Carers Bucks Spring 2015

CarersBucks

The newsletter of Carers Bucks

The Care Act – How it affects you

New online community for Carers Dedicated to supporting carers

Spring 2015

Young Carers

New Services at Carers Bucks www.carersbucks.org

Offering Driving lessons for Abled and Disabled and less abled Drivers.

If you are a new driver I can offer you tuition in either an Automatic or Manual gearbox car.

If you need re–training following an accident or illness I have a specially adapted Automatic car For further details contact me:

Mob: 07904305797

e-mail: dave@daveholdstockdrivinginstructor.com

www.daveholdstockdrivinginsructor.co.uk

Buckinghamshire Mind provides a number of high quality services to support and represent people with mental health needs.

These include older people’s services; befriending; employment support; activity groups and peer support groups.

We operate across three locality areas: Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Chiltern & South Bucks.

Please call 01494 792244 to make an initial enquiry or email: sunhouse@bucksmind.org.uk www.bucksmind.org.uk

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 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 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

Foreword from the

Chief Executive It’s been ten years since Carers Bucks launched, and our first support group for carers started in Burnham in South Bucks – we’ve certainly come a long way since then! We will be celebrating our tenth birthday at our AGM on Friday 6th March at the Gateway Conference Centre, Aylesbury. We will be taking a look at what Carers Bucks has achieved over the last ten years and looking ahead to the next ten. All carers and those they care for are welcome to join us for the celebration.

It has been a busy few months here at Carers Bucks, with the launch of new support groups in Chesham and Iver Heath and new services including Prevention Matters, a free support service which is run by our six Community Practice Workers, working with GP surgeries throughout the Southern, Wooburn, Amersham and Chesham localities.

This February, we also launched a Family and Carers Support Service for people with Drug and Alcohol issues, a free service providing information, support and advice to carers or family who have been affected by someone’s drug or alcohol dependency. We are

also excited to be launching a new Carers’ Hub at Stoke Mandeville hospital, which will be run by a team of dedicated Carers Bucks support staff (see Page 8 & 9 for details).

From April 2015, The Care Act will come into force and will be implemented in two stages over the next two years. It will bring about fundamental changes to social care which will affect almost everyone who needs care and support.

You can find further information on the Care Act and how the changes could affect you on Page 6. We are continuing to see the number of carers referred to us increase, and are working hard to ensure we reach out to all the carers in Buckinghamshire who need our care and support. If you know of a local carer who could benefit from our support please encourage them to give us a call or refer themselves through our website.

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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Support Groups

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Parent Carers

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Fundraising & Events

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Mental Health Carers

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The Care Act and you

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Money Matters

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Services & Information

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Male Carers

Our front cover picture shows a group of young carers who attend the Young Carers Bucks club night at the Grange School in Aylesbury.

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NEWS FROM CARERS BUCKS Welcome to Hayley Mountstevens

Welcome to Firdaus Khan

Welcome to Jo Puddephatt

I have recently joined the Carers Bucks team as Communications Manager. I am responsible for helping raise the profile of Carers Bucks and the services we offer in a variety of ways including working with the local and national media. I am responsible for all internal and external communications at Carers Bucks including our newsletter and other printed materials. I also ensure our website is updated with the latest information as well as making regular updates to our Facebook and Twitter pages.

I have recently joined Carers Bucks as an Adult Carers Support Worker and I am mainly focused on supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) carers. We have recently launched a support group for Asian women who will meet once a quarter at Carers Bucks in Aylesbury. I have lots of experience in providing support to carers and really happy to be involved in the important work we are doing here at Carers Bucks.

I have joined the Carers Bucks team as an Adult Carers Support Worker specialising in Mental Health support.

I am a former carer myself and prior to working for Carers Bucks I worked in the mental health division of the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust as a Carer Support Worker doing Carer Assessments, offering advice, information and sign posting Mental Health Carers in South and Central Bucks. During my time there I gained a VRQ in Community Mental Health, an award in Dementia Awareness and completed an awareness course on Personality Disorders. I am very passionate about supporting carers and raising awareness of the amazing job they do and sacrifices they make.

I am always looking for young and adult carers in Buckinghamshire who are happy to be interviewed and have their photos taken for local media opportunities for Carers Bucks. If you would be happy to be involved in helping then do give me a call on 0300 777 2722 or email me at hayley.mountstevens@carersbucks.org

Staff Departures

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he Young Carers Bucks team have sadly said goodbye to Hattie and Heather but are pleased to welcome Kirstie O’ Sullivan who has joined the team on a six month secondment. Welcome Kirstie!

Welcome to Sarah Forryan and Claire Keane

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elcome to Sarah and Claire who have recently joined Carers Bucks as Community Practice Workers for Prevention Matters. Carers Bucks now employs six Community Practice Workers as part of Prevention Matters, a free advice service which helps link local people to a whole range of ways to help support and connect them together. Sarah and Claire are working with GP surgeries throughout the Southern, Wooburn, Amersham and Chesham localities.

To contact Prevention Matters call 0300 666 0159.

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Welcome to Claire Ball I have recently joined the Carers Bucks team as a Parent Carer Support Worker. My role is to provide support, information and advice to parent carers across the County. As a parent carer myself and a background in working with children with disability, teaching and advisory services, I have a good knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting parent carers.

0300 777 2722

SUPPORT GROUPS BAME Ladies Support Group in High Wycombe

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BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) support group is now running regularly at the new Carers Bucks offices in High Wycombe. Please contact Rahat Butt on 01494 463536 if you would like to attend the next group.

New Support Groups Support group in Chesham launches

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e are pleased to announce the launch of a new support group in Chesham.

The group takes place on the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30pm –3:30pm at the Chess Medical Centre, 290 Berkhampstead Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 3EZ. The group will support by meeting together to share experiences, information and provide mutual support to one another. You do not need to be registered at this doctor’s practice or Carers Bucks to attend the group.

For further information, please contact Laura Troll on 0300 777 2722 or email laura.troll@carersbucks.org

Support Group for Asian Women

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arers Bucks has launched a support group for Asian women who will meet once a quarter at Carers Bucks in Aylesbury.

Please contact Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 for details.

Iver Heath

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new support group for carers is now running at Iver Heath Village Hall, St Margarets Close, Iver Heath, SL0 0DA. The group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month at 10:30am – 12:30pm.

Mental Health Support Groups

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arers Bucks now runs two support groups for Mental Health Carers in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

Carers of people with Mental illness can often feel isolated and unsupported, and our support groups give carers a chance to come and talk to others in similar situations, to gain advice and information from other carers or Carers Bucks staff.

Joanne Puddephatt, Adult Carers Support Worker at Carers Bucks, has recently taken over facilitating the Mental Health support groups. Jo is very keen to listen to carers who

attend the groups and find out what they would like to gain from these sessions.

The groups take place at Carers Bucks Office, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8HT. Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm on the last Thursday of every month and Wycombe Mind Office, 16-18 Easton Street, High Wycombe. HP11 1NR. Time: 12pm – 2pm on the third Tuesday of every month.

Contact: Joanne Puddephatt at Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722.

Carers Bucks now runs Support Groups in Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Burnham, Chesham, Denham, Haddenham, Iver Heath, Marlow, Wendover and Wycombe Support Groups are a good opportunity to meet with other carers, share information, experiences and support one another. For further details on Carers Bucks Support Groups and what’s happening over the next few months visit www.carersbucks.org

News from Carers Bucks

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e are really looking forward to celebrating our 10th Birthday on Friday 6th March at the Carers Bucks AGM – being held at The Oculus in the Gateway Conference Centre, Aylesbury.

All Carers and those they care for are invited to join us on the day and an invitation has been sent out. The AGM will be focused on our 10th birthday including presentations by our chair Dr Les Davies, CEO Stephen Archibald, Carers, and guest speakers talking about the last 10 years and looking ahead to the next 10 years!

The celebration and AGM (11am – 1pm) will be followed by a buffet lunch and we look forward to seeing you then.

For further details contact Hayley Mountstevens on 0300 777 2722 or email hayley.mountstevens@carersbucks.org Spring 2015

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EVENTS, FUNDRAISING & AWARDS Dignity in Care Awards

Are you being treated with dignity?

Carers Bucks is supporting this year’s Dignity & Respect Awards. Now in its third year, the awards will celebrate outstanding examples of how dignity and respect are demonstrated across Buckinghamshire.

This year, for the first time, members of the public are invited to make nominations as well as people working in the health and care sectors.

If you know of a person, team, group

The Kilimanjaro Ball

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he Kilimanjaro Ball in support of Young Carers Bucks, will take place on Saturday 11th April at the charming Horwood House in Buckinghamshire, just eleven miles from Milton Keynes.

The Ball has been organised by local Aylesbury primary school teacher Jessica Cockell who will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in August 2015 to raise funds for Young Carers Bucks.

Tickets for the ball are £45 a head which includes a delicious three course meal and entertainment including a disco.

There will also be the opportunity to take part in a live Auction with prizes including a Tour of Pinewood Studios and a Vivienne Westwood watch.

There will also be a raffle with prizes including a one night stay at Horwood House Hotel, a signed Ed Sheeran CD and a family ticket to Waddesdon Manor.

For further details contact Sandy Briscoe at Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722.

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Fundraising News

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huge thank you to Greig Sneddon and Lynne Dawson for organising a fantastic Burns Supper for Young Carers Bucks.

The event took place on Friday 16th January at the Eskdale Road Community Centre, Stoke Mandeville - after dining on a grand Scottish Supper, the guests were entertained with speeches, toasts, singing and Scottish Country Dancing.

The event managed to raise £1085 for Young Carers Bucks. Thank You so much!

Marlow Round Table Fayre

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arers Bucks will have a stall to help raise awareness for the charity and the work we do on 9th May. Contact Sandy Briscoe at Carers Bucks for further details.

or organisation that has gone over and above in supporting people in Buckinghamshire then why not recognise them for their excellence and nominate them for the Dignity & Respect Awards 2015. The closing date for nominations is 25th February, 2015.

Short-listed nominations will be shown at the Dignity & Awards event on FRIDAY, 17 APRIL 2015 and the audience will get to vote for the winner in each category including Your Community, Social Care and Health Care. So why not book your place and have your say in who wins this year?

To book your place at the event, find out more and download a nomination form go to www.buckscc.gov.uk or call 01296 387821.

Thank You!

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huge thank you to the High Wycombe Rotary Club for donating £500 to Young Carers Bucks, as part of their Christmas collection.

Thank you also to The Frog pub in Skirmett, Buckinghamshire for raising £670 at its Christmas carol concert in December. We really appreciate your support.

www.carersbucks.org

THE CARE ACT — WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

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rom April 2015, changes to The Care Act will help to make care and support more consistent across the country.

Over the next two years, changes will be made in two stages and will affect almost everyone who needs care and support.

New rights entitle carers and the people they care for to an assessment of their needs regardless of their income and finances or their level of need. Young carers and the parents of disabled children are also included in the new system.

The benefit of having an assessment is that it will identify care and support needs and provide information and advice about services to meet those needs.

In April 2015 most of the Care Act comes into force, including the way in which local authorities should carry out carers’ assessments and needs assessments, how local authorities should determine who is eligible for support; and the new obligations on local authorities.

In April 2016 the remaining parts of the Care Act will come into effect, including how local authorities should charge for both residential care and community care, and the introduction of the ‘Care Cap’.

The BBC has recently launched an online guide to the care system for the over65s. The ‘Care Calculator’ covers both residential care and the support provided in people's own homes, for tasks such as washing and dressing. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30990913 for further details.

From April 2015 • Everyone has a right to an assessment of their care needs regardless of their financial situation and should receive information, advice and guidance whether eligible for Council support or not. A carer’s assessment will look at different ways that caring affects your life and work out how you can carry on doing the things that are important to you and your family. Your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing will be at the heart of the assessment. As a result of the assessment you may be eligible for support • The introduction of a consistent, national eligibility criteria • New rights to support for carers, on an equivalent basis to the people they care for • General responsibilities on local authorities including promoting people’s wellbeing, focusing on prevention and providing information and advice

• Legal right to a personal budget and direct payment • Deferred payments scheme to cover the cost of care home fees

From April 2016 • £72,000 CAP on care fees – excluding ‘living costs – proposed at £12,000 per annum • Care Account must be set up to record progression toward the CAP. You must have eligible needs assessed by the Council • Assets and savings limit – this is currently £23,250, and will change to between £17,000 - £118,000 for financial help from the Council For further information on the Care Act and how it affects you visit: www.gov.uk/government/ publications/care-act-2014statutory-guidance-forimplementation Information on the Care Act and how it affects carers will also be available on Carers Bucks website www.carersbucks.org Spring 2015

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SERVICES & INFORMATION Services mentioned in this newsletter do not constitute a recommendation

by Carers Bucks

The service is available to adults over 18, not in receipt of a social care package or in receipt of a package of care from mental health services.

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free and friendly advice service from Carers Bucks to help you stay independent and active.

Carers Bucks now employs six Community Practice Workers, working with GP surgeries throughout the Southern, Wooburn, Amersham and Chesham localities.

Prevention Matters helps link local people to a whole range of support and to connect them together. The service can help you if you are: • struggling to maintain your independence • recovering from an illness • depressed due to bereavement • unable to get out and about • feeling lonely and isolated • feeling anxious and lacking in self-confidence • elderly frail

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The Community Practice Workers from Prevention Matters at Carers Bucks will listen and work with you to find ways of helping such as: • fi nding ways to avoid being isolated • t aking steps to improve your sense of wellbeing •d iscovering opportunities to develop more interests • r estoring confidence and being in control • r emaining independent in your own home •g etting out and about and meeting others • keeping active • finding new interests If you or anyone you know might benefit from the help of Prevention Matters, one of the Community Practice Workers from Prevention Matters at Carers Bucks is here to help. To contact the Prevention Matters team please call 0300 666 0159 or email admin@preventionmatters.org.uk

New Carers’ Hub at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

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e are pleased to announce that Carers Bucks will soon be opening a Carers’ Hub at Stoke Mandeville hospital.

The Carers Hub will be located between Wards 8 and 9 and will be run by a team of Carers Bucks support staff who will provide immediate face to face support and advice for Carers visiting the hospital. The support team will also be able to meet and identify new carers who will benefit from our service.

Further details about the opening of the Carers Hub at Stoke Mandeville will soon be available.

Contact Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 for information.

0300 777 2722

Carers Online Forum

Carers Bucks launches Family and Carers Support Service for people with Drug and Alcohol dependency

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e have recently launched an online community forum enabling Carers (aged over 18) to ask questions, share information, swap ideas and discuss issues regarding support, training, money & legal matters and any general questions you may have.

The forum is open to carers twenty four hours a day seven days a week but our staff will normally answer questions and post issues of interest during office hours. You can find the Carers Bucks online community forum by visiting: www.carersbucks.org/carersbucks-forum/ So do join us for a chat!

From March 2015, we will be hosting several Q&A sessions via the online community forum on different topics including The Care Act and how it affects you – if you are a Carer and over 18 you are welcome to join. You must register your details first before joining the conversation.

We hope you enjoy using the forum and would welcome your feedback.

hen someone you care about uses alcohol or drugs it can be worrying, isolating and confusing. As a family member or a friend it can help to know that you’re not alone and that support is available for you. Our new Family and Carers Support Service for people with Drug and Alcohol dependency launched on 2nd February; the service is free and confidential, and includes: • 1:1 sessions (advice, information and support).

• Information on substances commonly used & treatment services available locally.

• A wide range of training opportunities including managing challenging behaviour, communication skills and managing stress.

• Regular support groups where you can meet others in the same situation.

• Signposting and referral to other relevant services.

Support can be face to face, by telephone, text, email and Skype.

1:1 appointments can be offered in our Aylesbury or High Wycombe office, or another convenient location. Contact 0300 777 2722 for further information.

Fairer charging for Adult Social Care Services

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uckinghamshire County Council would like to hear your views about changes to the way we charge for social care services for those who can afford to make a contribution, apart from the meals service which is charged to everyone who uses it. The deadline for responses is Monday 9th March. For further details and to complete the survey online visit www.buckscc.gov.uk/consult

Free Respite Care

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arkinson’s UK Amersham and High Wycombe Branch is able to provide over 20 hours of free care per person so that carers can have a break. Anyone looking after a person with Parkinson’s in the area may apply. For further details and to apply contact Tony Vaughan 01494 712 353 or Anita Browne 0844 225 3675 or email abrowne@parkinsons.org.uk “I had piece of mind that someone was there to keep an eye on him and do whatever was needed for him.” Jenny (previous user)

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YOUNG CARERS

Thank You!

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huge thank you to all the kind donations of toys sent to Young Carers Bucks as part of Mix 96's toy appeal (in association with Perrys Motor Sales). The fantastic Christmas gifts were distributed to many well deserving Young Carers in the Bucks area in December.

Many thanks also to VAHT (Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust) for sending a lovely selection of Christmas food hampers to Young Carers which were distributed to some of our well deserving young carers in the area this Christmas.

Young Carers Forum Visits the Living Lab This February the Young Carers Forum, a group of young carers from Bucks recruited to represent all of our Young Carers, visited the Buckinghamshire Assisted Living Labs centre in Aylesbury. Here they gained an insight into the developments in assisted living technology including Telecare.

The Young Carers had the opportunity to see new technology which is being developed to help carers, and those requiring support to remain safe and independent in their homes.

Carers Trust Survey

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ecent research by the Carers Trust has revealed that young carers are worried and stressed, but proud of what they do.

The full response of 348 young carers were asked how being a young carer made them feel.

Around 48% said it made them feel stressed and 44% said it made them feel tired. However 51% percent reported they were proud of being young carers and 42% that it made them happy.

The research was carried out by the Carers Trust to help launch its new website and online community for young carers called babble http://babble.carers.org.

When asked what sort of things they worried about, the carers group were twice as worried about money, much more worried about bullying, exams, the future generally and of course they were much more worried about their families.

The research was carried out with young carers from carers groups around the country.

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www.carersbucks.org

YOUNG CARERS’ STORIES

Annabelle Andrews, Age 8 “I help look after my brother Caiden at home – I play with him and help to feed him. I enjoy Young Carers because we get to go on trips like Odds Farm; it makes me feel happy because I get to play and meet other people.”

Luke, Age 9 “I help look after my mum at home such as getting her drinks, helping her get to the toilet, and other jobs she needs me to do. I enjoy Young Carers because I get to go out and meet people, socialise, and express my emotions. Being a young carer sometimes makes me feel a bit annoyed and stressed.”

Shakira Andrews, Age 8 “I help to look after my brothers Samuel and Dylan at home, like changing Samuel’s nappy. Going to Young Carers makes me happy because I can have fun and talk about my brother’s disability. I want to look after disabled children when I’m older.”

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PARENT CARERS Introduction to Claire Ball, Parent Carer Support Worker

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y name is Claire and I have recently joined Carers Bucks as a Parent Carer Support Worker and my role here is to help and support parent carers across the County.

As a parent carer myself and a background in working with children with disability, teaching and advisory services I have a good knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting parent carers.

My role at Carers Bucks is to listen to and support parent carers by providing:

Free Independent Support for Parents and Young People

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tatements of Special Educational Needs are being transferred to Education, Health and Care Plans.

Independent Supporters are here to: • Help you understand more about the process • Support you to be right at the centre of the decisions made The Children and Families Act 2014 has changed the way that young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive support.

From September 2014 Statements of Special Educational Needs have been transferred to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

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• Emotional support and a listening ear • Help to provide information and support • Advice on a range of issues affecting Parent Carers • Support during meetings • Recognising parent carers’ needs within communities in order to set up relevant and pro-active support groups • Benefit advice including DLA and CA (Disability Living Allowance and Carers Allowance) • A voice for parents in their local authority on issues that are important to them and their children “Thank you so much. It was so helpful to talk with someone who really understands. I feel so much clearer about what I need to be doing and asking for, so thank you again.” Parent Carer Claire is available to speak to either by phone, email or here at the office at Carers Bucks.

Tel: 0300 777 2722 Email: claire.ball@carersbucks.org

Independent Supporters are now available to help parents and young people navigate through the new EHCP process. The Independent Support service is being delivered in close collaboration with the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (formerly Parent Partnership).

All Independent Supporters have completed the Council for Disabled Children's training programme which includes the new SEN legislation.

They also receive local training in Data Protection, Equality & Diversity, Health & Safety, and Safeguarding. All staff have enhanced DBS checks. An Independent Supporter will provide time limited support to parents and/or young people during the EHC assessment and planning process, whether for the first time or those undergoing the transfer of a statement or Learning Difficulty Assessment to an EHC plan.

More families appeal over autism provision

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ore parents of children with autism in England are taking legal action against their local authority, because they do not think their needs are being met.

The number of appeals lodged at special educational needs and disability tribunals rose by a third last year.

The Local Government Association says recent changes to special educational needs assessments will reduce disputes.

Government figures show there was a 33% rise in the number of autism related appeals lodged at the special educational needs and disability tribunal (SEND) in 2013-2014, compared with the previous school year.

Parents of children with all types of special needs lodged a total of 4,069 appeals to the SEND tribunal system in England in the school year 2013-14, up from 3602 the year before, an increase of 13%. Of these, 1,633 were autismrelated - up from 1,231 in 2012-13.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ education-31111461

This could be to help parents and/or young people to: • Ensure their views are central to the whole process • Understand local authority processes and timelines • Gather the information required for an EHC assessment and plan • Understand the local offer • Understand personal budgets and other aspects of the process • Information Advice and Support (IAS) Service for general SEN support For more information please contact: SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (formerly Parent Partnership) at sendias@buckscc.gov.uk or 01296 383754.

To speak to Carers Bucks Parent Carer support worker Claire Ball for advice and information contact 0300 7772722 or email claire.ball@carersbucks.org

0300 777 2722

MENTAL HEALTH CARERS

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arers Bucks now runs two support groups for Mental Health Carers in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.

Carers of people with Mental illness can often feel isolated and unsupported, and our support groups give carers a chance to come and talk to others in similar situations, to gain advice and information from other carers or Carers Bucks staff.

Joanne Puddephatt, Adult Carers Support Worker at Carers Bucks, has recently taken over facilitating the Mental Health support groups.

Jo is very keen to listen to carers who attend the groups and find out what they would like to gain from these sessions. Jo is open to any suggestions whether it be getting in speakers to talk about diagnoses, medication or how the Mental Health System works, or maybe activities such as Mindfulness sessions, bring and share lunches or simply to use the time to talk.

Venues: Carers Bucks Office, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury. HP19 8HT. Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm on the last Thursday of every month.

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arers Bucks is continuing its initiative with Healios, the free online support for carers of people with mental health difficulties. The Healios mental health carers support programme has now been extended and now includes Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Adjustment disorder.

Healios has also recently launched a new service for carers in the Armed Forces Community or carers of people who have been in the armed forces. This is a free service for anyone from those two groups.

The service is delivered online or over the telephone, and the sessions are private and confidential. For details contact Healios on 03303 350 603, email info@healios.org or visit www.healios.org

Wycombe Mind Office, 16-18 Easton Street, High Wycombe. HP11 1NR. Time: 12pm – 2pm on the third Tuesday of every month Contact: Joanne Puddephatt at Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722.

A new online resource to support individuals with Autism

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arers Bucks has been selected

by Buckinghamshire County Council to manage the delivery of a new website which will be dedicated resource of information, advice and guidance to support individuals with Autism or anyone affected by Autism including carers and families.

As well as having access to key information, the new website will offer virtual access to buildings, sites and services; offering a chance for people to explore and experience places/facilities in the local area i.e. local hospitals, and activities, in a safe and controlled manner with or without support.

In order to develop and build the web based resource for individuals and their carers which is comprehensive and fully accessible; Carers Bucks is running a series of focus groups including individuals with autism, carers/families and professionals from February 2015.

The new website is due to launch this summer. For further information or be involved in the development of the website please contact Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 or email mail@carersbucks.org.

This Moment Competition

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an you produce a piece of art that captures ‘This Moment’?

This Moment; connecting with the present art competition has launched across Buckinghamshire to help raise awareness of mental health, and the value of mindfulness in promoting mental wellbeing.

The competition is open to anyone 11 years or older, living, working or attending education in

Buckinghamshire, who has been touched by mental ill-health in some way or other (either through personal experience or by knowing a family member, friend, neighbour, colleague or client).

Artwork can be submitted until 10th April 2015.

The artwork will be exhibited around the county at the end of April into May. If you would like to enter the competition, you can download a submission form by visiting the This Moment section on www.carersbucks.org or call us on 0300 777 2722 for further details.

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MONEY MATTERS Items for Sale

Carer’s Allowance

Attend out-&-about chair (from Pressure Care Management) Grey and blue, Table which can be lifted up and across person in chair, Reclining, Washable. £750 or nearest offer (£1200 new) Money raised from the sale of chair will go to Charity.

Contact Sandra Clark on 01494 880480.

Help for older people in financial hardship

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any people are unaware that there may be charitable support available to them in times of financial hardship. Charity Search offers a free service to those aged 50 and above, by searching for the most appropriate charities for them to contact for assistance.

All enquiries are treated in the strictest confidence.

Contact 0117 982 4060 (Mon-Fri 9am to 2pm); email info@charitysearch.org.uk; visit www.charitysearch.org.uk

Volunteers

Volunteers Needed!

Have you ever wanted to do something that could really make a difference to your community?

Carers Bucks are currently recruiting Volunteers across all levels of its service. You can volunteer as much time as you want, although we do ask for a minimum of 1 – 2 hours a month. You can choose the type of role you want at a time to suit you. We are currently looking in particular for Volunteer drivers to help get Young Carers to and from Club Nights in 14 |

Spring 2015

Aylesbury and Wycombe. We are also looking to recruit a Support Group volunteer for the Iver Heath support group which takes place every fourth Wednesday of the month from 10.30am - 12.30pm. As a Support Group Volunteer you will help the running of the group and get to learn and gain a better understanding of Carers’ issues.

All volunteers are reimbursed for approved out of pocket expenses such as travel and are given an induction

C

arers have access to the full range of digital services provided by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Claiming Carers Allowance online is quicker and easier than completing the paper claim form and there are fewer questions to answer.

Go to: www.gov.uk/carersallowance to see if you are eligible and make a claim.

Jobcentres are now equipped with public use computers, these can be used to make a claim to benefits or to look for work. Staff are also on hand to assist you with using the computers.

From April 2015, the carer’s allowance earnings limit will increase to £110 a week.

Congratulations to our Young Carers’ volunteers Grant Brockwell and Shannon Lau who have been selected by Aylesbury Vale District Council in recognition of the work they do as volunteers – they have each won tickets to see the Blue Brothers at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. and ongoing training and support by a staff member.

Contact Julia Durrant at Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 for further details on Volunteering or visit www.carersbucks.org

www.carersbucks.org

MALE CARERS

Tour of Adams Park On Tuesday 10th February, our Male Carers group including Ian Cormack, Peter Bradford, Mick Browne, Graham Chapman, David Phillips, Brian Taylor, Rob Hawkins and Alan Phipps, took a trip to Adams Park, home to Wycombe Wanderers FC.

The group received some excellent hospitality including a tour of the ground, the players dressing rooms, the trophy cabinet, hospitality boxes and a very interesting talk on the history of the Club and ground.

The group also got the chance to speak to a few of the Wycombe Wanderers players and met Kevin Prescod (also a male carer) who is the mascot for Wycombe

Wanderers and who helped organise the visit.

It was match night and Wycombe Wanderers were playing Plymouth Argyle.

The club very generously gave the group free tickets for the match, and while Wycombe had had an unbeaten run of 12 matches, unfortunately that came to an end on the Tuesday, when they lost 2-0 to Plymouth. It was still an enjoyable match and a memorable evening for all those who attended.

Benson, the Shardeloes Walk in Little Missenden and golf at the Wycombe Heights Golf Club.

If you are a male carer and wish to take part in the Male Carers group activities then contact Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722.

Photos by David Phillips.

The Male Carers group is now planning other trips over the next few months including bowls, a trip to the Air Ambulance at RAF Spring 2015

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