Summer newsletter

Summer 2016

Also inside:  Forthcoming Support Groups

News from the Young Carers’ Project

 Summer Barbecue  Walk and Talk Group  Brand New Complementary Therapies Programme

Complementary Therapies

 Craft Club  Weekly Wellbeing Classes

Social Activities and Outings

We are excited to launch our brand new Befriending Service See page 3 for details

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

News from the Young Carers’ Project As always we are very busy here at YCP HQ! Our Easter holidays were jam packed with activities and we saw 126 young carers over the two weeks.

Here are a few of our highlights!

If you know of anyone who is between the ages of 5-18 years, who cares for a family member and would benefit from our support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for information about how to refer them to the Young Carers’ Project.

Have you seen our new website? If not, check it out: www.kingstonyoungcarers.org.uk. We’re also on Twitter; follow us for plenty of updates and info @YCPKingston.

Diane, Liz, Kat and Chris Young Carers’ Project 020 3031 2754 youngcarers1@kingstoncarers.org.uk

020 3031 2757

Summer 2016

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NEW Befriending Service “ We all need someone to talk to, someone who listens, someone who understands” Would you like to spend time with someone you can talk to, someone who understands about caring?

Our new Befriending Service gives you the chance to meet regularly for a drink and a chat with a friendly volunteer.

You will be matched with a volunteer who will visit you about once a week at a time that suits you. If you are unable to leave the person you care for, the volunteer can visit you at home or can accompany you and your loved one on a trip out. You can talk about anything you like with your volunteer, whether you fancy a lighthearted chat or a chance to ‘get it all off your chest’ – depending on what kind of week you’ve had!

Having someone to talk to can make a real difference.

If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Lyndsey at befriending@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3375 8226.

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Weekly Wellbeing Classes Newent House will be closing for good this summer; therefore, our weekly classes will be taking place in a new venue from September. For now, the final term of classes will continue at Newent House until Friday 8th July.

The classes are suitable for all ages and abilities. Each session costs £3. There is no need to book in advance.

Zumba Gold: Tuesdays, 12.15pm to 1.15pm Stretch and Strengthen: Thursdays, 1.00pm to 2.00pm Meditation: Fridays, 9.30am to 10.30am The classes will all be held at Newent House, 8-10 Browns Road, Surbiton, KT5 8SP until Friday 8th July.

Classes over the summer: Monday 11th July to Friday 26th August Meditation will be taking a break for summer but the great news is that Zumba and Stretch will continue over the summer break.

Zumba Gold: Tuesdays, 12.15pm to 1.15pm Stretch and Strengthen: Thursdays, 1.00pm to 2.00pm Surbiton Racket and Fitness Club, Berrylands, Surbiton, KT5 8JT From Monday 12th September...

Zumba Gold: Tuesdays, 12.00pm to 1.00pm, United Reformed Church Stretch and Strengthen: Thursdays, 3.00pm to 4.00pm, King Charles Centre, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 9AL Meditation: Fridays, 1.00pm to 2.00pm, King Charles Centre, Hollyfield Road, Surbiton, KT5 9AL “This class offers much more than relaxation and meditation. It provides ways of coping with the stress of caring through positive responses to difficult situations. It helps me each Friday to cope with the challenges of the week ahead. The shared experiences and support of others in the group is invaluable too. For me, it has also been a journey of personal development.”

020 3031 2757

Summer 2016

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KCN Support Groups Carers’ Support Group Merritt Medical Centre, Chessington, 10.00am to 11.30am Third Wednesday of each month

Carers of Adults with Asperger's Syndrome Noble Centre, New Malden, 10.00am to 12.00pm First Wednesday of each month

Parents and Carers of Children and Young People with ADHD Noble Centre, New Malden, 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 For more information on any of the support groups, please contact the office on 020 3031 2757 or admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk

We’ve had some lovely walks over the past few months and we are looking forward to making the most of the brighter weather soon. Our next walk will be through Bushy Park and then to the Pheasantry Café for a nice hot drink and cake. The walk will be at a gentle pace and no more than 30 minutes long.

Contact Vanessa on wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3757 8464 for more details and to sign up. No cost, refreshments provided.

Wednesday 17th August, 10.30am to 12.00pm Meet outside the Pheasantry Café. Free Parking

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Wellbeing Workshops Our Wellbeing Training Programme (funded by the Big Lottery) is going from strength to strength. We have a series of workshops on offer designed to equip you with the skills you need to look after yourself and others, and to enable you to feel more ready to deal with the ‘knocks’ in life that can happen along the way.

Take a look at the workshops below. You are welcome to sign up for as many as you would find useful.

To book a space or for more information, contact Vanessa at wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk or on 020 3757 8464.

Please note there are a limited number of spaces for each workshop

Christine Rudling from RBK will be delivering two workshops that cover ‘lifting and handling’. These workshops are designed to help you with your caring responsibilities whilst ensuring that you look after your own health too.

Moving People Safely Wednesday 6th July 1.30pm to 3.00pm Noble Centre Looking After Your Back Wednesday 20th July 1.30pm to 3.00pm Noble Centre You are welcome to attend one or both workshops

020 3031 2757

Summer 2016

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We have organised a fun ‘boot camp-style’ exercise class for our carers this month. The session will look at circuit training and will cater for all levels of fitness and ability—everyone is welcome!

The session will be lead by Mick, a qualified Personal Trainer with lots of experience running boot camps. Group exercise classes are a great way of meeting new people and supporting one another through exercise.

Introduction to Circuit Training Saturday 6th August 10.30am to 11.30am Venue to be confirmed Joanna Newton from Alzheimer’s Society will be delivering an informative session looking at the signs and symptoms and how to support someone with dementia.

Introduction to Dementia Awareness Wednesday 14th September 10.30am to 12.30pm Venue to be confirmed

Karen from Yarn and Thistle will be running her usual creative sessions on the first Friday of the month at the Noble Centre. Each session runs from 10.00am to 12.00pm and costs £3; which includes the materials, tea, coffee and biscuits.

Friday 1st July, Silk ribbon embroidery Friday 5th August, Fabric bookmarks with image transfers Friday 2nd September, Wet felting images For more details and to book your space, please contact Jo on admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3031 2751.

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Social Activities and Outings Seaside trip to Whitstable This year we will be heading to lovely Whitstable for a day by the sea. Whitstable is famous for its beach huts, oyster shacks and working harbour. Aside from the sea, there is also; Whitstable Castle, a local museum and the town centre which has lots of independent cafes and shops to pop into.

Tuesday 19th July, 10.00am to (approx.) 5.00pm from Noble Centre £5 (includes transport)

Summer Barbecue Join us in the garden of the Noble Centre for a summer barbeque! We will have plenty of food, drink, music and (hopefully) sunshine.

Thursday 4th August, 4.00pm to 7.00pm

KCN

Did you know that you can now book all of our activities online?

Visit www.kingstoncarers.org.uk/wellbeingproject/activities to book. You can still book by calling Vanessa on 020 3757 8464 or by sending a letter to “Kingston Carers’ Network, FREEPOST RSET-JATX-UEAS, New Malden, KT3 4BD”.

020 3031 2757

Summer 2016

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Silk Mill Tour On a recommendation from a KCN carer, we have organised a trip to the Silk Mill in Whitchurch. Whitchurch Silk Mill is a 19th century water mill that weaves English silk fabrics using 19th century machinery. We’ll see the original mill wheel, the Victorian machinery and the fabulous fabrics on the looms before browsing the indulgent silk products on offer in the shop. There is a tearoom for lunch and refreshments. This will be a great day out in a peaceful setting by the River Test.

Wednesday 21st September, 10.30am from Noble Centre

You will be able to book a place for our Social Events from Monday 20th June Transport for most of our social events is from the Noble Centre. If getting to the Noble Centre is difficult for you and you would like to attend one of our social events, we are happy, where possible, to arrange pick-up and drop-off points near you. Contact Vanessa on 020 3757 8464 or email wellbeing@kingstoncarers.org.uk to discuss.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our very own Clare and Team Tullamore for coming sixth in the World Irish Dancing Championships with their dance “St. Brigid’s Cloak”

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

NEW Complementary Therapy Programme Complementary Therapies with Mitsuko

Reflexology, Wednesdays and Thursdays only Indian Head Massage, Wednesdays and Thursdays only Facial Massage, Mondays only Aromatherapy Massage, Mondays only Aromatherapy Body Massage

One hour (inc. consultation) £20

Facial Massage

One hour

£20

Reflexology

45 minutes

£15

Indian Head Massage

30 minutes

£12

Healing touch with Roman

Alternate Thursdays, 10.00am to 12.30pm Holistic Massage Natural Lift Facial Massage Deep Tissue Massage Full body holistic massage

One hour

£20

Deep tissue massage

One hour

£20

Natural Lift Facial Massage

One hour

£20

Back, neck and shoulder massage

One hour

£20

Back, neck and shoulder massage

30 minutes

£12

020 3031 2757

Summer 2016

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Time for You Therapies

Nutritional Therapy, Fridays only Reiki, Mondays and Fridays Aromatherapy Massage, Fridays only Holistic Massage, Mondays and Fridays Indian Head Massage, Mondays only Relaxation Techniques, Fridays only Bach Flower Remedies, Fridays only Facial Massage, Mondays and Fridays Arm and Hand Massage, Mondays and Fridays 30 minutes

£12

45 minutes

£16

1 hour

£20

Hairdressing by Gina One Thursday every six weeks 10.00am to 2.00pm £5 If you would like to receive a ‘Complementary Therapies Information Pack’ or you would like to book an appointment with any of our therapists, please contact Jo on admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or call 020 3031 2751.

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

The Alzheimer’s Society in Kingston provides a range of support services for people with dementia, their families and carers.

Our Dementia Adviser service supports people living with Dementia in Kingston from the point of diagnosis onwards.

Our Dementia Support Worker provides practical and emotional support to people caring for a family member, friend or partner with dementia; Our Support Group for Carers is held on the first Tuesday of each month and provides the opportunity for carers to share practical information, advice and personal experiences with others who understand what they are going through.

We also offer our Carers Information and Support Programme (CriSP) which is a series of workshops looking at information and support on topics such as: What is Dementia, Support and Care for someone with Dementia, Legal and Money matters and Planning for the Future.

Our next workshops will run in Sept/October 2016. Please contact us for further details.

Singing for the Brain is held every Friday for people in the early to moderate stages of dementia and their carers.

For information on our future sessions or any of our services, please get in touch. We’re here to help.

Alzheimer’s Society Kingston Woodroffe House Tolworth Hospital Red Lion Road Surbiton KT6 7QU Tel. 0203 513 5147.

Dementia Connect, the easy way to find support near you. alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaconnect

020 3031 2757

Summer 2016

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

020 3031 2757

Summer 2016

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Kingston Mencap hold a monthly carers group for those carers with a family member with a learning disability.

Meetings take place on 1st Wednesday of the month on alternative months 1.30 at Home Farm Trust and Session House at 7.30pm Programme to be announced for following months The meetings give carers the opportunity to discuss issues of concern, hear latest news and share experiences over a cup of tea/coffee.

Everyone welcome For information contact Gill Wood 020 8540 1399 or email jenny@kingstonmencap.co.uk

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Kingston Carers’ Network

www.kingstoncarers.org.uk

Complementary Therapies and Beauty Treatments Time for You Therapies Alternate Mondays, 10.00am to 3.00pm Fridays, 10.00am to 3.00pm £12 for 30 minutes, £16 for 45 minutes, £20 for 1 hour Therapies include Reiki, Aromatherapy Massage, Holistic Massage, Bach Flower Remedies, Indian Head Massage, Facial Massage, Arm and Hand Massage Complementary Therapies with Mitsuko Alternate Mondays, 10.00am to 2.00pm Alternate Wednesdays, 1.00pm to 3.30pm and alternate Thursdays, 10.00am to 12.30pm Aromatherapy Body Massage, 1 hour (including consultation) £20 Facial Massage. 1 hour, £20 Reflexology, 45 minutes, £15 Indian Head Massage, 30 minutes, £12 Hairdressing by Gina One Thursday every six weeks, 10.00am to 2.00pm £5 Healing Touch Massage with Roman Alternate Thursdays, 10.00am to 12.30pm £12 for 30 minutes, £20 for 1 hour Therapies include full body massage, deep tissue massage, natural lift face massage and back, neck and shoulder massage.

For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Jo on admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3031 2751

Focus on: Stigma – a Barrier to Carers of People with Substance Misuse Issues Seeking Support for Themselves What is stigma? Stigmatisation is often identified with the work of Canadian sociologist Erving Goffman, who in the 1960s wrote about how some people could be considered less desirable than others simply due to the presence of one particular attribute. This attribute then becomes the central identifying feature of the individual concerned, leading to a damaging label (eg junkie) and obscuring all other potentially attractive features. Goffman further described how a stigmatised person might try to avoid revealing their status to others, and how people close to the stigmatised person may also experience discrimination simply as a result of that relationship.

Research suggests that people stigmatise not only the person with a history of drug dependence but also, by association, their family members. In 2010, a large UKwide survey of public attitudes towards drug users was carried out by the UK Drug Policy Commission and the results were compared with views about people with mental health problems, another historically stigmatised group. … The same research included two attitude statements about stigma towards family members of people with drug dependence and found that: 23% of people believe that most people would not become dependent on drugs if they had good parents; One in three people agreed that parents would be foolish to let their children play with the children of a person with a history of drug dependence.

Support gives families the strength to make, and stand by, the difficult decisions they face every day. Stigma needs to be broken down so families feel comfortable coming out into the open and seeking the support that they need and deserve. In addition to improving their own quality of life, this support equips them with the tools they need to support their loved one’s recovery, if that is what they choose to do.

As long as stigma persists, the goal of sustained recovery will remain out of reach for many substance users and their families.

Adfam’s former Policy & Communications Officer, David Ader, recently wrote “…

There’s an impression that the media can spread negativity, misinformation and stigma about people who use drugs and alcohol and their families. This impression is often deserved – newspapers that have long since stopped using loaded, prejudiced terms in describing black or Asian people or those with disabilities still

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far too often contain lurid, sensationalist and simply untrue headlines regarding ‘junkies’ or ‘alkies’.

This isn’t just unpleasant, it has a serious impact. All of us get our information from the media – including people who know little about problem drug or alcohol use – and attitudes influence behaviour. We know that as well as causing distress, stigma is a barrier to accessing support and achieving recovery.

In this climate, … it’s crucial to do everything we can to break down stigma, to show families facing drug or alcohol problems that they’re not alone, and to encourage them to access support. And the media is still the best way of getting the real stories out to an audience of millions and getting that message across.

It’s valuable, but not enough to have that message relayed by academics and professionals – the public also needs to hear it directly from the people affected.

That’s why Adfam works with the media ... to give a face and a voice to … families … [M]edia coverage of our Relationship Realities project with OnePlusOne gave the opportunity for several families affected by drugs and alcohol to get on TV and the radio and tell their story in their own words – and the media coverage was compassionate and fair. ... Former Government minister Liam Byrne MP has also … [done] his bit to fight stigma, speaking about his father's alcohol problem [on th BBC Breakfast on 8 February 2016]. With enough voices, the tide will turn.”

Carers of People with Substance Misuse Issues Sunderland Carers Centre made a short film where carers share their real life experiences and their thoughts of how accessing support, information and guidance has helped them to break down the barriers and stigma associated with their caring role. This is available to watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZV3JRcynMo. ‘Putting it in Words’ is an Adfam video that shows how it feels to discover that a family member is a drugs user, how people coped and the support available. It is available to watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj-shT7uo2c.

Supporting someone experiencing difficulties with drugs and/or alcohol can be a challenging time for friends, family and partners. If you are worried about someone you can take them to Kingston Wellbeing Service for joint advice and support at: Surbiton Health Centre, Ewell Road, Surbiton KT6 6EZ. Phone: 020 8274 3051. Email: cim-tr.referralskingstonwellbeing@nhs.net. Transport information: Bus: 281, 406, 418. Rail: Surbiton Station (South West Trains).

Parking: Surbiton Station car park – parking is chargeable; Ewell Road – roadside meter parking.

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If you've been affected by a parent's drinking, you can contact the National Association for the Children of Alcoholics via http://www.nacoa.org.uk/ and 0800 358 3456.

Adfam run free and friendly support, information and skills sessions and offer activities and trips for people in London aged 55+ affected by a loved one’s substance misuse. Come along! Find out more. Email: r.evans@adfam.org.uk or Tel: 020 7553 7640.

Icarus Trust is a charity dedicated to providing support to families affected by a loved one's addiction or addictive behaviour. Icarus can provide a ‘Family Friend’ who family members can share problems with. Family Friends, via email, provide a supportive and understanding voice and look for sources of local or national support for you. A proportion of family members can also speak, without cost, to an accredited counsellor. If you'd like to access this support please contact Icarus via their website www.icarustrust.co.uk or email them directly via help@icarus.org.

Many family members, and especially parents, ask themselves if something they have done has caused drug/alcohol use, and commonly experience guilt.

Many regret past actions or reactions. However it is vital to remember that the user is responsible for the choices they make and for their behaviour, including whether they use drugs and alcohol. Only users themselves can make the choice to use drugs, and only they can decide to stop. In the same way, families and friends of users are responsible for their own choices and behaviour too, which can in turn have influence on the user. Behaviour can be: Inadvertently unhelpful, such as giving a user money which is spent on drugs or alcohol. This is called enabling. Helpful and supportive, such as offering love and encouragement when a user is trying to stop or enter treatment. http://www.adfam.org.uk/families/what_should_i_do/is_it_my_fault

Carers of People with Mental Health Issues Thursday 2 June 2016 marked the inaugural World Eating Disorders Action Day. Beat and other eating disorders’ organisations from across the globe helped to raise awareness of these serious mental illnesses and shared the Academy of Eating Disorders' 9 truths of eating disorders: Truth 1: Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill; Truth 2: Families are not to blame, and can be the patients’ and providers’ best allies in treatment; Truth 3: An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family functioning; Truth 4: Eating disorders are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses; Truth 5: Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses; Truth 6: Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications; Truth 7: Genes and environment play important roles in the development of eating disorders; Truth 8: Genes alone do not predict who will

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develop eating disorders; Truth 9: Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Early detection and intervention are important.

‘Men Get Eating Disorders Too’ is an award winning national charity run by and for men with eating disorders, their carers and families. Their website provides essential information specific to the unique needs of men and provides an online space for those affected to get their voices heard (eg peer support via their forum and one-to-one live chat sessions). If you are a friend, family member or partner of a man with an eating disorder it can be difficult to approach them if you know they have a problem but they are not willing to acknowledge or accept it. However, as helpless as you might feel, there are many things you can do to support them. Visit http://mengetedstoo.co.uk/ to find out more.

A team of researchers, clinicians and relatives from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Lancaster University, Liverpool University and University College London is developing a new online toolkit, Relatives Education And Coping Toolkit (REACT), to help relatives/close friends of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder. They aim to make REACT available across the UK so that everyone can access it. First they have to find out if it works. The current research study will test the effectiveness of REACT for reducing distress and increasing wellbeing for relatives/close friends of people with psychosis and bipolar disorder and explore the costs involved in delivering this intervention. The team is looking for relatives or close friends of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder to take part. For more information or to register, go to https://www.reacttoolkit.co.uk/. mentalhealthcare.org.uk, the psychosis and schizophrenia information website, will close on 1st July due to a lack of funding. The site was created by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London with the help of funding from the Wellcome Trust, Maudsley Charity and with volunteer time. It was specifically for family members and friends of people who have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder or another illness that may result in the symptoms of psychosis. However, a free online course developed by researchers at King's College London - Caring for people with psychosis and schizophrenia - is available via FutureLearn at www.futurelearn.com. The course lasts for two weeks and is available to join at different times during the year.

MacMillan's 3rd engagement event for mental health and cancer taskforce Have you had cancer and found that the experience impacted on your emotional and mental health? Or perhaps you had pre-existing mental health problems and then developed cancer as well? Have you cared for or supported someone who experienced both cancer and mental health problems? MacMillan are holding a codesign and partnership event for people affected by both cancer and mental health problems to come together with Macmillan staff and healthcare professionals to better define the problems faced by people with this dual lived experience and to co-design solutions to these problems. The event will be structured and interactive,

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but led by the views and input of those attending. Lunch and refreshments will be provided free. The venue is fully accessible. Where: 3mins walk from Euston Station, London, NW1. When: Wednesday 20th July, 10am-4pm. Maximum places available: 30. To express interest in participating, please email research.learning@macmillan.org.uk, telling the team a bit about yourself and why you would like to attend; if you are not online, please phone Anna on 020 7091 2056 to leave a message and MacMillan will call you back. You will be asked a bit about yourself and what your experience has been before you are offered a place, as MacMillan wants to ensure that they get a good mix of people in the room in terms of ethnicities, ages, gender, types of cancer and mental health problem, and the area you come from. If you are not available on the 20th July, or are not offered a place, there are other ways you can get involved in the taskforce, so do get in touch to register your interest.

The Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care offers a Trust-wide service with chaplains based at Tolworth, Queen Mary's and Springfield hospitals. They hold regular services at each hospital and can provide people with help to practise their faith, whatever that may be. Where appropriate, they can make contact with leaders of faith groups beyond those that are directly represented within the Trust.

They can also help if people are seeking meaning at a time of personal distress.

They regularly visit all the inpatient units and are available to both patients and staff. In this way, they try to offer a friendly face and a listening ear when it is required. Contact details: Tolworth Hospital: 020 3513 5122; Queen Mary's Hospital: 020 3513 3695; Springfield University Hospital: 020 3513 6265. At least one chaplain is always available from Sunday to Friday. Any messages left on their answering machine will be picked up and passed on to the relevant chaplain.

A meeting of the Interest Group on Mental Health, Well-being and Brain th Disorders, addressing mental health and asylum seekers, was held on 4 May in the European Parliament and was attended by the European Federation of Associations of Families of People with Mental Illness (EUFAMI). A Written Declaration on the mental health of refugees was drafted with 10 MEP’s as cosignatories to raise awareness on the topic. People can write to their MEPs to urge them to sign the declaration. EUFAMI urges the EU to make prevention of family separation on the road a key priority in its refugee policy, as separation gravely exacerbates the risk of mental health issues and child trafficking.

Carers of People with Dementia Dr Jamie Wilson, dementia physician, psychiatrist and founder of HomeTouch (an online resource for finding care workers), is hosting a free event on Monday 20th June at The Richard Mayo Centre, Kingston upon Thames from 3pm5pm. It will focus on The Pillars of Brain Health as part of the HomeTouch mission to get people thinking about caring for our most important asset, the human brain.

In addition to learning about how to reduce risk factors of dementia, this is a chance to meet others in the community, exchange experiences and ask questions

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in a relaxed environment over nibbles and drinks. To book a place, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-pillars-of-brain-health-tickets-25546342799. For information about HomeTouch, visit https://www.myhometouch.com/.

The Royal Surgical Aid Society (RSAS) would like to support carers of people with dementia to undertake their caring role. They are considering the development of a new type of service, in the form of a national resource centre (NRCC) and have asked Carers Trust to carry out a consultation with carers of people with dementia on their behalf. All the information you give in this survey will be stored securely and confidentially. Carers Trust will be using the information to produce a report for the RSAS. The report will be important in helping to inform the RSAS about developing a service which will support carers of people with dementia. The report may be published but any information taken from the survey that is shared with the RSAS and included in the report, such as quotes, will be anonymised.

This survey is aimed at people who care for someone with dementia - they do not need to have a formal diagnosis. However, if you are someone with previous caring experience and want to fill it out, thinking back to the time when you were caring for someone, your views would be very welcome as well. You can take part at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3TFZNSS?dm_i=I34,49B7V,B0M2RF,FJTON,1.

Do you support a person living with dementia? If so, the University of Bradford would like you to complete a short questionnaire about your experiences (three times over a 12 months’ period). They are interested in how attitudes to care (e.g. preparedness and willingness) change over time, how these factors influence the way carers cope, what enables carers to feel more prepared, and what advice they would give to future carers. To be included in the study you must be: A family member (or significant other) of the person with dementia; Aged over 18 years; Contributing towards providing the support required by the person with dementia; Caring for someone with dementia who has a diagnosis of dementia (any type). If you fit the above criteria, and are interested in helping them, please email Sahdia Parveen (s.parveen27@bradford.ac.uk) or Gary Fry (g.fry@bradford.ac.uk). A questionnaire will be sent to you with a FREEPOST return envelope for its return.

YoungDementia UK’s second joint conference (in partnership with the Journal of Dementia Care) will be held at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on th Tuesday 27 September 2016. The event programme has yet to be finalised but details will be uploaded to their website (www.youngdementiauk.org) once plans are confirmed. They also plan to hold other national events in the future. If you would like to be added to their mailing list to be kept informed of national young onset events organised by YoungDementia UK and others, you can email your contact details to katefallows@youngdementiauk.org with “Website enquiry YDUK national events” in the subject line.

‘Good to go: A guide to dementia-friendly days out’ by Care UK not only shows how important it is for those living with dementia - and their carers - to get

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out and about, it explains how to plan trips and how to make the most out of every outing, big or small. It is available at http://www.careuk.com/carehomes/sites/rcs/files/CareUK_Good-to-go-Guide.pdf.

What's On? The Kingston Bipolar UK Group is currently on hold so is NOT running. We hope to have more information about the group for the next newsletter. st

Alzheimer’s Society Kingston holds a carer support group on the 1 Tuesday of each month at the Noble Centre, 109a Blagdon Road, New Malden KT3 4BD from 10:30am to 12:30pm. Places are limited so please contact them on 020 3513 5147 or kingstonoffice@alzheimers.org.uk for more information.

‘South Place’ Mental Health Carers’ Support Group welcomes all relatives and nd carers of adults with mental health problems. It meets on the 2 Tuesday of each month, at Tolworth Hospital, Hughes Room B, Red Lion Road, Tolworth KT6 7QU. Meetings are from 6:00pm-7:15pm but may be extended to 7:45pm when there are guest speakers. Light refreshments are provided. The next meeting dates th are: 14 June (includes a mindfulness workshop by trainee clinical th th th psychologists), 12 July, 9 August, 13 September.

A Memory Café is held at Kingston Hospital for people with memory loss and nd th their carers every 2 and 4 Tuesday of the month from 2pm-4pm, back of the th th th restaurant, Kingston Surgical Centre. Next dates: 14 June & 28 June, 12 th th rd th th July & 26 July, 9 August & 23 August, 13 September & 27 September.

For more information call 020 8934 2378 or email olivia.frimpong@kingstonhospital.nhs.uk.

Carers Support Merton holds a carers’ café that is open to carers from other boroughs on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30pm to 9pm at Wimbledon Guild, 30-32 Worple Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4EF. Information available/provided by Rethink. Meet other carers in a supportive environment.

Have a brief respite and enjoy a hot or cold snack or light tasty meal as well as tea, coffee, soft drinks and sweets (donations requested). Next dates: 20th June, 18th July, NO café in August, 19th September. For more information contact Margaret Whittle on 020 8646 7515 or email Margaret@csmerton.org.

ASCA runs a weekly facilitated group for anyone caring for someone with an addiction every Tuesday from 6pm-7:30pm at 233 Lower Mortlake Road, Richmond TW9 2LL. Each group lasts 90 minutes and is strictly confidential.

Donations £5. NB: this group is NOT run as a drop in, new members are accepted only following an initial assessment. For more details contact 020 8940 1160.

Kingston Wellbeing Service offers a facilitated mutual aid group for parents, carers and significant others of people receiving treatment from them every

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Tuesday 10am to 11am on a drop in basis at Surbiton Health Centre. NB: The group is available ONLY to carers of people being supported by the Wellbeing Service.

Al-Anon hold meetings for anyone who feels that their lives have been deeply affected by another person's drinking every Tuesday from 8pm to 9:30pm at the Methodist Church Hall, Avenue Road, Fairfield South, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2UJ. (It is recommended to attend about six meetings before deciding whether Al-Anon is for you.)

Home Instead run a Memory Café in New Malden for people with memory loss nd and their carers every 2 Wednesday of the month from 2pm-4pm at the Coffee Bar in the Methodist Church, 49 High Street, New Malden KT3 4BY. Teas and coffees provided but donations welcomed.

Support is provided on Lilacs ward and the Acacia Unit to carers by Kingston Mental Health Carers’ Forum (KMHCF). For more information please contact 07983 063 578 or email info@kmhcf.org.uk.

Home Instead run a Memory Café for people with memory loss and their carers st rd every 1 and 3 Friday of the month from 2pm-4pm at the Rose Theatre, 24-26 High Street, Kingston KT1 1HL. nd

Staywell runs a Dementia Saturday Club on the 2 Saturday of the month from 11am to 2pm at Raleigh House in New Malden offering a social space for clients and carers, lunch and refreshments (£5 per person). To find out more, contact 020 8942 8256.

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