Carers bucks autumn winter 2015

CarersBucks

The newsletter of Carers Bucks

Autumn/Winter 2015

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Support Groups Diary Fundraising & Events

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g t r n o u p o p Y u S s r CareService

Carers in their Own Words

Young Carers Could You Be A Volunteer For Carers Bucks?

Dedicated to supporting carers

www.carersbucks.org

Meet the Team...

Chief Executive Stephen Archibald Finance Manager Kirstie O'Sullivan Adult Carers Service Manager Ann Whiteley Young Carers Service Manager Sally Mansi Communications Manager Hayley Mountstevens Community Fundraising Sandy Briscoe Beth Sawyers Carers Hub Co-Ordinator at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Carol Aspinall Adult Carers Support Worker GP Clinics Lucy Martin To see details of the full Carers Bucks team visit www.carersbucks.org Carers Bucks Ardenham Court Oxford Road Aylesbury HP19 8HT Tel: 0300 777 2722 Email: mail@carersbucks.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/Carersbucks Twitter: www.twitter.com/CarersBucks

Offering Driving lessons for Able, Less Able and Disable and less drivers.

I can offer tuition for new drivers.

If you need re–training following an accident or illness, I have a specially adapted Automatic car.

Independent Living Consultants Mobility Equipment Advice Transportation

For further details contact me

Mob: 07904305797

e-mail: daveholdstock_4@hotmail.com www.disableddrivingschool.co.uk

10 Cross Court, Plomer Green Avenue, Downley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 5UW

Tel: 01494 443933 email: info@independentliv.co.uk www.independentliv.co.uk

Advertising Kevin Mok Telephone: 01536 526678 Published: Lance Publishing Ltd 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire NN16 8NL Telephone: 01536 521126 www.lancepublishing.co.uk Printed: Lance Print Ltd 29/30 Stapledon Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6TD. Telephone: 01733 390564 www.lanceprint.co.uk Carers Bucks is the operating name of Carers Trust Bucks and Milton Keynes.

Registered Charity No. 1106745.

Company No. 4941481

www.carersbucks.org

Foreword from the

Chief Executive Carers Bucks has enjoyed a really busy summer which included a successful Carers Week, the launch of our Carers Hub at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and the roll out of our new ‘Well Carer Clinics’ in the south of the County.

We have also seen some tremendous fundraising activity taking place by our fundraising team, and local Buckinghamshire residents over the last few months. Local primary school teacher Jessica Cockell climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in August for young carers at Carers Bucks.

Jessica raised an incredible £4160 to help support our Young Carers in Schools project. A very brave ‘Tough Mudder’ team from The Frog pub at Skirmett also raised £1000 for Carers Bucks. Our two Community Fundraisers Sandy Briscoe and Beth Sawyers have also been doing some great work in raising money through local fundraising events and activities.

I also had the opportunity to attend the International Carers Conference in Sweden.

It was interesting to hear how carers are supported in other countries and to learn about innovative carers services in other parts of the UK. I came away with lots of ideas for future developments and useful contacts.

Now looking ahead to Autumn, and we have a number of exciting events and launches taking place. This includes our

second Autism Conference on 6th November, following the success of last year’s event here in Aylesbury, and the November launch of www.autismbucks.org, a new website for people with Autism and their carers living in Buckinghamshire.

We are also excited about our ‘Ownfone’ project, which will see 10 young carers trialling a small credit card sized mobile phone at their secondary schools – aimed at giving young carers and their families greater peace of mind during day to day life.

We are also looking forward to celebrating Carers Rights Day on Friday 20th November (further details on organised events/announcements will be soon made available) and Young Carers Awareness Day on 28th January 2016.

I hope you all have an enjoyable Autumn, and should you know of a carer who might benefit from our support then please do encourage them to give us a call or visit our website www.carersbucks.org.

Stephen Archibald Chief Executive Carers Bucks and Carers MK stephen.archibald@carersbucks.org

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News From Carers Bucks

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Young Carers

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Fundraising & Events

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Carers In Their Own Words

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Services & Information

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Volunteers

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Support Groups

The front page shows the ‘Tough Mudder’ team from The Frog pub at Skirmett who raised a fantastic £1,000 for Carers Bucks following a tough and muddy 12 mile course across the Calden Faw Estate, Fawley, Henley on Thames.

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0300 777 2722

News From CARERS BUCKS

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS OF THE TEAM

Rafiq Mohammed Young Carers Personal Adviser (Connexions)

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Beth Sawyers Community Fundraiser

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ello my name is Bethany, but most people call me Beth.

I am delighted to be part of the team at Carers Bucks as part of the fundraising team with Sandy.

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Michelle Burrows Young Carers Family Support Worker

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s the new Family Support Worker for Young Carers Bucks I work with young carers aged 6-18 years, and their families, to overcome the effects of living with a disability, physical or mental illness, or drug or alcohol dependency.

The role is quite diverse and I am always learning something new, I am also enjoying being part of a supportive and experienced team.

My background as Play Ranger in parks and as a supervisor for the Duke of Edinburgh Award has given me the opportunity to work with many children and young people to help them reach their full potential, over the last 3 years I have worked with families in Buckinghamshire supporting young adults with Autism access learning at college and the wider community.

Having come from a retail background, this is a new role for me and I am really looking forward to working with the team here and helping set up a range of fundraising activities here in Bucks.

I love meeting new people and getting stuck into the community to help raise awareness for Carers Bucks. I am excited for what the future holds for us and am very much looking forward to meeting you all.

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ommunity fundraising at Carers Bucks is going from strength to strength, and our fundraising team Sandy Briscoe and Beth Sawyers are busy organising fundraising activities around the County. We continue to receive outstanding support from local fundraisers and donors which has benefited both adult and young carers living in Bucks.

We would like to congratulate and say a massive thank you to local primary school teacher Jessica Cockell who recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for young carers at Carers Bucks. Jessica managed to raise an incredible £4160 to help support our Young Carers in Schools project.

Thanks Jess!

We are also grateful to The Frog pub at Skirmett for organising a ‘Tough Mudder’ team which included Jim Crowe, Paul Reynolds, Eilish Larkin, Stephen Knapp and Amber Knapp who raised a fantastic

£1,000 for Carers Bucks – after completing a tough and muddy 12 mile course across the hilly terrain of the Calden Faw Estate, Fawley, Henley on Thames.

If you are thinking of holding an event in your community to raise funds for Carers Bucks then do get in touch with our fundraising team. Email: sandy.briscoe@carersbucks.org We would also like to thank the following organisations for their generous contributions: Rotary Club Princes Risborough, High Wycombe Local Area Forum, Waitrose Chesham, Merlins Magic Wand Trust, Nationwide Building Society, Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust, Café Africa, Industrious Recruitment Ltd. Carers Bucks also secured £10,000 of funding from The Childwick Trust to help support Young Carers.

Save the Date!

Friday 6th November: Autism Conference 2015 9:30am (registration) – 3pm The Oculus, The Gateway, Gate House Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF Following the success of last year’s Autism Conference, this year’s conference will include adult speakers with autism and carers, and will be focused on the services available in Bucks for individuals aged 16 upwards. Please contact Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 or email mail@carersbucks.org for further details.

Friday 20th November: Carers Rights Day 2015 Having the right information at the right time can make a huge difference when you are looking after someone.

Each year Carers Rights Day brings organisations across the UK together to help carers in their local community know their rights and find out how to get the help and support they are entitled to. Carers Bucks will be organising an event to celebrate Carers Rights Day, and further information will soon be available.

Sunday 29th November: Beaconsfield Freemasons Christmas lunch. Contact Carers Bucks for further details.

Localgiving.com – Grow your Tenner!

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rom 13th October Localgiving.com will be matching one time donations pound for pound up to £10 and monthly donations up to £10 per month for 3 months.

With Gift Aid, a one-time donation of £10 made through Localgiving. com during ‘Grow Your Tenner’ will generate £21.67, so make sure you

spread the word and start growing those tenners!

Just visit our Local Giving page www.localgiving.com/charity/ carersbucks.

Thursday 28 January 2016: Young Carers Awareness Day 2016 Carers Bucks will be celebrating the first ever Young Carers Awareness Day in 2016 with an event for local schools in Bucks to recognise those taking part in our Young Carers in Schools programme. Further details will be available soon.

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IMAGE: © Brian A Jackson, www.shutterstock.com

ollowing a recent review of our ‘Carers News’ newsletter, we have decided that from next year, the newsletter will now be issued twice a year. The Spring/Summer issue of Carers News will be issued in March 2016, and the Autumn/Winter issued in October.

A monthly e-mail update keeping you informed of all news and information, events, training, support groups and fundraising news will be sent out via email to all those carers for whom we have an email address.

To ensure that we have the correct email address for you, and you would like to receive regular monthly updates from us, please send your email to timea.sharrad@carersbucks.org who will add your details to our mailing list or call us on 0300 777 2722. If you no longer wish to receive a copy of our Carers News newsletter then please contact us on 0300 777 2722 or mail@carersbucks.org.

y name is Rafiq and I recently joined the Young Carers team as the Connexions Personal Adviser.

My role involves providing personal advisor support to identified Young Carers aged 13-19 years, which includes providing support to young carers on a one to one basis, group activities and group work. I attend the young carers’ club meetings and activities involving 13-19 year olds, and facilitate our Young Carers Forum meetings, as well as planning and delivering group work programmes in response to identified need. I also liaise regularly with the Young Carers Support Worker regarding the transition of individuals about to turn 13yrs old. I am really happy to have joined Carers Bucks and really looking forward to working with a great team of people.

Fundraising and Events

www.carersbucks.org

SERVICES & INFORMATION Annual Health Checks for those with Learning Disabilities

Many people with learning disabilities often have poorer physical and mental health than other people.

The Annual Health Check scheme is for adults and young people aged 14 or above with learning disabilities who need more health support and who may otherwise have health conditions that go undetected.

The Carers Hub at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

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ince the launch of our Carers Hub at Stoke Mandeville in June 2015, the service has been very well received and we have supported over 100 carers from June to August – 63 of which are carers previously unknown to Carers Bucks. Our Carers Hub Co-ordinator has met with carers in all areas of the hospital and in different caring situations – some in real need of help, sometimes as patients themselves at the hospital.

We are continuing to work with the clinical staff and also attend multi -disciplinary team meetings

People aged over 14 yrs who have been assessed as having moderate, severe or profound learning disabilities, or people with a mild learning disability who have other complex health needs, are entitled to a free annual health check with their local GP. For more information about the Annual Health Check visit www.nhs.uk/Livewell/ Childrenwitha learningdisability/Pages/ AnnualHealthChecks.aspx

Well Carers Clinics

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IMAGE: © vgstudio, www.shutterstock.com

New website for individuals with Autism and their carers

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arers Bucks is excited to be working in collaboration with Aylesbury Vale National Autistic Society, GRASPS Bucks, Buckinghamshire County Council and the NHS in the launch of a new website autismbucks.org, a valuable source of information and support for individuals on the Autistic Spectrum in Buckinghamshire. Autismbucks. org will be officially launched at the Autism Conference on 6th November.

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ealios – a new innovative service for carers and families of those with dementia.

Healios has partnered with Carers Bucks to launch a new study looking into the impact of its unique family intervention service on carers and families of those suffering from dementia. With 850,000 people now living with dementia in the UK and 670,000 carers, increasing resources and support is key to providing a better quality of life for the entire family unit.

Healios’ innovative service offers online, clinician-led, family intervention sessions that are

to give the carer’s perspective when needed. For further details on the Carers Hub contact Carers Bucks.

proven to produce high impact patient and carer outcomes, The service includes eight online sessions for carers, and focuses on ensuring it meets carers’ needs as well as determining future service requirements for progressing the dementia offering.

Carers can invite other family members, as well as their loved one with dementia, to join them in the online sessions.

If you would like to know more about Healios, or are interested in taking part in the Healios dementia service please contact Carers Bucks.

e have been working with GP surgeries in the Amersham and Chesham localities to look after the health and wellbeing of carers living locally. To date we have met and carried out health and wellbeing checks on over 140 carers, 34% of these being carers which weren’t previously registered with Carers Bucks. Well Carer Clinics have taken place at Rectory Meadow Surgery in Amersham, Watermeadow in Chesham, Little Chalfont, John Hampden surgery, Prospect House in Great Missenden and Prestwood and Hughenden Valley surgery. We will also be running the clinics at surgeries including the Chess Medical Centre in Chesham and Amersham Health Centre in coming months. For further details contact Carers Bucks.

Keep Well This Winter

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eople are being urged to keep an extra special eye on themselves and the people they care for over the winter period so minor illnesses don’t become more serious.

Last winter respiratory illnesses, which affect people’s ability to breathe, were one of the main reasons for people needing emergency medical attention, particularly for older people or people with long term conditions.

In some cases getting help earlier may have prevented the need for someone to go to hospital.

To make sure winter bugs don’t become more serious you can do the following: • If you start to feel ill, get help from your pharmacy straight away.

• Keep your home warm, at least 18 degrees

• Make sure you take any medicines as directed • Get any repeat prescriptions filled in advance as many surgeries and pharmacies close over Christmas • Keep a supply of cold and flu remedies in the house so you don’t need to go out if the weather is bad • If you are prescribed antibiotics finish the course • Don’t go to A&E or call 999 unless it’s an emergency. If you are in any doubt, NHS 111 can help you get the right treatment For more advice about symptoms visit the new Bucks website http:// bucks.healthhelpnow-nhs.net/ which includes details of pharmacies close to you and their opening times, as well as information about other healthcare options in your community.

NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk) also has a wealth of information to help you and the people you care for keep well this winter.

Lucy Martin, Adult Carers Support Worker – GP clinics Autumn/Winter 2015

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0300 777 2722

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arers groups are facilitated

by Carers Bucks across Buckinghamshire. Groups are designed as a local support network for carers and are all facilitated by Support Workers who are available to discuss your caring role, within the groups or on a one to one basis.

The groups welcome anyone in a caring role. Support is provided by meeting together and sharing experiences, information and offering peer support to one another (as well

as the much needed cup of tea of course). Carers have reported that the group gives them the opportunity for a much needed ‘break’ from their caring role. Groups are carer led and have their own programme of events – many of the groups invite guest speakers with expertise on relevant issues.

Carers are invited to attend groups as and when is convenient to themselves and are welcome to drop in as often or as little as suits the individual as we

understand that the caring role can be at times unpredictable. The groups are free to attend and you do not need to book a place to attend, simply turn up when you can.

If you would like further information about any of the groups or would like to see the programme of events for any group please visit www.carersbucks.org/carerssupport-groups/ or call 0300 777 2722 to speak to Laura Troll the support group worker.

Support Groups

Dates

Date/Time

Amersham Amersham Free Church, (Carey Room), Woodside Road, Amersham, HP6 6AJ

Every Third Monday 10.00am - 12.00noon

19th October

16th November

December TBC

18th January

15th February

Aylesbury Carers Bucks office - Aylesbury

Every Second Tuesday 11.00am - 1.00pm

13th October

10th November

8th December

12th January

9th February

Aylesbury Mental Health Carers Bucks office - Aylesbury

Every Last Thursday 1.30pm - 3.30pm

29th October

26th November

December TBC

28th January

25th February

Aylesbury Learning Disability Carers Bucks office - Aylesbury

Every First Thursday 10.30am - 12.30pm

1st October

5th November

3rd December

7th January

4th February

Every First Friday 1.30pm - 3.30pm

2nd October

6th November

4th December

8th January

5th February

Every last Friday 12.00noon - 2.00pm

30th October

27th November

December TBA

29th January

26th February

Every Third Wednesday 1.30pm - 3.30pm

21st October

18th November

16th December

20th January

17th February

Every Last Tuesday 2.00pm - 4.00pm

29th October

24th November TBA

15th December

26th January

23rd February

Every Second Monday 1.30pm - 3.30pm

12th October

9th November

14th December

11th January

8th February

Every Fourth Wednesday 10.30am - 12.30pm

28th October

25th November

9th December

27th January

24th February

Usually Every Last Tuesday

27th October

24th Novmber

8th December

TBA

TBA

Marlow The Community Lounge, Brooke Furmston Place, Little Marlow Road, Marlow, SL7 1GN

Every Second Tuesday 10.00am - 12.00 noon

13th October

10th November

8th December

12th January

9th February

Wendover The Wendover Library, High Street, HP22 6DU

Every Second Thursday 1.00pm - 3.00pm

8th October

12th November

10th December

14th January

11th February

Wycombe Pusey House, 9a Amersham Road, High Wycombe, HP13 6PN

Every Third Friday 10.00am - 12.00noon

16th October

20th November

18th December

15th January

19th February

Wycombe Learning Disability Carers Bucks Wycombe Office

Every First Monday 10.00am - 12.00noon

5th October

2nd November

7th December

No Meeting

1st February

Wycombe Mental Health Telephone Exchange, 16-18 Easton Street High Wycombe Bucks, HP11 1NR

Every Third Tuesday 12.00noon - 2.00pm

20th October

17th November

15th December

19th January

16th February

Every Second Tuesday 10.30am - 12.00noon

13th October

10th November

8th December

12th January

9th February

Beaconsfield Sunrise Senior Living, 30-34 Station Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 1AB Burnham The Youth Centre, Minniecroft Road, Burnham, SL1 7DE Chesham Chesham Town Hall, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1DS Denham St Marks Hall, Green Tiles Lane, Denham Green UB9 5LF Haddenham Haddenham Medical centre, HP17 8JX Iver Heath St.Margarets Close, Iver Heath, Bucks SL0 0DA Male Carers Various locations IMAGE: © Matej Kastelic, www.shutterstock.com

Support Groups

Young Onset Dementia Jackson Court, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP15 7TZ 8 |

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www.carersbucks.org

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he Aylesbury young carers’ team have had a busy summer with the opportunity to experience things that they would never normally get the chance to do. Seven of our young carers represented Aylesbury at the Young Carers Festival near Southampton, a fun packed weekend with Young Carers from all over the UK and there was also a camping expedition for another group. (It rained and the girls’ tent flooded but they still managed to have fun and want to go again).

There has been a canoeing course resulting in a qualification and we have been to Wendover Woods a number of times building shelters, had a BBQ and also a teddy bears’ picnic depending on the age of the children.

The Young Carers have also been to an Alpaca farm, “picked their

Young Carers

Young Carers – Aylesbury

own” fruit and vegetables, learned new art and circus skills and tried splatballing and one girl, despite the exhaustion, said “That was amazing – we have to do it again!”

It’s very easy to forget that some of our young carers have very few opportunities to experience things that other children take for granted and it was a very poignant moment when we realised that a number of the children we took to Bournemouth (all aged 11 and over) had never seen the sea before. Seeing them have so much fun made the long day really worth it.

During the year we provide a lot of structured support to our Young Carers but the value of giving them the chance just to be children and forget their caring role for a while is immeasurable.

Young Carers - Wycombe T

his summer has been busy with lots of different activities and trips for young carers.

We took 9 young carers to London for a two day residential to start off our raising self-esteem programme, called Boost-the girls had a great meal out and got to experience watching Warhorse at the theatre. Everyone has a really wonderful time!

Other activities included Paintball for our 10-12 year old group, and a multi activity day at Chesham Youth Centre which included ceramics, 3d art, football, sports, circus skills and a drumming workshop!

The Beaconsfield Freemasons hosted a clay pigeon shooting day for young carers, and despite the downpour everyone had a really good time! The Marlow Rotary and Marlow Thames Rotary also provided a Family Fun Day on August 8th which was attended by 115 people. It was great fun and included a bouncy castle, circus skills, drumming, lots of crafts and food. The day was a big success

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Autumn/Winter 2015

and we had some very positive feedback from families who said that it was great to be able to spend time together as a family.

A big thank you to Sara Bowater and all the volunteers from The Rotary. Everyone had a really wonderful time.

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The young carers support group at William Harding Combined School in Aylesbury.

0300 777 2722

Young Adult Carers

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Young Carers Continued...

Young Carers in Schools Programme

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ollowing a successful pilot phase with local primary schools, and funding from The Community Chest – a partnership between the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust and Aylesbury Vale District Council – the Young Carers in Schools programme offers schools guidance and practical tools to identify and support young pupils who have a caring responsibility.

The pilot phase has already helped to identify up to 100 young carers within the schools in Aylesbury and the Haddenham area, including William Harding School, Oak Green School, Haydon Abbey School and Ashmead Combined School.

A member of staff within each school is identified as a ‘Young Carers Champion’ and works alongside a Young Carers Bucks Support Worker to initiate a regular support group, either during lunchtime or after school. The group sessions will give young carers the opportunity to discuss any worries they might have with school work, their worries, self-esteem issues, their caring role as well as the chance to have some time for themselves. The schools are then encouraged to run the support group themselves with the continued guidance from Young Carers Bucks.

Adele Howson, Assistant Headteacher at William Harding Combined School says “Through the fantastic support given by the

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Young Carers Bucks team, we have become much more skilled and adept at identifying young carers and now we have 19 young carers identified in the school, this number will rise too. Within school there is now an increasing awareness from staff of the difficulties that these

children can face in their everyday lives and now we have dedicated staff available to support them with their needs.”

For further details, please contact Kim Bunce, Young Carers in Schools Project Lead, on kim.bunce@carersbucks.org.

arers Bucks is launching a new service to support Young Adult Carers living in Buckinghamshire, after receiving a grant of £40,000 from Carers Trust. Young adult carers are young people aged 16–25 who care, unpaid, for a family or friend with an illness or disability, mental health condition or an addiction.

They may be looking at moving out of home, going into higher education or juggling working lives while continuing to be a carer. Their needs may sometimes be different to those of other carers.

The new ‘Same Chances’ service, led by Sarah Collin at Carers Bucks, is aimed at helping young adult carers understand their rights and get the steer they need to make important life decisions- through working with local colleges and universities, and local health, housing and employment services.

Research shows that caring for a family member can have a huge impact on a young adult carer’s health, wellbeing and education.

Young adult carers aged between 16 and 18 years are also twice as likely to be not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Latest census data reveals there are 315,000 young adult carers in

the UK, but this is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg – as many young adult carers remain undetected and unsupported. If you know someone who might benefit from the support of the Young Adult Carers support service contact Sarah Collin on 07555 100728 or email sarah.collin@carersbucks.org

Ownfone

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arers Bucks has partnered with the Assistive Technology team at Buckinghamshire County Council to provide a new and simple technology solution for young carers while they are at school, called Ownfone.

The Ownfone, hailed as ‘the simplest mobile phone in the world’ is credit card sized – with the ability to call 4 pre-set numbers – will enable young carers and their families to stay in touch while the young carer is at school – helping reduce anxiety and worry during their day.

The Ownfone is being trialled by 10 young carers - selected from the ‘Young Carers Forum’ at Carers Bucks - at seven secondary schools across Buckinghamshire. Contact the Young Carers team at Carers Bucks for further information on Ownfone.

Wycombe Decides 2015 The young carers support group at Oak Green School in Aylesbury.

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e have just heard that Carers Bucks has been successful in receiving £4,000 of funding from the County Council as part of the High Wycombe Decides 2015. Residents in the High

Wycombe area had the opportunity to have their say in how £17,500 of funding was allocated between eight community projects. The top three projects to receive the top funding of £4,000 included our ‘Identifying Young Carers’ project, Wycombe Homeless Connection and Boomerang Toy Library. Well done to the team!

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www.carersbucks.org

Carers In Their Own Words hen my son was 16 and preparing for GCSEs he developed OCD and severe depression. Consequently my marriage broke up and I have always supported my son alone. He copes very well and works full time but sometimes had bad periods of anxiety when he "off loads" on me. Two years ago I realised my daughter was alcoholic. Sadly I am now estranged from her.

I believe these experiences have made me very anxious and have received no support from my GP. A month ago my son became very anxious and I found it extremely hard to deal with. I needed some support on how to handle the situation. I felt I was being sucked in to all his anxieties and he can be very manipulative.

I rang various mental health charities, most could not help me.

Mind in Wycombe suggested Carers Bucks. I nearly did not ring as I did not consider myself a "carer".

I do not have anyone who understands my "pain". I just wanted someone to talk to who understood the effects of anxiety on a loved one.

When I was put through to Jo at Carers Bucks she just said "Come and talk to me I understand anxiety" I wanted to cry!

Jo has given me tips on how to deal with not only my son's - but my anxiety. She has helped me to stand back and cope with my life better.

Sometimes when a loved one is troubled we just want to fix it. This does not always help them. Also we have to look after ourselves. I would like to thank Jo and Carers Bucks for their support.

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Autumn/Winter 2015

Poem

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called but no one answered, nobody seemed to care Then at my lowest ebb, your friendly voice was there There’s no magic wand or crystal ball to wipe away the tears But you gave me the strength to face my fears Unless you have travelled this road it’s hard to understand What comfort it is to have a guiding hand So thanks for listening and helping me through I don’t know what I’d done without you!

Barbara Deering (Carer)

A Day in the life of a Young Carer

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day in the life of a carer is difficult, it is full of surprises, we try to make a routine but we never know what is going to happen.

I am 15 years old, and my dad suffered from a brain haemorrhage a year ago.

My day starts at around eight o’clock in the morning. When I get up I go down stairs and get ready for the

busy day ahead of me. I then have to get my dad’s clothes ready for him to put on when he gets up. By the time I have got him an outfit ready my younger brother’s would have woken up so I play with them for around half an hour before I go back down stairs with my dad’s outfit and wake him up. He gets dressed by himself and I give him his tablets. He then finishes getting himself ready whilst my mum is upstairs looking after my brothers.

After we have eaten, I have to give my dad his second round of tablets. My mum and I clean up tthe house whilst my brothers play in the garden.

It is around this point that my dad gets angry and leaves the house with no indication of where he is going, which can be quite worrying because we never know what is going to happen.

Whilst he is gone my mum teaches my brothers whilst I do my homework, then my mum, my brothers and I leave the house and try to contact him. He usually never answers his phone, so we have to try a couple of times. He usually goes to his sister’s or to town or is just wandering the streets. We pick him up from wherever he is and have to ask him where he wants to go, because the majority of the time, whatever we suggest to him he will say no. So he will decide where to go and we have to drive slowly so that he doesn’t feel sick.

If my brothers or I make noise he gets angry.

At the end of the day when we get home, I give him his tablets. And we go to bed only to repeat the day.

That is my day as a carer.

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e are currently recruiting volunteers across all levels of our service for carers including the following posts.

• Volunteer Drivers for Young Carers Clubs and Activities in Aylesbury and High Wycombe • Volunteer drivers allow our young carers to attend the club nights and outings provided, giving them a chance to have some

fun and spend time away from their caring role. If you are over 21 years old and have a clean drivers licence, please contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator Julia Durrant on 0300 777 2722.

• Volunteers to assist at Carers Bucks support groups in Marlow, Wendover and Burnham. Our support groups are well attended and we are looking for locally based volunteers to help these groups run more smoothly.

Your role would be to assist our staff, making and serving refreshments, to meet and greet the carers and make them feel welcome.

• Volunteer Admin Assistant in High Wycombe –we are looking for a volunteer to provide clerical and general admin support to the Young Carers Bucks team in High Wycombe.

For further details on all our current Volunteer opportunities at Carers Bucks, please contact Julia Durrant on 0300 777 2722 or email volunteer@carersbucks.org

Celebration Riser/ Recliner for Sale A riser/recliner chair for sale – the chair goes to a full standing position. Contact Leslie Peat for details – 07850 093670

Word Processor Wanted!

Do you or anyone you know have a word processor that they no longer use or are willing to donate to a Carer living in Bucks? A carer is looking for a word processor similar to the Canon word processor featured in the image below. If you think you could help please call Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 or email mail@carersbucks.org.

Autumn/Winter 2015

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IMAGE: © mangostock, www.shutterstock.com & http://www.recycledgoods.com

IMAGE: © FERNANDO BLANCO CALZADA, www.shutterstock.com

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Volunteers

Items for sale/ items wanted