Winter 2014
Also inside: News from our Chief Exec
News from the Young Carers’ Project
Forthcoming Support Groups New KCN Staff Free First Aid Course 9th December
Carers Rights Day 28th November
NHS Choices, free training Free NHS Health Check New Wellbeing Trips
Christmas Party with ABBA Tribute!
Don’t forget… Talk on Benefit Changes with David Still Friday 28th November
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News from the Chief Executive The regulations guidance for the new Care Act has been published and we are pleased that some of the comments and concerns raised by Carers Trust have been acknowledged. For the first time, carers will have equal rights to information and support as the people they care for. The Final Regulation’s and Guidance can be found online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/updating-our-care-andsupport-system-draft-regulations-and-guidance There is a lot of discussion needed to establish how the new Care Act will be implemented in Kingston within the existing financial constraints. Money within the Better Care Fund is allocated to help meet the new duties of the Care Act. Kingston’s Better Care Fund plan was ‘approved with support’ which means some actions are required but otherwise the plan has been approved by Nationally Consistent Assurance Review (NCAR) process. We are extremely disappointed to see that Kingston CCG has reduced their planned budget for 2015/16 from their original allocated £240,000 to £140,000. This is very worrying as demand for carers’ services is growing rapidly. We hope that money allocated to implementing the Care Act will help fund the increasing need for carer support. The Voice of Carers Forum is meeting on Wednesday 10th December from 1.00pm to 3.00pm when we will be joined by Councillor Julie Pickering, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Voluntary services and Coombe Vale Ward, Conservative Office. We will be entering in to the Christmas spirit and invite you to join us for mulled wine and mince pies from 12.45pm. The views of carers from this forum are fed directly to the Carers’ Board so it is very important that we are hearing from as many carers as possible. If you can’t make the meeting but would like to feed into the forum please contact me on ceo@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3031 2752. I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and hope to see you and your family at our Christmas Party with fantastic Abba tribute.
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Christmas Party with Abba tribute! Friday 5th December, 7.00pm to 10.00pm St. Mark’s Church, St. Marks Hill, Surbiton The holiday season is fast approaching! Get into the festive spirit with KCN at our Christmas party. To make it extra special this year, we have an Abba tribute band performing a selection of their greatest hits. Don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes! Food and drink will be provided. Please let us know any dietary requirements when you book. To book your place, please contact the office on 020 3031 2751 or admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk
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FREE COURSE Tuesday 9th December 10.30am to 3.30pm Noble Centre, New Malden Sandwich lunch provided
Please contact Jo to book your space on admin@kingstoncarers .org.uk or 020 3031 2751
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News from the Young Carers’ Project Here at the Young Carers’ Project we have been as busy as ever. We’re enjoying our newly expanded team and we have had a fantastic October half term. Some highlights of the half term activities were our sunny trip to Butlins and our spooky Halloween Party! We continue to support children and young people through peer support activities, 1:1 support sessions, linking with schools and whole family support.
Further, our weekly youth group is still going strong; in recent sessions we have tie-dyed t shirts, toasted marshmallows on Bonfire Night and had plenty of chill out time at Barnfield Youth Centre.
We’ve received 32 new referrals since September and they keep coming; we are now supporting over 360 young carers in the borough. The number of children and young people needing our support is ever-increasing. If you know of anyone who is between the ages of 5-18 years, who cares for a
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family member and who 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. The dark nights and cold weather are drawing in but that won’t stop us! Follow us on Twitter for plenty more updates and information @YCPKingston
Diane, Liz, Chrissy, Kat and Andora Young Carers’ Project 020 3031 2754 youngcarers1@kingstoncarers.org.uk
Carers Rights Day - Friday 28th November This year's theme is Looking after someone? Know your rights and will focus on: Making carers aware of their rights. Every year, more than 2 million people become carers. Many struggle to navigate the maze of services and entitlements, and miss out on financial and practical support. Even those who have been caring for years sometimes aren’t aware of their entitlements. Letting carers know where to get help and support. Caring can present all kinds of challenges. We want every carer to know where to turn for advice, information and support, whether in their local community or online. Raising awareness of the needs of carers. Carers Rights Day raises awareness of the needs of carers with the public, decision makers and professionals, helping us realise our vision of a society that respects, values and supports carers. David Still, Adult Carers Support Manager, will be holding an information session on Friday 28th November at Noble Centre from 11.30am followed by lunch. With big legal changes in the Care Act 2014 coming into force in April 2015 in England, we will be looking ahead to new rights and what they mean for you. Contact Jo on 020 3031 2751 or admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk to book your space.
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Andora, from the Young Carers’ Project, is still taking referrals for the PMH project where children and young people aged 8-18 can access information and advice, support and advocacy around their worries about a parent with mental ill health. If you know of anyone who would benefit from this programme, please call or email Andora 020 3031 2756 or youngcarers4@kingstoncarers.org.uk
KCN Support Groups Carers’ Support Group Merritt Medical Centre, Chessington, 10.00am to 11.30am Wednesday 17th December. Contact Jo for 2015 dates
Carers of Adults with Asperger's Syndrome Noble Centre, New Malden, 10.00am to 12.00pm First Wednesday 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
Parents and Carers of Children with Mental Health Problems Tolworth Children’s Centre, 9.15am to 11.15am Last Monday of each month (date will change during school holidays)
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
Come and find out how use the NHS Choices Website An online Health Information event – from Community Connected
Become a member of Earlier this year we brought you a demonstration of how to use tablets. This month, Community Connected has been funded by the NHS to deliver training in how to access online information on the NHS Choices website. We are part of a nationwide digital health information network set to provide training and support for you to use the NHS choices website to:
research health conditions – taking you through the A – Z of health – every condition; symptom and recommended treatment including a breakdown of each medication that the person you look after has been proscribed make healthy living choices for yourself manage your wellbeing including keeping fit, eating well and generally staying in shape to meet the challenges of the winter.
We’ll show you how find out about other NHS services like booking appointments online, ordering repeat prescriptions and seeking specialist advice and support. And if that was not enough and English is your second language - the website itself can be translated into 80 different languages.
KCN are hosting a session on Friday 28th November from 2.00pm to 3.30pm. Book your space with Jo on 020 3031 2751 to learn how to stay healthy with the help of the NHS Choices website
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Meet the new KCN staff! Once again the KCN team has expanded and we have welcomed a new member of staff. Read on to find out more about the newest member of the team. Hello, my name is Lisa Johnstone and I’m the new Carers’ Adviser helping the Generic Carers Support Team. I come from a legal background combined with voluntary experience in supporting women with mental health needs (through Women In Secure Hospitals), young asylum seekers (through the Refugee Council’s Children’s Section) and delivering general advice sessions in the community (through the Citizens Advice Bureau). I’ve had a brilliant welcome from everyone in the office and those of you who I’ve met so far at advice sessions and the AGM. I’m really looking forward to meeting the rest of you, whether at advice sessions or at the Christmas party and assisting with any issues and questions you may have.
The Voice of Carers in Kingston Wednesday 10th December, 1.00pm to 3.00pm with mince pies and mulled wine from 12.45pm Noble Centre, 109a Blagdon Road, New Malden KT3 4BD We will be joined by Councillor Julie Pickering, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Voluntary services and Coombe Vale Ward, Conservative Office We know that not all carers can or want to come along to meetings, but we are keen for as many carers to be a part of the forum as possible. If you have an issue to raise or comment to make, but cannot attend the meetings, please let us know and we will share your views at the next meeting. For more information or to have your say, contact Kate on 020 3031 2752.
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New website coming soon! Those of you who were able to join us at the AGM will have heard our very exciting news… a new website! We have been working hard with Superhighways to update our website and we are pleased to announce that the new website will be going live in December. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @KingstonCarers for more information.
News from the Parents and Carers of CAMHS Project
Hi, my name is Eleanor Reed and I have recently started a new project supporting parent/carers of children with mental health difficulties including Autism, ADHD and Asperger’s.
This project has a real importance as mental health is so often pushed to the background with little support given to the children and their parents/carers. The project aims to help parents access support and guidance whilst also focusing on more practical issues such as benefits, housing and education. I will be helping parents/carers to advocate for what’s best for their children by supporting them to communicate more effectively with social services, CAMHS and other organisations. The project so far has supported 37 parent/carers through 1-1 support and support groups. It has secured £28,620.80 in benefits and £700 for household appliances and breaks from caring. Currently the project runs two support groups, the Mental Health Support Group is held at Tolworth Children’s Centre from 9.30am to 11.30am every last Monday of the month (date changes in school holidays), and the ADHD Support Group which runs every second Friday of the month from 10.00am to 12.00pm at the Noble Centre, New Malden. The project hopes to continue to strengthen its links with CAMHS and Social Services to help to get the best support and advice for families. If you would like to find out more about this project, please do contact me on 020 3725 3049.
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Raising the profile of carers Carers should soon have a higher profile within NHS, Dr Moira Fraser, interim chief executive, of Carers Trust said: “Carers Trust welcomes the NHS Five-year Forward View, which includes a focus on how the NHS can better support unpaid carers. The aim to develop partnerships with carers’ organisations is especially welcome and echoes positive work already underway, including Carers Trust’s Triangle of Care project. However, identifying carers is vital as otherwise they cannot be signposted to support. A new legal duty on the NHS to identify carers is needed, and is vital to moving this agenda forward effectively.” KCN is already helping GPs within six Kingston practices to identify and support carers by providing outreach advice sessions within the GP surgeries.
Shaping Diabetes Services Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group is currently reviewing Diabetes services in Kingston. They are setting up their first Diabetes Redesign Steering Group (RSG) with a membership including service users, Kingston GPs, specialist doctors, Diabetic Specialist Nurses, public Health, finance and Medicines Management. The aim is to make sure that the people of Kingston receive the best possible services for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The Diabetes RSG will also ensure that patients are given the support they need to manage their condition and to stay as healthy as possible. They are inviting 2 patients and/or 1 carer to be part of the RSG. The group meets every 3-4 weeks for 2 hours. Refreshments will be available at meetings. The RSG will run for the next 6-9 months. If you would like to the join Diabetes RSG, please email Cathrine Farrer on cathrine.farrer1@nhs.net or phone the customer care team on: 020 8339 8086
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Important information regarding the future of Mental Health in Kingston The Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group are doing a consultation on the future of Mental Health Provision in Kingston. In a nutshell, and very simplistically, there are two options: Option 1 will see adult mental health beds stay in Kingston (as well as other services) Option 2 will see all adult mental health beds provided out of Borough. That is, acute adult mental health will be provided at Queen Mary’s and Springfield. For those who live in Kingston Option 1 is the preferred as it will make it easier for families to visit and allow service users who are in hospital to go to Fircroft during the day. It is imperative that we lobby for the needs of our service users and I would therefore urge as many people as possible to fill in the consultation questionnaire which can be found following the link below. The full proposals can also be accessed through this link. http://www.kingstonccg.nhs.uk/have-your-say/inpatient mentalhealthservicesinsouthwestLondoproposalsforpublicconsultation
Fircroft are thinking of having a coffee morning to explain the consultation in a little more depth. If you are interested, please do contact them on 020 8399 1772 or visit their website www.thefircrofttrust.org
Flu Vaccination Campaign Following a new partnership between Carers Trust and NHS Employers, a Flu Vaccination for Carers Campaign has been launched which asks healthcare staff to encourage carers to request a flu jab from their GP practice. Staff are also asked to give carers the contact details of Carers Trust so that they can be linked up with their local carers service and access information, advice and support.
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A relationships and sexual health advice service for young people with learning difficulties, autism and Asperger's Are you the parent or carer of a child or young adult with a learning disability? Would you like to know more about supporting your child with relationships and keeping your child safe on the internet? The Royal Borough of Kingston are carrying out a project working with parents and carers of 11-25 year olds with a learning difficulty, autism or Asperger's, offering sex and relationships information and sexual health advice. Claire Lightley, the project manager, will be at Kingston Carers’ Network, Noble Centre in New Malden on Wednesday 28th January from 10.30am to 12.30pm to look at: Young people’s internet use and how to keep them safe Social networking, gaming and chat rooms Supporting young people in their relationships There will be an opportunity for discussion and for you to ask any questions you want to. The session will be followed by a sandwich lunch. If you would like more information on this project, please contact Jane at the Wolverton Centre on khn-tr.wolvertonappointments@nhs.net or 020 8934 3399 or visit www.ConnectMoorLane.nhs.uk
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Britain’s Best Breakfast
A massive THANK YOU to everyone that took part in Britain’s Best Breakfast. Whether you came along to our breakfast at the Noble Centre or held a breakfast for your friends in your own home, we are very grateful. We’re looking forward to next year already!
Care Act Update Kingston and Richmond Councils have agreed on a joint approach to ensure adult social care staff across both boroughs have access to information and updates on the Care Act 2014. The Care Act 2014 brings together social care-related legislation and modernises the law where necessary. The Act is placing a number of new duties on local authorities from April 2015. You can find out more by visiting the Care Act webpage: http://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200350/care_act_2014 Public drop in session – Monday 8 December There will be a drop in session on Monday 8 December from 10am to 1pm, which offers an opportunity for the local community to ask questions and find out more about the Care Act. The drop-in session will be held in the Council Chamber, Guildhall. To find out more, email careact@kingston.gov.uk or call 020 8547 5005.
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Social Activities and Outings The Sociable
The Sociable Book Club for Carers If you like reading and chatting, this book club, run by carers, for carers is ideal for you!
for Carers
The club meets on the 1st Thursday of the month from 10.30 to 11.30 at the Noble Centre, 109a Blagdon Road.
Watch this space! We are currently in talks with Kingston Adult Education to run some taster sessions for carers in the New Year. We are hoping for a mixture of classes in arts and wellbeing subjects. Please call the office for further details and to register your interest.
Fitness Sessions Our Zumba and Stretch and Strengthen classes will be continuing in the New Year. There is a charge of £3 towards costs. Do wear loose comfortable clothing and bring a bottle of water. Times and venues still to be confirmed. Please call the office for further details.
Monthly Craft Group First Friday of the Month, 10.00am to 12.00pm Come along and enjoy being creative in our monthly craft sessions at the Noble Centre. There is a charge of £3 and all materials and tea, coffee and biscuits supplied. Please note the January group will run on Friday the 9th January.
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The Horniman Museum Join us for a fun and informative trip to an unusual museum filled with collections of musical instruments, natural history, African art, and cultural artefacts. You can also visit the aquarium and domesticated animals Monday 12th January, 10.00am to 4.00pm £5 includes transport & entry. Meeting at Noble Centre
High Tea at Tillings Café, Gomshall Treat yourself to a delicious menu of dainty sandwiches, quiche bites, crudities & dip, scones with jam & cream and cakes with tea or filter coffee served throughout. Friday 6th February, 2.00pm to 4.30pm £5 includes refreshments and transport. Meeting at Noble Centre
“One Man, Two Guvnors”, Wimbledon Theatre This show has been described as “a glorious celebration of British comedy – a unique, laugh-outloud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one-liners.” Monday 3rd March, 6.30pm to 10.45pm £10 includes subsidised ticket & transport. Meeting at Noble Centre
KCN
Did you know that you can now book any of the activities from pages 16-17 online? Visit www.kingstoncarers.org.uk/wellbeing-project/ activities to book. You can still book calling Beth on 020 3725 3048 or by sending a letter to “Kingston Carers’ Network, FREEPOST RSET-JATX-UEAS, New Malden, KT3 4BD.”
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Noble Centre, Monday 24th November to Friday 28th November from 9 am to 5 pm
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Noble Centre, Monday 24th November to Friday 28th November from 9 am to 5 pm
Noble Centre, Monday 24th November to Friday 28th November from 9 am to 5 pm
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Carers Views Sought Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group and RBK want to hear the views of carers during a consultation on health and social care. This is your chance to improve services for the people you care for. The date is yet to be arranged but if you are interested in sharing your opinion, please contact Kate on 020 3031 2752 or ceo@kingstoncarers.org.uk.
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Complementary Therapies and Beauty Treatments Holistic Therapies with Marina Alternate Mondays, 10.00am to 4.00pm Fridays, 10.00am to 1.00pm £12 for 30 minutes, £20 for 1 hour Therapies include anti-ageing facial therapy, holistic eye therapy, foot and ankle therapy, holistic bowel massage, massage therapy Reflexology and Indian Head Massage with Mitsuko Alternate Wednesdays, 1.00pm to 3.30pm and alternate Thursdays, 10.00am to 12.30pm Reflexology: £15 for 50 minutes Indian Head Massage: £12 for 30 minutes Reflexology is a therapy that treats the feet in order to balance the whole body. Indian Head Massage releases stress that has accumulated in the tissues, muscles and joints of the head, face, neck and shoulders to bring the energy of the whole body back into balance. Hairdressing by Gina One Wednesday a month, 10.00am to 2.00pm Free of Charge BodyTalk Free of charge until 31st August!! BodyTalk is a safe, effective and non invasive energy therapy which stimulates the body’s innate ability to balance and heal itself on all levels. Please book direct with Mary: 020 8241 2501 For more information or to book an appointment, please contact Jo on admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or 020 3031 2751