Carer Support Service Moray - Impact Report 2020

Quarriers Carer Support Service (Moray) Impact Report 2019-20

Quarriers provided the safety net when things were not so great.

They helped me through some difficult periods.

Contents Welcome to the Carer Support Service

3

We’re ten years old!

4

Bringing communities together in Carers Week

5

A good way to make friends and socialise

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The closest you’ll get to experiencing dementia

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A carer’s right to recognition

8

Getting creative with Short Breaks

9

The year in numbers

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Welcome to the Carer Support Service 2019-20 was another busy year for the Carer Support Service in Moray. Referrals continued apace from local professionals and carers alike, with 1029 adult carers and 107 young carers accessing support.

That support consisted of, among other things, completing 187 Adult Carer Support Plans (ACSP) and 35 Young Carer Statements (YCS) to help carers access the information and support they need.

Changes in the team included the retirement of a long-serving member, who started with the service in 2009, and the introduction of five new Family Wellbeing Workers. Expanding the team enabled us to continue delivering a service focused on the health, wellbeing and life balance of unpaid carers, and ensuring sustainability in the caring role.

Not to be left out, adults caring for someone with dementia were given a valuable insight to the condition when we brought the life-changing Virtual Dementia Tour to Elgin. This interactive experience, as close to having dementia as someone without it can get, really shone a light on why certain behaviours exist, and how understanding dementia better can improve life for the carer and the cared for.

Read more about our impact on unpaid carers in Moray this year on the following pages.

We were well represented again at the Scottish Young Carers Festival. One young carer co-presented a video created during the event, which has since been shared many times on social media. Another, Advice Adviceand and interested in music, fulfilled an ambition information information to DJ at a large event and has gone on to record music through In the Mix, a programme we connected him with.

Advice and information

Support Support planning planning

Advice Advice and and information information

Support planning

Respite Respiteand and life lifebalance balance

Support Support planning planning

Respite and life balance

Future Future planning planning

Respit Resp life life bab

Future planning

Learning Learning opportunities opportunities

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We’re ten years old!

In early May, the service reached a major milestone: a decade successfully supporting unpaid carers in Moray. Those ten years have seen a move to larger premises, numerous staff changes, local and national increases in awareness of the contributions of unpaid carers, and two rather delicious cakes!

While the same period has not changed the underpinning ethos of empowering carers to improve their health, wellbeing and life balance to sustain their caring role, the environment in which we work has altered dramatically. Integration of health and social care services; implementation of The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016; creation and introduction of improved assessment and support planning tools for carers; and an increased awareness, generally, of the role unpaid carers play every day in society have demanded service flexibility.

One of the original team members summed things up well: “When six of us started ten years ago, it was all about supporting unpaid carers, full stop. Over the years, as our carer registrations have increased from the low hundreds to nearly 2000, we’ve seen a focus of resource towards supporting

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those carers most in need. Holding hands through the experience has developed into empowering carers to take more control of their own lives. This more efficient, effective and targeted approach has seen us be able to tailor support to those who really need it, when they need it, while continuing to provide information, advice and support generically. In addition, technological development (which keeps us on our toes!) has allowed us to gather, record, present and analyse information to much greater effect.”

The last ten years have flown by, with much success. We aim to make the next ten more of the same.

Bringing communities together in Carers Week Prior to Carers Week in June 2019, project staff invited carers to record short video clips about caring and the impact it has on them. Clips were edited into a short film, highlighting the experiences of carers in Moray. The film was shown for the first time at our Getting Carers Connected event during Carers Week, before being used more widely to raise awareness of carers and their lives.

Over 1000 unpaid carers were invited to the event, which facilitated discussions to identify where carers already felt connected in their communities, and where they needed to be better connected. This information, and other feedback from the event, provided an invaluable baseline from which to develop support.

be challenging, relaxing and rewarding.

In fact, it was so successful that it led to another opportunity for carers of all ages to demonstrate their creative sides: adult and young carers worked together to create a mandala they felt represented the lives of carers in Moray, and the resulting work was displayed in the service office.

Finally in Carers Week, we circulated a newsletter and e-newsletter to over 500 local professionals and businesses, and posted daily updates on Facebook to further connect our local community to its unpaid carers.

Very enjoyable and therapeutic. Lovely to see everybody.

Thank you.

Thought provoking, unexpectedly enjoyable, different... and challenging in an enjoyable way.

Fun and relaxing!

Thoroughly enjoyed my day.

Thank you!

We also used the event to launch Through My Eyes, a photographic challenge for carers of all ages in Moray. We invited carers to take photographs between Carers Week and Carers Rights Day (November 2019) which reflected their lives as carers in Moray.

Nicola from Green Tree Arts ran a creative arts session where participants developed a personal mandala, again reflecting their experience of caring. Everyone joined in, and carers reported this activity to

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A good way to make friends and socialise Along with locally organised activities during the year, the Scottish Young Carers Festival (SYCF) is one of our young carers’ favourite events. 2019’s event took place at Fordell Firs, Dunfermline from 31 July 2 August.

As well as offering a break from their caring role and the chance to meet other young carers from further afield, SYCF also helps build confidence and resilience. This can often be the first time young carers are away from home, and leaving the person they care for can be a challenge. This year, five of our young carers took part in the event, sleeping under canvas, testing their skills and spreading their wings.

The event included a chance for young carers to get involved with The LAB Scotland to make a short video of their experiences which can be seen here: www.bit.ly/carersfestival. We’re very proud that Rhys, one of Moray’s young carers, took a prominent role co-presenting.

In addition to fun on the inflatables, tie-dye workshops, getting up close and personal with reptiles and other exciting activities, the festival also has a more serious side. Young carers are encouraged to have their say and get involved in consultation. In 2019, Joe Fitzpatrick,

Minister for Public Health, was grilled during a Q and A session. Being able to participate in a face-to-face event is a valuable experience for the young people involved.

When asked what they especially liked about the trip our young carers replied:

It’s a really good chance to socialise with other people and hear their stories.

Although I love caring for my mum, I had the best time.

I made a few friends who helped me be more confident.

It helps me become more confident and happy.

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The closest you’ll get to experiencing dementia An aging population means dementia is prevalent in Moray. To improve carers’ abilities to better support someone with dementia, we brought the Virtual Dementia Tour to Elgin in September. Described as the closest a person can get to experiencing dementia without actually having it, this interactive session proved highly thought-provoking for the 28 unpaid carers and local professionals who attended.

Not sure what to expect, everyone divided into groups to both participate and observe. An interactive session mimicked the sensory, visual and auditory experience of those with dementia.

When given everyday basic tasks under those conditions, the results were very interesting. Almost immediately, people began to make connections with their experiences at home or work and recognised changes they could make.

A full and frank discussion afterwards further enhanced the experience by providing practical techniques and background information. 75% found the learning highly useful, rating it as excellent, while 64% felt totally confident to take away what they’d learned to use in their own settings. At the end of the day, 82% were glad they made the effort to come and 67% were enthused to learn even more.

Dementia is a very cruel condition for all concerned. It often engenders a ‘can’t’ rather than ‘can’ reaction. However, every participant agreed that attendance at the session would result in significant changes to their practice.

The Virtual Dementia Tour provides an increased awareness that not only significantly benefits the carer in their everyday management of someone with dementia, but also daily life for the person they care for.

Plans to develop the experience for next year are already underway.

Found it to be very informative and eye-opening.

Will stop treating my father as a child and give him his role back.

The course was very helpful in every aspect.

Excellent course.

I can reduce her stress, make her feel more included.

Very valuable in highlighting how it must be for people with dementia.

Much food for thought.

Will be able to understand more how Dad must feel and make it less scary for him!

Scary and knowledgeable.

I feel I have learned so much.

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A carer’s right to recognition Every November, Carers Rights Day recognises the rights of carers, raises awareness of their support needs, and enables carers to access the right help and information. In 2019, we decided to do something a little bit different, allowing carers to express themselves creatively to raise awareness of carers and the caring role within our communities. The project embodied the carer’s right to be recognised.

Launched during Carers Week in June, Through My Eyes challenged our carers to give us a glimpse into their world through the medium of photography. Most people have easy access to a mobile phone to take a quick picture and email it, and disposable cameras were also provided if requested.

We asked carers to snap something significant to them as a carer, and provide a short narrative to explain their image.

There was no right or wrong as each caring role is different and what is important to one carer may be totally different for another.

Alongside challenging almost 1200 unpaid carers to participate, we involved the community by asking medical centres, libraries and supermarkets to display exhibits. Twenty-six exhibits ran

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throughout the main towns of Moray for several weeks, ranging from poster boards of individual photos to much larger compositions of several images, all with their accompanying explanations.

The results were breathtaking and gave a truly emotional glimpse into the world of caring, as you can see from the example opposite. Even when there is time to relax and have some fun, the caring role is never far away.

The resulting displays are so impressive and eye-catching, we intend making use of them again.

Getting creative with Short Breaks The one thing all carers tell you they need is a break away from everyday routine, something to look forward to, a chance to have a life of their own. As people whose default is to take care of everyone else before themselves, this is often easier said than done. If financial restriction is not prohibitive, the guilt of leaving the person they care for often is.

In 2019-20, the Carer Support Service ran another successful Short Break Scotland funded Creative Breaks programme, in which 50 breaks, averaging £200 and totalling almost £9500, were awarded.

84% of carers recorded improved wellbeing as a result.

28 cared for also showed improved wellbeing either directly or indirectly.

72% felt they had more opportunity to enjoy a life outside of caring.

74% became more aware of the benefits of taking a break.

78% were more likely to ask for help when it was needed.

Diversity is at the heart of the Creative Breaks programme which provides unpaid carers access to respite that best suits

them and the person they look after. This year’s range included: • massage sessions and equipment for continued use at home.

• trips away to see much missed family.

• day trips with and without the cared for to escape everyday routine.

• pottery lessons to broaden horizons.

• meals out with friends to reduce isolation.

• craft supplies to pick up an old hobby.

• going to a concert, just like the old days.

• a wig to boost confidence and self-esteem after a traumatic incident, opening up access to the outside world again.

Caroline* doesn’t work so she can spend over 50 hours per week looking after her daughter who has multiple support needs and challenging behaviour at times.

While used to the role of main carer, providing full-time care is becoming increasingly difficult and Caroline often feels quite despondent, worries that her daughter’s needs are not being fully met, and is concerned about the future and what will happen. She is continuing because she has to, feeling there is no other option at the moment but unsure about being able to continue long-term.

Caroline has her own significant health issues, and she feels caring affects her more emotionally. Episodes of depression and sleep disturbances take their toll.

Being awarded a Creative Break has enabled her “to learn a new skill and have something concrete to show for it.” She says “In addition, it has been a chance for me to do something relaxing on my own.

I have not had to focus just on the needs of my cared for person but have taken time out to recharge my batteries.”

Putting her own needs first, getting the chance to relax and meeting other people are all important aspects of this Creative Break, but most important of all is the realisation within herself that Caroline has created something - a superb array of tableware - that she can be very proud of. *Name has been changed to protect the identity of the person we support.

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The year in numbers

1136

Adult and young carers supported

Overall service rating



93%

£12,260 awarded to carers for Short Breaks

462

referrals to specialist agencies

Every year, we gather feedback from our carers to ensure the service provides the right support to the right people in the right place at the right time in the right way with the right team.

This helps us identify what is working as well as the areas where we need to do better.

Feedback this year was both formal, via a postal and digital survey to 1200 registered carers, and anecdotal on an ongoing basis at peer support gatherings and during general everyday interaction.

Overall service satisfaction for the year measured 93%.

79% found the team to be helpful, respectful, supportive, knowledgeable and quick to respond.

76% knew how to complain, not that we had any complaints!

256

carer counselling hours

237

participants in learning opportunities

All support provided was rated good or excellent by the majority of users, including 95% for carer assessments and 91% for advice and information. But what specifically did we do for our carers?

“Introduced us to other services and made life easier.”

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“Confidence really boosted and you gave me focus when life was falling apart and so was I.” “Gave me confidence to ask for help when needed.”

“I have been able to break my co-dependent lifestyle with my spouse and understand that I am not responsible for their healing.”

“You have helped our family maintain our relationships both as individuals and as a whole family.”

Once carer even described the support as “immeasurable.”

Notes

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Quarriers Carer Support Service (Moray) 44 High Street Elgin Moray IV30 1BU Tel: 01343 556031 Email: carersmoray@quarriers.org.uk www.quarriers.org.uk/carersmoray Quarriers is a registered Scottish Charity No SC001960 and is a company limited by guarantee and registered in Scotland No 14361 VAT Registration No 263 5009 75