PKAVS Carers Hub Winter 2019 Newsletter

CARERS HUB WINTER 2019 NEWSLETTER 2019 was a big year for PKAVS Carers Hub as we moved into the first dedicated Carers Centre supporting carers of all ages who live in Perth and Kinross. One of the main reasons for the move was to allow us a chance to look at ways that we could enhance and improve the services PKAVS offers carers and this is something we are looking to continue again in 2020.

We are aware that a carers situation never stays the same and so we need to ensure that the services PKAVS provides develop and change to ensure we are always meeting the carers needs. We have plans in 2020 to make our services more accessible especially to those carers living in rural and remote areas with PKAVS planning on creating regular drop-in sessions in a number of rural locations in Perth and Kinross.

On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at PKAVS Carers Hub, I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous festive period. Please remember that we are here to offer our support to you as a carer so if we can help with anything in 2020 please get in touch. That is what we are here for.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Raymond Jamieson PKAVS Carers Hub Manager

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE? Recap: Carers Connect and Carers Week

Meet The New YAC Worker

Day Centre Stories

Carer Shortbreaks

Adult Carers

Carers Learning and Development

SDS - A Carers Journey

Carers Voice

Telephone Befriending Service: My Lifesaver

PKAVS Carers Hub Staff

Young Carers

RECAP CARERS CONNECT 2019

Unpaid adult carers from across Perth and Kinross came together on Friday 29th November, at the Dewar’s Centre in Perth, at the CARERS CONNECT event to find out more about the experiences of other carers, what’s happening in Perth and Kinross to support carers, local opportunities and support that are available across our area. A range of local carers and partners provided informative talks and interactive workshops and over 30 agencies attended with information stalls.

The event was organised by PKAVS in partnership with the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and focused on carers making connections with each other and with agencies that can support them in their caring role. Time was also spent on learning about approaches to improving our physical and mental wellbeing with singing and physical activity bringing the audience together and energising the day.

We extend our thanks to all of the partners that made the day possible by supporting the planning and delivery of the event and to everyone who attended for their participation and contributions.

Learning from the day will be shared through the films captured on the day and the full event report. Partners will be visiting local groups across P&K during January and February to share these. Finally, to make this type of fantastic experience accessible to more people across all localities in P&K, planning will begin for Carers Week 2020 in June to host local events to meet the more specific needs of those communities.

THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS

FORTEVIOT TRUST

CARERS WEEK 2019

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring. It gives us the opportunity to thank carers for the work they do and the difference that they make in the lives of the people they care for and their communities. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support. Carers Week gives us a chance to let them know about the help and support that is available to them and to enable them to have a life alongside caring.

The theme of this year’s Carers Week was Getting Carers Connected. While planning the events, we aimed to increase social connections for carers and to raise their awareness about the local services. Carers Ceilidh’s were delivered in two rural locations (Auchterarder and Blairgowrie) and in Perth City Centre. 122 unpaid carers enjoyed afternoons of dancing, music and social time with family and friends. Events were supported by local partners connecting carers with valuable advice and information.

Carers who have attended the event highlighted the positive impact on their relationship with the person that they are caring for. A couple of them said: (I) Enjoy spending time together doing different things and meeting others.

Makes me feel happy to be amongst others and enjoy the entertainment.

DAY CENTRE JAMES CAMPBELL DAY CENTRE SERVICE USER

ANDREW BALLANTYNE DAY CENTRE VOLUNTEER

I have been coming to the ‘Day Club’ for one and a half years now. I enjoy coming along because it allows me to socialise with other people who need company just like myself. There is always a warm friendly welcome when I arrive and “it is like being at home”. Staff and volunteers always make me feel wanted, too. Coming to the Day Club breaks up my week.

Upon retirement, I decided to use the one talent I had most proudly attained at 18 which was passing my driving test. I have driven for various organisations in the past but dedicated the last nine years for PKAVS Day Centre. This has been the most enjoyable and fulfilling experience. To be able to help those in need, either physically or socially during the journey to and from the Day Centre.

If I did not decide to attend the Day Club, I would be sitting at home on my own as my son works. I thoroughly enjoy the delicious meals that I get and it is always a plateful. I get picked up and dropped off at my door on the days I attend.

If anyone was thinking of coming along to the Day Club, I would definitely recommend it. Once you attend, you would not look back. I feel it is great value for money.

I would strongly recommend anyone who has a few hours to spare per week to consider and take volunteering seriously for any organisation but especially PKAVS where friendship and caring are its core values.

OPPORTUNITIES For those who are interested to volunteer, we have various roles and opportunities for you either in our Perth or Blairgowrie Day Centres. Please contact Margaret Campbell, Day Centre Manager at 01738 452229.

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES On the week beginning the 16th December, Perth Day Centre will be running the service at a reduced cost for only one week at £15 per day. The reason we have decided to do this is that there will be a full week of Christmas lunches in order to allow everyone that attends the chance to celebrate with us. In the past, we have gone out for Christmas lunch which resulted in us having to close the service and ask people to make their own way to the venue. With us doing it this way means we will be

open all week as normal with transportation in place. However, if you feel that your ‘cared for’ would not wish to attend throughout the full week, please feel free to contact us directly on 01738 452229.

After that, the Day Centre will be closed on Friday 20th December and reopening on Monday the 6th January 2020.

OUR TRIP TO DORNOCH - DEBORAH, UNPAID CARER delicious soup and sandwiches served by the friendly staff at The Antler’s Café. By mid-afternoon, we finally arrived in our destination where we were welcomed by its fantastic scenery overlooking the Moray Firth.

During our stay, we were spoiled to a 3-course evening meal followed by entertainment like music nights with dancing for those who wished, a game of Bingo and a quiz. During the day, we had the opportunity to visit The Glenmorangie Distillery where we saw a short film and were able to visit the shop.

Also, some had the chance to attend the Sunday morning service at Dornoch Cathedral and made very welcome by the congregation. Others went to see Tain and Dunrobin Castle which were both interesting.

My husband and I left Coupar Angus on a cool grey October morning to start our 3 days holiday break in Dornoch where we were joined by other carers, Day Centre service users and staff.

On our way to Dornoch, we stopped at Newtonmore for some

It has been an amazing 3 days with lots of laughter and fond memories. We would like to thank the Day Centre staff for organising a memorable holiday and giving up their time for all service users and carers like me.

WHAT’S NEW IN ADULT CARERS? This year has been a busy year for the Adult Carers Team which has also seen a lot of changes. First, Liz Dunbar started her new role as the Adult Carers Coordinator and will be managing the team going forward. We have two new members of staff - Anne Gray and Donna McCaig - who who joined the team in July. Shortly, Jo Smillie from the Telephone Support will be joining us in January 2020 as the new staff member.

Kathleen Murray will be starting a new role as Carers Community Development Worker this December and will be looking to develop new groups and opportunities for carers as well as enhancing and maintaining the ones already in place. She is looking for ideas of what you, as carers, would like to see developed so please pass your thoughts onto her.

This year as well as providing support for carers we have also enjoyed some trips and supported carers to get funding for a short break away.

CARER FEEDBACK I have already told you how much my life has changed since you became my support worker on behalf of PKAVS. I was very isolated and quite honestly losing my confidence as a result of living my life around my husband’s disease. Now not only my life but our life has been transformed. We were lucky enough to go on the day trip to the Botanical Gardens in Dundee which in itself was marvellous but the knock on effect for me/us has been that we have formed some very meaningful relationships not to mention very valued support from others in the same position as ourselves. You are an amazing organisation performing a much needed service to us and others like us. Thank you seems inadequate but it is meant in the most sincere way. Well done and thank you.

Thank you for listening to me so supportively and sympathetically at our meeting. You were a real help to me and assessed my situation well.

SELF DIRECTED SUPPORT A CARER’S JOURNEY

TELEPHONE BEFRIENDING SERVICE MY LIFESAVER

I receive support through Self Directed Support that allows me to look after my daughter, Sara, at home. Sara is a wonderful, happy and smiley young woman, but she has complex needs.

This service has been a bit of a lifesaver for me, along with the Day Centre. The first time I spoke to Mary about her phoning me regularly, I was a bit sceptical. I thought I’ll give it a try, but it probably won’t do me any good. How wrong was I? I speak to Mary every two weeks and she has been a big help to me. She has listened to me cry and laughed with me and not just about my Dad passing away last year or having my Mum with Vascular Dementia living with me, but also about other things that have deeply affected me.

Over the course of this year, a number of carers I employed to support Sara’s care left. I started to walk that ever difficult path to find a new carer. This process, as I have come to realise, is a complete and utter rollercoaster. It was at one of those low points, when I was at rock bottom both emotionally and physically, that I asked PKAVS for help.

PKAVS Carers Hub then assigned their Self Directed Support Worker, Billy Morrison, to my case and he really has been, and I cannot stress this enough, a lifesaver – not only has he helped me practically in more ways than I could mention when dealing with Social Work, recruitment, care agencies, the lot, but his presence has also helped me emotionally. When you are a carer your life gets consumed by that responsibility, so you can often feel very isolated, which, when things are difficult serves only to make things one hundred times worse.

“Billy has helped take so much of that pressure away and has, in turn, helped improve the life of my daughter and my family. I will be forever grateful. The support provided by Billy, through the PKAVS SDS Project has made a huge difference. When it seems there is no way forward, contact PKAVS. They care. You are not alone!”

Lorraine, Unpaid Carer If you would like to find out more about Self-Directed Support, please contact Billy Morrison on 01738 567076 or billy.morrison@pkavs.org.uk

“For anyone who is sceptical, all I can say is give it a go. What have you got to lose? Mary is a lovely person and I welcome her phone calls.”

Andrea, Unpaid Carer

The telephone befriending service aims to provide regular contact for carers where they can talk about issues that they are facing as part of their caring role. The calls offer a friendly voice and a listening ear ensuring carers feel better informed, connected and valued.

OPPORTUNITIES We are looking for volunteers to help us in providing a listening ear to carers that we support. If you feel that you would like to spare a few hours and help us out, please contact Mary Giles, Telephone Support Worker on 01738 567076 for more information.

YOUNG CARERS YOUNG CARERS CONSULTATION 2019

YOUNG CARERS AWARENESS DAY 2020

Our Annual Young Carers Consultation Event was held in June at the Christian Outreach Centre. The event allowed our Young Carers to voice their opinions on how they feel the service can be best utilised. We covered several topics including how best to use our new Young Carers Den at The Carers Centre, how we can support our Young Carers better, highlights of 2018 and suggestions for the upcoming year.

On 30th January, we will be celebrating Young Carers Awareness Day and we have a very busy schedule planned!

We took 200+ young carers on various day trips which included ice skating, bowling, Heart and Sound, Willowgate, Stanley Active Kids, horse riding and climbing. Additionally, our residential trips were a hit with our young people across the age range we support. Suggestions for next year had some repeat activities in the mix as they were enjoyed so much! Other suggestions included some trips away to experience different cultures as well as some family-orientated time hosted by PKAVS Young Carers Team.

Overall our young people felt happy and confident being part of the Young Carers Team and expressed positive outcomes from being registered with the service.

RESIDENTIAL & DAY TRIPS OVER THE OCTOBER BREAK Over the October holidays, we took the Young Carers on three fun-filled trips. A small group of Young Carers got the exciting opportunity to spend two nights at Dalguise, where they canoed, zip-lined, tree-climbed and sang around a campfire.

The Primary YC Groups also spent a day at Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park. They learned about animals, took the safari boat to Orangutan Island and had fun on the giant playscape. The Secondary YC Group packed their bags and loaded the buses set for M&D’s Theme Park. They got to partner up and explore the park, ride all the rides and enjoy the day with good friends.

We get out-standing feedback from the Young Carers and their families on our residential and day trip activities. Everyone enjoys the time to be kids and experience activities they may not otherwise have tried. The Young Carers get the chance to interact and make friends with everyone in the groups, which expands their social circles and support group. We appreciate the feedback so we can continue to plan enjoyable trips for everyone.

• Some of the team are taking off on awareness-raising

road trips to schools across Perth and Kinross in a bid to raise awareness of the fantastic work young carers do and to ensure that potential ‘hidden’ young carers know the supports available to them.

• We will also be asking schools to take part in a competition

to come up with novel ways to celebrate Young Carers Awareness Day. The winning school will receive a trophy and a £100 Amazon voucher.

• We will be hosting a professional’s afternoon on the day

to give other agencies an opportunity to find out about the work we do and to raise awareness of Young Carers.

• In partnership with Perth and Kinross Council, our Young

Carers focus group are developing a Young Carers video which we hope to launch on Young Carers Awareness Day. We will also have a strong social media presence on the day.

EDUCATION ATTAINMENT SERVICE The Education Attainment Service is a new project within PKAVS Young Carers. This service was developed to ensure that caring for someone does not become a barrier to education. Every young person has a right to have the opportunity to reach their full potential and this service hopes to bridge the gap between education and caring. The service is open to all Young Carers between the ages of 5-18 years old. We began taking referrals in at the beginning of September and numbers are growing fast!

The project can offer: • Homework Clubs • Literacy and Numeracy groups • Time-limited private tuition • Emotional/Practical support to help with engagement • Access to Educational Hardware and Software

For more information, please contact Julie Maceachen on 01738 567076.

WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME JENNY! Hello my name is Jenny Bruce and I started in post in October as the new Young Adult Carers Support Worker. I have previous experience working with young people in a variety of areas including education, employment support and additional needs. I’m really excited to be working at PKAVS as I’m passionate about helping and working with young people.

CARER SHORT BREAKS Erman Maglalang has now taken the role of Carers Respite Development Officer. Some of you may have known him from his previous role as an Adult Carers Support Worker, Erman has decided to take on a new challenge. As part of his role, he aims to further develop respite opportunities for carers. He is also overseeing the Complementary Therapy Vouchers Scheme, Respitality Project and Time4Me Funding. We would like to wish Erman good luck on his new role!

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY VOUCHERS SCHEME The purpose of providing unpaid carers with a course of complementary therapies is to provide them with opportunities to leave their caring responsibilities behind and spend some time being physically pampered in order to achieve physical relaxation. It has been recognised that a relaxed physical state is conducive to mental well-being and that relaxation is a welldocumented outcome for the full range of therapies that PKAVS offers.

PKAVS takes therapists onto its Approved Providers List (APL) who provide physical, hands-on treatments such as massage and Reiki where the therapist might not actually touch the client, but the objective is, nonetheless, physical relaxation.

In addition, we will provide ‘Talking Therapy’ for carers, too.

This is a time for the carer to talk to a trained counsellor who will listen to them and give them an opportunity to discuss how their caring role impacts on them. Offering ‘relationship counselling’ provides carers with professional support with their couple relationship (that is primarily but not exclusively with the person they care for). It provides them with a safe space to develop understanding into how the changes in the dynamic of the relationship can affect them, how to avoid or minimise problems and difficulties arising and ultimately, how to cope with their caring role alongside other roles they play in each other’s lives. Counselling may help the carer individually or as part of the couple depending on their difficulties, needs and circumstances.

Carers who have been assessed as benefiting from a course of complementary therapy and/or relationship counselling can access the scheme provided that they have an updated or reviewed Adult Carers Support Plan. If you wish to access the scheme, please contact Erman on 01738 567076 or email Carertherapies@pkavs.org.uk

RESPITALITY

Respitality Scotland aims to connect local organisations that support unpaid carers with hospitality and leisure providers such as hotels, leisure clubs, restaurants, activity centres etc.

The idea is that hospitality and leisure providers, for example, become Respitality Partners by making a ‘gift’ of a short break whether overnight or for a few hours. This enables a carer plus a companion to have a break away from their caring responsibilities to recharge their batteries and have a little time for themselves. There will be various options in terms of what is available from an overnight stay in a hotel or cottage, an afternoon tea, a round of golf, a spa treatment, theatre show and much more.

Allocation of Gifts: • PKAVS Carers Hub will keep a register of carers who have

applied for a Respitality gift. Allocation depends on the availability of the gifts that we have.

• Breaks will be allocated on a first come first serve basis,

consideration will be given regarding the type of break and the needs and requirements of the carer.

• If a break isn’t suitable for a carer, it will be passed on to the

next person on the register. We will keep your place on the list until you are able to take up a suitable gift.

If you wish to register for Respitality, please contact Erman or you can discuss this with a member of the Adult Carers Team.

OPPORTUNITIES We are always looking for therapists to join our APL for the Complementary Therapy Vouchers Scheme. If you are interested to be added on the list and offer your service please contact Erman for more details.

We are looking for Respitality volunteers to help us expand our range of Respitality gifts and approach hospitality providers to donate a gift. If you are looking to spare some of your time and enjoy speaking to people please contact Erman to discuss this.

If you are a business/hospitality/leisure provider and would like to donate a gift to provide a break for unpaid carers in Perth and Kinross then please contact Erman Maglalang at carershortbreaks@pkavs.org.uk or call 01738 567076.

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT As an unpaid carer, it is important to invest in your own personal development – this can be in connection with your caring role (such as learning more about the condition of the person you support) or it can be about gaining or utilising skills in relation to your caring role or wellbeing.

CARERS VOICE

PKAVS Carers Hub work with a range of partners to identify and deliver learning and development opportunities for Adult Carers. Programmes can support the development of skills that can help you deal with the challenges of your caring more easily. Or to take time out to learn approaches that can improve your mental, physical or social health.

We are very keen to increase our membership base; we need your input to ensure that we maintain a current, accurate and well informed understanding of all of the issues affecting unpaid Carers in the Perth and Kinross area.

MINDFULNESS Earlier this year a series of 6 mindfulness classes were delivered for Adult Carers in Rattray and Auchterarder. Session was led by Lynne Crow a local professional practitioner who put the participants at ease and worked through a programme that aimed to teach community members the skills to help them deal with stress and anxiety and increase their sense of wellbeing.

The programme had a big impact on the carers ability to deal with their caring role and on their own wellbeing I feel I can calm myself a bit quicker than usual by using breathing techniques I am not as angry and sad I enjoyed the course and meeting other carers Another tool in my coping/caring toolkit can only be a good thing...

I have been able to teach my cared for helpful techniques

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES:

We are a Carer’s participation group which aims to involve Carers in decisions on matters that affect their lives and the lives of those they care for.

Our aim is to discuss possible solutions to issues raised by Carers and feed back to local service providers. We are already well placed to raise awareness of the problems facing Carers with representatives of our group attending Integrated Joint Board, Carers Strategy and Strategic Planning Group meetings.

We understand being a full time Carer is a very demanding and time consuming role and that many Carers may feel that they don’t have time to attend our meetings but that does not mean that they should not have an opportunity to make their views known. With that in mind we have established our own Email address in order to create an easy method for all carers to feed back their views on existing carer services and any suggestions for improvements going forward.

The larger our membership base the more we can claim to be truly representative of the local caring community and have a greater credibility and influence when speaking to all official bodies.

Please register for your free membership by sending your name and email address to perthandkinrosscarersvoice@gmail.com or Tel: 07856 660 898. Together we hope to make a difference.

• Free Legal Advice Clinics for carers - supported by

NOTE YOUR INTEREST FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

• Will and Power of Attorney - 29th January 2020 and 25th

Our learning and development opportunities are delivered in partnership with a range of local agencies. Would you be interested in any of the following topics?

Macnabs. 30-minute appointments to get guidance and advice from a solicitor specific to your situation.

March 2020

• Guardianships - 26th February 2020 • Digital Skills Drop-ins delivered by LEAD Scotland – A

weekly drop-in is available from 2-4 pm each Tuesday at the Carers Centre. 1:1 appointments can also be made.

Contact the Carers Centre for more information.

• Jointly App – a new app designed to support carers

coordinate, communicate and plan with everyone involved in the care of their loved on. Group sessions are planned between December 2019 and March 2020 in Pitlochry, Crieff, Blairgowrie/Rattray, Kinross and Perth. 1:1 home-based appointments will also be available.

• Self-Directed Support • Pain Management • The Jointly App • Balance and strength /

Falls prevention

• Dementia Awareness

• Condition specific

awareness

• Music and Movement • Mindfulness • Manual Handling • Developing confidence and

assertiveness

You can note your interest and we will get in touch when a course is confirmed. To find out more call Gill McShea at the Carers Centre on 01738 567076 or speak to your support worker.

CARERS CHRISTMAS CEILIDH Thanks to the kind support of the Carers Trust and Salutation Hotel, Perth our annual Christmas get together for carers and the person they cared for was a hugely successful festive afternoon. The Skelpit Lug Ceilidh Band got toes tapping and the audience jigging. Attendees enjoyed some festive food and drinks and left with Christmas gifts.

Carers enjoyed the opportunity to experience a festive social occasion that is supported by taking some of the stress away that can come from outings. A great afternoon was had by all.

MEET THE STAFF WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU A MERRY CARING CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! MANAGEMENT

DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Raymond Jamieson Carers Centre Manager

Erman Maglalang Carers Respite Development Officer

Liz Dunbar Adult Carers Coordinator

Gill McShea Adult Carers Development Worker

Katie Marshall Young Carers Coordinator

Billy Morrison Self-Directed Support Worker

Margaret Campbell Day Centre Manager

YOUNG CARERS

(SUPPORTS YAC AGED 16-25) Jenny Bruce Young Adult Carers Support Worker

DAY CENTRE Linda McGougan Day Centre Team Leader Alison Martin Day Centre Support Worker Blairgowrie

YOUNG CARERS (SUPPORTS YC AGED 5-15)

Masie Stewart-McIlwraith Young Carers Support Worker

Sheena Wright Day Centre Support Worker Perth

Annette Bond Adult Carers Support Worker

Megan Lamb Young Carers Support Worker

Gosia Bielecka Day Centre Support Worker Perth

Anne Gray Adult Carers Support Worker

Megan Campbell Young Carers Support Worker

Linda Thomas Day Centre Support Worker – Sessional

Donna McCaig Adult Carers Support Worker

Lauren Suttie Young Carers Support Worker

George Millar Day Centre Support Worker – Sessional

Jo Smillie Adult Carers Support Worker

Ellie Walker Young Carers Support Worker

Agnieszka Jakubina Day Centre Cook Perth

Kathleen Murray Adult Carers Community Development Worker

Julie Maceachen Young Carers Educational Attainment Worker

ADULT CARERS

(SUPPORTS AC AGED 25+)

Gareth Lalewicz Adult Carers Administrator Marie Morris Hospital Link Worker

TELEPHONE SUPPORT

Alyssa Munro Young Carers Administrator/Reception

Mary Giles Telephone Support Worker

ARE YOU AN UNPAID CARER OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT BE AN UNPAID CARER?

Please do not hesitate to contact us for support and information on 01738 567076 or email carershubadmin@pkavs.org.uk

FESTIVE OPENING TIMES

The Carers Centre will be closed over the festive period from 25th December 2019 and will reopen on 3rd January 2020.

CONTACT US Telephone: 01738 567076 Email: carershubadmin@pkavs.org.uk Online: www.pkavscarershub.org.uk In Writing: PKAVS Carers Centre,

Lewis Place, North Muirton, Perth, PH1 3BD Facebook: facebook.com/PKAVSCarersHub Twitter: @PKAVScharity

CHANGED YOUR DETAILS?

If you have received this publication by post or email it means that PKAVS Carers Hub has contact details for you. If your details have changed, please contact the Carers Hub so that we can amend our records. If you no longer wish to receive publications from PKAVS Carers Hub then please let us know and we will remove your details from our mailing lists.

PREFER PAPERLESS?

To help us keep the costs associated with our newsletter down we would encourage anyone who is able to receive this newsletter online to get in touch and let us know your email address!

Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service Ltd (PKAVS) is a registered Scottish charity (SC 005561) and a company limited by guarantee (86065).