Enabling and empowering disabled people and carers
Networker
Compass
Free Membership Magazine
Pop Up Compass Somerset Young Carers Project
Carers Spring 2016
py co a me ke ho ta at se ad ea re Pl to
www.bridgwater.ac.uk
DO YOU RECEIVE DIRECT PAYMENTS/ PERSONAL HEALTH BUDGETS towards your health and social care needs at home? You can now access FREE training for yourself and your personal assistant (carers)! This training is to support you in your employment of personal assistants. Most courses can be delivered within the home environment or at Bridgwater College.
•
Food Safety
•
Health and Safety
•
Manual Handling/Moving People Safely including hoist training
There are short information courses available, together with nationally VIGSKRMWIH UYEPM½GEXMSRW 8LI] EVI designed to help you and your personal assistants to work together to enhance the level of care given/received.
•
'IVXM½GEXI MR XLI 7EJI ,ERHPMRK SJ Medicines
•
'IVXM½GEXI MR 4VMRGMTPIW SJ (IQIRXME Care
•
'IVXM½GEXI MR 9RHIVWXERHMRK )RH SJ Life Care
•
'IVXM½GEXI MR 4VIZIRXMSR ERH 'SRXVSP of Infection
•
'IVXM½GEXI MR 9RHIVWXERHMRK ;SVOMRK in Mental Health
•
'IVXM½GEXI MR 'SQQSR ,IEPXL Conditions
•
Understanding Autism
•
Introduction to Duty of Care/ Safeguarding
•
Introduction to Relaxation, Health and Wellbeing (hand, head and foot massage).
All training packages are developed to meet individual needs, and are delivered/ WYTTSVXIH F] I\TIVMIRGIH ERH UYEPM½IH trainers. There are a wide range of courses available, including: •
Bridgwater College Personal Assistant
'EVI 'IVXM½GEXI
•
Bridgwater College Employer Training to support the employment of Personal Assistant (Carers) 'IVXM½GEXI
•
First Aid at Work
•
Fire Safety
For more information contact Business Development on 01278 655111 or email business@bridgwater.ac.uk. Bridgwater College, Bath Road, Bridgwater, TA6 4PZ.
Contents Spring ‘16 edition
v Compass Disability Services is an innovative, enlightened and positive organisation. v Our mission is ‘to enable and empower disabled people and carers to have independence, choice and control in their lives’. v Our values, beliefs and mission have allowed us to spread our influence in Somerset, Cornwall, Dorset, mid Wales, Warwickshire & Birmingham.
4 5
...............Richard Pitman, CEO
7
......Compass Points - Network
8
.............Compass Points - Hub
9
.....................Pop Up Compass
v Compass Disability Services is a user-led organisation and our Board of Trustees is comprised of at least 80% disabled people.
10
........Volunteering at Compass
11
..........................Kinship carers
v Our principles give us the authority to explore options to give a voice to disabled people.
14
.................Associate members
15
........................Carers Snippets
16 17
..........................Beyond caring
19 20
.................Associate members
21
..Equality Advisory & Support
v Compass Disability Services works through consultation, representation and service delivery, facilitating various projects. Feedback: Compass Disability Services welcomes feedback on ‘Networker’ or any of the services it provides. Alternative Formats: ‘Networker’ is also available in large print, braille, on cd, cassette, as an MP3, PDF or by email. Editorial or Advertising queries: Contact Clive Rymer, Editor on 0330 333 0089 or email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk. Disclaimer: The views expressed in ‘Networker’ are not necessarily those of Compass Disability Services. For further information please contact Clive Rymer, Editor on 01823 282823 or email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk
22 23 .........Bowel Cancer Screening 25 26 ........................Useful Numbers 27 29
.............Carer Support Groups
30 33
.................Associate members
34 35 ...........Somerset Young Carers 36 37 ....................Somerset Choices 38
..................Cumbria unclothed
40
...................Associate member
41
.............................Carers Voice
42
........................Calling a C.A.B.
....
www.compassdisability.org.uk
3
‘Networker’ is produced by Compass Disability Services Unit 11-12 Belvedere Trading Estate Taunton TA1 1BH Tel: 0330 3330089 or 01823 282823 Text: 07568 109960 Minicom: 01823 255919 Email: info@compassdisability.org.uk Website: www.compassdisability.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1099376
Compass Points
Richard introduces the Spring 2016 edition
Welcome to the Spring 2016 issue of ‘The Networker’. As the weather starts to improve ‘Pop Up Compass’ will be out and about across Somerset in shopping centres and farmer’s markets, if you see us when you are out and about please come and say hello. More information about where and when is available on our website: www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk. In this issue we have a frank and heartfelt article from our editor Clive on caring and life after caring, an article on the benefits of being part of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and an article on Somerset Young Carers and the good work they do as well as loads of information on associate members that you may find useful. I hope you enjoy this issue and as always don’t forget we are always happy to hear what you have to say. See you in the summer,
Richard
4
Buy a Bubble and together with Compass Disability Services you will help to create Taunton’s first ever Wellbeing Centre and Community Café with hydrotherapy pool, sensory room, community garden and space to run activities from, such as a dementia café, young carers groups, disabled kids club, gardening club, craft sessions and much more! Perhaps you’d like to get involved by hosting your own fundraising event or maybe you have a fundraising idea that could help us get those sensory tubes and pool filled with bubbles! To help you get your thinking caps on some of the ways in which others are getting involved include doing a sponsored walk, running a marathon, organising a cream tea and even collecting scrap metal to sell in aid of the project. So if you would like to help us make a difference and turn a dream into reality all you need to do is go to the ‘mydonate’ page set up specifically for this project, which can be found at:
https://mydonate.bt.com events/compassbuyabubble# Or phone Rachel or Michelle on 01823 282823 Or email info@compassdisability.org.uk
Note from the editor Happy 50t : h Birthday to our Tru and Treas stee urer Mark Oldershaw I may hav . e accident ally chang e d the picture on page 46.
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Compass Points
Join the Network and have your say!
Carers Network for Learning Disability Services in Somerset We have now established a Carers Network for parent/carers of customers of the Learning Disability Service in Somerset. The aim is to ensure that carers have an opportunity to be involved and receive information on the changes taking place in the Learning Disability Service as it moves to becoming a Social Enterprise Partnership. If you are a parent/carer of someone who receives a Learning Disability Service and would like to receive information please contact Mandy Seaman or Nat Stevens at our offices, in Taunton.
Sedgemoor Disability Forum The Sedgemoor Disability Forum meets twice a year at various venues in Sedgemoor and gives local disabled people and carers a an opportunity to be consulted and informed on a range of issues from different organisations. Speakers are invited to provide information on services giving members an opportunity to raise their views. For more information on this meeting
Taunton Deane Disability Discussion Group The Taunton Deane Disability Discussion Group takes place twice a year and currently meets at Ruishton Village Hall from 10.30am until 2.30pm. A light sandwich lunch is available and members are asked for a ÂŁ3 contribution if they would like this. The aim of the Disability Discussion Group is to give disabled people and carers living in Taunton Deane a chance to be consulted on a range of issues from organisations including Taunton Deane Borough Council. The next meeting will take place on 23rd March 2016, speakers will include Taunton Deane Borough Councils Parking and Community Safety Manager, discussing the implementation of charging for parking for Blue Badge holders in Taunton Deane from April. The Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Continued on page 6 . . . .
www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk
5
News from the Network!
please contact Mandy Seaman or email: mandy@Compassdisability.org.uk or Tel: 01823 282823, Text 07568 109960 Future dates are for this years forum are: Tuesday 24th May 2016 at The Canalside, Huntworth, Bridgwater, TA6 6LQ from10.30am until 2.30pm speakers to be confirmed. Tuesday 18th October 2016 Venue to be confirmed.
Compass Points
Mendip Disability Forum
. . . . Continued from page 5 Advocacy service, ‘Avoice’ will also be present, as well as the organisation SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) who will be speaking about Hate Crime. Funding for this group is provided by the Taunton Deane Voluntary Grants Fund Transport, care and communication support can be provided to enable you to attend our Forums and Discussion Groups and we are also able to re-imburse mileage for anyone living in the areas concerned wishing to make their own way to the meetings.
Or to join, please call Mandy or Nats on 01823 282823 or email mandy@compassdisability.org.uk
The Mendip Disability Forum meets four times a year at Tor Leisure Centre in Glastonbury and provides an opportunity for disabled people and carers living in the area to be consulted and informed on issues from various organisations. Speakers are invited to provide information on services giving members an opportunity to raise their views. A hot meal is provided at a small cost. Transport is provided free for those unable to use their own or public transport. Care and Communication support can also be provided. Future dates for the Forum are: Wednesday 8th June 11am - 3pm Wednesday 7th September 11am - 3pm Wednesday 14th December 11am - 3pm If you are interested in more information, contact Mandy Seaman on 01823 282823 email: Mandy@compassdisability.org.uk.
This magazine is read by an estimated 15,000 people and you are one of them, welcome. You have the opportunity to get your point of view across and advertise your services or products to an audience of people with disabilities, Somerset unpaid carers or professionals who are keeping up to date with social needs. For more information please call Clive on 01823 282823 or email: clive@compassdisability.org.uk.
"
If you would like to receive a regular printed copy of this magazine, free of charge, you are welcome to join our Network free, online at: http://bit.ly/1vs0qSC. !
Join our Network and have a voice. telephone: 01823 282823 minicom: 01823 255919 text: 07568 109960 email: info@compassdisability.org.uk 6
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Compass Points
Blue Badge holders will have to pay for parking in Taunton Deane Borough Council car parks when changes come into force April 2016. Changes to all parking tariffs are being implemented. The zero tariff that Blue Badge holders previously enjoyed has been removed. Both measures are to help fund a programme of maintenance and improvements over the next few years to address concerns expressed by residents, businesses and visitors. Blue Badge Holders will be subject to the new charges, however if a valid Blue Badge is displayed and payment is made, an allowance of an additional 60 minutes will be provided. Therefore, if a Blue Badge holder pays for an hour’s parking they will get an extra hour at no extra cost. It is important that a valid Blue Badge is clearly displayed. The number of disabled spaces in TDBC car parks is not being increased at this stage but there will be a need to consider the impact of charging and the level of disabled bays that are necessary. Holders of Blue Badges are still able to park on double yellow lines at any time, subject to any other restrictions that might be in force. Cllr Roger Habgood, said: “. . the decision to restructure our fees was taken in the light of a brighter economic outlook and the increasing need to invest in and improve our car parks. Blue Badge holders will now be required to pay for a space in car parks and contribute to this investment. There will be no charges in our car parks on Sundays.” The Council is hoping to encourage commuters to use car parks away from the main tourist areas to free up spaces for visitors. Additional income generated from the tariff changes will be invested in car park maintenance and improvements and clearing sand from some coastal parking areas. The new tariffs in Taunton Deane will change the parking charges to a set hourly rate, using multiples of this rate for the number of hours required,to make the charging profile clearer. The tariffs in most car parks in Taunton will work on
a simple multiplier, for example £1.20 for the first hour in a Shopper 1 car park: Canon Street, the lower levels or Orchard, Crescent, Coal Orchard and High Street, will be £2.40 for two hours. The first hour in Shopper 2 car parks, including Belvedere Road, Wood Street, Elms Parade, Castle Street and Fons George, will drop to £1 for the first hour and then rise to £2 for two hours. The same pattern will apply to commuter car parks. The cost of parking for more than seven hours will rise to £6 from the existing £5.10. Tariffs for Whirligig and Tangier coach park will not change. In Wellington, charges will rise slightly. The first hour’s fee for South Street car park will remain at 70p, rising from £2.30 to £2.50 for a space occupied all day. The first hour’s fee in Longforth Road and North Street will rise from 90p to £1 and increase from £2.30 to £2.50 all day. In West Somerset, changes are being made to the Blue Badge tariffs. From April 4, the three-hour zero tariff is being discontinued with all drivers paying for a space in a council owned car park. Changes are also being made to parking tariffs in West Somerset with an increase in the charges in the high season; e.g. the tariff for up to two hours’ parking in Quay West, Minehead will rise from £2.80 to £3.00. The Council’s parking permits provide significant savings for those using car parks regularly. A shopper’s permit costing £40 a year can save a customer up to £104 annually on the cost of two hours parking a week for 48 weeks of the year.
www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk
7
For more information on parking in West Somerset, visit: http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/Transport---Streets/Car-Parks---Parking
Compass Points - The Hub
Compass Learning & Development Hub Compass Learning & Development Hub is a project that brings together a group of disabled people and carers that have an interest in training and staff development, particularly regarding adult social care.
The purpose of The Hub group is to enable members to share their knowledge and skills with adult social care staff in Somerset to inform their learning and development. Do you have experience of learning and staff development? Do you want to share your skills and knowledge with adult social care staff? Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about The Hub group; we have meetings four times per year, which are a mixture of learning about what’s going on ‘out there’ in social care, as well as sharing our views on various topics relating to training and staff development. At our most recent Hub meeting in December 2015, we were joined by Iona Brimson from Somerset County Council’s Commissioning team to update us on home care and support services. Somerset County Council is in the process of looking at how the service needs to be shaped for the future. Iona gave a presentation about the research that has been undertaken, including some questionnaire research with people that currently use home
8
care and support services; what is the current service like and what are the most important things to you when receiving this service? Somerset County Council has also been talking with home care providers to discuss the challenges they face and how the service may work in the future. The Hub group spent some time discussing the most important elements of good home care services, which was then formed into a question that will be part of the tender questionnaire to potential new providers. Two Hub members also put themselves forward to sit on the evaluation panel for this question. This will be taking place later this year. During the afternoon of the meeting we were joined by Debbie Ovenden, Compass Disability Services’ Training Coordinator, to discuss the recent induction day that Hub members had delivered to staff new to Somerset’s adult social care department. We reviewed the feedback and evaluation comments from the delegates; overall it was a successful day and a positive session with lots of discussion amongst the group. The next Hub meeting is taking place in March.
If you live in Somerset and would like to find out more about ‘The Hub’ project, please contact Nat Stevens Email: natalies@compassdisability.org.uk Tel: 0330 333 0089 or 01823 282823 Text: 07568 109960 www.compassdisabilitynetwork.org.uk/the-hub
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Pop Up Compass
Last year we applied to the Big Lottery Fund for a grant to enable us to ‘get out and about’ around Somerset to raise awareness about Compass Disability Services and our projects. We are delighted to have been successful with this application and “Pop Up Compass” has become a reality. This is a short-term project that will be happening from Autumn 2015 until June 2016 and we have already attended some events. For the four days between 30 November and 3 December, we had a presence in the Orchard Centre in Taunton, to tell people about the organisation and our projects as well as helping to celebrate the 21st birthday of Taunton’s Shopmobility. December 3rd is International Day of Disabled People and it was on this day in 1994 that Taunton’s Shopmobility first opened its doors to the public, lending out
scooters and wheelchairs to make the town centre more accessible for people with limited mobility. We are busy planning lots more events and places to visits around Somerset during the spring - so we hope to meet many of you when we are in your area. For more information about ‘Pop Up Compass’ and to keep up to date with where we are planning to visit, take a look at our website page: http://www.compassdisability.org.uk/index. php?page=pop-up-compass Or contact Nat Stevens (Monday to Wednesday only) Email: natalies@compassdisability.org.uk or Tel: 01823 282823
Would you like to help decide how the Carers Service develops?
www.compassdisability.org.uk
9
Compass Carers Steering Group would like to hear from carers or ex-carers, who would like to help develop and manage the carers service, by becoming Steering Group members. We currently have seven members and can recruit up to another four. We would like to especially recruit from the following GP Federation areas:Bridgwater Bay North Sedgemoor, Chard Crewkerne Ilminster South Somerset, Applications from people in other areas would also be welcomed. If interested, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator Jane Allin telephone: 01823 282823 or email: jane@compassdisability.org.uk.
Volunteering
Volunteering at Compass In the past three months, we have again been successful in recruiting new volunteers for Compass. As is usually the case, a few volunteers have ceased to volunteer, for various reasons, but we are still managing to maintain a group of nearly 50 volunteers, who assist in all our departments and on all our projects. We are very grateful to them all for the considerable contribution they make to the organisation.
New Volunteers We have recruited two new volunteers to assist the Office Support team who help as volunteer receptionists on Monday and Friday. One of these volunteers has also been helping to do some administration work for the ‘Networker Project’. A new administration volunteer in the Carers Team started before Christmas and is proving very helpful, inputting data and making calls for the service, two mornings a week. In the Compass Carers Team, we continue to recruit volunteers for our Talk & Support telephone befriending service, as the referrals into the service continue to increase. The service, which offers regular telephone support, to unpaid carers, has helped and is now helping nearly 140 carers. The feedback continues to be very positive. We now have a total of seven Talk & Support volunteers and will be training and
10
inducting another two at the end of February. It is very important to remind you, dear readers that no volunteer is ‘thrown in a the deep end’. Every volunteer is given a warm welcome and an introduction to other staff in the office with a chance to settle in and appropriate training. Volunteering has to work both ways and the work our volunteers do for our clients and members, will offer a great deal of personal development. We are also continuing to try and recruit volunteers to help with our Carer Support Groups, as Compass Carers Steering Group Members and volunteers to help at the Shopmobility project at the Orchard Centre in the centre of Taunton. Each of these roles has very different person requirements from office administration, project guidance and face to face with other people.
New Volunteering Opportunities As we shall soon be developing our new ‘Well Being Centre’ near to our offices in Taunton. We will need volunteers to work in the café and kitchen, to work on reception, as administration volunteers and to help with the garden. We are also developing a 1:1 ‘befriending for carers’ volunteer role and a ‘Shopmobility Shopping Assistant’ role. If you are interested in any of these exciting new roles and would like to register your interest, please contact Jane, Volunteer Coordinator, on 01823 282823 or email jane@compassdisability.org.uk. Please also contact me, if you are interested in any of the current volunteering opportunities mentioned here.
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Kinship Carers Compass Carers supports ‘Kinship Carers’,ordinary people who find themselves caring for someone who is not a first degree family connection, but possibly the only solution, outside Social Services.
kin n.
adj.
1. all of a person's relatives; kindred. 2. a relative or kinsman. 3. a group of persons tracing or claiming descent from a common ancestor, or constituting a family, clan, tribe, or race. 4. someone or something of the same or similar kind. 5. family relationship or kinship. 6. of the same family; related; akin. 7. of the same kind or nature; having affinity.
The choice that's not a choice.
Friends fall by the wayside, they just don't “Before I became a kinship carer I always understand and you are too tired, forgetful or plain not allowed to speak on the phone thought anyone would take in their as your ‘Kinkid’ finds great ways to get Grandchild if the need arose. How hard your attention, screaming, unplugging the could it be? You love them like your own, phone, weeing on the carpet. so it is as they say, a ‘no brainer’. Had I You have learned it's not their fault, its the known then, what I know now, would I do trauma of being separated from their the same again? Possibly, probably, primary carer that has affected the brain. definitely but I would insist on support from the beginning. Social care ran a mile You try to tackle the big feelings and the big behaviours but don't think for a minute as soon as the Special Guardianship you are allowed any feelings, big or small Order (SGO) was granted. At first I was of your own. In fact eventually you cease pleased they thought I was up to the job to exist except once a week on a Friday without any support. Now I know better when you crawl or sob into a nondescript and it is all down to money. room where someone else who KNOWS So the adventure began: smiles, makes you a cup of tea and allows I'd been an early years professional for you, for an hour or so, just to be ME”. twenty plus years, how hard could it be? (Written by a Kinship Carer, THE HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER who wishes to stay anonymous). DONE ! If you are a ‘Kincarer’ who wants to meet I worked full time in a stressful senior people who understand what you are management role with 2 children and a going through, please, please join us. husband at war in Afghanistan for You can access this or other Carer 6 months at a time. I had no family support locally so I am no wimp, but this is Support Groups via Compass Carers. in another league. Birth parents who treat A list of Carer Support Groups appear on pages 27-29. Many groups are ‘self you as if you are some sort of ‘Pied running’, but receive ongoing support from Piperesque’ child snatcher. Extended Compass Carers. If you would like help in family who appear briefly only on high setting up your own group, we will do our days and holidays. Broken nights, night best to assist and we may be able to after night, week after week, month after direct you to a small start up grant. month, year after year; with no respite means goodbye career.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
11
01823 255911
Get your servicing and repairs at
Shopmobility Taunton Replacement scooter / wheelchair provided whilst yours is being serviced, allowing you to spend some time shopping.
All services include checks to: Electrics, Batteries (load tested), Motors Tyres (tyre pressures), Brakes All moving parts checked & greased where applicable (e.g. bearings)
Servicing costs are: q q q
Manual wheelchair £20 Small scooter £35 Other scooters / powered wheelchair £55 Full written report provided on all servicing
all profits go to the continuation of Shopmobility Taunton
HIRE SERVICES
01823 327900 Second Floor - Car Park Orchard Shopping Centre TAUNTON
Mon 9.45am-4.30pm & Tue to Sat 9.15am-4.30pm Bookings and Enquiries 01823 327900 Electric Scooter Hire Manual Wheelchair Hire Long Term Hire
Repairs and spares £10 for evaluation of work needed on your chair or scooter, which will be deducted from your bill, if you proceed with the work required.
Spare batteries and tyres at competitive rates, fitted while you wait. 12
www.compassdisability.org.uk
Free training for unpaid carers coming up:
Compass Skills for Carers - Community Hospital, Minehead, TA24 6DF Carers 8th & 15th April - 10:00am – 3:00pm Recognising & Managing Health Conditions - Community Hospital, Minehead, TA24 6DF 22nd April - 10:00am-3:00pm Dementia Care - Community Hospital, Minehead, TA24 6DF 29th April - 10:00am-3:00pm Everyday First Aid - Martock Carers Group, The Pavilion, Stoke Road, Martock, TA12 6AF 13th April - 10:30am-12:30pm Maintaining a Life Outside Caring, with the Talking Therapies team - South Petherton Hospital 5th, 12th and 26th April - 1:30pm-3:30pm, Lasting Powers of Attorney 13th July - 10:30am-12:30pm, Martock Carers Support Group 4th October - 2.30pm-4.30pm, Dulverton Carers Support group 8th November - 10.30am-12.30pm, Minehead Carers Support Group
Telephone 01823 255911 for a full prospectus and more information The
Care Home Group
Planning for care? When the time comes to consider long term residential or nursing care for a loved one, there can be huge financial implications - perhaps even selling the family home to fund care fees. There is now a way to receive high-level round-the clock care while protecting your family’s future finances. Limited reservations are now available on The Care Home Group’s new 5-star care studios in Yeovil and Taunton; meaning your loved ones can invest in a new home for their later years, while receiving the care they need.
Find out more at yourcareplanning.com or call us on 0800 756 9644 www.compassdisability.org.uk
13
n
Free Training
Associate members ‘Access for All’ is a group of people working to increase the social inclusion of disabled people with limited mobility and other impairments, so that they enjoy equality of opportunity. For example, checking planning applications to ensure buildings are designed for inclusive living and giving Disability Equality training to other commercial and voluntary organisations to spread disability awareness. Read more at www.accessforallsolutions People with disabilities, service providers and campaigning groups gathered at an event organised by Access for All and funded by South Somerset District Council, to share experiences and ideas on making communities more inclusive, on 26 January 2016. Participants at the event at The Gateway in Yeovil included Mike Rowsell, who spoke powerfully about the challenges of his everyday life including the disappointment of being unable to access his room at a local hotel for his sister’s wedding. Although being told the venue was fully accessible. Ron Homer, from the Yeovil Visually Impaired Bowls Club, proudly shared his gold medal achieved at the Disabled Bowls World Championships in New Zealand last year. Representatives of SARI (Stand against Racism and Inequality) spoke about recognising, reporting and stopping disability hate crime, mate crime and online bullying and a speaker from Somerset Libraries described the free, online services and support now available via the Libraries.
In Front: Mike Rowsell - Access for All From left to right: Marilyn Stephens - Somerset You Can do Cherry Cobb - Access for All Cllr Jo Roundell Greene, Jo Morgan Ron Homer - Access for All, Mike Lock - Mayor Siful Ullah - Stand Against Racism and Inequality Michael Vickery - Access for All Back row Ed Crowther – IT Help at Home Stan Shayler – Access for All, Pauline Lock
Mind Taunton & West Somerset currently run Mindline Somerset & Mindline South Devon and Torbay. The two services are out of hours helplines that are confidential listening services, providing a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. We can also give basic information about mental health and local services. See below for the Mindline Service which operates in your area:
14
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Snippets from carers support groups
South Somerset Snippets Christmas 2015 Wincanton and Bruton Carer Groups enjoyed their Christmas meals out and the Yeovil group enjoyed their outing to the Brimsmore Garden Centre to look round the Christmas display, a spot of shopping and a light bite in the café, (they will be having their Christmas “do” in April)!
January 2016
Debbie and Sandra attended the Health and Awareness Event at Yeovil College on Wednesday 13th January. It was a very busy event, with over 500 students and staff members attending. We talked with several young carers and members of staff about their caring role and made referrals for services. We hope to attend similar events in the future. Many thanks to Julie Woan and Michelle Dennett for inviting us and organising the event.
First Aid Training
Bruton Carers’ Group received first aid training, delivered by Gavin from the Red Cross. The group really enjoyed the session, despite not having any lighting or heating due to a power cut. Luckily, there was a gas hob and so hot drinks were flowing to keep the group members warm! (See below)
Carers’ Week June 2016 Yeovil Carers’ Group will be hosting a coffee morning, with raffle, bric a brac and various information stands to raise funds and awareness for the group and all things to do with caring. Please come along to: The Birchfield Community Hall, Birchfield Rd, Yeovil, BA21 5RL June 9th 2016 10:00am-12:00 pm For further details call 01823 2559. Our Carer Support Workers are experienced in facilitating groups, supporting groups and helping out as required. Sometimes they are taken a little by surprise, like our Maria who, in all innocence, turned up to support a group at a ‘Singing for the Brain’ event, supporting people with dementia and Alzheimers. Coincidentally, they were performing songs from ‘Sound of Music’, so guess who got to play Maria? Maria!
www.compassdisability.org.uk
15
If you would like to know more about Carer Support Groups in YOUR area, or if you would like to know what support is available to set up your own Carer Support Group, please contact our information line on 01823 255911 or email: info@compasscarers.org.uk
When you just don’t care anymore At home we had all the drugs a hospital could administer orally, including a nebuliser with salbutamol based fluids, salt based fluids; steroids, antibiotics etc. We were rocking this treatment. She still worked when she could and didn’t, when she couldn’t. We encountered the minefield of Sick Pay, My lovely wife had been ill to a certain ESA, DLA, PIP, Carers Allowance blah, degree for some 20+ years. blah, blah, but those worries are for In the 1990’s my wife had been taken to another story. ITU in the hospital near where we lived A wonderful day came, when we were to before moving to the West Country. One stay at our son and daughter-in-law’s day I got the “you need to get here now” house, up country, for two weeks to call. She had taken a turn for the worse. ‘babysit’ the grandchildren, while our kids I held her hand, wiped her brow, arranged had a belated honeymoon in Greece. for the kids to be looked after and sat in What total joy. We took the Grandies to vigil until . . . she got better; mostly. our old haunts, to where we had courted, Wind forward to 1998ish, WE gave up where we had laughed, had eaten good smoking. It was a big deal. We also food, where they could play, where they moved to Somerset, with my new career. could run, dig, sing, eat, shout, giggle, ‘The Old Girl’, one of my terms of laugh. We did all that stuff too, but not the endearment for the Wife, had a series of running. At night we fed the kids, tucked trips to A&E, emergency admissions, them in and had a little drinkey in the admissions from GPs and on average garden and for old times’ sake a couple of she was a hospital ‘in patient’ every cheeky fags; the first in years. One night 18 months. We became experts. I had the old girl said, “I am the happiest I have the power of veto. Being a strong willed ever been, this is perfect. We are getting woman (OK stubborn) she would fight the on, the grandchildren are gorgeous and Doctors if they wanted to admit her to make me so happy and our sons are hospital, she would negotiate and try and doing well, the daughters-in-law are avoid at all costs, admission. My veto perfect and if I died tomorrow, I couldn’t was based on her trust and my complain. I am happy”. knowledge of her eyes. Yup, I could tell a She was about 48 hours out. She died. lot from her eyes and sometimes I would ~~~~ plead her case and sometimes I would Well this is the bit I’ve been aiming for, insist on admission. She respected my as the crux of this self-indulgent article. opinion and if I thought I could deal with / When the person you care for dies, you support / observe / medicate her at home, become NOTHING. You get told what to I would. Our strategy became locally do at the beginning and then it’s a Roller famous. The GP would invite her in to Coaster of hell. You decide if you want to meet trainee doctors, as an example of donate your loved ones’ organs. I did. how someone manages their condition. Sorry, my Wife did. We had talked long
The following is a personal reflection and I hope to any God you believe in, your journey will be easier than mine.
16
www.compasscarers.org.uk
to be returned. I had been her carer and driver for many years, so that was my only transport too. So the to do list starts. Arrange a funeral with no money; buy a car, with no money. Tell people. I was awarded a small pension (taxable), as a widower, which will be paid for 12 months. This put me JUST outside the
I had to register her death; you are given a form to fill in, to inform all the people in authority that she had passed. We had no life insurance she was considered high risk so we couldn’t afford it. I thought the Government would help, they didn’t. All her life, she had worked, been a nursing Mum, or been disabled, always as active as she could be. A few months before dying she gave up work, not wanting to be a burden on the Company she had worked for sick plan, or her colleagues. Sadly, nobody told her that she would get no benefits, as somehow she had a shortfall in NI contributions, even though for years she had been working or on Incapacity benefit. We were in receipt of a small amount of Housing Benefit, which was in her name, so of course I was NOT in receipt of Housing Benefit; therefore I was not to be helped. All her benefits stopped immediately and I had to arrange for her Motability vehicle
bracket to get Housing Benefits, which put me outside the bracket to get help with funeral expenses. Money, money, money, money, money, sleepless nights Suffice to say I cashed in my pension, minus tax. I bought a car, the oldest car I have ever owned, but it works. I paid for the funeral and still had a few quid left over to sort out life, subsidise my reduced income, which I achieved by being a (ex) full time carer and buy stuff, in an attempt to feel ‘something’. The moral of this tale is, you may think it’s tough being a carer. You may wonder day by day how you will cope financially, as an unpaid carer. You may need respite and worry about the person you care for. What changes when you are no longer a carer, through death? You lose every anchor that has kept you going, plus as in my experience where your loved one was too ill for life insurance, a barrage of problem after problems. So my advice to you is plan now my friends, plan now.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
17
and hard as we knew she was likely to die before me. In fact, I made her wishes known before I was asked. Again another story for another day, but the ‘transplant donor’ team were BRILLIANT, full respect, professionalism, informing, caring and obliging. So it all happened. She went to theatre and I was alone.
Meeting Room Hire in Taunton Close to Railway Station and Car Park Projector & Screen Hire £5 Laptop Hire £10 Flip Chart £5
Day Rate Monday - Friday Hourly Rate Seats for layout Theatre Seats for layout Boardroom
Mendip Suite **
Brendon Room
£100
£85
£15
£12
50 seats
36 seats
32 seats
20 seats
Rooms can be laid out in many different styles, as required. Please ask for details or plans. Refreshments Available
(please request at time of booking) Tea / Coffee - 80p per serving Tea/Coffee & Biscuits £1 per serving Various lunch options starting from £4.50 per person Other catering options are available on request including sandwiches, platters, fruit, cakes, savouries, pasties, vegan or vegetarian.
Please ask for details
01823 282823 All rooms are fully accessible. Our rooms have a ‘Hearing Loop’ system and accessible toilets. We have limited ‘Blue Badge’ parking, which must be reserved, subject to availability. Ample parking is available on Belvedere Road, @200 metres away.
** The ‘Mendip Suite’ is also available evenings and weekends. It is ideal for children’s party’s etc. being self contained with a reception lobby and toilets. ‘Mendip’ can also accommodate up to 50 people theatre style and 32 people boardroom style. For evenings and weekends only, there is a minimum booking of 2 hours which is £20 then £15 per hour thereafter. Full details on request.
Associate member Autism Somerset
Autism Somerset, new team for 2016 Campbell Main, original founder of Autism Somerset, is now joined by: Allison Ward - Director & Trainer Mike Turner - Director of IT Jane Macpherson - Creative Director Marc Lewis - Social Media Jenni Knight - Administration Sarah Baker - Communications AUTISM SOMERSET IS BACK Thanks to our volunteers, and an offer of six months IT support, we are now able to update our condition focussed site. This will take into account changes across Health and Social Care and the content of the publically funded websites Local Offer and Somerset Choices. In the meantime some of our content will be out of date. Please forward your comments and corrections to news@autismsomerset.org.uk The aim of Autism Somerset is: to provide signposting and information about the Autistic Spectrum disorder to all ages, families, professionals and the community. This service offers a resourceful website, regular updates and newsletters and useful networking opportunities. Autism Somerset looks to help raise awareness of associated mental health issues, provides training and presents regional information days. During Autism Week we will deliver information days across Somerset in partnership with Somerset Skills & Learning. Kicking off on the April 2nd Information on the Autistic Spectrum
Disorder for Men only. Tuesday 5th April an evening with Dr Hilary Dyer on PDA. Dates to be confirmed go to Eventbrite or www.autismsomerset.org or our facebook page. We have recently received a Health & Wellbeing grant to fund a course to accredit local volunteers to attend a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. Please do let us know about any support groups or community networks who would like to be on our Local Links page and any news for our Events Page. If there is something you would like to see on the Autism Somerset website do contact us.
www.autismsomerset.org.uk/
19
www.facebook.com/autismsomerset
Associate member - Somerset Sight
Improving life for blind and partially sighted people in Somerset Discovering that you are losing your sight can be devastating. Somerset Sight is here to give support at such a time and helps people of all ages with sight loss, to find their own way to continue to live a full and independent life. Nearing 100 years old, Somerset Sight is an independent, not for profit organisation providing a wide range of services and activities for visually impaired people within their local communities, throughout the county of Somerset. We have a Mobile Unit which parks at 40 different locations throughout the county, including residential and care homes, to enable people who find transport difficult and may live in more rural locations, to have access to a support system and the equipment they need. At our centre in Northfield House, Taunton, we provide a wide range of training and emotional support, to help those recently diagnosed. Somerset Sight offers IT training and patient support groups and numerous activities. We stock and demonstrate the latest equipment, ranging from tablets and phones, radios, lighting, kitchen and writing aids to clocks and watches so that each person can find what best suits their needs. We offer a volunteer visiting scheme across the county, to assist visually impaired people in their homes, helping them with daily tasks to make their lives easier; such as paying bills or reading mail or making trips out. This is a lifeline for many and offers social contact and much needed support. Being diagnosed with sight loss is devastating. Somerset Sight offers information and support at hospital eye clinics, to support people to continue to live independently and to understand their eye condition and what it may mean for the future. People with sight loss can easily become isolated. We support a network of social afternoons and activity groups specifically for visually impaired people, across the county.
20
We have launched a new service aimed at working with ‘age sight impaired’ people. We are setting up groups and supporting people to access activities, that they might otherwise not get a chance to do; such as driving, riding, climbing and sailing, as well as music appreciation, swimming and craft. We run ‘living with sight loss’ courses to support newly registered blind and partially sighted people, to adjust to their sight loss and to continue to live as full and independent a life as possible.
We also provide Braille classes, emotional support, an audio book library and visual impairment awareness training across the county. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a visual impairment, the expert staff and volunteers at Somerset Sight, are able to provide help and practical advice. Please do not hesitate to get in touch. If you would like to volunteer for Somerset Sight please contact us. We offer full training and reasonable out of pocket expenses.
SOMERSET SIGHT Northfield House, 51 Staplegrove Rd, Taunton Somerset TA1 1DG Telephone: 01823 333818 Email: administration@somersetsight.org.uk Internet: www.somersetsight.org.uk
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Associate member - EASS Entering in to what will be its fourth year of operation, the Equality Advisory & Support Service (EASS) is looking forward to continuing to advise and support individuals who believe they have faced incidents of discrimination.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
21
communication when using services and the failure of employers to make appropriate changes, known as reasonable adjustments, especially when an individual has recently acquired a disability or their health condition changes. Despite these being popular issues, EASS advisers are very used to speaking with people about a wide range of issues and, even if you are unsure if discrimination has Set up in 2012 by the Government Equalities occurred, it is helpful to be able to talk through your Office, the EASS has to date been contacted over problem and focus on how to move forward. 150,000 times by people who need advice on When individuals contact the free service, they are issues that may interact with the Equality Act or immediately connected to an expert adviser who Human Rights Act. During this time it has become has been specifically trained analyse issues apparent that by far the largest area the EASS alongside the Equality Act. The adviser will explain receives calls on involves issues of possible how the Act works and help the individual disability discrimination. understand how to use their rights to begin a complaint. If, after an initial complaint has been made, the person contacting the service has still not resolved the issue, the EASS adviser will work with that person to find an informal way to resolve their complaint. The idea behind the service is to look for informal remedies to complaints of discrimination with the hope of avoiding costly and stressful legal action. The EASS does not provide legal advice and will never represent an individual in any legal proceedings. The service is about supporting you to find a solution that is amicable and informal. If you think that you may have experienced discrimination, talk to a friendly professional adviser today by contacting EASS: Tele: 0808 800 0082 Textphone: 0808 800 0084 Please email via www.equalityadvisoryservice.com On average nationally, 62% of calls received where you will also be able to chat directly, using involve enquiries around disability and highlight incidents where discrimination may have occurred. our webchat facility. Message and follow EASS on Twitter @EASSHelpline or In the South West this figure rises to 70% of Facebook.com/EqualityAdvisorySupport contacts made* with EASS being focussed on If you wish to contact us in BSL, please contact us disability. Within these issues, half of them are and we will arrange for our Partner organisation, focused on issues occurring at work with around 35% of incidents of discrimination reported to EASS the Royal Association for Deaf People to provide a BSL interpreter for advice. involving access to services. EASS is open Monday-Friday 9am until 8pm Common issues the EASS receives in the South and on Saturdays 10am until 2pm. West focus on the lack of accessible
Bowel Cancer Screening
Bowel cancer screening programme for 55 year olds in Somerset If you are of an eligible age (55) and are registered with a GP surgery in Somerset, you will receive a letter in the post asking you to indicate whether you are interested in taking part in the ‘Bowel Cancer Screening Programme’. This is the story of what happened to me as part of this service. The literature I was sent with the invitation to join the process included information about bowel cancer. It explained that bowel cancer is the third biggest killer in the UK. Research has been carried out that shows that if people are given a one-off camera test to look at the first part of the bowel (the left side) at the age of 55, that greatly reduces their risk of going on to develop the disease. The test offered is called a flexible sigmoidoscopy and involves a thin flexible tube being inserted into your bottom to have a good look at the lower part of your large bowel and to look for any polyps. Polyps are fleshy overgrowths of the bowel wall and some people may be unaware they have them. There is a risk that if the polyps are not removed, they may in future develop into bowel cancer. Therefore, by removing the polyps, the person’s risk of bowel cancer is significantly reduced. Bearing in mind the advantages of having the screening carried out, I accepted the invitation to come to an appointment to have the camera test. In my case this was in the Endoscopy Department at Musgrove Park Hospital but, depending where you live in the county, this appointment could have been at
22
Bridgwater Community Hospital or Yeovil District Hospital. The next step was being sent an enema for me to administer in privacy at home about an hour before the camera test was due. An enema is a solution which will make you have your bowels open, thereby ensuring they are empty so that the doctor or nurse carrying out the test will have a good view of your bowel. I was given full instructions, but, briefly, you insert a very thin tube into your back passage and squirt the liquid into your bowel. After about five minutes you will have the urge to have your bowels open. This will all be finished by the time you go to hospital for your appointment, around an hour later. Once at the hospital, one of the bowel screening nurses took some medical details from me to make sure I was fit for the test and to give me further information about what to expect during and after the test. I signed a consent form to say that I understood what was going to take place and then I changed into one of the lovely hospital gowns and walked into the procedure room. This had lots of equipment in but didn’t look scary and everyone was very friendly. I was asked to lie on the couch on my left hand side. The test is carried out by a specially trained doctor or nurse. Mine was done by a very nice Nurse Endoscopist. She put some gel on the thin flexible tube and put it into my bottom. That didn’t hurt, although it felt a bit embarrassing. She then explained that she was putting some carbon dioxide into my bowel to inflate it so that she could get a good view of the bowel. I was able to watch the tube’s progress in my bowel on a big video screen, although the staff explained that if there was a polyp there, it would look
www.compasscarers.org.uk
As good as her word, I got a phone call from a nurse a week later. The polyps which were removed were the type that could possibly have gone on to cause cancer in future but weren’t causing a problem at present. Therefore, having them taken away meant that I’d reduced the chance of getting bowel cancer, which I was very relieved about. I was told that I wouldn’t need to have any further investigations but that when I turn 60 I will be invited to join the National Bowel Screening Programme by providing a specimen of my stool (poo) at home which is then analysed at “The Hub” in Guildford, to see if there is any hidden blood in it which may indicate I have further polyps. If I do, I will be invited to come to a participating Somerset hospital for a colonoscopy, which is a camera test of the whole bowel rather than just the first part I was really interested to hear that indeed which I had. If there is no blood, I will continue to be invited to provide a I did have two small polyps. I had been specimen of stool at 2 year intervals until unaware of them and hadn’t had any I am 74 when the screening programme symptoms. The nurse endoscopist put a finishes because the risk goes down after small metal loop down the camera and that age. into the bowel and “cheese-wired” them off there and then. It didn’t hurt as I’d been I am so pleased I took the chance to have this test and would encourage anyone told that the inside of the bowel doesn’t else to take up the invitation. have pain receptors but any discomfort that is felt is because of the stretching of the bowel with the carbon dioxide. If you have missed the chance After the camera test, I got changed and a to take part in the camera test nurse gave me some paperwork showing for 55 year olds, you can opt in exactly what had been done and she said to the programme by ringing that the samples would be sent to the laboratory and one of the nurses would the: ring me in 1-2 weeks to let me know what kind of polyps they were. I had plenty of chances to ask questions. I was given a cup of tea and some biscuits. My tummy felt a tiny bit gripy but this settled really quickly. huge because the image is magnified many times. I found it very fascinating as it is a part of the body that very few of us are able to see inside! The stretching of the bowel was a little uncomfortable but I was offered something called Entonox, breathable gas and air via a mouthpiece, as a painkiller. Ladies have this during childbirth and I must say it felt like having a few gin and tonics so was helpful. I was told I couldn’t drive for half an hour after though until the Entonox was out of my system.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
23
National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme helpline on 0800 707 60 60.
Networking Networking Networking
Useful Numbers for Readers
Compass Carers Compass Disability Services Compass Disability Network Compass Independent Living Funding for Training Personal Health Budgets in Somerset
All Services contact on: Tel: 01823 282823 Tel: 03303 330089 Minicom: 01823 255919 Text: 07568 109960 Fax: 01823 351790
Adult Social Care Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Somerset Direct
0300 123 2224 01278 432000 0300 123 2224
ABUSE (Safeguarding) Domestic Abuse 0800 6949999 Hate Crime 101 Mankind Initiative 01823 334244 Somerset Direct 0300 123 2224 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support 01823 324944 / 0117 929 9556 Womankind 08454 582914 ADVOCACY Advocacy in Mind 01823 334906 Advocacy in Somerset 01458 253053 SEAP 03003 435717 Swan Advocacy 03333 447928 AUTISM Autism Somerset 01278 788776 Autism Wessex 01202 703193 BIBIC 01458 253344 NAS Adult & Community Services 01179 748413 Taunton Aspergers Group 01823 368396 BENEFITS Turn 2 Us 0808 8022000 CARERS Breaks for Carers 0300 123 2224 Carers UK 0808 808 7777 Compass Carers 01823 255911 Text Phone 07568 109960 Compass Disability 01823 282823 Minicom 01823 255919 Emergency Social Care Team 01458 253241 01823 257185 (6pm - 8am) Social Care Team (Sat 10am-4pm) 0300 123 2224 LOCAL AUTHORITIES Mendip District Council 01749 648999 Sedgemoor District Council 0845 408 2540 South Somerset District Council 01935 462462 Taunton Deane Borough Council 01823 356356 West Somerset District Council 01643 703704 Wellington Community Office 01823 667279 HEALTH Age UK 0845 643 4621
www.compasscarers.org.uk
01749 836606 08444 779400
Text Phone 08457 909192
The following links will take readers to websites, that aim to assist disabled people, with their sexuality. If you are likely to be offended please do not choose to use them. The content is designed for adults only. www.COSRT.org.uk www.outsiders.org.uk www.TLC-Trust.org.uk This list is for information only and while each number was checked prior to publication, errors may sneak in. If you are aware of any error or believe a useful number should be added, we will endeavour to update our list each edition with “not for profit” contacts. We also have a “Services for Readers” section, currently on page 30, where an organisation or service provider can apply to be added for a very small fee. Additions and updates please, by email to clive@compassdisability.org.uk
www.compassdisability.org.uk
Networking
Text Phone National
Networking
0845 606 46 47
Networking
Text Phone
Useful Numbers for Readers
Alzheimers Society 0300 2221122 Dementia Somerset 01935 473597 Dental Helpline 08457 697691 Healthwatch (BANES & NE Som.) 01225 232 401 Healthwatch (Somerset) 01823 751 403 Musgrove Hospital 01823 333444 Musgrove Hospital - Info Line 01823 342253 NHS Direct 111 PALS (Patient Advice & Liaison) 0800 0851067 Patient & Practitioner Services 01823 333491 Patient (Hospital) Transport 01278 432025 Red Cross Medical Loan 01823 273746 Somerset Sight 01823 333818 Yeovil Hospital 01935 475122 LEGAL ADVICE Somerset Community Care Matters 01823 334906 MENTAL HEALTH Advocacy in Somerset 01458 253053 Alzheimers Society 0300 222 1122 Carers Services -Mental Health 01749 836633 CRUSE 01458 898211 Mindline 01823 276892 Mind Infoline 0845 7660163 Rethink 0300 5000927 The Samaritans 01823 288998 ROOM HIRE Meeting Room Hire 01823 282823 TRANSPORT (ASSISTED) Blue Badge Scheme 0300 123 2224 British Red Cross Somerset 01823 273707 Concessionary Bus Pass 0845 3459155 Disabled Coach Card 08717 818178 Disabled Persons Railcard 0845 6050525 Mendip Community Transport 01749-344141 Patient Transport Advice Centre 01278 727444 Shopmobility Taunton 01823 327900
Services for readers Yo u r l o c a l s u p p l i e r o f quality continence care products with discreet, reliable service. F or advice and your f r ee m ail or der br ochur e c a l l A r e l l e F R E E o n 0 8 0 0 3 8 9 3 5 9 7 o r v i s i t w w w. a r e l l e . c o m BED PROT ECT IO N
z
BRIEFS
z
PA D S
z
ACCESSORI ES
0300 500 5000
Taunton & District Citizens Advice Bureau St Mary’s House, Magdalene St, TA1 1SB. 01823 282235
(01823) 327076
H lp a Help att Home H ...there e for you
Helping people make the most of their lives 01278 439177 www.brunelcare.org.uk somersetenquiries@brunelcare.org.uk Taunton: 01823 324944 Bristol: 0117 929 9556 Challenging Disability Through Outdoor Adventure www.calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor
26
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Details of these groups are checked before publication, but errors may sneak in. Please check dates and times before making special arrangements or travelling. If in doubt call our Helpline on 01823 255911, 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday Bridgwater Forget Me Knot, Befriending Group. Sydenham Community Hall Do craft and have guest speakers on various subjects Monday mornings 9am -11.45am Ladies group, all welcome. Contact Compass Carers on 01823 255911 Bridgwater Redgate Medical Centre, Westonzoyland Road, Bridgwater, TA6 5BF. Refreshments available. Every 4th Thursday of the month. 10am - 12pm Contact Mike Fitzgerald on 01823 255911 Bruton Bruton Community Hall, Silver Street, Bruton, BA10 0EB Every 3rd Wednesday of each month 10.30am - 12pm More information from Sandra Consalvey (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Burnham on Sea Burnham Community Centre, Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea, TA8 2ET Last Tuesday of each month, 10am to 12pm Contact Compass Carers on 01823 255911 Chard The English Martyrs Church Hall, 2 East Street, Chard, TA20 1EP Second Monday of each month, 10.30am to 12pm Pat Galpin 01460 220026 / 07708866717 Cheddar Cheddar Carer Support Group. Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at Hannah Moore Cottage, Lower North Street, Cheddar, BS27 3HQ. Meeting 10am until 12 noon. The building is fully accessible. More information from Mike Fitzgerald (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Crewkerne The Henhayes Centre, South Street Car Park, Crewkerne First Tuesday of each month, 10.30am to 12.30pm. More information from Gill Charnock 01460 271776 Dulverton Exmoor Medical Centre meeting room, Dulverton TA22 9EN. Held on first Tuesday of each month from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. Contact Surgery Carers Champion, Karen Hunt, on 01398 323333 to reserve a place (as spaces are limited to 12) More information from Maria Knight (Compass Carers) 01823 255911
www.compassdisability.org.uk
27
y
Carers Support Groups
Carers Support Groups Frome Frome Cricket Ground, The Showground, Fromefield, BA11 2AH First Wednesday of each month, 10.30am to 12.00pm More information from Joan Paynter 01373 302128 or Sheila Nicholson 01373 461940 Glastonbury See entry for Street & Glastonbury ‘HenTempMil’ Carers Group (for Henstridge, Templecombe and Milborne Port) Henstridge Village Hall Ash Walk Henstridge BA8 0QB Held on last Tuesday of the month from 10.30am to 12.00pm. More information from Sandra Consalvey, Compass Carers 01823 255911 Ilminster Meets one Thursday a month Summervale Surgery, Ilminster Medical Centre, canal way, Ilminster, TA19 9FE More information from Holly Hawkins compass Carers 01823 255911 Langport and Somerton ‘Rumours’, Somerton Road, Langport, TA10 9SZ Fourth Wednesday of each month, 11am to 12.30pm More information from Sue Cockle 07508 744292, email scockle.1@btinternet.com Minehead Quaker Meeting House, 9 Bancks Street, Minehead, TA24 5DJ Last Monday of each month, 10.30am to 12.00pm. More information from Maria Knight (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Shepton Mallet Parish rooms, St Michaels Church, Park Rd, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BP 3rd Monday of every month, 10.30 to 12.00 More information from Abi Black Compass Carers 01823 255911 Street & Glastonbury Street Parish Rooms, 6 Leigh Road, Street 01458 440588 Second Monday of each month between 10.30am and 12.30pm More information from Abi Black, (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Taunton Deane Robin Close, Community Hall, Bishops Hull, Taunton Third Friday of each month, 1.30pm to 4.30pm More information from Liz Pooley 07523 350772 Taunton Priorswood Priorswood Community Centre, Priorswood, Taunton First Thursday of every month, 2pm to 3.30pm More information from Vidette Quinnell (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Wheddon Cross ** New Group Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross, TA24 7EX. For up to date information contact Caroline Harding 07908 160733
28
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Carers Support Groups
www.compassdisability.org.uk
29
Wells Wells Fire Station Community Room Burcott Road,WELLS, BA5 2EF 1st Tuesday of each month between 10.30am and 12.00pm More information from Abi Black, (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Wellington Wellington Medical Centre, Mantle Street, Wellington, TA21 8BD 01823 663551 First Monday of every month between 2pm and 3.30pm More information from Maria Knight, (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Westonzoyland Ups and Downs "Littlies" The Old School', Westonzoyland, Bridgwater, TA7 0LN Group dates vary - please phone. Ups and Downs Southwest 01278 691100 Williton Williton Childrens Centre, Killick Way , Williton, TA4 4QA Second Monday of the month, from 2pm until 3.30 pm. Supported by Compass Carers. More information from Ann Hope 01984 633058 Wincanton Wincanton Memorial Hall, High Street, Wincanton, BA9 9JF Second Monday of each month,10.30am to 12pm More information from Sandra Consalvey (Compass Carers) 01823 255911 Woolavington ** New Group Group will be held on the second Thursday of the month from 10am until 12 noon at The Surgery, Woolavington Rd, Woolavington, TA7 8ED. For up to date information please call Mike Fitzgerald (Compass Carers) 01823 255911. group, a Yeovil - Birchfield p u t se up like to d l Birchfield Hall,Birchfield Road,Yeovil u ing gro t o s i w x u e o n If y rt for a w what all the Second Thursday of each month, 10.30am to 12pm. o p p u s o get nt to kn ase contact a More information from Joan Wilcox on 01935 706466 w t s u ple or j about, Yeovil - Old Barn s i s s fu lpline: our He 23 255911 The Old Barn Club, Old Barn Way, Yeovil, BA20 2NX ne: 018 255919 o h Second Monday of each month, 10.30am until lunchtime. p e l e t 23 m: 018 o c i For carers of people with learning disabilities. n i m 09960 1 8 6 5 7 org.uk . s r e More information from Malcolm Campbell (Chair) 01935 478032 r te x t: 0 a sc ompas c @ o Yeovil Ups and Downs f in email: Ups and Downs - "Littlies" Birchfield Children's Centre, Yeovil BA21 5RL Please contact the number below for information about future dates Ups and Downs Southwest, 01278 691100
Associate member - Evenbreak My experience with employers probably mirrors that of most disabled people. Most of them think we have nothing to offer, will be off sick all the time and require expensive adaptations (although they don’t say so, of course). However there are thankfully, a number of rather more enlightened employers who recognise that disabled people bring a huge range of skills with them and that having a diversity of employees is good for their businesses.
Jane Hatton runs ‘Evenbreak’ lying flat, with a laptop suspended above her, as her degenerative spinal condition limits her ability to sit. Awarded “Diversity Champion” at the Excellence in Diversity Awards 2015, she is passionate about promoting inclusion and accessibility. As disabled people, the challenge is to find those employers that really will take our applications seriously, who understand that we bring a diversity of valuable skills with us. Conversely, the challenge for genuine employers is attracting talented disabled people and encouraging us to apply. To address these problems I started an online job board, specifically to help disabled jobseekers find jobs with employers who would value their skills. Since 2011, inclusive employers including Network Rail, John Lewis, BBC, Lloyds
30
Bank, ITV, Asda and many more have been advertising their vacancies on Evenbreak (www.evenbreak.co.uk). Disabled candidates have the confidence to apply, knowing these employers have paid to advertise on a site which only attracts disabled people. We have grown since those early days, and now employ a number of disabled people ourselves, who all work flexibly around their impairments. We offer online training to disabled candidates and to inclusive employers. As a social enterprise we also wish to address the other problem, employers who don’t want to employ disabled people. Any surplus funds go towards activities which raise awareness of the business case for employing disabled people, and helping them understand how to be more inclusive and accessible. We are currently working on providing more resources for disabled candidates in terms of guidance around when, how and if to mention disability to a prospective employer, how to ask for reasonable adjustments and so on. We will also be offering guidance to employers around how to make their recruitment and employment practices more accessible and inclusive. So, if you are disabled and looking for work, or know someone who is, please come to Evenbreak to find work with employers who value diversity.
Associate members Peter has Cerebral Palsy and is now triplegic, with very limited movement in his mobile arm. Given all of his physical impediments he is rarely ever ‘down’ and has a wicked and unwavering sense of humour that endears him to everyone who visits the nursing home. As a child he visited Weston-super-Mare. One day he decided to take the very brave move of leaving a care home where he had lived for over 20 years and relocate on a new adventure. This drastic life change epitomises Peter’s personality and spirit towards life in general. Lyndhurst Park is an award winning small family run nursing home.The seafront promenade is only 100 meters away, with a sleepy park and bowling green being a gentle 2 minutes’ walk. Local shops, Post Office, Doctor’s Surgery & Churches are all within a few minutes stroll. Peter came to Lyndhurst Park from Birmingham in 2008. Soon after Peter’s move to Lyndhurst I was asking him what he misses most in life and he replied “travelling”. As a younger man he had travelled to Tunisia several times, flown in a helicopter over New York, gone up the Empire Building and visited Orlando in Florida. I was relaying Peter’s comments and travels to staff and the question was posed would staff be allowed to escort and care for Peter if he wanted to go on holiday overseas? From that query Peter has rekindled his love in travelling and now goes on
holiday twice a year, having revisited Tunisia several times, Spain and this year booking up for Portugal in June. Two staff give up their holiday leave to escort and care for Peter on his overseas adventures and it’s not a one way street of enjoyment. Peter’s character ensures that the staff get as much out of it as Peter.
Another quest on this 72 year old adventurer’s bucket list is to go up in a hot air balloon; regretfully we have exhausted our search for a company with the appropriate insurance to take Peter up. Peter is a fine example of where disability is not an impediment; all you need is the resolve and the people around you that will support that determination.
Taunton care staff celebrate long service
www.compassdisability.org.uk
31
Staff at Somerset Care’s Halcon Centre were honoured for their long service last week. Ten members of care staff were acknowledged for a combined total of 130 years at the event which took place on Thursday 11th February. The event was held at the Halcon Centre, which offers respite support for younger adults with physical disabilities and or sensory loss. The Somerset Care Group, Chief Executive, Jane Townson, attended the event and spoke with the staff team after the presentation of the certificates, thanking them for their hard work and dedication.
Tel 01458 851591 www.hmsmobility.co.uk A Glastonbury based family run specialist business in the supply of prescription mobility products. Children€s buggies & wheelchairs, adult manual wheelchairs, powerchairs, standing powerchairs, Our best selling outdoor powerchair. The superb Meyra Optimus2 RS 4, 6, 8 MPH. Max user weight 150KG / 23 • stone Max range 43 miles Electric seat tilt, back recline, leg rest options plus many more features! Meyra ‚ Top quality, made in Germany. Free onboard USB port for charging your mobile phone from the powerchair on orders placed in March & April 2016.
HMS Mobility trading area. We are fully vetted and approved specialist mobility business by Devon & Somerset Trading Standards and follow their strict code of conduct.
NEW! Quickie Attitude Hand Bikes from HMS Mobility. Ask for a free d t ti
The NEW Quickie Attitude takes just 6 Seconds to attach! Manual, Power and Hybrid versions available. Made by Sunrise nd Medical the 2 largest mobility manufacturer in the world, great back up too! Ask for a free no obligation demonstration (Easily attaches to lots of wheelchairs)
SPOKE GUARDS CUSTOM BESPOKE DESIGN
NHS Wheelchair payment vouchers accepted. Call us for details and about children€s charity funding!
The world€s most compact mid wheel drive powerchair! NEW Quickie Salsa Mini2 mid wheel drive. Ideal for tight turn spaces, hall ways, bathrooms etc. Max user weight 22 stone 140KG Turning radius 24ƒ 600mm Crash Tested to be used as a seat in a motor vehicle. 4 or 6 MPH. Indoor / Outdoor / Office / Work use. Electric tilt, seat riser, back recline, leg rest options. Superb value for money! Free first year service on all orders placed during March & April 2016.
We supply the complete range of Ottobock prescription mobility products. Kimba Neo special needs buggies also for twins and cross country. Carbon fibre Voyager Evo manual wheelchairs, indoor / outdoor and standing powerchairs. Headrests, gutter armrests, bathing aids for children, special backrests and a vast range of special high risk cushions. Wheelchair rain covers stocked, spare parts & accessories too.
ers
ORCHARD VALE TRUST 30TH ANNIVERSARY Orchard Vale Trust will be celebrating its 30th anniversary with a year of events, which will include a formal drinks reception, a golf day, Somerset Arts Weeks open studios and various other exciting events. In 1985 two families, each with a son with learning disabilities, decided to do something about the lack of high quality residential care for their children, they decided that they would open a home for young people with learning disabilities, including their sons. Orchard Vale Trust was born. Other family members and some supportive professionals became involved and Orchard Vale Trust was able to open its first home, East Court in Wookey in February 1986. Since then, Orchard Vale Trust has opened a further three homes, Northcroft in 1991, St Chad’s in 1995 and Ferndale in 1998. Currently the Trust offers residential care and support to over 30 residents. In addition, Orchard Vale Trust offers Day Services to residents and external clients, who can enjoy a wide variety of groups, such as pottery, felting, needlework, art, computers, cookery, gym, swimming, furniture restoration, conservation and volunteering opportunities, as well as learning horticultural skills in our extensive organic gardens. In many ways Orchard Vale Trust was a pioneering charity in its field, some family members of our residents are involved as Trustees of the charity, and we have continued to build on the vision of our founders, central to which is the need to provide services that reflect what people want, with underlying core values of respect, dignity, autonomy and choice. We remain committed to the people who live in our homes, with the intention of offering them a home for as long as they want to live there. Further information regarding Orchard Vale Trust can be found at: www.orchardvaletrust.org.uk email info@orchardvaletrust.org.uk, or call 01749 673122 / 671706.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
33
ir!
Associate member
Somerset Young Carers Being a Young Carer can be tough. Research has shown that many ‘Young Carers’ do not realise they are caring, and can go hidden or unrecognised at school or within their community. This means they can go through childhood without being supported, which can cause problems with friendships, health or education. The range and scale of caring varies greatly; not all children who have ill or disabled parents or siblings take on caring roles, or when they do it causes them no difficulties. Caring can involve lots of physical care including personal care, giving medication and helping someone to dress or move around. It can include looking after siblings, paying bills, cooking, cleaning, shopping, or translating. Some Young Carers give no physical care but provide emotional support, particularly for someone who has a mental health condition or misuses substances. The Somerset Young Carers Project is the dedicated service in Somerset that supports Young Carers under the age of 18. This could be helping to care for a physically ill or disabled parent, sibling or family member, or a parent or family member experiencing mental ill health, alcohol or drug misuse. Since 2003 the Service has supported 1600 children who have been referred to the project; we are regularly working with 250 Young Carers across Somerset. “During the summer holidays Young Carers were invited to Magdalen Farm. The activities we participated in were: pond dipping, pizza making, wood medals, feeding animals and much more! My favourite part of the three days was the pond dipping; however at the end I didn’t enjoy it as much as I got completely soaking wet! I got on really well with the young people I’ve met before and the people I hadn’t met before. I had a brilliant time and I would hope to do it again”. By Lois, (Young Carer)
How we Support Young Carers We provide a statutory assessment to find out the extent of caring the child is providing and how they feel about this. This is called a 'Young Carers Needs Assessment’; if the Young Carer has support needs following this we can support in different ways. The length of time we support each Young Carer will depend on their circumstances.
Time away from Caring We have eight regular respite groups across the county. We have a Junior and Senior group in each area of the county; the groups meet fortnightly and allow the Young Carers to take part in fun activities
34
and meet with other young carers. We also provide trips and activities in the school holidays.
Being Listened to Sometimes caring can be stressful and it is important to be able to talk to someone. We work alongside trained counsellors that we can arrange for Young Cares to meet; normally the counselling lasts up to 6 sessions but can help with things like: problems at school, feeling unhappy and upset, confused, angry or frustrated with their caring role; feeling stressed or anxious. We also have a Young Carer’s Forum that meets during the year to help raise awareness of issues affecting Young Carers.
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Supporting the Caring Role A Young Carer can become vulnerable when the level of care-giving and responsibility becomes excessive or inappropriate for that child. We can work with Adult Services to help ensure the Young Carer and their family are supported. This may mean ensuring their family member has the support they require so the Young Carer doesn’t have to provide as much care. We can work with Schools and Colleges to ensure that Young Carers are supported and that their caring role is recognised. It may mean the Young Carer requires some extra support with learning or support to access a school activity.
their parent’s disability or illness. We can offer training and events to help with the roles a Young Carer might have; this can include activities such as cooking or providing first aid training. We plan to offer a support day in Easter for Young Carers who care for a family member because of mental illness.
What Young Carers say:
“I’m Claire and I am twelve. I belong to a group called Young Carers. A lot of people don’t understand what a Young Carer is, what they have to do, and the responsibilities they have to undertake.” “My Mum’s not well. I go to school and do all the normal stuff, but when I get home I have to help get tea ready for me, Mum and Dad, every night. I have to help with Supporting Young Carers the housework all the time. It’s hard to fit with Transitions it all in.” Some Young Carers struggle to move into “It’s just me and my dad. He’s disabled, adulthood because of their circumstances; so I have to do all the housework. I like to for instance, many Young Carers feel that do it, but I get very tired” they cannot go to University or enter How to Refer employment because of their caring role. To make a referral and request a Young We can help support and plan the step Carers Needs Assessment please contact into adult services for Young Carers as Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224. they approach adulthood. Alternatively, parents can contact our Information and Advice Street office to find out more about the We can help Young Carers understand service on 01458 440820. their caring role and circumstances; this ‘Children First, can be meeting with the Young Carer to Carers Second’ help them understand a bit more about
www.compassdisability.org.uk
35
Somerset Young Carers Team, left to right: Nick Dunford (Business Support), John Grundy (Mendip YC Intervention Worker), Claire Brewer (Sedgemoor YC Intervention Worker), Wendy Jenner (Young Carers Operations Manager), Angela Vaughan (Taunton and West Somerset YC Intervention Worker), Kate Overd (South Somerset YC Intervention Worker) Dave Willis (YC Team Leader).
Somerset Choices
Somerset Choices is a website that provides easy access to information and a directory of services, products, groups and events. These include care homes, help at home, mobility equipment, personal assistants, lunch clubs, exercise groups, breaks for carers and lots more.
Go to www.somersetchoices.org.uk 10 reasons why you should go to Somerset Choices: 1 Search a directory of local services. There are all sorts of services in the directory, such as care homes, help at home, personal assistants, community transport, gardeners, dog walkers, mobile hairdressers and much more besides. 2 Find information and advice on housing options, making decisions about your care, money advice, keeping safe and healthy and much more. 3 Take a short questionnaire about you needs. Your results will include suggested information to read and local services that can support you. 4 Find local events such as yoga classes, wheelchair tennis, memory groups and social get togethers. 5 Access support for carers. Find information on carers’ rights and local organisations that can support carers. 6 Add your favourites to a Shortlist, keep a shortlist of all the things you like on the website.
7 Request a call back. If you find a service you like the look of you can contact them direct or request a call back. 8 Manage your money. There is advice on how to manage your money and you can see how much different providers charge so you can choose the most affordable option for you. 9 It’s your choice. The website provides you with the information you need to make an informed choice about your care, what it is and who provides it. 10 Watch a short animation, this will help you find your way around the website and all it has to offer.
The animated film, found at: www.somersetchoices.org.uk /about-this-site/help is really helpful if you are not quite sure what you are looking for on the website or if you need a bit of help finding your way around. The Somerset Choices website has been developed by Somerset County Council, in partnership with the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and District Councils. The website allows people to make informed decisions about who supplies their care and aims to help people to help themselves stay independent, healthy and well.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
37
Somerset Choices
Friends of Compass West Cumbria urgently needed a suitable ‘Short Break Centre’ to support children with disabilities and their families. A suitable facility does not exist and it was unreasonable to assume that families should continue to struggle on a daily basis, with long waiting lists, driving excessive distances and working through difficult systems to access care. So a plan was hatched to raise funds.
The idea came about as a need was identified to provide a 24/7 Short Break Centre which would be giving children and their parents a much needed service in the West Cumbria area. The need is to give parents/carers a place that supplies a fun and caring environment, a chance to sit down for 10 minutes while their children play happily, to socialise with other parents from a similar background and have a break that parents /carers desperately need. This will promote a community based environment and approach to the needs and lives of these individuals who have currently not been given the opportunity of a more fulfilling lifestyle. Children with a variety of disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, Fragile X, etc, will be able to come to the centre and have fun in a secure, fun environment where they can learn and have some independence. This independence is as basic as learning to wash their face, clean their teeth, dress themselves etc. all things that we take for granted in our ‘normal’ everyday lives.
In the summer of 2014, a group of ladies got together. With the help of a local photographer, ventured into Egremont and Ennerdale getting up close and personal with nature! The result was to be 'Naked in the Lakes' Calendar Girls style and we thought it would be a great idea for a Calendar with a difference, rather than just photos of the Lakeland Fells. The launch exhibition featured beautiful photos of ladies in their natural beauty (artistically posed for the camera) in the bosom of the Western Lake District. The exhibition was held to raise money for the local 'Give Us A Break' charity and had a good response due to it being close to home. The launch event went well, with The ladies who took part: Kerry Manson, Pauline 38 people attending on 7th & 8th Oct 2015 Brown, Lisa Maxwell, Jo Haigh, Louise Arrighi, at Florence Mine Arts Centre with over 45 Jo Bell, plus one other lady. orders placed after the 2nd night. Contact: nakedinthelakes@gmail.com
38
Shop online through Easyfundraising and raise a free donation s Join s Shop s Raise
www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/cds
We need your help You may have heard of the “buy a Bubble” appeal, where we have been asking people to buy a bubble, to fill the theraputic tubes in the sensory room or the hydrotherapy pool, that will be just two of the wonderful facilities housed in our new Wellbeing Centre in Taunton. We still have some way to go to reach our target, but we know that not everyone can afford to donate cash. So we have come up with two ways that you can make a difference to our fundraising, without it costing you a penny. Full details on all our fundraising initiatives can be found online at www.compassdisability.org.uk or find us on Twitter @CompassDis or Facebook “Compass Disability Fundraising Page”, or call Paula on 01823 282823.
#CashNotTrash - We can accept
Any brand of sweet biscuit wrapper including individually wrapped biscuits. Any brand of air or home cleaning packaging including trigger spray heads, bottle caps and air freshener packaging, no bottles or cans www.compassdisability.org.uk
Send us your recyclables and we will stop them going to landfill and turn them into cash instead
39
Any brand of coffee packaging. Lids and packets only, not jars or tins.
Associate member - Headway Somerset support, informing them about services which may be appropriate for them on discharge and smoothing their transition from hospital to home. Headway Somerset is pleased to announce the A further part of the hospital liaison role is to set appointment of two new Hospital Liaison up new peer support and carers support groups. workers. Wendy Copeman and Ali Parrott will These groups will provide people not only with work at hospitals across Somerset to fulfil a social support from others who are on a similar need identified by people with acquired brain journey, but will supply information about brain injury. injury and will use guest speakers to inform on At Headway Somerset's 2015 conference issues identified by the group. named ‘Mind the Gap’, Service users of It is anticipated that Headway Somerset's own Headway, health professionals, family and rehabilitation services based at Yeovil, Ilminster, carers highlighted a gap in provision after Bridgwater and Henton will supply a service to leaving hospital. Whilst most cited their many people leaving hospital who have in-patient care as very good, on leaving sustained a brain injury. However, for some, hospital, many felt isolated, frightened and services provided by other organisations will be unsure of where to turn to for help. For some more appropriate and signposting to these people with a brain injury, problems with services will be a crucial part of the Hospital debilitating memory loss, anger issues, financial Liaison role. The Hospital Liaison service will be worries, confusion and grief over the skills lost/ constantly assessed throughout the year and an absence of the person they were, remained evaluation study will be completed at the unaddressed until they found Headway. beginning of 2017. One service user stated that getting appropriate follow on care and support: "Should not be such For information about Headway Somerset's a lottery". As a result, the Hospital Liaison role services and the Hospital Liaison role, was launched with the intention of 'Bridging the please contact: Gap'. Ali and Wendy took up the role in January Hilary Dicks CEO ( 01823 618519 and have already started making links with 7hilary@headwaysomerset.org.uk Musgrove Park, Dene Barton and Yeovil Wendy Copeman ( 07514 753384 hospitals. They plan to spend time on various 7wendy.copeman@headwaysomerset.org.uk wards each week, seeing people who have Ali Parrott ( 07706 263887 sustained brain injury and their carers, offering 7alison.parrott@headwaysomerset.org.uk
NEW SERVICE FOR PEOPLE WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY
‘Lighthouse’ is a team of staff from the Police and victim support organisations, working to guide, advise and support victims & witnesses. Contact: Call 101 In an emergency dial: 999 Contact Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
40
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Carers leading the way Members of Carers’ Voice Somerset have been working with carers, former carers, commissioners of services, carers’ service providers, organisations, agencies, groups and individuals to ensure that the services provided are designed and planned well, Have you ever thought what your life might be like if meet the needs of carers and former carers and are you had to spend a substantial amount of your time continually improved. looking after a relative, friend or loved one? On 11th February 2016 Carers’ Voice Somerset Someone, who without your support might not be launched “Somerset’s Commitment to Carers” at able to cope? Perhaps this is something you do Hornsbury Mill in Chard. Written and produced by already? carers and former carers, this commitment will Do you visit a neighbour and help them with day to influence how carers’ services are planned, day aspects of their life, keep them company, look designed, improved and delivered. Carers will out for them, checking that they are alright? Do you monitor how this happens now and into the future have relatives who are becoming more and more and information on progress against the outcomes dependent on you to help them with varying will be made accessible to all at regular intervals. aspects their lives? Are you a parent looking after a Carers’ Voice Somerset are asking for more carers child with special needs or conditions that make it and former carers to get involved in their work. harder for them to join in with other children? Can you offer from 15mins a week to a day week? Do you look after someone with a physical or There is a wide range of ways that you can mental health problem periodically, weekly, daily? contribute, from the comfort of your own home to The range of caring needs is great and these are group meetings at venues across Somerset. In just some examples of what constitutes being a return Carers’ Voice Somerset will provide carer. opportunities for you to share your knowledge and The term “carer” is often confused with “care experiences, develop or utilise your skills, meet worker”, the difference being that a “carer” is other carers and join a vibrant, well intentioned unpaid. Anyone of any age, at any time in their life group of people who are committed to making a can become a carer. We know that in Somerset we difference to the lives of carers and former carers in have at least 58,000 carers. We also know that Somerset. As an individual you can have your say, there are probably more carers out there that we as a group you may have a stronger voice; by are not aware of. We also know that statistically a joining Carers’ Voice Somerset you become part of carer may suffer from poorer health than the rest of something much bigger and powerful. Carers’ Voice the population. Somerset is entering an exciting new development In Somerset “Carers’ Voice Somerset”, a strong stage, it is moving forward, focusing on ensuring influencing body led by carers and former carers, that not only are carers’ wishes, needs, dreams and from all walks of life, is dedicated to improving the aspirations heard, but they are acted upon. lives of carers in Somerset.
Carers’ Voice Somerset, leading the way forward to improving lives of unpaid carers, in Somerset.
www.carersvoicesomerset.co.uk
41
For more information, please contact: Deborah Penny Project Officer (Carers’ Voice Somerset) Mobile: 07818 523487 Email: carersvoicesomerset@outlook.com
Associate members 6W 0DU\¶V +RXVH 0DJGDOHQH 6WUHHW 7DXQWRQ 7$ 6% )RU LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG DGYLFH 6RPHUVHW $GYLFHOLQH /LQHV RSHQ 0RQGD\-)ULGD\ DP² SP FDOOV FKDUJHG DW ORFDO QHWZRUN UDWH ZZZ WDXQWRQFDE RUJ XN ,I \RX RU \RXU IDPLO\ DUH OLYLQJ ZLWK FDQFHU DQG VWUXJJOLQJ WR FRSH ZLWK LWV ILQDQFLDO LPSDFW WKHUH LV KHOS DYDLODEOH IURP &LWL]HQV $GYLFH 7DXQWRQ 0DFPLOODQ %HQHILWV 6HUYLFH :KHQ \RX RU VRPHRQH FORVH WR \RX KDV EHHQ GLDJQRVHG ZLWK FDQFHU \RXU MRE RU PRQH\ PD\ QRW EH WKH ILUVW WKLQJV \RX WKLQN DERXW +DYLQJ FDQFHU FDQ EH H[SHQVLYH DQG \RX RU \RXU IDPLO\¶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
42
www.compasscarers.org.uk
Readers write
email your letters and comments to clive@compassdisability.org.uk Just to let you know, as from the end of January, sadly, the Western Lupus Group will no longer continue as a Regional Group of the charity Lupus UK. For sometime now we have struggled to find anyone to take up the reigns or help in the day to day running of the group, so it was decided that it couldn't go on. However, all is not lost because we are keeping our drop-in centre once a month at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, so that people can still meet others with Lupus and chat over a cuppa. We are also keeping our local website to enable people to access not only the dates for the drop-in meetings but also details of local contacts. On behalf of the group I would like to thank all at Compass Disability for their continued support to our group over the years and wish you every success for the future. To find out more about our group please, telephone 0193 584 0132 or email info@westernlupus.org.uk www.westernlupus.org.uk Linda
Dear Sirs, I’ve just heard some news and wondered if anyone would be able to shed some light? The news is that from April 2016, Taunton Deane are planning on charging the same parking rates for Blue Badge holders in Council car parks, as the rest of the general car parking public (even though this badge is renewable and charged at £10 per renewal). If anyone knows anything concrete, could you let me know please. I already know one person, whose intention is to start a petition against this. M Reply from the Editor: Thank you for getting in touch. It is indeed the plan for many local authorities across not only Somerset, but the whole UK, to review or actually implement charges for Blue Badge holders. There have been charges for Blue Badge parking in various car parks for years, but this is a change that will upset many people. You may want to read our article on page 7, which will give you more detail and information.
www.compassdisability.org.uk
43
If you would like to advertise your event, social club or activity, contact Clive on 01823 282823 or email clive@compassdisability.org.uk. Our magazine is delivered free of charge to our members, professionals, people with disabilities and unpaid carers. If you would like to reach our 15,000+ readers for a small fee (to keep the magazine free), it’s simple. The next magazine will be published in December, so we are looking to promote events for January, February and March 2016.
Associate member
Yo u r l o c a l s u p p l i e r o f quality continence care products with discreet, reliable service. F or advice and your f r ee m ail or der br ochur e c a l l A r e l l e F R E E o n 0 8 0 0 3 8 9 3 5 9 7 o r v i s i t w w w. a r e l l e . c o m BED PROT ECT IO N
z
BRIEFS
z
PA D S
z
ACCESSORI ES
Arelle is a small, family-run business based near The Quantock Hills in Somerset. We have been working with incontinence products for 23 years and we take pride in our helpful, personal and confidential service. Our business has grown because we supply products that really work. Our customers appreciate that quality products save time and money. That is why they return to Arelle.
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; SAFE & SETTLED SERVICE
WILL YOU BE GOING IN TO HOSPITAL SOON? WORRIED HOW YOU WILL COPE WHEN YOU RETURN HOME? 2XU ¶6DIH 6HWWOHG· VHUYLFH FDQ SURYLGH VXSSRUW DIWHU GLVFKDUJH IURP KRVSLWDO RU DQ\ KHDOWK HVWDEOLVKPHQW 7KH VHUYLFH LV DYDLODEOH WR DQ\ UHVLGHQWV LQ 1RUWK 6RPHUVHW ZH FDQ VXSSRUW \RX RQ D RQH RII EDVLV RU XQWLO \RX KDYH UHJDLQHG \RXU FRQÃ&#x20AC;GHQFH DQG LQGHSHQGHQFH
The The largest largest range range of fitted fitt Key Key safes safes in the UK
tt 1PMJDF JOTVSBODF BQQSPWFE 1PMJDF JOTVSBODF BQ t 4BNF EBZ öUUJOH BWBJ t 4BNF EBZ öUUJOH BWBJMBCMF tt ,FZ TBGFT TVQQMJFE öUUFE ,FZ TBGFT TVQQMJFE
We can support you with: Â&#x2021; 6KRSSLQJ SUHVFULSWLRQV Â&#x2021; &OHDQLQJ Â&#x2021; :HOIDUH FRPSDQLRQVKLS Â&#x2021; *DUGHQLQJ Â&#x2021; 7UDQVSRUW DSSRLQWPHQWV Â&#x2021; /DXQGU\ Â&#x2021; &RUUHVSRQGHQFH ELOOV Â&#x2021; 3HW PDQDJHPHQW Â&#x2021; 6HW XS RI WKH KRPH Â&#x2021; .H\ VDIHV
FFor or just
£49.50
FREE quotations & NO long term commitment
Tel: 01275 543 348 Website: www.accessyourcare.co.uk
44
Tel: T el: 01275 879499 www.keysafeman.co.uk www.keysafeman.co.uk
www.compasscarers.org.uk
‘RADAR’ keys are available from Compass Disability Services Providers of accessible toilets fit ‘RADAR’ locks to ensure the facilities are in good condition. Over 25 years, the scheme has been adopted by over 400 local authorities and many transport, retail and leisure providers. RADAR Keys are available to all disabled people and/or their carers. Even if you are a “casual” carer it may be handy to have one of these keys, to access the locked toilets, set aside for disabled people. There is no restriction on who can hold one of these keys, however the scheme exists to specifically assist t people with disabilities. e a lity, l b The Radar National Key Scheme key offers disabled people independent ila obi a v m access to over 9,000 accessible locked toilets around the country. w a Shop ntre o The availability of appropriately designed lavatories in public N n Ce o t d r n places is essential if disabled people are to be able to engage in au rcha unton T their communities and take part in everyday activities. O Ta
www.compassdisability.org.uk
45
RADAR keys are available in standard size or with an easy turn/larger head from Compass Disability Services. Orders can be placed by calling 01823 282823 with payment made by credit or debit card (£4.25 each) or collected in person (£3.25 each).
Current Board of Trustees
Chair Val Palmer
Treasurer Mark Oldershaw
Trustee Alison Hart
Trustee Denise Hole
Vice Chair
Trustee Ceri-Ann Taylor
Trustee Pauline Tilley
Trustee Frank Hulbert
Tracy Oldershaw
Could you be a Trustee? We are recruiting new Trustees, with a range of skills, to join the existing board. Compass Disability Services is looking for people who are committed to its mission, values, aims and objectives and are passionate about the work it does. As a Trustee you would be expected to ensure that the organisation complies with its governing documents, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations. Trustees use their specific skills, experience and knowledge to help the board reach sound decisions. For more information, please contact Paula Ingrey on 0330 333 0089 or email: paula@compassdisability.org.uk
46
Becoming a Trustee will involve: ~ Scrutinising board papers ~ Focusing on key issues ~ Providing special expertise ~ Leading discussions ~ Promoting the organisation whilst enhancing and protecting its reputation ~ Being a good ambassador for the organisation
Help at Home ...there ...ther e for you
Sometimes you might need a bit of help to do the things you want. Tell us your story story.. Help us to understand you and your needs, what you find dif difficult ficult and what you’d like to do. We can then tailor our service, so we can help you do the things you want. Here are some things we could help you with: • • • • • •
Shopping Writing a letter or reading and dealing with post Getting out and about Arranging appointments, getting there and back Cleaning and light housework De- cluttering your home.
He gave us a call and we now drive Brian wher where e he wants to go. He can do his shopping, get to his appointments and enjoy trips to the garden centre. He can now spend time looking round and going for a cup of coffee. Brian said: “Everything “Everything I need is done, cleaning, shopping, doctors appointments, hospital appointments, day trips, anything.” T hi s i s n’t all we do. Fro m orga can n a hol i d ay to m ising ak a c up o f tea, w ing a lw a y s e’ll try to he l p.
Contact us Call: 0333 400 8299 Email: info@asterliving.co.uk Or visit our website: www.asterliving.co.uk where wher e you can hear some of our customers telling their stories. Please quote DR 1305 when you contact us. @
All our friendly and professional team has DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks so you know you can trust us. This is how we helped Brian… Brian’ss health was making it increasingly Brian’ difficult for him toget out and about.
If you struggle to read this, please call us on 0333 400 8299. We can produce pr oduce a version in Braille, large print, on audio, in other languages or in ‘Easy Read’ using symbols and short sentences.