the Leicestershire Police website
Dementia Awareness Drop-in Day - 22 May
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust is hosting a drop-in day on the theme of dementia awareness on Tuesday 22 May at Charnwood Mill, Sileby Road, Barrow-upon-Soar, Loughborough, LE12 8LR between 10am and 4pm.
Support for Carers will be there so please come along and say hello to us and meet other organisations including Dementia UK, The Purple Angel Dementia Campaign, Alzheimer's Society and the Young Onset Dementia Service.
Anyone is welcome to drop-in at the event, which is being held as part of national Dementia Action Week. You'll be able to find out what services and support are available from the NHS and voluntary sector in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Admission and parking are free, with tea and cake provided.
To find out more email [email protected] or call 07748 791 434.
State of Caring 2018: Have your say
Carers UK are asking carers to help them show the reality of what it means to care for a family member or friend - by completing their State of Caring Survey 2018.
This will be the most extensive survey into carers' experiences in the UK and the results will be published later in the year.
Your support will help Carers UK campaign for change. For example, this year, they're campaigning for carers to be able to access a break from their caring role, for a rise in Carer's Allowance and for stronger rights for carers who are juggling work and care.
Last year, more than 7,000 carers shared their experience via the State of Caring Survey 2017.
Harborough Lotto launches to support local good causes
Harborough Lotto is a weekly online lottery created to support local causes in Harborough District - including VASL, the charity behind the Support for Carers project!
The first ever draw is on Saturday 5th May at 8pm so to be in with a chance of winning up to £25,000 plus one of five £50 Amazon vouchers, why not buy a ticket? Even if you don't win, you'll be helping to support local good causes including local carers.
Following on from the first draw on 5th May, the draw will take place weekly. Tickets cost £1 per week with 60% going to local good causes.
Joining Forces Coffee Mornings for Older Veterans
Are you, or do you care for, an older veteran?
Joining Forces, Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland's new project to support older veterans in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland, is holding several Veterans Coffee Mornings for older veterans and their carers, spouses, families, widows and widowers.
The coffee mornings are on:
Monday 9th April & Monday 14th May from 10am-12pm
At
Hermitage FM Community Coffee Lounge
Memorial Square
Coalville
Leicestershire
LE67 3TU
And:
Wednesday 11th April from 10.30am-12.30pm
Gorse Covert Community Centre
Maxwell Drive
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 4RZ
Please come along and meet other veterans as well as Joining Forces staff.
Tea, coffee, cake and refreshments will be available as well as a very warm welcome.
To find out more please call Jill or Michaela on 0116 2614 605 or email [email protected]
Discover yourself and your dreams
Are you unsure of what's truly important to you?
Do you need clarity?
Do you need help reaching your goals?
Age UK Leicestershire & Rutland is holding a Vision Board Workshop on Tuesday 10th April from 10am-12.30pm at Age UK, Thorncroft, 244 London Road, Leicester, LE2 1RH - which may be just the thing to help you begin the process of discovering yourself and your dreams.
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Call: 0116 204 6440 or 0116 223 7370 to book your place
Refreshments provided.
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
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]
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
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.
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.
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.
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]
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
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:
- Help with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing and eating
- Care at home, living in a care home or living in sheltered accommodation
- Home adaptations and support for people of working age to get into or stay in employment
- Support for unpaid carers or family members
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.
Message in a Bottle
Jackie from VASL's Support for Carers team joined 65 other people who work with older people or the vulnerable at Leicestershire Police headquarters last Friday - to find out more about the Message in a Bottle scheme.
The Message in a Bottle scheme is run by The Lions and is aimed at people with serious medical conditions - but thanks to funding from the Community Safety Partnership in Oadby and Wigston and a local sponsor - Leicestershire Police force has been able to make 6,000 bottles available free of charge to people with Alzheimer's and dementia as well.
Everyone who picks up a bottle will also be given a Herbert Protocol form, which, when filled in, contains vital personal and medical information such as medication required, mobile numbers and places previously visited. This can prove vitally important, especially in a situation in which someone with Alzheimer's or dementia has gone missing.
The bottle is kept in the fridge, helping emergency responders to access the potentially lifesaving information. This ensures people are treated quickly, which can save time and lives.
You can pick up a bottle free from any police station in Leicestershire that has a front enquiry desk.
To find out more please call Jackie from Support for Carers on 01858 468 543 or email [email protected]
We’re looking for telephone befrienders
We're looking for volunteers to join our amazing team of telephone befrienders - to give carers the chance to talk to someone who understands about caring and hear a friendly voice on the phone once a week. Could you help?
The Carers Telephone Befriending Service has been supporting carers in Harborough District for many years - and the service is also available throughout Leicestershire.
As a volunteer telephone befriender, you'll phone your carer/s once a week at a time to suit them, to see how they're getting on and have a chat.
In a nutshell, the sevice provides carers with a supportive friend at the end of the phone.
Volunteering with us is a simple and rewarding way to help carers and share your own experience, and we'll give you all the support and training you need.
If you'd like to find out more please call us on 01858 468 543 or email [email protected]
Caring for the Carer Campaign
We're working with GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals to provide more support for carers in Leicestershire - including Rosebery Medical Centre and Rosebery Pharmacy in Loughborough.
Following a presentation we gave there last year, Rosebery Medical Centre were inspired to do more to help carers. They've launched a campaign called Caring for the Carer, with promotional materials and Support for Carers information around the centre, to help reach out to people caring for a loved one, family member or friend.
The aim is to reach more carers, make sure they're registered at the surgery with a GP, and encourage them to get the specialist help they need via Support for Carers.
The Rosebery Pharmacy is also taking part in the campaign, by placing a Caring for the Carer card in every prescription bag collected.
Rosebery Medical Centre is part of the Charnwood Community Medical Group and the Caring for the Carer campaign will also run in their other two surgeries - Forest Edge Medical Centre and Outwoods Medical Centre very soon.
Watch this space!
1m+ owed refund of Power of Attorney registration fees - how to claim
If you paid to register a Power of Attorney in England or Wales between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017- you're owed a refund of up to £54.
Under a new Government scheme, those who paid a registration fee for a Lasting Power of Attorney in that period can apply for a partial refund as they were charged more than was necessary.
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows you, while you still have the mental capacity to do so, to nominate a trusted friend or relative to look after your affairs if you lose capacity.
There are two types of Power of Attorney, one for finance and property and another for health and welfare. Some will have registered both and so can claim a refund of up to £108.
Read the full story on the MoneySavingExpert.com website
What’s your experience of the repeat prescription process?
West Leicestershire CCG is undertaking a review of repeat prescription processes, to understand if there are ways they can be improved for patients, pharmacies and practices.
Patients who regularly request repeat medicines via their GP, pharmacist or another service are being invited to answer a short survey about how they manage their repeat prescriptions and how well they think the process works for them.
The feedback from the survey will be used to determine if improvements can be made and how any potential changes might impact patients. It's hoped the improvements identified can also help to reduce levels of wasted medicine, as some patients report ending up with more medicines than they need being stored at home, which can be frustrating for patients and wasteful for the NHS. In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland medicines waste is estimated to be in the region of over £2 million per year and West Leicestershire CCG is keen to find out if it can reduce its share of this by asking how people order their repeat prescriptions.
The results will help the CCG to build an understanding of how patients currently use the repeat prescription processes available to them and how any future changes might impact them.
Any patient or carer who orders repeat prescriptions is encouraged to complete the survey by Sunday 25 February.
You can find out more on West Leicestershire CCG's website
Free event - fraud and cyber-crime
Leicestershire Police are hosting a free-to-attend event to help protect you and those close to you against fraud and cyber-crime. View the poster The event is on Friday 23rd March from 10am-3pm in the Lecture Theatre, Police HQ, St Johns, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 2BX. You're welcome to go along to get advice and information on things like doorstep crime, scam mail and cold callers; plus cyber-crime and how to keep your information safe whilst using the computer. Lunch provided.
To find out more and book your place:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 0116 248 5322
No invite necessary but recommended to reserve a place due to capacity.
Courses for learners with learning difficulties/disabilities
Leicester City Council has a range of specialist courses for people with learning difficulties or disabilities designed to develop things like the use of words and numbers, communication and self-expression.
The courses have been developed to ensure that students experience the positive effects of learning, enjoying increased independence and wellbeing, a wider social circle and new interests and skills.
Courses include everything from poetry, movement to music and drama, to creative arts and pottery.
Find out more at www.leicester.gov.uk/adulteducation or call Leicester City Council on 0116 454 1900.
Hospitals in Leicester: Have your say
Do you have a disability? Are you a carer? This event is your chance to have your say about hospitals in Leicester. It's on Tuesday 16th January, 1.30pm-3.30pm at West End Neighbourhood Centre, Andrewes Street, Leicester, LE3 5PA. Refreshments provided.
Love knitting or keen to give it a go?
Love knitting or interested in getting started? The Knit and Natter Group is a drop-in social group for carers that meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 1.30pm to 3pm at The Angel Hotel, High Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7AF.
Knitters and non-knitters welcome!
To find out more call Jackie from Support for Carers on 0845 689 9510.
Want free, independent help to choose the right care?
Care Home Selection is the UK's leading specialist when it comes to helping people find the right care. They've been established for 20 years and provide free, independent support, enabling people to stay in their own home, by arranging and managing all types of care packages. They can also help you to choose the right care home for the person you care for.
Emergency assistance available
If you, or someone you care for, are experiencing income difficulties, for example, because you're waiting for benefits to be processed, then Charity Link may be able to help. They can help with things like emergency food (in the form of food vouchers) and gas and electricity payments.
Their service is extremely quick and effective and in many cases they can help the same day.
To find out more please visit their website or call the team at Charity Link on 0116 222 2201.
Keep warm and well this winter
Leicestershire County Council has some great hints and tips for keeping warm and well this winter - including a handy Your Winter Contact List. Why not share their advice with the person you care for, especially if you don't live with them?
Keep warm and well this winter
It’s important to keep warm in order to keep colds, flu and other more serious illnesses at bay. Now is a good time for you to prepare for the winter and think about how you might manage. Read our tips below on how to keep warm and well this winter.
Avoid catching colds and flu
Make sure you have your seasonal flu vaccination. Washing your hands will help avoid transmitting cold and flu viruses.
Keeping your home warm
Set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed. If the temperature falls below 16°C you could be at risk of suffering from hypothermia. The Warm Homes scheme can offer you support and advice on reducing your energy bills and staying warm and healthy in your home. Call 0116 305 4286 or visit www.firstcontactplus.org.uk
Keep moving
Any kind of activity will help get your circulation going. From walking to the shops (if it’s not too cold) to wiggling your fingers and toes.
Dress for warmth
Wear plenty of thin layers, rather than one thick one and always put on a coat, hat, scarf and gloves when you go outside.
Eat for warmth
During cold weather, try to have at least one proper hot meal a day, and regular hot drinks to provide warmth and energy.
Stock up
Make sure you have enough of your usual medication particularly during the holiday period. Stock up on over-the-counter cough and cold remedies. Ensure you have enough food and drink supplies and have plenty of fuel too.
Find out more
You can find more advice in the national ‘Keep Warm Keep Well’ winter leaflet on www.nhs.uk/staywell
Keep your emergency contacts handy this winter, download and fill in Your Winter Contact List
Have your say!
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust are holding a big conversation where they want to bring together patients, carers and staff to have a big conversation about what they can do to ensure that privacy and dignity are embedded in the care they deliver.
The event is on 16th November from 12.30pm to 4pm at the NSPCC Centre, 3 Gilmour Close, Leicester, LE4 1EZ. The session will be an interactive one involving conversations around the three questions on the invite below, plus a light lunch.
To find out more or book please email [email protected]
Health Promotion Event - 14 October
The NHS is holding a Health Promotion Event on Saturday 14th October from 12pm to 4pm at Belgrave Health Centre, 52 Brandon Street, Leicester, LE4 6AW.
Go along to find out more about Care Navigators, Latent TB Testing and Flu Immunisation. There'll also be health and wellbeing advice on offer including healthy eating and a fresh fruit stall; exercise sessions; blood testing; and weight and height measurement. Plus advice and information from The Alzheimer's Society, Vista, British Red Cross and the Richmond Fellowship.
Balance & Mobility classes starting 1st November
Blaby District Council is launching a rejuvenating exercise programme called Strong and Steady on 1st November - designed to help develop strength and balance. The classes are designed for those over 65, who are concerned about balance and mobility, or feel unsteady on their feet.
The sessions will be held weekly every Wednesday - from 1st November - at Parish Hall, Kings Drive, Leicester Forest East from 11.15am to 12.15pm. (£3 per session including refreshments).
To find out more please contact Blaby District Council Health and Leisure Services on 0116 272 7703 or email [email protected]
Download the poster for full details
Want to learn life saving First Aid skills?
The Carers Centre is running First Aid Training on 13th November from 10.30am at LCiL, Andrewes Street, Leicester, LE3 5PA.
To find out more and book a place please call Nadine Wood on 0116 251 0999 or email [email protected]
The Singing Cafe is coming to Leicestershire!
The Singing Cafe is a cafe for people with mental health challenges including memory loss and dementia. Singing is good for you so why not take the person you care for along, so they can enjoy singing songs and meeting new people?
It starts on Tuesday 3rd October at Melton Library from 1.15pm-2.15pm and will also be running at Shepshed Library from 10.15am - 11.15am on Tuesdays, Loughborough Library from 10.15am - 11.15am on Fridays and Coalville Library from 1.30pm - 2.30pm on Fridays.
The Singing Cafe is run by WOW Church, a registered charity, and they ask for a £3 voluntary donation per person, which includes refreshments. Accompanying carers need to stay with the person they care for.
To find out more please visit www.singingcafe.co.uk or call 07875 378 628.
(During public and school holidays please check that the Cafe is on).
Be inspired! Learn something new!
The Open University offers around 1,000 FREE online courses and there's a wide range of subjects to choose from.
There are lots of benefits to learning something new, whether you'd like to boost your mood, increase your confidence, develop new skills or simply feel inspired.
OpenLearn free courses are available immediately - there's no start or end date, so you can start at a time that suits you and work through the course at your own pace, online.
Courses vary from academic subjects to skills development for study or work - so you're sure to find something to suit you. Plus of course, it's a great way to see if distance learning and The Open University is for you, before you sign up to a paid course.
Money saving tips & discounts for disabled people
Did you know that The Money Advice Service has lots of money saving tips and discounts for disabled people - including details of organisations and companies that offer discounts for disabled people and their carers?
Take a look to see how you could benefit - from saving money at home to discounts on things like leisure activities.
FREE cinema tickets for carers
The CEA Card is a national card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA).
The Card enables a disabled cinema guest to receive a complimentary ticket for someone to go with them when they visit a participating cinema.
The Card is also one way for cinemas to make sure they look after their disabled guests. If the person you care for requires an adjustment to visit a cinema because of their disability, cinema staff should help, whether they have a CEA Card or not.
The Card is developed by UKCA’s Disability Working Group, whose members include film exhibitors and distributors, and national disability charities such as Action on Hearing Loss, the RNIB, Dimensions and Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Do you need help to get online - or know someone who does?
Would you like help to get online - or do you know someone who could benefit from being online - to access support and information, shop or use social sites like Facebook for example?
We're here to support carers on a one to one basis or in a group setting to learn how to:
* Carry out basic computer tasks
* Send e-mails
* Securely look at websites
* Use Facebook, Skype, Facetime
* Find a range of information
* Benefit from shopping online
* Access useful applications
… and many more things!
You don’t need big fancy computers, this can all be done on a tablet, smart phone or laptop computer.
Please call us on 0845 689 9510 or email [email protected] to find out more.
(Calls are charged at local rates, unless from a mobile)
Changes to Night Nursing Service
From 7th August 2017, the Night Nursing Service formerly provided by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) will be provided by Derbyshire Health United (DHU).
If you require urgent nursing care overnight, you can call NHS 111 to be referred to DHU's Night Nursing Service. Alternatively, please call DHU directly on 0845 8500062.
Does the person you care for use a wheelchair, orthotics or prosthetics?
NHS commissioners are asking people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to share their views on the services that provide these items.
Your feedback will help to improve these services, so please take a moment to complete the survey by 16th October.
Click here to complete the survey
The information you provide will be kept anonymous and confidential.
If you have any queries about the survey, please email [email protected] or call 0116 2951123.
Could you be a Trustee?
The Carers Centre is looking for Trustees to help shape the services it provides to carers, especially those with experience in business or commercial sectors.
What's involved?
Trustees are responsible for planning the direction The Carers Centre takes, and setting the policies that the organisation works to. In addition, they oversee the delivery and quality of services to carers, provided by The Carers Centre, to make sure they're in line with all contract requirements and meet the needs of carers from diverse local communities. Trustees are sometimes required to represent The Carers Centre at meetings and events, so they're particularly keen to hear from confident public speakers. Experience of forging effective partnerships would be helpful too, as the charity is looking to work with other agencies to deliver services.
The Carers Centre is looking for Trustees who will be ambitious for The Carers Centre, and committed to supporting carers. They're hoping to inject a greater degree of commercial thinking into the organisation, to help them diversify the way the charity is funded. This will help The Carers Centre to widen and improve its services.
Trustees are there to ask questions, challenge, support and be a critical friend to The Carers Centre, and the charity couldn't operate without them.
Trustees are paid out of pocket expenses and you'll be offered full training and an induction to the Carers Centre. A DBS check will be required.
Interested? Please send a CV, marked for the attention of The Company Secretary, to the The Carers Centre (Leicestershire & Rutland), Unit 19, Matrix House, Constitution Hill, Leicester, LE1 1PL or email [email protected] by 14th September 2017.
Are you a carer near Beaumont Leys?
The Carers Centre is running a FREE support programme for anyone caring for a family member or friend, with any condition, starting at Tesco Beaumont Leys in Leicester on Monday 7th August from 10am-1pm.
The programme is called Prepared to Care with Confidence and it will run over six weeks in a relaxed and friendly environment (carers are asked to come to as many sessions as they can).
Caring can have a huge impact on your own health and wellbeing, with many carers saying they feel isolated, unsure where to go for advice and support, worried about the future, not heard and sometimes unable to cope.
Prepared to Care with Confidence can help with these problems and more - with sessions covering Finding Your Way, Caring and Coping, Managing Stress Effectively, Caring and Communication, Caring Day-to-Day and Caring, Working & Life.
The programme will be held at Tesco, in the Community Space off aisle 24, 1 Bradgate Mall, Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre, Leicester, LE4 1DE. Complimentary refreshments provided.
To book your place or have a chat about the programme please call Ranjana or Debbie at The Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999.
Click here to download full programme details (please note it will download as a Word document to your downloads folder)
Could you save money off your energy bills?
Citizens Advice Leicestershire is running a series of Switch & Save Roadshows to help you save money off your energy bills.
Wednesday 13th September, 10am - 1pm
Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, LE3 2PP
Wednesday 20th September, 10am - 1pm
Blaby Civic Centre, 22-24 Leicester Road, LE8 4GQ
Wednesday 27th September, 10am - 1pm
Sapcote Library, Church Street, LE9 4FG
Thursday 28th September, 10am - 1pm
Glenfield Parish Council, 35 Stamford Street, LE3 8DL
If you go along to a roadshow, please take an energy bill or letter about your tariff to get an accurate comparison.
FREE course for carers in Countesthorpe
A new support course for carers is starting in Countesthorpe today - run by The Carers Centre. The FREE course is called Caring with Confidence and it's open to anyone caring for a family member or friend, with any condition.
The course runs over six weeks and you're welcome to go to as many sessions as you can - so don't worry if you've missed the first one today. Simply go along to meet other carers and to get advice and support on all aspects of caring.
Click here for full details (please note: it will download as a Word document to your downloads folder).
Complimentary refreshments are 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.
Information sessions for carers
The Carers Centre is running a range of information sessions for carers - on a variety of topics including Personal Independence Payments, Wills and Trusts, Carers Assessments, Thinking Ahead, Mental Capacity: Power of Attorney and Deputyship/Court of Protection, Relaxation and how not to avoid it, Carers Rights and open sessions.
All sessions are held in the Meeting Room at The Carers Centre, Unit 19, Matrix House, Constitution Hill, Leicester. To find out more and book your place on any session please call Debbie, Debra or Lindsy on 0116 2510999 or email [email protected]
Click here to download full details of the sessions including dates and times (please note: it will download as a Word document to your downloads folder)
If you have any suggestions for future topics, please get in touch with The Carers Centre team as above.
Have your say!
The Communities Strategy sets out Leicestershire County Council's plans to support, strengthen and empower communities - and now they're asking local people to have their say.
- What makes a good community?
- What can you do to help other people in your community?
- How can the Council help you to be happy in your community?
Find out more and have your say at www.leicestershirecommunities.org.uk
Discover your creative side
The Carers Centre runs craft sessions for carers every month so if you fancy discovering your creative side why not go along and have a go? All sessions will run at The Carers Centre, Matrix House, Constitution Hill, Leicester LE1 1PL.
To find out more call Nadine on 0116 251 0999 or email [email protected]
Forthcoming sessions include:
- Drawing/doodling - 26 July, 1pm
- Handmade cards - 14 August, 11am
- Painting using different medias - 13 September, 10.30am
- Decoupage - 12 October, 1pm
- Christmas Crafts - 21 November, 2pm
- Celebration and Exhibition of Crafty Carers at LCiL, Andrewes Street, Leicester - 15 December, 10am-4pm
To find out more:
Call Nadine on 0116 251 0999 or email [email protected]
Have your say and help improve local mental health services
Health, social care and voluntary services supporting mental health across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland have come together to improve mental health services throughout the area. To help them better understand what local people need when it comes to mental health, they're asking people to complete an online survey to help them improve services.
Click here to complete the survey online
If you need help to complete the questions or would like it in a different language or format such as large print, Braille or audio, please call 0116 295 1337.
To find out more please visit www.bettercareleicester.nhs.uk
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #HealthierInMind
Do you care for someone with dementia? Want information and support?
The Alzheimer's Society is running a series of workshops run over four sessions, for people caring for a family member or friend with dementia. Known as the Carer Information and Support Programme, the workshops will be an opportunity for you to talk in a friendly and confidential environment about your experiences and the impact they're having on you.
The workshops are designed to provide carers with information and support. Topics will include:
- What is dementia?
- How can you support and care for someone with dementia?
- Support services available
- Planning for the future
When & Where?
The course is being held at Gorse Covert Community Centre, Maxwell Drive, Loughborough, LE11 4RZ from Wednesday 12th July as follows:
Session 1 - Wednesday 12th July
Session 2 - Wednesday 19th July
Session 3 - Wednesday 26th July
Session 4 - Wednesday 2nd August
All sessions will run from 2pm - 4.30pm.
Who will be there?
The workshops are run by Alzheimer's Society staff and volunteers for people who care for a family member or friend with dementia. Please aim to attend all sessions if possible. If you're unable to attend the above dates/times, please register your interest as future groups may be available.
Find out more
To find out more and book your place please call Sara Lovett on 0116 231 1111 / 07483 926083 or email [email protected]
Do you care for a young person or adult with learning disabilities?
The Family Carers Sub Group are part of the Leicestershire Learning Disability Partnership Board. They work with the Partnership Board on issues that affect family carers of adults with learning disabilities and young people in the process of moving to Adult Services (transitions). They also network with other groups within health and social care. Their aim is to improve support for family carers and the people you care for.
The Family Carers Sub Group meets at County Hall, Glenfield from 10am-12.30pm. Their next meeting dates are 3rd July and 4th September.
If you'd like to find out more and get involved please call Gill or Lindsy at the Carers Centre on 0116 251 0999 or email [email protected]
Download more information about forthcoming meetings (Word document)
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
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 dementia-friendly talks in May
The Alzheimer's Society initiative, Dementia Friends, is holding a FREE dementia-friendly talk on the History of the Music Hall on Monday 15th May from 11am-12pm at Oadby Library and on Thursday 18th May from 11am-12pm at Wigston Library. Simply go along to enjoy the free talk, together with songs and coffee - as part of Dementia Awareness Week.
To find out more about the Oadby Library talk please call 0116 305 8763.
To find out more about the Wigston Library talk please call 0116 305 3689.
Fancy a read?
Happiful Magazine is on a mission to create a healthier, happier, more sustainable society. Their aim is to provide informative, inspiring and topical stories about mental health and wellbeing. They want to break the stigma of mental health in our society, and to shine a light on the positivity and support that should be available for everyone, no matter their situation.
Find out more and sign up for their free e-magazine
Fancy a night out with a difference?
Enjoy a night out with a difference and help raise money for the charity behind Support for Carers - VASL.
Lasting and enduring power of attorney fees have changed
From 1 April 2017, the fees for applying to register lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) reduced from £110 to £82, with the fee for resubmitting an LPA for registration reducing from £55 to £41. Find out more
Are you eligible for an exemption?
If the person who made the LPA or EPA (the donor) receives certain means-tested benefits when you apply to register it, you won’t have to pay anything (this is called an ‘exemption’).
If the donor’s income before tax is less than £12,000 a year, you will only have to pay half (this is known as a ‘50 per cent remission’).
Blaby District Council Community Volunteer Week 12th - 16th June
Originally set up to coincide with national Volunteers’ Week, Community Volunteer Week is an opportunity for staff from Blaby District Council, local businesses and partner organisations to give their time and make a positive difference to the local community.
What could they do for your organisation?
Blaby District Council are looking for a range of different volunteer opportunities—big or small—that staff could take part in during Community Volunteer Week. Whether you need one volunteer for a few hours or a team of 30 volunteers over two days, they want to hear from you.
For example, do you need...
Help to run your lunch club or day centre?
Help to clear up your community venue?
Help to answer the telephones or with admin?
Help to tidy up a community garden?
Help at a community event?
Help to run an after school or lunch club?
Help for children with reading in a school?
Help to develop a plan or policy?
Help with marketing or promotional activities?
Help with fundraising activities?
All suggestions welcome!
Blaby District Council want to hear from not-for-profit organisations or groups that help residents of Blaby District.
If your organisation could benefit from some extra volunteers during Community Volunteer Week, please submit your proposal on the form provided to the Partnerships & Community Development Team at Blaby District Council by Friday 28th April 2017 by email to [email protected] or by post to Blaby District Council, Desford Road, Narborough LE19 2EP.
Call 0116 2727566 to find out more or download the flyer.
Do you live in or near LE9?
If you're a carer in LE9 why not go along to the Barwell Time Out for Carers group to meet other carers for a cuppa and a chat? The group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Barwell Community House, LE9 8FB from 7pm to 8.30pm.
To find out more call Kerry Smith on 07947 949721.
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Carers Health & Wellbeing Event
The Carers Centre has a Health & Wellbeing event for carers coming up on 20th May including lots of information and advice on staying healthy plus a free lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Find out more
Do you care for someone with dementia and live near Syston?
The Alzheimer's Society's Carer Information and Support Programme is a series of workshops run over four sessions for people caring for a family member or friend with dementia. It provides an opportunity for you to talk in a friendly and confidential environment about your experiences and the impact they are having on you.
The workshops aim to provide you with information and support.
Topics will include:
What is dementia?
How can you support and care for someone with dementia?
The support services that are available
Planning for the future
Syston, Leicestershire
Course Dates
Session 1: Wednesday 10th May
Session 2: Wednesday 17th May
Session 3: Wednesday 24th May
Session 4: Wednesday 31st May
All sessions will run from 10am - 12.30pm
Venue: Syston Community Centre (Jubilee Room), School Street, Syston, Leicestershire, LE7 1HN.
Who will be there?
The workshops are run by Alzheimer’s Society staff and volunteers for people who care for a family member or friend with dementia. Please aim to attend all sessions if possible. If you are unable to attend the above dates/times, please register your interest as future groups may be available.
To find out more or book a place contact Sara Lovett
Call: 0116 231 1111 / 07483 926083
Email: [email protected]
Carers Event - 12th April
Carers and cared for are welcome to come along to our Top to Toe event on Wednesday 12th April from 11am-2.30pm at Glen Gorse Golf Club, Glen Road, Oadby, Leicestershire, LE2 4RF including a FREE lunch, refresments and parking. The day will include useful talks, the chance to pick up lots of handy information, a dance group and Bollywood dancing. Plus lots more!
To book your place please call Support for Carers on 0845 689 9510 or email [email protected]
Catch up on our latest news
Catch up on the latest news for carers in our newsletter - hot off the press. Inside this issue, you’ll find lots of information and advice for carers including details of our Top to Toe event for carers on 12th April, the chance to meet our two new team members, Adele and Natasha, a guide to planning for emergencies and a celebration of that little treat many of us couldn’t do without - a nice cup of tea!
Free event: Bridging the Years
Leicestershire Older People's Engagement Network is hosting a free event called Bridging the Years on Saturday 18 March from 9.15am to 12.15pm at Leicestershire Police Headquarters, Training Block, Enderby, Leicester, LE19 2BX. The free event is open to everyone 12 years and over to celebrate intergenerational partnerships and get involved in a day of workshops and fun activities including Safety Online, Working and Learning Together, Reaching Out to Each Other, Having Fun Together, Arts and Crafts, Laughter Yoga, Sikh Music and Bollyfit.
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Places are limited and must be booked in advance by Thursday 23 February by contacting Lucy Smith:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 0116 277 6529
Download the flyer
Do you care for someone with dementia?
Newcastle University is launching a free online course for carers called 'Dementia Care: Staying Connected and Living Well' designed to help you stay connected to loved ones, manage stress at home and defuse difficult situations. The 3 week course starts on 27th March and is free to join. It's designed specifically for family, friends and carers of people with dementia.
Download the flyer to find out more
Sign up online to book your free place
Urgent Appeal for Funding
URGENT APPEAL FOR FUNDING: CARERS HEALTH AND WELLBEING SERVICE
Following the announcement that the Leicestershire Better Care Together Fund are unable to extend funding for the Carers Health and Wellbeing Service, it is with great sadness and deep regret that we must confirm the service will cease to operate with effect from 30 April 2017, unless alternative funds are identified.
We acknowledge that difficult decisions have had to be made by the Better Care Together Board and, even though the service was highly credited and very much needed, there were other services that had to be prioritised over the Carers Health and Wellbeing Service.
Such has been the tremendous success of the Carers Health & Wellbeing Service, VASL is appealing direct to you, the GP practices (either independently or within Federations), for assistance in identifying any potential funding opportunities to support continuation of this highly effective and efficient resource.
We are in the process of producing costings for the service which will provide the opportunity to tailor services to your needs. It is acknowledged that Carers can cope longer within their caring role in the community as long as they have the right support in place.
Nationally our carers save the economy £119 BILLION a year. The Carers Health and Wellbeing Service cost £165,000 per annum providing support to carers across Leicestershire. We have identified and supported 1,200 carers during the 21 months we have been in operation. Our small team has made great partnerships with GP practices across Leicestershire.
We know how important it is that we are able to give our Carers time and support in a confidential environment. As part of this, we are running 24 Carers Clinics across the county, and an additional 8 surgeries were hoping to offer this facility in their own practices. Our Carers Clinics operating in GP Practices offer carers one-to-one support with hour long appointments. Feedback has evidenced that valuable GP time is protected by Carers Clinics and advice being offered at the right time - as we know, sadly, many carers can become depressed and/or experience numerous other health related ailments that are triggered by their caring role.
If you would like to contact me directly regarding any opportunities for the funding service or have any questions, I would be very happy to hear from you. We would like to personally thank you for all your support and would be very grateful if you could circulate this article to all clinical staff in your Practice.
Thank you in anticipation.
Kind regards.
Maureen O'Malley
VASL Senior Manager
01858 439267
[email protected]
*Carers in this article are defined as non-professional carers who selflessly and regularly look after a family member, friend or neighbour.
100 Best Blogs for Disabled People and Carers
Would you like to read some truly inspiring personal stories and insightful, practical articles about disability and getting older? Stairlifts Reviews got in touch with us recently to share their 100 Best Blogs for Disabled People and Carers...we've had a peek and there are some brilliant blogs on the list - why not take a look for yourself?
Meet our two new team members!
We've recently been joined by two new members of the team...
Natasha Mack, Delivery Officer
Natasha has lived in Leicester for three years after moving from Brighton where she studied for a degree in Outdoor Education. Originally from London, Tash has a varied background from volunteering in Lesotho, Africa; to studying social work; and working with young people in a variety of settings. These experiences have allowed Tash to develop a range of interests including social care, volunteering and adventurous activities.
Adele, Delivery Officer
Over the last 15 years, Adele has worked within statutory and voluntary sector agencies in a variety of roles. Adele says: “My roles have provided me with a vast insight into the everyday difficulties carers and the cared for experience and, the importance of personalised support to meet the needs of everyone holistically."
Meet the rest of the team and find out more about us
Do you care for someone with dementia and live near Hinckley?
Why not attend the Alzheimer's Society's Carer Information and Support Programme for information and support? The programme is a series of workshops run over four sessions for people caring for a family member or friend with dementia. It provides an opportunity for you to talk in a friendly and confidential environment about your experiences and the impact they're having on you.
Topics will include:
What is dementia?
How can you support and care for someone with dementia?
The support services that are available
Planning for the future
Course dates:
Session 1: Monday 6th February
Session 2: Monday 13th February
Session 3: Monday 20th February
Session 4: Monday 27th February
All sessions will run between 10am - 12:30pm at St Francis Community Centre, Tudor Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0EQ.
Who will be there?
The workshops are run by Alzheimer’s Society staff and volunteers for people who care for a family member or friend with dementia. Please aim to attend all sessions if possible. If you're unable to attend the above dates/times, please register your interest as future groups may be available.
To find out more or to book a place please call Sara Lovett on 0116 231 1111 / 07483 926083 or email [email protected]
Do you care for someone with dementia and live near Oakham?
Why not attend the Alzheimer's Society's Carer Information and Support Programme for information and support? The programme is a series of workshops run over four sessions for people caring for a family member or friend with dementia. It provides an opportunity for you to talk in a friendly and confidential environment about your experiences and the impact they're having on you.
Topics will include:
What is dementia?
How can you support and care for someone with dementia?
The support services that are available
Planning for the future
Course Dates:
Session 1: Friday 10th February
Session 2: Friday 17th February
Session 3: Friday 24th February
Session 4: Friday 3rd March
All sessions will run between 1:30pm-4.30pm at Voluntary Action Rutland, Lands End Way, Oakham, LE15 6RB.
Who will be there?
The workshops are run by Alzheimer’s Society staff and volunteers for people who care for a family member or friend with dementia. Please aim to attend all sessions if possible. If you're unable to attend the above dates/times, please register your interest as future groups may be available.
To find out more or to book a place call Sara Lovett on 0116 231 1111 / 07483 926083 or email [email protected]
Stay well this winter
With winter firmly upon us, Leicestershire County Council have produced a range of information leaflets to help carers and those you care for stay well and safe throughout the cold weather.
Find out more about winter driving and road gritting
Find information for carers from Leicestershire County Council
Our Carers Choir in action!
Here are some brilliant pictures from our Carers Choir Christmas Concert in December. Everyone had a great time, including one of the founding members of the choir who moved to Greece a few months ago - we were able to link her up live to the concert, so she could see everyone and join in!
We're fundraising to keep the choir running at the moment so if there's anything you can do to help or you know someone who could:
Please text SING13 £3 to 70070 or have a look online via justgiving.com
Many thanks for your support!
Help to get online
Does the internet scare you? Do you want to know more?
We're here to support carers on a one to one basis or in a group setting to learn how to:
* Carry out basic computer tasks
* Send e-mails
* Securely look at websites
* Facebook, Skype, Facetime
* Access a range of information
* Internet Shopping
* Useful Applications
… and many more things!
You don’t need big fancy computers, this can all be done on a tablet, smart phone or laptop computer.
Please call us on 0845 689 9510 to find out more.
(Calls are charged at local rates, unless from a mobile)
Are you affected by harmful behaviour?
The University of Birmingham is running a project aimed at family carers affected by harmful behaviour. They are investigating the experience of family carers who are affected by violent, abusive or harmful behaviour by the older person for whom they care. They are not examining the causes of illness or seeking to investigate or hold any older person ‘responsible’ for behaviour which may have developed during illness and disease. Rather, they are examining the impact of living with this behaviour on the part of family carers. They aim to raise awareness of this sensitive and hidden issue to develop understanding about the needs of carers and those they care for.
Who can take part?
The University of Birmingham is looking for adults who are carers or ex-carers for an older family member and have experience of abusive, violent or harmful behaviour when caring.
Background to the project
There is limited evidence about how family carers are affected by violent, abusive and harmful behaviour from the older people for whom they care. What research exists suggests that this problem is likely to have a big impact on family carers’ health and well-being. Experiencing and coping with harmful behaviour within the family home or within a relationship of long-term caring may increase people’s feelings of being trapped, controlled and unable to bring about change. Feelings of loyalty and duty may also contribute to a feeling that harmful behaviour should be tolerated; perhaps until the caring relationship ends or breaks down. Wanting to protect and care for an older family member may inhibit carers sharing their experiences and asking for help. Similarly, a lack of public awareness about the issue may make it hard to explain and explore, which in turn contributes to the problem remaining hidden. This research aims to explore the impact of harmful behaviour on carers to raise awareness, contribute to a limited evidence base and to plan support for affected families.
What would be involved?
The University would arrange a time and private place to meet. This could be your home, the University or a public but private space (e.g. a room in a health clinic or community centre). They will arrange a time that is convenient with you. The aim of the interview is to understand your experiences and the University is interested in hearing anything that you wish to discuss. (Travel expenses will be reimbursed).
They will ask some questions about your experience of caring and your relationship with the person you care for. They will also ask about how you manage difficult situations and what you have found difficult or helpful in talking to people or accessing support.
Interviews usually last between 45 and 60 minutes. However, you can stop the interview at any time or change your mind about taking part up to and during the interview. After the interview, you can contact the University within a month period to withdraw your interview from the study. Taking part in the project is entirely voluntary.
The University will record the interview to help them to have an accurate record of what you say. This will be kept entirely confidential and within the University. You can have a copy of what you talk about after the interview.
The University will keep in touch with you about the project after the interview. You will receive a summary of the findings of the project and how they are being shared and taken up. You can contact the University to discuss any aspect of your involvement throughout the project. You can also make clear if you don’t want to stay in contact or to receive this information. Information about the project’s progress and findings will also be regularly posted on the project website (www.carershiddenharm.com).
If you don’t want to take part in an interview but would like to share your views, please get in touch with the University. They are keen to hear about your experiences and want to support you to do this in whatever feels the most comfortable way. This could involve, for example: talking on the phone, communicating by letter or email, or with the help of someone that you know and trust.
Confidentiality
The interview and any other discussions or correspondence that you have will be kept confidential. Your name and any information that is personal to you will be changed to protect your identity. All information will be stored in a secure place at the University.
If the University is seriously concerned about your immediate safety or well-being, or seriously concerned about the immediate safety and well-being of a child or adult, then they may need to share this information. They would tell you about their concerns. If you are unable to do so, they will share these concerns on your behalf.
Ethical approval
The project has ethical approval from the University of Birmingham’s ethics committee.
Who's involved in the project?
A small research team at the College of Medical and Dental Sciences at the University of Birmingham. The College is funding the project. Louise Isham is the PhD researcher on the project and is a qualified social worker with practice experience. Dr Caroline Bradbury Jones and Dr Alistair Hewison lead the project. They are both experienced academics with significant expertise and a track-record of carrying out research on sensitive topics. They are also both qualified nurses.
Doctoral researcher: Louise Isham
Contact details: [email protected]
07861 657717
Co-supervisor: Dr Caroline Bradbury-Jones
Contact: [email protected]
0121 414 3951
Co-supervisor: Dr Alistair Hewison
Contact: [email protected]
0121 414 3951
Find out more
To find out more about the project and the research team, please contact Professor Fiona Irvine, Department of Nursing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham at [email protected] or call 0121 415 8519.
Sainsbury’s supporting carers
Thank you to Sainsbury's Market Harborough for kindly donating items for the Market Harborough Christmas party and Carers Choir concert - pictured below are Jackie Williamson from Support for Carers and Mel from Sainsbury's Market Harborough.
Your experiences of hospital discharge - have your say
Caring for someone else can often be demanding and maybe challenging at times, especially to understand and navigate the health system. Healthwatch Leicestershire is working with local carers to shape and improve the development and delivery of local services. This includes understanding people’s experiences of the services and making recommendations where applicable. Have your say by filling in their online survey.
Happy Art - Meditative artistic sessions at Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation
As a registered charity the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation prides itself on offering a welcoming, supportive setting for those living in the local community and throughout Leicestershire. A new monthly taster session ‘Happy Art’ will encourage attendees to release the stresses of everyday life and strengthen one’s own ability to combat negative thought patterns. The meditative artist led sessions will promote wellbeing, through the exploration of mindfulness and painting.
Helen Baxter, Activities coordinator at the Foundation, said:
"The sessions will take place in our new Activity Centre, a safe and inclusive space for individuals to discover new talents and learn new skills."
Session leader Rosanna Monachello added:
"The arts help to engage the brain in to the perfect state for learning by placing the individual into a state of relaxation, clearing and creativity. This is not art as you know it. This is art to help clear the soul of its burden and release the misunderstood and unseen."
Taster sessions will run throughout January on Tuesday 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st from 10.30am – 12.30pm at Ulverscroft Activity Centre, Priory Lane, Ulverscroft, Leicestershire LE67 9PH. Booking is essential and a non-refundable payment of £4 per session in advance is required to secure your place.
Find out more
For more information and to book a place, please contact Activities Coordinator Helen Baxter:
01530 244914
[email protected]
Support services from Country Paths
Country Paths is a support service for adults with additional needs. They have been running for nearly four years and are based in the village of Great Dalby (3 miles from Melton Mowbray) offering active day services to able-bodied older adults and adults with mild to moderate Learning Disabilities. Co-director, Sally Radford, has 12 years' experience working in this field and co-director, Mandy Allen, has over 20 years' experience.
Country Paths have also launched a new day service from 9.30am-4pm on Wednesdays to support people with early onset dementia.
Carers Allowance Digital Service
With Carer's Allowance, you could get £62.10 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain disability benefits. You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. Find out more in this handy guide from Carers UK
The Carer’s Allowance Digital Service has been available since October 2013. It's a simpler, clearer and faster way to make a claim or report a change of circumstances. The service receives excellent feedback, with customer satisfaction consistently over 90%.
Some benefits of using the Digital service to make a claim:
- Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week
- Arrives immediately at the Carers Unit once submitted
- Can be used on a mobile phone or tablet
- Has significantly less questions than the paper claim
- Does not require a signature or a password
- Has mandatory questions to ensure carers provide the information needed to pay claims quickly
- Has helpline numbers and help text if carers need to clarify questions
- Does not need to be printed or saved
- Is available in Welsh
What happens after the claim is submitted?
Claimants can request an email notification to confirm that the application has been submitted. The Carer’s Allowance Unit will start processing the claim and will write to the disabled person to let them know a claim by someone caring for them has been made.
How long will it take to make the claim?
The Carer's Allowance Unit regularly reviews the questions to ensure they only ask for the information they need. The time to complete the online claim has been reducing as they do this and average time to complete is now around 24 minutes.
What if the carer needs to take a break whilst making the claim online?
You will not be timed out for 90 minutes, once you have started to complete the digital claim form, meaning that you should be able to take a break and then return to complete. You will get 90 minutes to complete each page of the application.
What if you need some help?
There are help guides and eligibility questions right up front to help you. Remember, you'll need to make sure the disabled person you care for is in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits, before you make your claim for Carer's Allowance.
Where can you access the Digital service?
Through GOV.UK - Simply click here to find out more and start your online claim
Report a Change of Circumstances
Claimants can report a change of circumstances online; for example if:
- You start or leave your job
- You stop being a carer
- You take a holiday or go into hospital
- The person you care for goes into hospital or takes a holiday
Find out more and report a change of circumstances
Vote now to help our Carers Choir keep running
We're trying to raise funding for our Carers Choir by taking part in the AVIVA Community Fund. Simply click here and you can vote for us up to 10 times.
We're so proud of our choir and determined to carry it on. It would be a tremendous help to us if you could vote for us, and pass this message on to anyone else you think would like to support us. Each time we meet up, we have to pay for the rehearsal room, the choir leader, a carer support worker, the tea and coffee etc. It costs around £175 a session.
Our Carers Choir meets every two weeks to learn contemporary upbeat songs in four part harmony under the leadership of a musical director and a carers support worker.
Support for Carers supports over 4,200 unpaid carers. Carers have lives, too. They have a right to an identity outside of their caring role; to work, study, socialise and enjoy life. Too often the life of a carer is one of service, isolation and depression.The choir gives carers a focus outside of their caring responsibilities. We want to continue to boost carers' confidence, self-esteem, wellbeing and fun. Singing is a wonderful mood-boosting tool with proven physiological benefits.
The choir gives carers the opportunity to learn a new skill and to meet other carers, not in a carer-focused setting, but in a fun and safe environment. They can meet like-minded individuals which also provides peer support and new friends to get together with outside of the choir.
Please vote to help our choir keep running
Dementia carer in Leicester?
Do you care for someone with dementia? Why not attend the Alzheimer's Society's carer workshops for information and support?
What is the Carer Information and Support Programme?
The Carer Information and Support Programme is a series of workshops run over 4 sessions for people caring for a family member or friend with dementia. It provides an opportunity for you to talk in a friendly and confidential environment about your experiences and the impact they are having on you.
The workshops aim to provide you with information and support. Topics will include:
- What is dementia?
- How can you support and care for someone with dementia
- The support services that are available
- Planning for the future
When and where?
Wednesday 30th November 2016 - Understanding Dementia: 2pm-4:30pm
Wednesday 7th December 2016 - Legal and Money Matters: 2pm-4:30pm
Wednesday 14th December 2016 - Providing Support and Care: 10:30am-1pm
Wednesday 21st December 2016 - Coping Day to Day: 2pm-4:30pm
Venue: The Bradgate Melntal Health Unit (The recreation room), Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9EJ
Parking is available.
Who will be there?
The workshops are run by Alzheimer’s Society staff and volunteers for people who care for a family member or friend with dementia. If you are unable to attend the above dates/times, please register your interest as future groups may be available.
To find out more or to book a place contact Sara Lovett:
Call: 0116 231 1111
Email: [email protected]
Are you a young carer aged 11-19? Have your say!
Leicestershire County Council wants to hear from young people aged 11-19 who either care for a parent or another family member.
Your feedback will be used to improve the support and advice available from schools, GPs, councils and others organisations, and to gain a more comprehensive picture of the number of young carers across the county.
FREE Carers Walk - every other Wednesday
Join Active Together Harborough every other Wednesday in Welland Park for a FREE walk aimed at Carers and Care Receivers.
The walk is suitable for all ages and abilities, wheelchair friendly, and led by a qualified walk leader. Each walk will last around 30 minutes.
Where and when?
Meet at Welland Park Cafe every other Wednesday at 11am.
The next walks are on 2nd November, 16th November, 30th November and 14th December.
To find out more:
Call the Active Together Team on 01858 82 82 82
Email [email protected]
Please look after yourself - get the flu jab this winter
Please take the time to look after yourself and get protected with the flu jab this winter. As a carer for someone else, it can be easy to overlook your own health. Flu can knock even the healthiest people off their feet for a couple of weeks, making it impossible for a carer to look after the person in their care.
This is why the NHS offers you a free flu vaccination as a registered carer. It’s not just about protecting you as a carer from getting flu, but also preventing you from passing the virus onto the vulnerable person you care for.
Flu is a highly infectious disease which is easily spread from one person to another. Getting flu when you already have a long-term condition can lead to serious complications, and it can even be a killer. There are a lot of myths about flu that have circulated over the years. Many people worry that the vaccine can give you the flu. Please be assured that this isn’t possible as there is no live influenza virus in the vaccine. Unlike other medication for long term conditions, the flu jab is an annual one-off vaccine. The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had a jab last winter you need another one this year to stay flu safe.
Find out more and watch a short video on why you should get the flu jab this winter
Find out more about staying well this winter
We’re moving!
Just to let you all know, VASL and the Support for Carers team are moving on 10th October to 1st Floor, Torch House, Torch Way, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HL.
All of our email addresses and phone numbers will thankfully stay the same - so our move won't change our service to you in any way.
If you'd like to pop in and see us head for the Leisure Centre off Northampton Road, turn left as if going to Two Shires Surgery, and you'll find Torch House a little further down the road.
Torch House is an ideal new home for us and the rest of the VASL team, as it's close to the town centre and other well known organisations and large enough for us to hold events here.
Many thanks,
The Support for Carers Team
Has your life been touched by dementia?
Book your FREE place at the House of Memories dementia awareness for family carers' workshop on Wednesday 2nd November from 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery, Leicester, LE1 7EA.
The workshop is open to carers, family members, friends and community volunteers to help you support you and your loved ones. The aim of the workshop is to help you understand the experience of living with dementia and being a carer - through video stories and the chance to try out the My House of Memories app and take part in dementia-friendly museum activities. The event has been funded by the Department of Health in partnership with National Museums Liverpool and Leicester City Council.
To book please email [email protected] or call 0151 478 4240 with your contact details and preferred time.
Our autumn newsletter is out!
Why not put your feet up for five minutes and take a look at our latest newsletter, packed full of news and information for carers, including a round up of all our Carers' Support Groups, top tips to help you look after your mental health and a wonderfully inspiring story from one of our carers on her plans for a carers' community garden...
Click here to read our newsletter in full
Important message from Leicestershire County Council / Leicester City Council about bogus callers
Leicestershire Police have recently received a report of a suspicious caller posing as being from both Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council, advising people that they are required to make an additional payment to their council tax. The caller then went on to try to take the payment over the telephone.
Neither Leicester City Council or any of the district councils who collect Council Tax would ring you to try to take a payment over the telephone.
If you do receive a call from someone in relation to Council Tax, ask them to give you the Council Tax reference number and the balance outstanding, and check this against your bill.
Never give bank details or personal information to anyone that you don't feel is 100% genuine. Any reputable company will be happy for you to check they are who they say they are before you give out personal information.
If you receive a call of this nature please be cautious and double check that the person calling is who they say they are.
If you live in the county your council tax is dealt with by the relevant District or Borough Council, not Leicestershire County Council.
We recommend asking the caller for their name and contact details so that you can call them back in order to check that they are legitimate. Official callers should have no problem providing you with this information as they will understand that you are cautious about giving out personal information over the phone.
If the caller is not genuine they are likely to become defensive or flustered when questioned for this information. If the caller provides you with their contact details, please check the number against the number of the relevant council tax department for your area. If the numbers do not match we recommend calling the number on the council's website and asking to speak to the person who has called you.
Details of the numbers for the Borough/District councils can be found here. If you have a Council Tax query for the city council, call 0116 454 100.
If you believe you have been a victim of this type of call please report it by calling 101.
Community Life Choices - have your say!
Leicestershire County Council has said it's facing its biggest ever financial challenge with the authority having to consider savings in all areas. Have your say on proposed changes to Community Life Choices.
The Council has launched a consultation to seek feedback on proposed changes to Community Life Choices.
The consultation will run until midnight on 4th September 2016.
Community Life Choices are better known as day services, and provide a safe and supported place for people in Leicestershire with health needs such as learning difficulties, physical disabilities and mental illness.
The Council currently spends £7.7 million on Community Life Choices and are proposing to make reductions of £500,000 in 2017/18, rising to £750,000 in 2018/19, a saving of 9%.
In order to respond to this the Council needs to explore how they can provide a more efficient service, while minimising the impact on service users and their families.
The consultation will run until midnight on 4th September 2016, with the findings reported back to the Council’s ruling cabinet in Autumn 2016.
To submit your views, please read the summary document provided, then continue to the online questionnaire to provide your feedback.
Paper copies of the survey are available on request by calling 0116 305 0232 or if you currently receive Community Life Choices your service provider will be able to give you a copy.
If you need help to complete the questionnaire or have any questions about the consultation, please call 0116 305 0232 or email [email protected]
Thrummy Drummers Dementia Social and Support Group
Do you care for someone with dementia and live in Charnwood or Melton?
THRUMMY DRUMMERS Dementia Social and Support Group meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm at Elizabeth Park Sports & Community Centre, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8FN.
The group extends a very warm welcome to all who are affected by dementia, including families and carers. They said:
"We're a friendly group and our sessions include socialising, music-related entertainment and refreshments."
To find out more:
Call Jane on 077 541 09798
NHS seeks views on fairer, sustainable funding for Continuing Healthcare
Patients receiving NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding and their carers and families are being urged to give their views on making funding fairer and sustainable for all eligible patients across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) – East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG, Leicester City CCG and West Leicestershire CCG – who plan and pay for local healthcare services, are reviewing the current ‘Settings of Care’ policy.
This is the policy that determines how and when CCGs will support individual choice of care setting (e.g. care at home, in a care home or elsewhere) for people receiving CHC funding. It also guides the level of funding for providing care in that setting and includes criteria which ensure individual circumstances are taken into account.
The existing policy has been in place since 2011. It pre-dates recent developments such as Personal Health Budgets (PHBs) which provide an amount of money to individuals with identified health and wellbeing needs to support care. The care is planned and agreed between individuals, families and their local NHS team.
The CCGs in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland want to ensure the refreshed policy takes into account the introduction of PHBs and that it enables:
- robust, fair consistent and transparent commissioning decisions by the CCGs
- consistency in the services that individuals are offered
- value for money in the purchasing of services for individuals
- effective partnership working between healthcare providers, NHS bodies and the Local Authorities in the area
- individual choice as far as is reasonably possible
There are currently over 1,300 people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who receive NHS Continuing Healthcare funding. On an annual basis in LLR we spend more on CHC funding than the majority of other areas across England, spending over £73.5million in 2015/16.
At a time when pressures on the NHS have never been greater with an ageing population and a significant increase in the number of people who need CHC funding, the CCGs have a duty to ensure that services are clinically and financially sustainable and that everyone who is eligible has access to appropriate care. We will be taking these things into account as we review the policy.
The CCGs have written to all patients receiving CHC funding to make them aware of their opportunity to give their views and to influence the refresh of the existing policy. Formal public consultation may follow if significant changes are proposed.
Dr Hilary Fox, local GP and Governing Body member of East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG, the lead commissioners for continuing healthcare in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said:
“It’s important that everyone who is eligible for NHS continuing healthcare benefits from the highest quality of care and has equal access to funding both now and in the future. With the introduction of Personal Health Budgets (PHBs) and the challenges posed by increasing numbers of people needing NHS Continuing Healthcare funding, we need to look carefully at the local policy to ensure it balances personal choice with available funding and equitable care for all.
“Changes to this policy could mean changes to the care people receive in future so we urge everyone currently receiving funding, their families and their carers to take time to complete our survey and share their views. We must stress however, that no changes have yet been made and that we are committed to taking into account public views. Once the policy has been refreshed and approved, any changes would be applied at patients’ next annual review or, in the case of new patients, at the point people are determined eligible for Continuing Healthcare funding.”
In addition to writing to all patients this could affect, CCGs are also holding an event to enable them to find out more and to ask questions. Anyone with concerns or queries in the meantime can also contact CCGs on 0116 295 3405 or via email at [email protected]
Patients who receive packages of care funded by the Local Authority will not be affected by the Settings of Care policy review.
The closing date for the survey is Wednesday 27 July.
