KCN Spring/Summer 2019 Newsletter

Spring/Summer 2019

Also inside:  Carers Week  News from our CEO  Young Carers’ Project  Wellbeing Activities  Support Groups  Staff News

Welcome to the Spring/Summer KCN Newsletter

Carers’ Week: 10th - 14th June

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 Funding Success… We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded £150,000 from The Mayor of London Young Londoners Fund to support our young carers over three years. The funding will aim to reach young carers in school and to help them reach their full potential.

We are also very grateful to Children in Need for a further three years funding to support our young carers. Children in Need have supported KCN for many years and this long-term funding has enabled the young carers project to develop its reach and scope.

We are also very grateful to Ajahama Charitable Trust for funding towards improving the physical and emotional health of older carers over two years.

Welcome and Goodbye In November 2018, we were very sad to say goodbye to Clare Keogh, who had been supporting and advising carers with KCN since 2015. She will be sorely missed by all of us and we wish her well in her new career with Unite.

A warm welcome to Gill Fraser who will be working part-time as a young carers targeted worker and welcome back to Carol Harvey has returned to the young carers team as our resilience and wellbeing worker.

We also welcome four new Trustees to our Board - Tony Woods (Chair), Bob Humphries (Treasurer), Chris Ireland and Julia Linney.

Carers Health Carers Trust have contributed to the NHS guidance on healthy caring and carers can download the guide using this link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/a-practical-guide-tohealthy-caring/ We also hope to have some copies available at our office very soon.

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Spring/Summer 2019

NHS Long-term Plan We welcome the commitment to carers set out in the new NHS Long-term Plan. The plan sets out what the NHS wants to achieve over the next ten years and includes the measures will be funded by the £20 billion extra funding announced last year.

The specific measures aimed at supporting carers include: 

The plan aims to improve the recognition of carers and support they receive.

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NHS England plan to introduce best practice Quality Markers for primary care that can highlight best practice in carer identification and support

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NHS is committing to “continue to identify and support carers, particularly those from vulnerable communities”.

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Within the document NHS England cite the fact that carers are more likely to face ill heath compared to the general population.

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NHS England will also encourage the national adoption of carers’ passports in health settings and set out guidelines for their use.

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New commitments to helping carers when things go wrong.

More carers will understand their out of hours options. 100,000 carers will have “contingency conversations” so carers have appropriate back up support in place if they need it.

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Up to 20,000 young carers will benefit from GPs having “top tips” about how to better support them.

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The learning from this must be shared across GPs to ensure all GPs are aware of the importance of supporting young carers; and we are concerned that frontline GPs are already under strain. Possible impact of the plan on carers

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

There are many other implications for carers and carers can read the Carers Trust briefing on our website for more information.

There is concern among carers organisations that without the long awaited Social Care Green Paper, it is difficult to see how the priorities of the NHS Long-term Plan will be achieved. The government has delayed the Green Paper for over two years but has stated that it will be published in 2019 Carers UK report on the struggles of juggling work and caring You may have seen the recent press coverage about carers leaving their jobs because of the demands of being a carer. Carers UK reported that the pressure of caring made almost half a million people quit their jobs in the UK in the past two years. The report calls for more flexibility in the workplace for carers as almost five million people are trying to balance looking after relatives with working - up from about three million in 2011. David Still will be running an information session for carers interested in their employment rights and how to request more flexible working conditions. See our diary of events during Carers Week.

Kate

Carers Week As part of Carers’ Week (10th - 14th June) David Still will be giving a talk on Working Rights for Carers Wednesday 12th June - 10.00am - 1.00pm - Lunch Included Please contact admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk to confirm attendance or call 020-3031-2757

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Spring/Summer 2019

Respite & Reskill

Kingston Adult Education are offering Carers and those who they care for, an exciting opportunity to join us at the King Charles Centre for some innovative adult education courses.

As Carers, you would attend a class to update your knowledge/skills and take a qualification and at the same time, those who you care for would attend a separate class and take part in a variety of activities.

Both classes would be for 2 hours each week (at the same time - in different classrooms) for a total of 11 weeks (date and time to be arranged).

We are trying to gauge the level of interest and what subjects you would be interested in studying. Please complete the following form and we will endeavour to accommodate your request.

Please note: the information you provide will only be accessed by Kingston Adult Education and Kingston Carers Network. The information will only be used to choose which courses and times would be best and to let you know about which Respite and Re-skill courses we then offer."

To register, go to https://goo.gl/forms/LqacTLto5JNyrjsA2 Or contact Annette Brown on 020 8547 6763 or email annette.brown@kingston.gov.uk

Are you a carer over 65?

If so, you may benefit from our support and advice Every Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, Lily Bath, Carers Support Worker, will be available on Blyth, Kennet, Keats and Derwent Wards to offer free support and advice We can help carers prepare for discharge and can provide longterm support To book a free one-to-one advice session at the hospital, at our office or at home, please call Lily Bath on 020 3725 3049 or email carers5@kingstoncarers.org.uk

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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

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Spring/Summer 2019

Staff News Young Carers’ Resilience & Wellbeing Workers Welcome Back Carol Harvey...

I am really pleased to be back at the Young Carers’ Project in the role of Young Carers’ Resilience & Wellbeing Worker. I will only be working 12 hours per week, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays and am job-sharing with Gill Fraser. I will be mainly working with young carers but can also offer limited support to other family members.

I am on 020 3757 8430 and my e-mail is familysupport@kingstoncarers.org.uk if you need to contact me.

...and Hello to Gillian Fraser ‘Hi my name is Gillian and I am very excited to be joining the

Young Carers Team. I enjoying having fun with children of all ages. I am upbeat and bubbly and in my spare time I enjoy hula hooping and creative writing!’

New Fundraiser Morwenna Everitt ‘I am delighted to have joined Kingston Carers’ Network as a new part time fundraiser. I will be working to develop new fundraising ideas and partnerships to raise much needed funds. I have worked for a number of national and local organisations and as a former full time carer, feel passionate about the work of KCN. I If you are interested in helping us to raise funds, have a great fundraising idea, or work for a company that supports charities, you can get in touch with me at fundraiser@kingstoncarers.org.uk or by calling 020 3031 2751. ‘

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

News from the Young Carers’ Project Young Carers Project We are very busy here on the Young Carers’ project planning all kinds of fun activities, events and drop ins for our young carers in 2019. We have a jam packed half term coming up with lots of things going on from bowling, to a pancake and waffle night and a trip to Kew Gardens.

Christmas Baking Our new drop in, in Chessington has been a success with young carers in the area being able to more easily access the service. The young carers particularly enjoyed making dragons for Chinese New Year, delicious fruit smoothies and decorating their own yummy biscuits.

Drop In This year we hope to interact and engage with more young carers then ever before through our school lunch clubs, holiday activities, drop in sessions, youth groups, young adult carers group and targeted work.

New Year Arts & Crafts

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Spring/Summer 2019

Young Carers Project We welcome back Carol to the Young carers’ project and new targeted support worker Gillian to the team.

Drop Ins running during term time only : For the 5-8’s: 1st and 3rd Monday & Tuesday of the month For the 9-12’s: 2nd and 4th Monday & Tuesday of the month For the 12+: Every Wednesday night For the Young Adult Carers’ support group: Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month If you would any information on the YCP or would like to speak with us please contact Diane on youngcarers1@kingstoncarers.org.uk

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Support Groups 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 and Additional Needs 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 Please note that the Parents Group that was previously held at Tolworth Children’s Centre has now been merged with the ADHD Support Group.

We are looking for Volunteers to help facilitate our Support Groups.

If you are interested, please contact volunteering@kingstoncarers.org.uk or phone the number below

For more information on any of the support groups, contact: 020 3031 2757 or admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk

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Spring/Summer 2019

Wellbeing Workshops & Social Activities Hello Everybody The last six months have been busy – looking back there has been over 40 social activities, workshops and consultations that carers have been able to attend and this does not include the weekly fitness classes.

We have lots of activities planned for the next 6 months and a lot of them are suggestions from our carers. We also have 2 fitness classes being added to our current schedule of Fitness Classes; Ener-Chi will be returning and there will be a Resistance Band Class too to add.

We are going to try to re-launch our Carers Forum. These Forums are so important and to secure funding to sustain and also add to our services, we need to meet with carers. We are trying a different approach and we promise these will be fun and social too. We had such fantastic participation from our older carers consultations. The feedback we received from the carers that participated was that they enjoyed talking about challenges of caring, meeting other carers in a similar position to them and the meetings were supportive. Please go to page 12.

Finally, the next 6 months will be my last with Kingston Carers’ Network.

I will have been in this role for just over 4 years and I will be incredibly sad to leave. I have really enjoyed working here at KCN, I have learned so much and have met some wonderful people.

As always, please be in touch if you would like more information on any of the programme and we always welcome suggestions and recommendations.

Vanessa

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Carers Forum We would really like to start up our Carers Forum again. Getting feedback, having discussions and working together with Carers is vital in helping us to secure funding to sustain and provide services for our Carers.

Our previous format did not work so we would like to try something new. Below are dates for a more targeted forum, so we can find out from you what services would help you with your caring role, your feedback – what works and what doesn’t.

We want to make these forums informal, friendly and fun. There will be food and drinks provided for all carers that attend. They will be held at our office, 418 Ewell Road, KT6 7HF. BME Carers – Friday 12th April – 12:30pm until 2pm – Fish and Chip lunch Carers who support someone struggling with their Mental Health – Thursday 6th June – 3pm until 4:30pm – Afternoon Tea Working Carers - Wednesday 4th September – 6pm until 8pm – Takeaway from a local restaurant Although these are targeted ALL CARERS are welcome - if you have an interest and would like to come along please be in touch.

To book a place please contact Vanessa on 020 3559 2824 or email wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk.

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Spring/Summer 2019

Dementia Carers Lunch Club

April

DEMENTIA CARERS ONLY A monthly Lunch for our Dementia Carers – a chance to meet other carers over a lovely, relaxed lunch.

Thursday 11th April, 12 midday until 2pm Druids Head, 3 Market Place Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 1JT, £4 per Carer - special lunch menu

Wellbeing Workshop – Hoarding Disorder Monday 15th April Radfield Homecare in Chessington, have kindly offered to run some Workshop for our Carers. This session will look at ‘Hoarding’ and discuss the different reasons why people collect clutter until it is dangerous for their life. There will be a discussion on how to talk to people who show hoarding behaviour and how to help them get rid of the clutter without them feeling unhappy, anxious or vulnerable.

FREE, Radfield Homecare, Trident Court, 1 Oakcroft Road, KT9 1BD, Chessington – 10:30am until 12:30pm

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Moving and Handling Training Details TBC We are currently trying to organise this much needed training for our Carers. We hope to have something in place very soon and we are in current talks with a local care agency to deliver some training for our Carers in the next couple of months.

If you would like to take part in this training please contact Vanessa by email – wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk or call 020 3559 2824.

Facials and Hand Treatment Day at - Arena Salon, Kingston College - Tuesday 30th April Arena Salon would like to offer our Carers Facials and Hand Treatments – treatments we struggle to provide from our Wellbeing Room at the KCN Office. The Beauty Therapists are trainees but super keen to learn and will already have a good degree of training already.

Arena Salon is offering a fantastic discount on an already good value price and we will be subsiding this further for our Carers.

Facials will be £4 for a 1 hour treatment and Deluxe Hand Treatment will be £3 for a 45 minute treatment. Treatments available from 10:30am.

May

Craft Club – Silk Painting Friday 3rd May

Have a play with marbling paints onto paper and fabric squares. Great fun to see what designs are created using a few simple tools. Great for cardmaking or small sewing projects. £4 towards resources, tea/coffee and cakes/biscuits. 10am until 12midday, KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF

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Spring/Summer 2019

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Sensory Palaces – DEMENTIA CARERS & CARED FOR ONLY Tuesday 7th May Sensory Palaces is a health and wellbeing programme for people living with dementia and their Carers at Hampton Court Palace (and also Kew Palace).

This session is two hours long and offers a chance to explore stories and characters from the Palace’s history in period spaces.

Each session participants take part in activities such as arts and crafts, music, dance or drama which stimulate the senses.

We have booked for 6 ‘couples’ to attend and by ‘couple’ this can be any family member with their Cared For or even a Care Worker.

FREE, transport TBC, 10:30am until 12:30pm. For more information and to book please email wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk or call 020 3559 2824.

Diabetes Information Session and Lunch Monday 8th May - 11:00am - 1:30pm We have invited the Chairman from the Kingston Branch of Diabetes UK, Richard Allen, to come and give a short talk on Diabetes. Diabetes affects so many of us and it can be a condition that is hard to manage, so this will be a useful workshop to attend to find out more about Diabetes and the opportunities there are for Kingston residents. Lunch will follow after the talk.

FREE, KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF Dementia Carers Lunch Club – DEMENTIA CARERS ONLY Thursday 9th May A monthly Lunch for our Dementia Carers – a chance to meet other carers over a lovely, relaxed lunch.

FREE - 12 midday, The Pottery Tapas Bar, Park Road, Kingston – special lunch menu – drink not included

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Sassy Stirrers Cookery Class Tuesday 21st May Susan from Sassy Stirrers will be running her evening cookery class for KCN Carers, where she will demonstrate how to cook some delicious recipes, usually a main, side 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. £5 per Carer, Southborough High School, no transport provided, 5:30pm until 8pm.

Royal Albert Hall – Abbaphonic

Wednesday 29th May Celebrating ABBA’s greatest hits in all their sparkling, showstopping glory, West End stars Abbie Osmon and Emma Kershaw will perform an amazing line-up of the Swedish pop group’s timeless classics in ABBAphonic.

With the amplified Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and sensational backing singers, ABBA’s hit songs will be performed with the RPO’s signature symphonic twist!

Featuring all the ABBA classics including: Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Super Trouper, Take a Chance, I Have a Dream, S.O.S, Knowing Me, Knowing You and many, many more! £5 towards ticket and transport to the Royal Albert Hall, leaving Tolworth at 1:45pm and returning to Tolworth for approximately for 5pm.

LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE

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Spring/Summer 2019

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Carers’ Week - June 10th - 14th Monday 10th June Cream Tea at Mayfield Lavender Farm Leaving KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF at 1:15pm and arriving back for approximately 4pm Tuesday 11th June Tower Bridge and Engine Rooms Meeting at Waterloo Station for 11am Wednesday 12th June Working for Carers Talk with David Still followed by lunchKCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF Carers Week Party: We will be holding a party for our Adult Carers and Young Carers at the Surbiton Methodist Tennis Club - there will be food, stalls for Carers to look at – it will be fun!

We are still in the planning stage of this event but we hope to have lot’s activities for Carers to take part in.

To register your interest in attending, please contact Vanessa on 020 3559 2824 or email wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk FREE, Thursday 6th/13th June, 3:30pm until 6pm, Surbiton Methodist Tennis Club – the Club is situated between 11 & 13 Manor Drive, Surbiton.

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Kingston Carers’ Network

June

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Everyday First Aid for Carers Thursday 20th June - FREE, Venue TBC

This 2 hour session will cover the following priority topics: How to support: Someone who is prone to falls, Head Injuries, Severe Bleeds, Broken Bones, Unresponsive but breathing normally B.Y.O.C Coffee Morning: Friday 21st June Our coffee mornings are a chance to take a break, meet new people and make progress on your latest craft project.

FREE, tea/coffees and biscuits provided, 10am until 12midday, KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF Wellbeing Workshop – Living Well in Your Senior Years Thursday 27th June This talk will look at some of the common challenges of elderly years, for example, falls, fraud, abuse, social isolation, malnutrition and dehydration.

For every challenge the group will come up with a local solution, local organisations and support groups, so that people leave feeling supported.

FREE, Radfield Homecare, Trident Court, 1 Oakcroft Road, KT9 1BD, Chessington – 10:30am until 12:30pm

July

Planning for the Last Years of Life Workshop for Carers - Thursday 4th July

Mirielle Hayden from Gentle Dusk delivered a fantastic workshop a couple of years ago for our Carers and she will be delivering this workshop again for KCN Carers this month. Thinking about what will happen in the last years of life is incredibly difficult and very difficult to talk about. But planning for this time can be incredibly useful and important in ensuring your needs and wishes and also those of the person you care for, are met. This workshop will look at:

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Spring/Summer 2019

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Raise awareness of the importance of planning for the last years of life (with a particular focus on advance care planning); and Provide information to carers about how they, and those they care for, can complete an advance care plan FREE, KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, KT6 7HF, 11am until 2:30pm – lunch and refreshments will be provided Craft Club Friday 5th July - Weaving A little bit of weaving – making a small sample. Dig into an assortment of fibres, wool scraps, & ribbons, on the warp, go from right to left on the weft. You can take your weaving board home with you to continue weaving at home. £4 towards resources, tea/coffee and cakes/biscuits. 10am until 12midday, KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth

Seaside Trip Wednesday 10th July This year we will head to Eastbourne! Enjoy a lovely day by the sea, grab some lunch, walk along the pier and maybe visit a museum. We have been lucky the last few years for the weather, so fingers crossed the weather will be lovely. £5 per Carer, Coach leaving from Tolworth at 9:30am and returning for approximately 17:30pm

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Dementia Carers Lunch Club DEMENTIA CARERS ONLY Thursday 11th July A monthly Lunch for our Dementia Carers – a chance to meet other carers over a lovely, relaxed lunch. £3 per Carer, La Fratelli Restaurant, Tolworth Broadway

August

Dementia Carers Lunch Club – DEMENTIA CARERS ONLY

Thursday 8th August A monthly Lunch for our Dementia Carers – a chance to meet other carers over a lovely, relaxed lunch. £3 – drinks not included, Woody’s, 5 Rams Passage, Kingston, KT1 1HH

KCN Summer BBQ Wednesday 14th August We were so unlucky last year with the weather for our Summer party. This year we are having our Summer BBQ at the Brook Kingston Lodge Hotel, so we have an indoor option just in case! The hotel have organised a lovely BBQ menu for us to enjoy in their courtyard.

FREE, drinks not included – 12pm until 2pm, Brook Kingston Lodge Hotel, Kingston, KT2 7NP

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Spring/Summer 2019

B.Y.O.C Coffee Morning: Friday 16th August Our coffee mornings are a chance to take a break, meet new people and make progress on your latest craft project.

FREE, tea/coffees and biscuits provided, 10am until 12midday, KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth, KT6 7HF

Kew Gardens Thursday 22nd August Kew Gardens is lovely to visit in the Summer, pack a picnic or grab some lunch in one of the cafes and enjoy some time in the lovely park. £3 per Carer, minibuses to leave from the KCN Office at 10:30am and returning approximately for 3pm

Watts Gallery – Artists Gallery

September

Wednesday 4th September This month we will be heading to Watts Gallery, Artists Village. There will be a booked tour, followed with some time for lunch and for Carers to explore the village. £8, this includes a guided tour, entrance into the ‘village’ and transport. Leaving KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth at 10:30am and arriving back for 2:30pm.

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Craft Club Friday 6th September Macrame Hark back to the 1970s by creating a bracelet with basic macramé knots. £4 towards resources, tea/coffee and cakes/biscuits. 10am until 12midday, KCN Office, 418 Ewell Road, Tolworth Dementia Carers Lunch Club – DEMENTIA CARERS ONLY Thursday 12th September A monthly Lunch for our Dementia Carers – a chance to meet other carers over a lovely, relaxed lunch. £4 per Carer, Venue TBC, 12midday until 2pm

Wellbeing Workshop – Dementia Friends Tuesday 17th September Dementia Friends, in cooperation with The Alzheimer's society. The aim of the session is to raise awareness about dementia and pass the 5 key messages created by the Alzheimer's Society. At the end of the information session, the participants can become dementia friends and they will receive a badge 'Dementia friend'.

FREE, Radfield Homecare, Trident Court, 1 Oakcroft Road, KT9 1BD, Chessington – 10:30am until 12:30pm

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Spring/Summer 2019

Fitness

Classes

Please find our current schedule for a weekly fitness classes.

For more information, please contact Vanessa on the details below Zumba Ener-Chi from 19th March 12:00pm – 1:00pm 10:00pm - 11:00pm Tuesday Tolworth United Reform Surbiton Racket & Fitness Church, KT5 9JR Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT £3 a session £3 a session Pilates 12:00pm - 1:00pm Wednesday Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT £3 a session Stretch & Strengthen 12:30pm - 1:30pm Class for Carers and Friends Thursday Surbiton New Life Baptist Church, 6 Langley Road, KT6 4NG £3 a session Meditation 1:15pm - 2:15pm Friday King Charles Centre, KT5 9AL £5 a session Circuit Fitness 11:15am - 12:15pm Saturday Surbiton Racket & Fitness Club, Berrylands, KT5 8JT £5 a session

Resistance Band Class – Kat will be launching a new class shortly – if you would be interested in this, please contact Vanessa on 020 3559 2824 or email wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk so we can update you with more information on this class.

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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.

Cosmic Therapies Massage with Meera Fridays, 1.00pm to 5.00pm £12 for 30 minutes, £20 for 1 hour Therapies include: Reflexology Indian Head Massage Aromatherapy/Sports Massage Facials For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Jo on admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3031 2751