CONNECT
The Carers’ Champions Newsletter -issue 3 Merry Christmas from the Transition Team!
2013 sees the 25th anniversary of the Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA). The Transition Team will be involved in all celebrations and will promote the impact the Transition Project has made since its June 2012 launch.
Volunteering Update Kelly Gibbons, the Transition Team’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, is developing a Volunteer Fair for 2013 on 14th January to showcase the excellent work of all of our volunteers. Besides providing the opportunity for people to learn precisely what volunteering entails, this event will offer free exhibition space and the chance to network with other, like-minded people.
Carers Information Packs To attract the attention of carers and offer advice and support, the team has created an information pack containing leaflets, flyers and posters to be handed out to carers or displayed in health settings. This pack is in addition to DCA welcome pack. If you are attending an event in 2013 or have room within your work place please let the team know and we will send out new Carers Information Packs free of charge. Call 01246 222373 ext. 3 or Email: transition@derbyshirecarers.co.uk
Call 01246 222 373 ext 3 to book a place and receive further information.
New Carer’s Handy Guide The Transition Team have created a new carers card that lists essential numbers for carer’s in Derbyshire such as the non emergency or respite care numbers. The handy card is available to all carers’ champions for events, clinics or within displays free of charge. Please call for your supply.
Carers rights in tough times At a time of rising living costs, salary freezes and job losses many families are struggling across the UK. But families affected by illness and disabilities are often the hardest hit, as they struggle with the additional costs of caring and lost earnings and worrying if their services or benefits may be cut. That’s why we need to make sure carers are getting the advice and support they need to: - Find financial help – all carers should have a full benefits check to see whether they are entitled to Carer’s Allowance, check the person they are caring for is getting all the benefits they can and assess whether there is any more support available – like council tax discounts or grants for home adaptions or equipment. - Get a helping hand – carers have a right to a carer’s assessment by their local council which could lead to them or the person they care for getting services to help out. Other practical or emotional support may be available from local charities and support groups. - Make the most of the technology out there which can help – from filling in benefits forms via a website rather than dealing with all the paperwork, doing your shopping online or getting a package of telecare equipment to monitor risks for the person you are caring for (like falls, forgetfulness or poor health) – it is important that carers assess whether they are making the most technology which could help. Carers UK have produced a comprehensive guide to all these rights - Looking AfterSomeone? – A guide to carers’ rights and benefits which provides specialist advice to carers.
Carers can order free copies from Carers UK by calling 0800 808 7777 or visiting www.carersuk.org
If you want to get involved and fly the flag for the Transition project as a volunteer please get in touch. We want to work with you, the Carers’ Champions, to get our message out there and support carers in all areas of the county. The Transition Team are following a planned route throughout Derbyshire offering advice regarding carers’ breaks and respite care, the Emergency Card Scheme and support of interest to carers, including useful local key contacts. Please get in touch by calling 01246 222373 ext 3. Connect, issued quarterly, is the project’s carers’ champions newsletter. If you would like to submit an article for Connect, then please get in touch. email: transition@derbyshirecarers.co.uk or call 01246 222373 ext 3 The deadline for submissions received is 3rd March 2013