NEWSLETTER (UPDATED 01.09.10)
We have a new Director! Her name is Kate Dudley and she has over 13 years experience of working in the voluntary sector, most recently developing new services with Samaritans.
Please contact Kate if you have any issues you would like to discuss or just drop in to the KCN office, to talk to her or one of our staff members.
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HRH The Princess Royal visits Kingston Carer's Network
Without a doubt our biggest story is the Royal Visit. On 12th March, HRH The Princess Royal, visited Kingston Carers' Network to commemorate the reopening of KCN at our new premises at the Noble Centre. As well as meeting over 70 adult and young carers, Her Royal Highness met some of Kingston‟s dignitaries, as well as KCN staff, Trustees and Volunteers. The Princess Royal is President of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and her passion for the recognition for Carers was evident. The Princess Royal unveiled the plaque made to commemorate her visit. John Mays, our Chair gave a very powerful and moving speech, paying tribute to the contribution that carers make to the economy: an estimated £87bn per year, equivalent to £400,000 each day in Kingston alone.
HRH The Princess Royal thanked KCN saying, "Thank you very much for making Kingston Carers‟ Network so successful and for hopefully, a launching base for even more success" "Centres like this have already made a huge impact and they get better because carers will come here and they understand what needs to be done".
Following the departure of The Princess Royal we enjoyed lunch and refreshments, generously donated by John Lewis.
This photograph shows HRH The Princess Royal unveiling the commemorative plaque. We have many more photos available. Please pop in to our office to see our vast gallery or phone us for more information.
We are delighted that NHS Kingston, Kingston's Primary Care Trust have agreed to commission more services from Kingston Carers' Network, meaning an additional 80K of investment in carer support. KCN will be developing its services to meet carers' needs, with our priority of recruiting a Generic Carers' Support Worker. This new worker will work with adult carers to help them receive the advice, information, support, training and social activities that will make caring more manageable.
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NEW SERVICES FOR CARERS IN KINGSTON
Kingston Carers’ Network is very excited by the new services we are developing with the support of NHS Kingston. We can now offer support to all adult carers who are caring for someone in Kingston . We are able to fund our new Generic Carers’ support worker post and were delighted to recruit Carol Harvey who joined us on 21st June.We are also recruiting to 2 part-time posts, a Volunteer Coordinator and a Well-being and Inclusion Worker. The volunteer coordinator will develop a volunteer programme for KCN to include setting up more peer support services for carers. The Well-being worker will support carers to access opportunities such as work, training, education and health and leisure activities to enable carers have a ‘life outside of caring’.
We are also pleased to be able to extend our support service to offer an advice and drop-in service on Thursday evenings. We will be offering a programme of activities for carers, including information and training sessions as well as social activities. We would love to hear any suggestions for these sessions, which will be held here at the Noble Centre Thursdays 6pm to 8.30pm. We would love you to join us on Thursday 12th August, between 6pm and 8.30pm for a get-together and chance to have your say about what activities/information and training you would like. We will then launch our new weekly evening service on Thursday 2nd September.
Our first evening drop-in will start 2nd September at 6pm. One to one confidential advice on welfare benefits, legal issues, housing and employment issues will be available from 12th August at KCN, 6pm to 8.30pm. If you would like to book to see the advisor, please phone KCN on 020 3031 2757.
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Introduction from Carol Harvey—our new Generic Carers’ Support Coordinator
Hello Everyone - My name is Carol Harvey and I am the new Generic Carers Support Worker at KCN. The dictionary definition of “Generic” is something that is general, common, or inclusive rather than specific, unique, or selective! Basically this means that my extremely helpful colleague, Veronica Attah, who has been holding the fort while my post has been vacant, has a more specialist role of supporting carers of people with mental health needs and/or substance issues and I have a more general role of supporting carers of everyone else!!
Since starting at KCN on 21/6/10 I have had the privilege of meeting several carers already and am looking forward to meeting or speaking to many more of you in the coming weeks. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need information, advice or support or just need someone to talk to. As I am new to the field of caring (but not to support work) I would find it very valuable to hear your experiences of caring and also any ideas or suggestions that you have for activities, groups or outings.
My direct line is 020 3031 2753 and my e-mail address is carers1@kingstoncarers.org.uk. Please drop in to The Noble Centre to meet me if you are able to (ring first to check I am there) or if you can come along to the next session of the KCN Coffee and Information Club I would love to see you there (at The Noble Centre,2.00pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday 27th July 2010 - Cakes will be provided!!) Alternatively I can come to visit you at home if this would be useful.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
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WEEKEND CARNIVAL AND FUN DAY!!!
KCN will be at the Cambridge Road Estates Fun Day and Kingston Carnival on:
CAMBRIDGE ROAD ESTATE FUN DAY
Saturday 4 September, 12pm -4pm.
Find us at Table 15 on the hard ground!!
KINGSTON CARNIVAL
Sunday 5 September, 12pm - 5pm.
In Kingston Town Centre.
Come and find us at both events!!!
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Have your say on how the social workers of the future will work with carers : a chance to help form the new National College of Social Work.
We work for The University of Sussex and, in partnership with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, we would like to invite you to get involved in the development of a new National College of Social Work which will play a major role in how social workers are trained and governed in England.
Our contact details: Andy Cheng, University of Sussex, 01273 876689, a.cheng@sussex.ac.uk Tish Marrable, University of Sussex, 01273 606755 x2212,
There are three ways that you can get involved:
1) You can fill in a questionnaire about your experiences and views on Social Work:
Online: from 1st September at www.sussex.ac.uk/socialwork/carers
By post: please contact us (details above) and we will send you a copy of the questionnaire with a prepaid reply envelope.
(Once you have completed the questionnaire you are welcome to enter a free prize draw for £50 in gift vouchers).
2) You can register to attend a live consultation event in September or October
All carers selected to come to these events will be offered their expenses (including the costs of replacement care if needed) and will also be offered a fee in recognition of their contribution provided this does not affect their welfare benefits arrangements.
Events will run from 10:45am to 3:30pm (lunch provided) in the following areas:
Lincoln Tuesday 21st September 2010
Bury St Edmunds Tuesday 28th September 2010
London Wednesday 6th October 2010
Farnborough, Surrey Wednesday 13th October 2010
Register your interest in attending by contacting us (details above) by 12th September.
3) You can register to take part in a Live Internet Consultation in October
If you have Skype and internet access you can register for our live internet consultation supported by the Carers World Radio team. This will take place in three parts running from 7:30pm to 8:30pm on Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th of October 2010.
Register your interest by contacting us (details above) by October 4th.
However you choose to take part, we will ensure that your comments are made anonymous and we will also make sure you have access to a copy of the report of the findings of this consultation. You will also be able to track how the college develops on their website: www.collegeofsocialwork.org.
Reminder of our contact details: Andy Cheng, University of Sussex, 01273 876689, a.cheng@sussex.ac.uk Tish Marrable, University of Sussex, 01273 606755 x2212, L.F.Marrable@sussex.ac.uk
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Carers' views on Community Treatment Orders
Community Treatment Orders were introduced in November 2008 as a way of ensuring that some patients, on discharge from hospital after a period of detention under the Mental Health Act, maintained compliance with their medication. There is not much data about how many Orders have been issued, but it is probably around 4,000 between November 2008 and November 2009.
The Mental Health Foundation is looking to find out what carers of people with more serious mental health problems (in effect, people who have been detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act, and may have been discharged under a CTO) think about the Orders.
Please find a link to a questionnaire below:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CTOsurveyC
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Carers and Finance Survey 2010
Calling all carers
As we all know, caring can have a disastrous impact on carers’ finances. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers wants to find out from at least 1,000 carers across the country how the current economic climate is affecting their financial situation. These findings will be used to raise national and regional media awareness of this issue and will be fed into the National Carers' Strategy consultation. This information is needed by Wednesday 8th September 2010.
You can complete the survey online by clicking on the following link - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9KX976C.
You can find other useful information at www.carers.org.
You can print the survey or get a paper copy of it from KCN (call Veronica on 020 3031 2755), which you can then complete by hand and post to Sarah Ross at the following address:
Freepost
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers,
14 Bourne Court,
Southend Road,
Essex IG8-8HD
All of the personal information that you provide will be strictly private and confidential and you will automatically be entered into a competition to win a great prize.
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Training In Self-Advocacy Skills for Carers – a Two Day Workshop
There will be a two day workshop on Training in Self-Advocacy Skills for Carers on:
Monday 6th September 2010 from 2pm – 6pm - Part 1
Wednesday 8th September 2010 from 2pm – 6pm - Part 2
The course is aimed to equip participants with an understanding of Self Advocacy and related issues. Throughout the training, participants will be presented with and given the opportunity to explore and discuss the issues around advocacy.
Address: MRCF (Migrant and Refugees Community Forum, 2 Thorpe Close, London W10 5XL (Nearest Tube: Ladbroke Grove)
NB. Refreshments Provided – The workshop is free for Mental Health Carers
PLACES ARE LIMITED SO PLEASE BOOK EARLY!
If you are interested please call Linda (Reservations) on Tel: 020 8960 3873.
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Carers Voices Workshop
Are you a carer from a Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, or Refugee community who wants to improve local services but don’t know how to get involved in local decision-making? Do you want to develop your campaigning skills so you can bring about change for carers in your community?
Then you need to attend a Carers Voices workshop run, free of charge, by Carers UK. Aimed specifically at carers from the Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, and Refugee communities, it’s been designed to help you to campaign and work productively with local authorities, health organisations and others.
The workshop will look at practical ways carers can push for change locally including:
- how to present your views to decision makers more assertively.
- how to pick the right target by understanding the various administrative
structures of the NHS & Social Services.
The workshops will be held on:
Monday 20th September 2010 and Monday 4th October 2010, 10.30am - 3.30pm, at Carers UK offices, 20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX
Registration from 10am.
Places for these workshops will be limited, and are reserved solely for BAME carers. A limited number of bursaries will be available for some carers towards travel cost and respite will be available to attendees.
To book a place, contact Mark Murphy: training@carersuk.org or Tel 0845 241 2537.
For more information on the workshop contact Ann Smith: ann.smith@carersuk.org or Tel 020 7378 4935.
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Refreshing the National Carers’ Strategy
The Government has announced its intention to refresh the National Carers Strategy and put together an action plan for the next five years.
Paul Burstow, Minister for Care Services, has said that the vision from the last strategy in 2008 will remain, but that a new action plan will outline the “key activities upon which the Government can focus” to “ensure maximum value for money in the context of the current economic climate.”
The last Government launched the National Carers Strategy in 2008, which set out a ten year vision that, by 2018, carers would be respected as expert care partners; able to have a life of their own alongside caring; supported so they are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role and supported to stay mentally and physically well.
Carers UK will be submitting a detailed response to the consultation centred around carers’ priorities for the future. Further details of how to respond to the consultation are available here...
Responses must be returned by 20th September, and will help inform the Government’s decisions on the funding of all public services in their Comprehensive Spending Review.
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Nina Alkiviades' Holistic Therapies For Carers
All treatments and therapies are available Every MONDAY except Bank Holidays at the Noble Centre. For a leaflet or to book a treatment, contact 020 3031 2751.
Special rates for carers who are members of Kingston Carers’ Network.
If you have any questions about any of the treatments, email Marina on
marina.alkiviades@orange.net or ring 020 8546 4722
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Would you like to learn the basics of Indian Head Massage, have some fun and meet other carers?
A 3 week introduction to Indian Head Massage is available at the Noble Centre for carers. At 10.00am to 11.30am on:
Wednesday 8th September, 15th September, 22nd September
The sessions will be run by Celia Windsor, who is a qualified Indian Head Massage therapist. If you would like more details or would like to book a place on the course, please contact Kate on 020 3031 2752 or email
Numbers are limited so please book as soon as possible.
Please note that participation is required!
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SWLStG Trust launched their ‘Carers, Families and Friends Strategy’ on July 1st at the annual good market place.
The overall aim of adopting a new strategy for work with carers, families and friends of people using Trust services is to develop better partnerships, improve the quality of the support the Trust provides directly to people, improve clinical and social outcomes and recognise the vital importance of close social networks to the mental well being of clients. Part of the governance structure for the new strategy includes the development of a new Carers, Families and Friends (CFF) Reference Group. One of the main aims of the Reference Group will be to help improve the Trust‘s response to Carers‘ issues. The Reference Group will help to ensure that the Trust meets the Carers, Families and Friends Strategy Quality Standards‘ set out in the strategy.
There are ten Quality standards including standards that address the identification and recording of carers, development of positive relationships with carers, involvement of carers in planning, recognising the needs and rights of carers, improved training for staff to work more effectively with carers, and working with other agencies to improve support and advocacy.
The CFF Reference Group will be able to directly report issues to the Trust Board. The Trust is seeking to recruit up to 30 members for this Reference Group from across the Trust. This will be predominantly be carers, family members and friends and also representatives of local Carers‘ Centres from across the five Boroughs. To ensure wide representation, they aim to recruit people of different ages, ethnic backgrounds, circumstances and interests. They are hoping that Reference Group members will bring their experience of caring and being a family member or friend, using this to help the Trust improve what it does for the benefit of the many different types of people that the Trust serves.
Frequency and timing of Meetings: There will be Quarterly meetings planned for the early part of the evening to allow any working Carers to participate.
Venue: A convenient central venue will be agreed by the Reference Group and provided by the Trust.
Date of the 1st Meeting: The provisional date for the 1st meeting is 22nd September 2010 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.
Reimbursement of Expenses: £7.50 per hour.
If you are interested in joining the CFF Reference Group please contact: Veronica at KCN on 020 3031 2755.
Quality Standards Word Document Quality Standards PDF Document
Carers' Strategy Word Document Carers' Strategy PDF Document
Application Form Word Document Application Form PDF Document
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Supporting Children with ASD in Mainstream Education
Great Ormond Street Hospital is running focus groups hoping to hear about families’ experiences of transition from primary to secondary schools for parents who have children with autism.
If you are going through this transition in the next few years, or have been through this in the last couple of years and your child is in a mainstream school, we would like to hear your views. Please get in touch if you would like to be involved.
The focus groups will take place at Great Ormond Street over the next few months and summer.
Please contact: Miss Seonaid Anderson (Research Psychologist) on 020 7905 2169
or email s.anderson@ich.ucl.ac.uk .
You can also express your views by completing our online questionnaire:
www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/gosh/autism_and_education
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The KCN Carers Coffee and information Club !
Please come and join us, as there will be a chance to meet other carers. The groups will be facilitated by KCN, but we hope carers will want to get involved in running future groups and providing ideas for future activities and themes.
Future dates are: To Be Confirmed!
Sessions will include advice surgery.
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Advice Sessions
Carers can book a session through contacting Kate on 020 3031 2752 — A solicitor from Kingston's Guile Nicholas Solicitors will be available to give advice on issues including welfare benefits to Carers at Kingston Carers‟ Network. These monthly surgeries will be held at our Coffee and Information Club.
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Adult Social Care – Moving & Handling Induction
Free afternoon sessions available to carers, who wish to know about moving and handling.
Dates:
13th September 2010, 15th September 2010, 4th October 2010, 2nd November 2010, 2nd December 2010
For further information or any queries:
Learning & Development Admin Team
Telephone: 0208 547 6116 or 0208 547 6046 or 0208 5467 6026
Email: sue.bradbury@rbk.kingston.gov.uk or sam.knight@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
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Raleigh Saturday Club
Second Saturday of the month. A service for people living with dementia and their carers. £3 per person including refreshments and a light lunch (served at noon). Contact Natasha on 020 8942 8256 or email if you would like to attend or for more information.
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Admiral Nurse
Sybil Sibanda is the new Admiral Nurse, based at Tolworth Hospital.Once settled in, we’ll be able to tell you about her plans to work with and support carers of people with dementia.
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please contact:
020 8296 1336
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New to KCN — Counselling! We are setting up some free counselling sessions for Carers who feel that they would benefit from talking to a trained counsellor. Spaces are very limited but we hope to recruit more counsellors in the coming months.
Please contact Kate on 020 3031 2752 or email
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BOOK CLUB
If you enjoy reading and meeting other like-minded people then a book club may be a good way of indulging your love of books. The first Carers' Book Club meeting will be held on Thursday 2nd September at Noble Centre.
10.30am - 11.30am/The first Thursday of every month.
Books and refreshments provided. If you‟re interested in joining, please contact us at KCN on 020 3031 2757. Please download our flyer, for more information.
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PONTIN'S BREAKS FOR CARERS in 2010
Pontin's are providing three self-catering apartments for the use of Princess Royal Trust for Carers' 144 Network Members. Each apartment can sleep up to four people. Apartments contain bedroom, lounge with TV, bathroom and kitchenette with full size cooker and fridge. The apartments sleep up to four people - two in the bedroom and two on bed settee in lounge. There are a limited number of 2-room apartments that sleep 5-7 people.
A full entertainment programme available with up to 70 free activities including live music, dancing and cabaret every evening. The breaks are Monday - Friday with availability at four parks in May, June/early July, end August, September and October. The parks are Southport, Ainsdale Beach, Merseyside, Prestatyn Sands, Prestatyn, North Wales; Brean Sands, Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Camber Sands, Nr Rye, East Sussex.
Please get in touch with KINGSTON CARERS NETWORK, to find out available dates and limited availabilty.
CwC@gmipartnership.org.uk
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NEW AT THE NOBLE CENTRE - Are you a Carer looking after a relative,friend or neighbour?
On the last Wednesday morning of every month, we are pleased to offer Reikie or Indian Head Massage to carers at the Noble Centre. There is no charge for the therapy.
Please telephone KCN on 020 3031 2757 for more details.
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COMMUNITY LIBRARY
Are you finding your visits to the library are becoming increasingly difficult? Or do you visit the library to collect items for someone who is unable to do so?
Even if you find books too heavy to carry home we can help. Our Community Library Service is free to all housebound residents in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and their carers. We select a box of items according to your requirements to bring to your door for you to choose from.
We can offer ordinary print, large print, audiobooks, DVDs, videos, music CDs/cassettes, wool, jigsaws and more.Please ask a member of staff for more details on 020 8547 6451 or email us at community.library@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
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A New Website for Mental Health Carers
A new website for mental health carers has been launched by the institute of Psychiatry and the South London Maudsley NHS Trust, in association with Rethink-please visit it- www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk
The website is specifically for people who care for someone with psychosis, helping them access clear information, advice and find support.
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MARY PRESTON HOLIDAY
Each year a group of Inner Wheel Clubs within this district organises a week's holiday at Sunbury Court for people in need of a break. The idea of the holiday is to give a carer a break. The carer (male or female) must be mobile as there is no lift at the centre and the bedrooms are on the first floor. Daily outings are made in a minibus. There are usually about 10 guests with 3 Inner Wheel Ladies staying for the week.
This year's holiday will take place from 12th to 19th September 2010. If you know of anyone who you think would benefit from such a holiday or you would like further information please contact Kingston Carers' Network:
info@kingstoncarers.org.uk / 020 3031 2757
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News from the Young Carers Project
The beginning of 2010 has been a very active and challenging time for the Young Carers‟ Project. We have received almost 20 new referrals and have been busy visiting new children, planning and organising activities for this year, meeting children for one to one sessions and continuing to raise awareness of this group of special young people amongst other profes-sionals, and in particular, their schools. We have also started drop in activities on Thursdays, once a month in the Noble Centre for the under 12s and once a month in the Basement Youth Café for the slightly older Young Carers.
Our trips and outings have been very successful. In January, we went to the Rose Theatre to see Treasure Island, and during February Half Term we were making pizzas, both at Pizza Express and in the Basement. More than 30 young people enjoyed eating their own pizzas!
The biggest highlight has been The Royal Visit and meeting Princess Anne. Almost 30 children had the chance to speak to Princess Anne and that was one of the most memorable occasions for the young people in our project.
Easter time has been very busy for us all and we have engaged with 45 young carers during this two week period. We had two drama workshops run by MeWe, a professional theatre company, who also donated a trip to the National Theatre, where we discovered the his-tory of this iconic building, went backstage and saw the workshop where all the hard work to create the sets and props takes place.
We have been on a boat trip, organised by the River Thames Boat Project, a wonderful group of volunteers. During the voyage, the children helped to run the Venturer, learned how it works and assisted the crew on deck. Some of our young people also went to see Nanny McPhee at the cinema.
As for the future, we have been very lucky to receive funding from Help a London Child allowing us to organise 8 drama workshops during the summer with a public performance at the end. Kingston Museum has in-vited us to a workshop with professional photographers in May, and in June we will be learning about healthy eating with a professional chef, with financial aid kindly given by the Soroptimists. Without such donations, we would not be able to offer nearly as much support to our very special Young Carers.
The Young Carers Project in 2010 looks very exciting, busy and challenging and we are very much looking forward to it!
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KCN Membership
You can become a member of Kingston Carers’ Network for an annual subscription fee of £3.00. This gives you the right to vote at the AGM as well as helping to swell our funds! Please send your subscription to :
Maria Kitto at Kingston Carers’ Network, Noble Centre, 109 Blagdon Road, New Malden KT3 4DB
Please let us know too on 020 3031 2757 if you would like us to remove your details from our database.
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Volunteer vacancies at Kingston Mental Health Carers' Forum
KMHCF is a small charity which acts as the collective voice to represent the views and concerns of Mental Health Carers in the Royal Borough of Kingston. We also assist the individual Carers who contact us for advice and guidance.
We have two volunteer vacancies fo Treasurer and Trustees.
Treasurer
We are keen to further develop our service and, for this, we invite a volunteer with finicial experience to help us achieve this. Our accounts are not complex, but you would need to maintain financial control and ensure we comply with our legal responsibilties as a registered charity.
It would be good if you are a mental health carer yourself but, most of all, you should have the enthusiasm to serve carers who can feel isolated and bewildered. We'd like to hear from you.
Trustees
We are keen to further develop our service and, to help us achieve this, we invite volunteers with one or more of the following skills:
- Experience of marketing and campaining.
- Experience of being a Mental Health Carer.
- Understanding of the statutory and third-sector Mental Health services locally.
If you have expertise to offer, but most of all an enthusiasm to serve carers who can feel isolated and bewildered, we'd like to hear from you.
Our Treasurer/Trustees would be part of a management committee which meets about every two months in the evening. In addition, we welcome offers to attend other meetings to represent the forum or to take responsibility for activities, as they feel able. If you have the drive to make a real difference for carers, please contact us for an informal discussion.
Kingston Mental Health Carers' Forum, 55 Selwood Road, Hook, Chessington, KT9 1PT
www.kmhcf.org.uk or email info@kmhcf.org.uk /07983063578
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Direct Payments for Carers
If you provide regular and substantial care for someone over 18 years old living in the borough you might be entitled to some money to take a break of your choice. This service is for carers on a low income, who have difficulty taking breaks through other means. The maximum of £200 is based on the full financial year. For more information about this and on other services for carers, contact your social services worker and ask for a carer’s assessment.
If you do not have a worker, contact 020 8547 5757, tell them who you look after (e.g. their age, where they live and nature of illness or disability) so you can be put through to the right team to get information and advice and ask about a carer's assessment.
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Would you like to meet other people in a similar situation to you, to share experiences, chat and exchange ideas and information?
If so, one of these groups might suit you. If there is not a suitable group listed, please contact us at KCN and we will see what we can do. The following groups are specifically for carers
Caring for someone with a learning disability:
MENCAP Carers Support Group 7.30 - 9.30pm, 1st Wednesday of each month,
Home Farm Trust Resource Centre,Springfield Place, New Malden KT3 3LJ
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This group gives people who care for someone with a learning disability an opportunity to talk about issues in an informal setting with no pressure, with agreed confidentiality, and a chance to chat about issues with other carers. Ideas and information is exchanged and carers continue to help and support each other. To find out more contact Gill Wood on 020 8540 1399
Caring for someone with Aspergers Syndrome: AS Carers Group
Run by Kingston's Aspergers Syndrome Worker and Carers Worker, the Aspergers Syndrome Carers Group meets in Kingston Hill every 6-8 weeks. Members decide the topic for each session but there is always a chance to chat to others and share experiences. For more information, contact Caroline on 020 8547 6126
Caring for someone who misuses drugs and / or alcohol: ASCA 'Moving On' Carer support group, 6 – 7.30pm, every Wednesday, Surbiton
Addiction Support and care Agency (ASCA) provide a range of services for carers, including this support group for carers. It aims to help carers cope with living with someone with a drug or alcohol problem, set boundaries and keep to them, and plan how to move forward. To find out whether this group is right for you, contact Bridget 020 8339 9899 / 07947 424579 (the Carers Counsellor works part time, so please leave a message and she will contact you back)
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The following groups are for carers and the people they care for:
Caring for someone with Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis
Carers Support Group
8 – 10pm
1st Tuesday of every month
Surbiton Hill Methodist Church Hall
39 Ewell Road
Surbiton
KT6 6AF
This group is for anyone caring for someone with MS. It is a chance to share experiences and get support, advice and information. It is affiliated to the local branch of the MS Society.
For more information contact Ray on 07986 514513 or email raystonehill@hotmail.com
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Caring for someone with memory loss and dementia: Carers Café
6 – 8.30pm
Last Wednesday of every month
Amy Woodgate House
Nigel Fisher Way
Chessington
KT9 2SN
This group is for friends and relatives to come together and take time out in a supportive environment. It is an informal social and peer support group and carers are welcome to bring the person they care for. The group is also looking for volunteers for its committee.
For more information about the group or ways to get involved, contact June 07535 964435
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Caring for someone with breathing difficulties
Breathe Easy is a local support group affiliated to the British Lung Foundation and is for people with COPD, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung conditions and their family and friends. The meetings take place at King Charles Centre, King Charles Road, Surbiton and offer mutual support and friendship, information and education.
For more information contact Bill 020 8948 4419
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Caring for someone with Parkinson's Disease
The Parkinson’s Disease Society provide a range of support including monthly Branch meetings, coffee mornings and a group for people of working age with Parkinson’s Disease. Carers are welcome Parkinson’s to any of their monthly meetings.
For more information contact Marina 07785 515619 or email mmorgan@parkinsons.org.uk
Many other groups exist in the borough. Please check out your Carers’ Directory or contact us at Kingston Carers’ Network for more information.
Kingston Mental Health Carers Forum is run by local mental health carers and offers information and advice to other mental health carers and enables carers needs and views to be heard by the health and social care organisations providing services and support.
For more information contact Alan 07983 063578 or email info@kmhcf.org.uk
NEW! Heads Up
This new service has been set up by the Royal Borough of Kingston Community Care Services to help and support people with an acquired brain injury and their family and friends. The Coordinator is in the process of consulting carers about what they would find useful, including the possibility of a support group for family and friends of young people with acquired brain injury, and we will keep you informed of progress.
For more information contact the Acquired Brain Injury Coordinator, Joanna 020 8547 6605 or email joanna.tkaczyk@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
NEW! Improving Stroke Services in Kingston
Royal Borough of Kingston have recently employed a Stroke Coordinator, Chris Jones, to look at current services for people who have had a stroke and their families. He is looking to talk to anyone who has had a stroke and their families to find out about their experiences and identify ways of improving services and support. Please contact Chris 07825 522968 or email chris.jones@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
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Could YOU benefit from changes to pension rules?
There are new rules to help carers who are missing out on National Insurance Contributions. You could benefit if you are in one of these situations: You care for 20 hours or more a week but miss out on Carer‟s Allowance because you don‟t care from 35 hours or more.
You care for someone who can't or refuses to claim disability benefits.
Where there is more than one of you caring for a disabled or ill person and someone else is getting the Carer‟s Allowance for that person.
You look after several people but cannot claim Carer‟s Allowance because you do not care for any one of them for 35 hours.
You are still providing a lot of care for someone who has gone into hospital or a care home, but cannot get Carer's Allowance because they don‟t get disability benefits because they have been in hospital or a care home. The Government has introduced a new Carer‟s Credit to help carers in these situations. To claim it you need to be caring for one or more disabled person for a total of 20 hours or more a week where they get Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or the middle or highest rate of Disability Living Allowance care component, or you will need a medical or care professional to confirm that you are providing appropriate care for them.
If you think this might be you, you can contact the Carer‟s Allowance Unit on 0845 608 4321 or Textphone on 0845 604 5312.
7 things carers can do to make the most of their pension.
1-Find out how much State Pension you have built up by getting your own State Pension forecast and checking your National Insurance (NI) Contributions record. 0845 3000 168
2-Find out if it is worth paying additional Contributions for any years of NI Contributions you have missed. This could give you a bigger State Pen-sion
3-Carers can get help to get a full basic State Pen-sion. From April 2010 carers who care for a total of 20 hours per week or more but do not get Carer‟s Allowance may be able to apply for a Carer‟s Credit which will help more carers get a basis State Pension.
4-From April 2010 it will be easer to qualify for a full basic State Pension as you will need only 30 years of NI Contributions to get a full basic State Pension (instead of the previous 39 years for women and 44 years for men), which will help carers who can have gaps in the NI record.
5-Don't forget you can get credited with NI Contributions if you meet certain conditions or receive certain benefits including Carer‟s Allowance, Jobseeker‟s Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance and Working Tax Credit.
6-Track down any lost private or work pension pots through the Pension Tracing Service. It‟s simple and free to use. (0845 600 2537. www.directgov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning).
7-If you are already getting a State Pension check if you could get other benefits including Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
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Would you like to be a Trustee?
KCN, like all voluntary organisations, is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board meets for two hours about 9 times a year. It receives reports from the Director and Treasurer and sometimes from other members of staff about the progress of the organisation: what funding is needed or has been gained and how the different projects are developing. With advice from the Director and, in consultation with carers, it makes decisions about how the organisation should grow, change and deal with different issues.
The Board needs all kinds of people on it in order to do its job well: people with financial and legal knowledge, people with experience of working in local government or the health services, people with experience of fund-raising or management, people who know the borough well and people who have had firsthand experience of caring and really understand the problems carers face.
Trustees are not paid although any expenses are reimbursed. Most people become trustees because they want to use their knowledge or experience to help the community they live in or because they want to have an influence on how an organisation works and, in the case of KCN, how carers in this borough are helped.
At the moment, KCN has 7 trustees and it needs 3 or 4 more. There is a selection process as we have to make sure that new trustees who are selected to the Board have the particular knowledge and skills it needs. This would involve filling out a short application form and having an informal interview with the Chair of the Management Committee and the Director. If you would like to apply to be a trustee, please call Kate Dudley on 020 3031 2757. It does not matter if you have not been a trustee before as, if you are selected, you will be given free training.
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Please send us your email addresses!
We are trying to find out the email addresses of as many of our carers as possible. This will make it quicker and easier for us to contact you and also save time and money. Please let us know if you have an email address.
Please email us on admin@kingstoncarers.org.uk or carers2@kingstoncarers.org.uk or call us on 020 3031 2757 to let us have this information.
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