Autumn/Winter 2018
Also inside: Carers Rights Day News from our CEO AGM Young Carers’ Project Wellbeing Activities Support Groups
Welcome to the Autumn/Winter KCN Newsletter AGM - 3rd October Carers’ Rights Day - 30th November See inside for details of these and many more events, activities and news
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
News from the Chief Executive New Funding from City Bridge Trust News We are delighted to be awarded new funding from City Bridge Trust to provide advice and support to carers aged over 65. We will receive £178k over three years to fund this service and this will include the salary of a full-time carers adviser. The new adviser will spend some of their time supporting carers within Kingston Hospital and will join our Adult Carers’ Advice team, managed by David Still. We hope to recruit to this post by November 2018. We also plan to run a range of wellbeing activities and information workshops once the project is set up. Goodbyes We were sad to say goodbye to Ruxi who had been working as the outreach worker since 2014. She has taken on a role within Public Health in Wandsworth and will undoubtedly be an asset to them. We were also sad to see Carol Harvey move to pastures new after 8 years at KCN. Carol joined us in 2010 as our adult carers worker and then moved on to work as our targeted support coordinator within the young carers team—this work was showcased nationally as an example of best practice in supporting young carers! Thanks to both Carol and Ruxi for their huge contribution to KCN. Welcome to our four new members of staff: Mollie, Steph, Sophie and Laura—please see p7 for details. Carers’ Views As you may remember, KCN used to facilitate the Voice of Carers Forum to hear the views of our local carers. Unfortunately, the attendance of the meetings was very low and it was decided that the forum was not viable. However, we are keen to re-establish engagement with carers and would welcome any ideas about how we could do this. We appreciate that carers have little free time and attending formal meetings is unlikely to be very appealing when time is so precious. However, we could arrange more informal get-togethers that are also social and fun. Please let me know if you are interested in attending this type of event.
Kate
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
Welcome to the Autumn/Winter KCN Newsletter In this season’s newsletter, we bring you news and events for the next six months up to April 2019 Want to get news and updates about KCN events faster and more frequently? It’s easy - you can sign up to email updates via our website and even get a copy of the newsletter that you can download and print any time! Visit https://www.kingstoncarers.org.uk/ and click on this box : You can select exactly what you want to receive emails about, and be the first to know about events, activities and workshops.
Workshops for family carers of people with learning disabilities Kingston Mencap are running a series of workshops to help family carers of people with learning disabilities to think about and plan for the future of their relative. These are based on the Thinking Ahead guides available free to download at www.togethermatters.org.uk/resources-and-information/ There are two workshops in the coming months. In September, Toby Williamson will be coming to talk about decision-making covering mental capacity assessments, best interest decisions, the Court of Protection and Lasting Powers of Attorney. In October, Steve Harris will be running a session on Housing and Support Options for people with learning disabilities. Both Toby and Steve have lots of national knowledge and practical experience on their topics. Decision making for you and your family September 26th 10.15-1.00 Housing and Support Options
October 17th 10.15-1.00
Both will be held at the Searchlight Centre. Please contact Michelle on 0208 547 2837 or michelle@kingstonmencap.org.uk if you would like to book a place.
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Annual General Meeting The KCN Annual General Meeting followed by food and refreshments will be held on: Wednesday 3rd October at 7.00pm At Glenmore House in Surbiton Don’t forget, only signed up members will be able to vote at the AGM. You can apply for membership using the form on page 6 Please confirm attendance by emailing admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk
Carers Rights Day Carers’ Rights Day Friday 30th November Your opportunity to meet with the Adult Carers Support Team who will be giving a talk on carers’ rights and the wide variety of support work the KCN Team do. You’ll get a chance to chat and ask questions, followed by lunch. Friday 30th November, 10am - 12 noon followed by lunch KCN Office, Tolworth Lunch Included Please contact admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk to confirm attendance or call 020-3031-2757
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
Fire Safety for Carers
London Fire Brigade can provide the help and advice you need to keep vulnerable people safe Whether you help a loved one maintain their independence or spend your working days caring for others, we're here to support you. Why it matters A third of the people that die in fires every year are looked after by a carer, whether that is a family member, friend or a professional carer. We believe that by working together, we can reduce fire deaths and injuries of vulnerable people. Get expert advice with a home fire safety visit We can provide more specialist advice based on the person you care for's home and individual needs during a free home fire safety visit. Requesting a visit https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/safety/the-home/book-a-homefire-safety-visit/ You can also 
call us free on 0800 028 4428

email smokealarms@london-fire.gov.uk text/SMS 07860 021 319
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Become a Member of KCN Kingston Carers’ Network is committed to ensuring that carers are involved in the running of the charity. We are seeking new members who will be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and to approve the appointment of Trustees to the Board. If you apply to become a member, we anticipate this membership to be continuous whilst you are associated with KCN. However, you can resign as a member at any point in the future. There is no fee to join but in the event of KCN’s insolvency, all members might be charged a nominal fee of £1. Membership entitles you to: A vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) Receive the Annual Reports Appoint Trustees to the Board Invitations to special events A KCN membership card
Membership form
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
Staff News New Targeted Support Worker - Mollie Cooke ‘Hi there. I’m excited to be settling into my role and it has
been lovely getting to know families so far! My work involves using a whole family approach to protect young carers from any excessive or inappropriate levels of caring and build emotional resilience. I’m also joining the Adult Carers team carrying out Carers Assessments short-term, so you may see me in either role. I look forward to meeting you’ - Mollie
New YCP Support Workers Steph and Sophie are our two new Young Carers’ Project Support Workers who joined the team recently. We asked Sophie about her role in YCP: . Hi there, I’m really enjoying working on the project and getting to know the young carers who are involved with the project. It’s been a busy summer so far, with lots of activities but it’s lovely to see everyone enjoying themselves and having fun. I look forward to meeting more of you at the drop ins or on other activities. Sophie.
Congratulations - New Baby Congratulations to Lyndsey and her husband Leo on the birth of their baby girl Emmeline Dorothy King born on 5th August weighing 7lb10oz , and both mother and baby are doing well Lyndsey is now on maternity leave, so Pat Stanley , then Jo Maye will be covering as Volunteering Coordinator until she returns next year. Laura will be joining us in September as Mentoring Coordinator to cover this part of Lyndsey’s role.
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
News from the Young Carers’ Project Young Carers Project We are as busy as ever here at YCP! We have a jam packed summer planned for lots of young carers and have been busy preparing all of the activities. We’ve got so much planned for over summer from Thorpe park to the Science museum, to an animal show, arts and crafts and drama workshops. We are already looking forward and planning for our drop in sessions and lunch clubs starting back in September and can’t wait to get busy cooking, creating and playing. We will be introducing a new drop in session in September on a Tuesday, for the 5-8’s and 9-12’s age groups, situated in the Chessington area at Moor Lane primary school. If you would any information on the YCP or would like to speak with us please contact Diane on youngcarers1@kingstoncarers.org.uk Young Adult Carers Support Group Our YAC’s support group will be starting back in September on the 7th and will now be running fortnightly on the first and third Thursday of each month. Please meet at: The Basement, John Bunyan Church, Queen Eilzabeth Road, KT2 6RJ
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
Weallsendcards If you buy greeting cards, then please consider buying online from weallsendcards via our link https://weallsendcards.com/supporting/kingston-carers weallsendcards will pay us at least 48p for every card purchased by people who click this link (for every card in every order they make) to support our good cause. They have a huge range of high quality personalisable greeting cards featuring original designs ,printed in the UK, and from sustainable sources. They can be personalised inside and posted as soon as the same day you order. Thank you for considering our cause when buying your greeting cards! I
Older Carers Project
The project ran from January to August 2018. Our intention was to explore the experiences and research priorities of older (70+ years), unpaid, family carers from the perspectives of both older carers themselves and also the volunteers and professionals who work with them. The Wellcome Trust funded the project and Kingston Carers Network and Carers Support Merton recruited carers and volunteers and professionals for our discussion groups. We also had an advisory group who gave us invaluable support throughout the project. For a full copy of the report, you can download from our website www.kingstoncarers.org.uk, or contact admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3031 2757 for a hard copy
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Wellbeing Workshops & Social Activities Hello Everybody, Over the last 6 months we have held some great activities for our carers. We have visited Strawberry Hill House, The Royal Albert Hall for the popular Friendship Matinee and a lovely trip to the coast to visit Whitstable. Our Summer BBQ held at the Surbiton Fitness and Racket Club was unfortunately held on the first day of rain, after almost 2 weeks of hot weather – thank you to those that still came along! Information on our upcoming Socials can be found from page 12. We also have a series of activities especially for carers supporting someone with Dementia until January next year, thanks to a grant from the Carers Trust. If you care for someone with Dementia, we are running a monthly Lunch Club, Fitness Class with the lovely Beverley and a ‘Games’ Session you can bring the person you care for to – see page 18-19 for more information. We receive a lot of feedback from Carers unable to get a place on our Socials. Following this feedback, we have decided to trial a new way of allocating the places for our Socials, which will hopefully be a fairer process. You can find more information on this, on page 11. Chris Robertson from Don’t Tone Alone will be running Nutritional Consultations for our carers – some of our carers have seen fantastic results to their health and wellbeing - for more information and to book a consultation please go to page 17 for more information. We are also looking to set up a regular singing group for our KCN Carers, in partnership with Kingston Adult Education – see page 17. Details are still being finalised at present but we hope to begin running this group from October onwards. If you are interested in this activity, please be in touch so I can register your interest and be in touch nearer the time.
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
Finally, we are looking for a qualified Massage Therapist to replace the wonderful and extremely popular Mitsuko, who left us back in June. If you or someone you know maybe interested in this opportunity please be in touch. As always, we welcome any feedback or suggestion; email wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk or call me on 020 3559 2824. Best wishes,
Vanessa CHANGES TO BOOKING FOR ACTIVITES Following feedback from our carers, we have decided to trial a new way to allocate the places we have for our activities. So if you are interested in any of the activities and trips we have organised, please contact us to let us know you are interested, as you would normally do. We will then draw names out of hat for each activity. For the trips and activities up until the end of December, please let us know by Friday 5th October. For trips and activities up until the end of March, please let us know by Friday 28th December. These deadlines will ensure we give enough notice to carers. If you can no longer make the trip or activity, the usual procedure will still apply and we will allocate your place to someone on the waiting list. We hope this process will be a fairer process for all so fingers crossed!
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
B.Y.O.C B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Crafts) Coffee Morning Our monthly coffee mornings are a chance to take a break, meet new people and make progress on your latest project. When? The third Friday of the month, 10:00am – 12:00pm, 19th October, 16th November, 21st December 15th February, 15th March Where? KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF FREE – tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided
October
Backstage National Theatre Tour
Explore the backstage of the National Theatre. The National Theatre creates over 20 new productions every year. Come and see the preparations for the shows, including set-building and prop-making in our workshops. No two tours are ever the same! Date: Monday 22nd October Time: Meet at 10:30 – Waterloo Station Cost: FREE – no transport provided, Carers to meet at Waterloo Station
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
November Covered Buttons – Friday 2nd November Embroider your own button badge from a printed fabric or stamp. 10:00am – 12:00pm KCN Office – 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, £4 towards your resources. Tea/coffee and biscuits/cake will be provided.
Sassy Stirrers Evening Cookery Class Susan from Sassy Stirrers will be running her evening cookery class, where she will demonstrate how to cook delicious recipes, usually a main, side dish and dessert. This is a hands-on session, so following the demonstration; it will be your turn to cook! We usually eat together at the end and leftovers are taken home. Date: Tuesday 6th November Location: Southborough High School, Hook Road, KT6 5AS Time: 5:30pm Cost: £5
Fish and Chip Supper with KCN Staff and Trustees Enjoy a fish and chip supper with KCN staff and trustees. Date: Friday 16th November Location: St Mark’s Church Hall Time: 6:30pm until 9pm Cost: FREE but Bring a Bottle! No transport provided
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
December Printed Christmas Cards – Friday 7th December
Screen print, stamp and embellish your own hand-made Christmas cards. 10:00am – 12:00pm KCN Office – 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, £4 towards your resources. Tea/coffee and biscuits/cake will be provided.
KCN Christmas Party – Hollywood Night at the Hampton Court Palace Golf Club This year we are trying a new venue for our Carers Christmas Party. The Hampton Court Palace Golf Club will be hosting a Hollywood themed Christmas Party. There will be a delicious 3 course meal, teas/coffees and mince pies followed by dancing! Date: Thursday 13th December Location: Hampton Court Palace Golf Club Time: Arrival at the Golf Club for 7:00pm, dinner at 7:45pm Cost: £10 for registered KCN Carers, £32 for guests of carers
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
January Felted Pictures – Friday 18th January Using felt fibres, hand-make a felted design to frame. 10:00am – 12:00pm KCN Office – 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, £4 towards your resources. Tea/coffee and biscuits/cake will be provided.
Grayshott Pottery Tour Step into our working pottery. We’ll show you how huge chunks of grey clay make their way through both ageold and contemporary workshop processes. We’ll reveal the secrets of fettling, slip casting and jollying, and demonstrate the steady hand required to ‘throw’ clay and the craft needed to apply layers of glaze or wax to create outstanding works of art. A fantastic and unique day out to see a great British pottery in action, while enjoying a snack or cuppa in the Kiln Café and seeing the finished masterpieces in our beautiful Emporium. Tours last approximately 30 minutes. Date: TBC (likely to be from week beginning Monday 14th January) Time: Leaving KCN office at 10.30am Cost: £3 towards transport
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Weekly Wellbeing Classes Orleans House Gallery February Orleans House is a free public Art Gallery in Twickenham and we are currently organising a tour there for our carers. Orleans House underwent 2 year renovations and The Octagon Room has been beautifully refurbished. Following the tour, there will be an opportunity to have a coffee/tea in the café and a visit to their shop. Date: TBC
Time: Leaving KCN Office at 10:30am
Tour will be booked for 11:15
Cost: £2 per carer
March Embroidery & jewelled bug – Friday 1st March Lovebug brooch - embroider and encrust your bug with jewels. 10:00am – 12:00pm KCN Office – 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, £4 towards your resources. Tea/coffee and biscuits/cake will be provided. Winchester Mill A rare surviving example of an urban working corn mill. The City Mill was rebuilt in 1744 and remained in use until the early 20th Century. Having entered the care of the National Trust in the late 1920’s, the Mill was restored to full working order in 2004. When you visit, you will find hands-on activities and audio-visual displays about milling and the rich wildlife in the area. The Mill is currently being restored but by the time we visit, the restoration work should be completed and there should be a Café for visitors.
020 3031 2757
Autumn/Winter 2018
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Date: Provisionally booked for Thursday 14th March or Friday 15th March – confirmation of date will be in January 2019. Time: TBC but we are looking to leave at 9:45am to arrive for 11am. Cost: £5 towards entrance, tour (approximately 30 minutes) and transport
Nutritional Consultation Don't Tone Alone are offering KCN Carers free Nutrition Consultations! These will be held on Tuesday 2nd October at the KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF between 9am and 2:30pm In your 30 minute consultation, you will meet with a qualified Nutritional Adviser, who will discuss the following with you: Your current nutritional intake Eating Habits Challenges to a healthy diet and emotional eating Following the consultation you will be offered ongoing support and advice. Please note there is limited availability for these consultations To book your place or for more information email wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk or call 020 3559 2824
KCN Singing Group We are in the process of setting up in partnership with Kingston Adult Education a singing group! The session will be fun and relaxed and an opportunity to meet other carers. No singing experience or ability required! We are still finalising the details of this but we hope to be starting from October. If you would like to find out more about this, please contact me on wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk or call 020 3559 2824.
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Dementia Carers Wellbeing Activities Dementia Carers Fitness Session, followed by refreshments in the club A fun session delivered by Beverley, an experienced fitness instructor, who is known to KCN and currently delivers sessions for our Young Carers Project. About Beverley: Taking the leap into a career in fitness, following early retirement from publishing, was the best decision ever. I first used a gym at the age of 45 and now I'm a Fitness Coach and Strongwoman competitor. My mission: to be a healthy people maker. The session: During our sessions we'll work a combination of equipped and body weight circuits; carrying, throwing and moving. We may use tyres, weighted bags, balls and ropes. You will work and grow at your own pace - no starting fitness level or age is a barrier to taking part. All activities are adaptable to any ability. Just bring a willingness to have fun. I promise you'll leave smiling and a little stronger in body and spirit. When: The 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month Time: 11am Where: Surbiton Racket Fitness & Club Cost: FREE Contact: Vanessa or call 020 3559 2824
Dementia Carers ’Games’ Session delivered by Don’t Tone Alone If dementia means exhaustion and fun is not an option in your daily routines, join us for some dementia-friendly games. Games sessions will run for roughly one-hour and work up from a sensory perspective to focussing on skills such as catching and throwing. We work with what you can do and you will find that the only limits are those that you put upon yourself and the person your care for. Sessions will conclude with a group game. Come and join us for laughter and an injection of energy you cannot afford to refuse!
020 3031 2757
Autumn/Winter 2018
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When: The 1st and 3rd Monday of every month Time: 11am Where: Surbiton New Life Baptist Church, Langley Road, Surbiton Cost: FREE Contact: Vanessa or call 020 3559 2824 – Limited spaces available please book Dementia Carers Lunch ClubA monthly social lunch club for Dementia Carers – a chance to meet other carers over a lovely lunch! When: First Thursday of every month – 4th October. 1st November, 6th December, 3rd January Where: Location to be decided each month Cost: £3 per carer Contact: Vanessa or call 020 3559 2824 – Limited spaces available
Visit to the Tower Bridge Engine Rooms Exhibition – For People Caring for Someone with Dementia Explore our new permanent exhibition and discover the unsung heroes who kept an icon in motion. Set amongst the original steam engines, coal burners and accumulators that once powered the raising of Tower Bridge, uncover the fascinating histories of cooks, coal stokers and engineers. Immerse yourself in this atmospheric space, where exciting interactives, newly commissioned films and never before displayed photographs will explore and explain the role of this dynamic workplace at the heart of Tower Bridge. Tickets have been generously donated by City Bridge Trust When: Thursday 22nd November Time: Meet at Waterloo Station for 10:30am Cost: FREE but no transport provided, Carer to meet at Waterloo Station Contact: Vanessa or call 020 3559 2824 – Limited spaces available
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Fitness Please find our current schedule for a weekly fitness classes. To attend the Zumba and Meditation sessions, you will need to enrol with Kingston Adult Education. To enrol, you will need to head to the King Charles Centre to complete a short form. .
Tuesday
Wednesday
Zumba
Pilates
12pm – 1:00pm
12pm – 1pm
Tolworth United Reform Church, KT5 9JR
Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT
£3 a session
FREE
Fitness with Beverley 11am – 12pm Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT FREE Boxercise 5:45pm -6:45pm Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT FREE
020 3031 2757
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Autumn/Winter 2018
Classes For all other fitness classes, for the first time you attend, arrive a few minutes early to let the instructor know this is your first class Please contact Vanessa if you would like further information.
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Stretch & Strengthen Class for Carers and Friends
Meditation
Circuit Fitness
12:30pm – 1:30pm
1:15pm – 2:15pm
11:15am – 12:15pm
Surbiton New Life King Charles Centre, Surbiton Racket & Baptist Church, 6 KT5 9AL Fitness Club, Langley Road, KT6 Berrylands, KT5 8JT 4NG
£3 a session
£5 a session
FREE
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Support Groups Carers’ Support Group Please note change of Venue KCN Office, Tolworth, 10.00am to 11.30am Third Wednesday of each month
Carers of Adults with Asperger's Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder KCN Office, Tolworth, 10.00am to 12.00pm First Wednesday of each month
Parents and Carers of Children and Young People with ADHD KCN Office, Tolworth, 10.00am to 12.00pm Second Friday of each month
Mental Health Carers Group Tolworth Hospital, 6.00pm to 7.15pm Second Tuesday of each month
Parents and Carers of Children and Young People with Additional Needs Tolworth Children’s Centre, School Lane, Surbiton, 9.15am to 11.15pm One Monday a month: Please contact Clare for dates this will take place: Email: carers3@kingstoncarers.org.uk Tel: 020 3375 8227 For more information on any of the support groups, contact: 020 3031 2757 or admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk
020 3031 2757
Autumn/Winter 2018
12th October 2018 9th November 2018 14th December 2018 11th January 2019 8th February 2019 8th March 2019 12th April 2019
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Kingston Carers’ Network
www.kingstoncarers.org.uk
Complementary Therapies and Beauty Treatments Hairdressing with Kelly Second Monday of each month, 10.00am to 3.00pm £5 per haircut
Healing Touch Massage with Roman Thursdays, 10.00am to 1.30pm £12 for 30 minutes, £20 for 1 hour Therapies include Full body massage Deep tissue massage Natural lift face massage Back, neck and shoulder massage.
Looking for Massage Therapist! Mitsuko sadly left KCN in June, following 5 years of being with us and her therapies were extremely popular with our carers. We are looking for a new qualified massage therapist to replace Mitsuko providing massages and reflexology for our carers. If you or someone you know maybe interested in this opportunity, please be in touch with Jo or Vanessa to discuss further on 020 3031 2751. For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Jo on admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3031 2751