Somerset Carers Service Newsletter Issue One

Carers Service Newsletter Issue One: Spring / Summer 2018

Highlights: First 6 Months / Forums / Case Study / Events

The Story So Far.....

Well - what a busy first few months of the Somerset Carers Service!

The Carers Agents have been training hard, and developing their patches - getting the service known in the community.

The main difference with the NEW Carers Service is how we are not just providing a sympathetic ear, but how we are helping people to find the right support that allows their lives to measurably improve - finding increased support for Carers to reduce stress and isolation in their voluntary roles.

We have developed a clear and easy to navigate website, which is continually being improved - and we welcome feedback on it - do you think there is missing content; do any events or organisations need adding to the list? Please let us have any feedback both positive and negative so we can adapt and improve - please send us your comments to: carers@somersetrcc.org.uk

Carers Hub Drop in at Musgrove Park Hospital

During the first 6 months of the Somerset Carers Service, we received over

1000 calls to the Helpline

Around 15% of these calls from Carers being triaged and resolved there and then with the remainder being referred to Carers Agents for 1 to 1 support or to partner agencies for specific support.

What’s Coming Up...

NOW LIVE ON WEBSITE: Carers & Professionals Forum & LIve Chat National Carers Week 2018

0800 31 68 600 www.somersetcarers.org carers@somersetrcc.org.uk

Advice and support for C 1: West Somerset Carers Agent 07494 883 134 2: Taunton Deane Carers Agent 07494 883 541 3: Sedgemoor Carers Agent 07494 883 579 4: South Somerset (West) Carers Agent 07494 883 531

F cus on: Forums

We have developed two separate, private forums for Carers & Professionals

For Carers: If you register with the Somerset Carers Service we will provide you with a login and password to access the private Carers Forum where you can chat online in a secure environment. Online Chat forums are really useful for: l Sharing experiences with others so you don’t feel isolated l Chat through problems you may be experiencing in a private forum with other Carers like you l You can start a chat ‘thread’ specific to your situation for example if you are caring for someone with Dementia - you could start a ‘Dementia Support’ conversation, and link up with others in a similar situation l Share information - where is great to visit as a Carer & where isn’t l Talk through finance and benefits advice with other Carers

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WOULD YOU LIKE PROFESSIONALS TO BE ABLE TO VIEW THE CARERS FORUM TO RESPOND TO QUERIES? Email carers@somersetrcc.org.uk & let us know what you think!

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For Healthcare Professionals: A separate private and confidential Carers Champion forum has also been set up so professionals can share and diseminate information county-wide.

If you are a Carers Champion within a GP surgery, please register with the Somerset Carers Service and we can send you a dedicated login and password.

We need to know if you would like this forum opened up to Companies that can post responses to requests for information or help (ie advertising the need for a Microprovider etc)

http://somersetcarers.org/forum/

Carers across Somerset 5: East Sedgemoor & West Mendip Carers Agent 07494 883 570 6: East Mendip Carers Agent 07852 961 839 7: South Somerset (East) Carers Agent 07495 177 012

Family Carers Needed for Supported Loving Research Our friends at Supported Loving are looking for volunteers!

The researchers at the Tizard Centre are starting a piece of work about people with learning disabilities being supported to form loving and lasting relationships.

As part of this they want to speak to family carers of adults with learning disabilities. Family carers need to be able to attend a focus group. Travel expenses will be covered.

Click here for more information https://tinyurl.com/y9lctnz3

How we can help you:

l Dedicated Carers Advice line l Team of Carers Agents

l Register for our Talk and Support telephone service l Sign up to our Carers newsletter l Downloadable advice and fact sheets l Access to a FREE Digital Resource for Carers l Emotional support l Training l Find home help l Signposting to support groups l Live Chat on our website to an agent l Carers Forum - a private place to chat to other carers online to share experience & moral support. l Search for local events and groups l Access an online directory of local and national support services

All About ....

Carers Voice

Working together to improve the lives of unpaid carers in Somerset

www.carersvoicesomerset.co.uk

“ Deborah de Mornay Penny Development & Engagement Officer

Neil Richards Chair of Carers’ Voice Somerset.

Carers’ Voice Somerset is the influencing body for unpaid carers in Somerset; it comprises of a partnership board and a developing charitable organisation.

The charitable organisation is led and run by carers and connects with the wider caring community. This organisation gathers carers views and feedback in a variety of ways and the information gathered is then shared at the partnership board meetings.

The partnership board is chaired by a carer and comprises of carers, former carers, representatives of Somerset County Council, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, Somerset Partnership NHS Trust, Somerset Carers Service, Somerset Young Carers Service, Somerset Parent Carer Forum and a variety of charitable organisations and agencies such as Age UK, Healthwatch and many more.

The partnership board shares information and updates and discusses issues that are of importance to carers.

Carers views and feedback are gathered and shared with all partners at these meetings, other meetings and workshops. Working in this way ensures that the information we have about carers needs is up to date and that those needs are considered in the planning and commissioning of services and support for carers, in Somerset.

Carers’ Voice Somerset provides a platform for carers to have their say and get involved. Now, more than ever carers are being listened to and we are actively working with those that make decisions about how we support carers in Somerset better.

”

Neil Richards – Chair of Carers’ Voice Somerset This year, supported by Somerset Community Foundation and the Taunton Rotary, Carers’ Voice Somerset have been able to host a series of engagement events - please see our website for upcoming events!

More information, or to get involved, please contact: Partnership Board information: dpenny@somerset.gov.uk 07866 785438

Charitable Organisation Information: carersvoicesomerset@outlook.com

Carers Agent Case Study: Jackie Hayes East Sedgemoor Carers Agent Background: As Carers Agent I have been working for some months with a family who have a son of primary school age with additional needs, as well as a baby daughter.

They recently moved into the current house which needed building work, and the Dad has to stay away from home regularly with his work.

The Mum is under a lot of pressure as you can imagine, especially as the son requires constant oversight and support as he has difficulty interpreting feedback from his surroundings and finds it difficult to be patient, wait for things etc. However he is a bright, intelligent boy but is not in school at present as 2 previous schools were unable to meet his needs. The Mum is in negotiation with the Education Dept. looking for an appropriate school.

Finding the right support: When we met, the Mum expressed an interest in equine therapy for her son so I looked into it. I found that it rarely involves any actual riding and agreed that riding lessons (with an understanding tutor) would be the best place to start.

We found that the Riding for the Disabled Association ( RDA) have a base nearby where experienced specialist volunteers offer riding for children with additional needs. The cost is very low at about £5 per lesson so any charity donations will go a long way, and in due course the young man may be able to progress to 2 lessons per week.

We felt that the relationship with the horse, the focus on posture and the physical feedback from sitting on the horse would be beneficial, as well as giving the son a skill of his own to be proud of and something to fill time while he is not in school.

Finding Solutions: With Mums agreement I applied to both the Cheddar Youth Trust and to Cheddar Vale Lions. Each group has kindly agreed to give £200 each.

I have met the President of the Lions club so have been able to thank her personally. I have kept both charities updated on the negotiations.

Outcome: I have spoken to the Mum since and she tells me the sons first introduction at the Riding for the Disabled stables as in April where he was introduced to a pony they thought would be a good match for his abilities and needs. If all goes well he will ride there weekly with a small group of other children.

He is still not in school and is awaiting some educational assessment to help determine the best school for him.

The Mum and I both hope the riding and fresh air will also help him to sleep as he is currently awake until about 2am each night, which is increasing the strain on the parents The Mum is delighted with the riding plan and the funding, and said she “ felt heard” by my input and the response of the 2 charities.

Events Cake for Carers Carers Week Events 11th - 17th June

Please come along to our events to see our agents and support network in action - the events are designed to support Carers as well as those who might not yet identify as a Carer to come forward and find support that can help and improve their lives.

Wednesday 13th June

Creech St Michael Surgery 2pm - 4pm: Cake for Carers at Carers Open Afternoon Cheddar Carers Group @ Hannah More Cottage 10.30am - 12pm: Cake for Carers

Dunkirk Memorial House, Bishops Lydeard 2pm - 4pm: Admiral Nurses event Carers Service Stand Williton Talking Cafe @ Williton Library 10.30am - 1pm: Cake for Carers at the Carers Group

Monday 11th June

Thursday 14th June

Glastonbury Radio 3.15pm: Carers Service information Wiveliscombe Talking Cafe @ The Bear Inn, North St. 10am - 12pm: Cake for Carers at the Carers Group Bridgwater Talking Cafe @ Bridgwater Arts Centre 10am - 1pm: Cake for Carers at the Carers Group

Wellington Medical Centre, Mantle Street 2pm - 4pm: Carers Service Presentation to Wellington PPG & Carers Group.

Minehead Talking Cafe @ The Beach Hotel 10am - 1pm: Cake for Carers Taunton Talking Cafe @ St. Mary Magdalene Church Saturday 16th June 10am - 1pm: Cake for Carers Sainsbury’s Foyer Hankridge, Taunton Street Parish Rooms, 6 Leigh Road 9.30am - 3.30pm: Carers Service Stand, meet, greet 10.30am - 12pm: Cake for Carers at the Carers Group & chat!

Tuesday 12th June

Porlock Talking Cafe @ Porlock LIbrary 10am - 12pm: Cake for Carers

( Audrey: 01823 331 222

Wednesday 27th June

Castle Hotel, Taunton - must be booked in advance 2pm - 4pm: Positive People Carers Tea Party audrey@somersetrcc.org.uk

www.somersetcarers.org

Carers Champion Workshops Somerset Carers Service Agents, CCS Village Agents and staff from various NHS surgeries at the Church View Medical Centre Training in Ilminster

We invited all 75 surgeries Carers Champions to attend two Best Practise workshops held in May & June at Church View Medical Centre in Broadway near Ilminster and had a great take up for our first training event.

We delved into the following topics: l The purpose of the Somerset Carers Service l Your role within the service l The roles of the Agents that you work with l Case studies workshop

Ideas and experiences were shared in meaningful discussions, and in response to this the first Carers Champion Forum has been set up so that Carers Champions can talk to each other across the county sharing ideas and support in their roles as Carers Champions within Surgeries. There is also a separate forum for carers where they can chat online in confidence to share information and seek advice or support - see page 2 for full details.

Future Carers Champions Best Practise workshops will continue across the county so that the staff within surgeries who are often the first point of contact for Carers can get the support they need in their role.

In April CCS also ran a Community Connect event at Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall where we brought together all of our Carers, Community & Village Agents, professionals and partners and representatives from GP practices. This was a great information sharing event that enabled all those attending to network and make contact with agencies that will enhance their roles as Agent and Carers Champions.

We are delighted to announce an even bigger event in November to support all those that support carers.

Save the Date

For more information contact:

Talk and Support Service

Thursday 29th November 2018 Carers Community Connect Event The Canalside, near North Petherton

Save the Date

Audrey Mansfield: Carers Team and Training Lead audrey@somersetrcc.org.uk ( 07870 577 925 www.somersetcarers.org

Did you know we also offer a Talk and Support service where our wonderful Carers Service volunteers chat with you by phone on an agreed contact basis, to offer a sympathetic ear in your caring role.

Please call the freephone number to find out more.

If you are interested in supporting our work and wanting to become a Carers Champion or volunteer then please contact us or our partners Spark or Engage who specialise in co-ordinating volunteers.

Young Carers We are now working alongside the Young Carers services to ensure a smooth transition for carers when they reach 18 years into the adult service so they continue to get support that is right for them.

Phone our freephone number to find our more!

0800 31 68 600

Carers Groups Castle Cary Carers Group

Chard Carers Group

Frome Carers Group

We have a comprehensive list of Carers Groups across Somerset for more details of your local group please call or email us!

Bishops Lydeard Bruton Burnham on Sea Castle Cary Chard Cheddar Crewkerne Dulverton Edington Frome

Ilminster Langport Martock Minehead Redgate Street/Glastonbury Taunton Wellington Wincanton Yeovil

Nicola Hardy - one of our Village Agents based across three South Somerset GP Practices wants to celebrate Paula Hicks!

Paula is the Carers Champion at Springmead Medical Centre in Chard. She keeps the notice board up to date with information that will benefit carers and their cared for, and she’s an asset to the team. Thanks for all your hard work Paula!

Exmoor Independent’s Meet up

Informal meeting opportunity for small care and support services in Exmoor to meet, share information and hear about the free support services available.

Whether you work in social care, currently provide a local service or have an idea to set one up, come down to the Lion Pub Dulverton, from 6-8pm on the 26th June 2018 to see how we can work together to shape services and supports for older people The meet up is open to anyone running an enterprise or venture offering care or supports to older people in the community. This can include homecare, home help, cleaning, gardening, transport and community support. The meeting is being hosted by Rhys Davies from the Somerset Micro-enterprise Project.

WHAT IS THE SOMERSET MICRO-ENTERPRISE PROJECT ALL ABOUT?

This project is being run by a social enterprise called Community Catalysts in partnership with Somerset County Council.

It aims to increase choices for older people in Somerset who may need some care or support to live their lives.

Rhys Davies the Project Coordinator has been doing this by supporting local people from all over Somerset to set up and run their own local, very small enterprise or venture offering activities, services or support to older people These enterprises or ventures are run completely independently and must have less than 5 full time staff WE CALL THE PEOPLE WHO SET UP THESE VERY SMALL ENTERPRISES OR VENTURES MICRO-PROVIDERS

The services or supports offered by micro-providers can be very wide ranging and may include:  Providing people with care or other support in their own homes or in the community  Supporting people to take part in leisure or vocational activities  Helping people to get out and about  Supporting people to see their friends and family and to maintain social connections  Supporting people to increase their independence and develop new skills and confidence

If you are already doing something like this or might like to it would be great to see or hear from you If you are unable to attend the meet up please contact Rhys Davies the Microenterprise Project Co-ordinator on rhys.davies@communitycatalysts.co.uk or 07595411945. .

While Rhys would like to hear from you wherever you live in the County, he is particularly interested in connecting if you live in or near isolated rural areas of Exmoor where older people may be having difficulties finding the care or support they need.

Memory Loss Support Group Launch Party 18th June

1:30pm - 4:00pm, Drop in and see us

Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month starting from the 18th June…

2:00 - 2:30pm Drop in for a drink and a chat

Sessions Include:

2:30 - 4:00pm Session time

• Relaxation Therapies

The Old Hospital Building, Minehead

• Legal Advice

Contact us on: +44 (0) 7794424911 mineheaddaa@gmail.com (available Mon–Fri, 9–5)

• Support and Friendship • Tea and Treats …and so much more.

Who we are.

Community First (Wiltshire) and Community Council for Somerset (CCS) are registered charities and members of the Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) network.

Community Organisers from Community First and Village Agents from CCS are working together to deliver this project in the Mendip area on behalf of Dorothy House Hospice Care.

Community First.

For information about Community First or this project contact:

Community Council for Somerset (CCS).

Alex Neale aneale@communityfirst.org.uk or;

For information about CCS, Somerset Village Agents or this project please contact:

Katrina Watson kwatson@communityfirst.org.uk

Raj Singh raj@somersetrcc.org.uk

01380 722475 www.communityfirst.org.uk

01823 331222 www.somersetrcc.org.uk

Dorothy House Hospice Care.

For information about Dorothy House Hospice Care please contact the Communications Team on 01225 721392 or visit: www.dorothyhouse.org.uk

Share your experience and help us understand what support the Mendip community needs in terms of life-limiting illness.

Our Information and Advisory Service Visits Venues throughout Somerset to the places listed below

JUNE-2018 Date Wednesday 6th Wednesday 6th Thursday 7th Thursday 7th Thursday 14th Thursday 14th Thursday 14th Wednesday 20th Thursday 21st Thursday 21st Monday 25th Monday 25th

Time 10.30am-12pm 1.30pm-3pm 9.30am-12pm 12.30pm-2pm 10.30am-12pm 10.30am-12pm 1pm-2.30pm 12pm-3pm 10.30am-12pm 12.30pm-2pm 10.30am-12pm 1pm-2.30pm

Village Taunton Oake Frome Frome Bridgwater Martock Langport Taunton Woolavington Highbridge Minehead Watchet

Location Priorswood Community Centre TA2 7JW Village Hall, Saxon Close TA4 1JA Cafe,Frome Medical Practice BA11 2FG Cattlemarket/Justice Lane Car Park BA11 1BE Hilda Coles House TA6 3RG Bearley House ALC TA12 6LZ Whatley Car Park TA10 9PD Compass Disability Deaf Cafe TA1 1BH ALC Village Hall TA7 8DY Bank Street Car Park TA9 3DA Talking Cafe, Beach Hotel, Minehead, TA24 5AP Swain Street Car Park TA23 0AL

For more information email kate.harris@deafPLUS.org or arthur.moughton@deafplus.org or Tel Bath O http://tinyurl.com/facebook-visionplus

deafPLUS is the working name of Breakthrough Deaf-Hearing Integration, a company limited by Guarantee.

Registered Company No. 3680467. Registered Charity No. 1073468