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Carers enjoying a cream tea at Cleeve House, Seend The Care Act: What it means P.8-9 Carers in Wiltshire Support for young adults P.4-5 How to have your say P.16-17 Carer Support Wiltshire’s official newsletter AUTUMN/WINTER 2014

Carer Support Wiltshire Autumn/Winter 2014 Newsletter & What's On Guide

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Carers enjoying a cream tea at Cleeve House, Seend

The Care Act: What it means

P.8-9

Carers in Wiltshire

Support foryoung adults

P.4-5

How to have your say P.16-17

Carer Support Wiltshire’s official newsletter

AUTUMN/WINTER 2014

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our Autumn/Winter newsletter. As I write this in early August, we are starting strategic planning for 2015 – 2016 and are aware of the impact recent government legislation is going to have on carers and Carer Support Wiltshire.

The Care Act 2014 comes into play from 1st April 2015 and, for the first time, carers will have equal rights alongside the person they care for, including an assessment of their own needs regardless of the amount of time they spend caring. We know that at least 1 in 8 of the population is a carer, that the majority are of working age and that by 2017 it is predicted that there will not be enough unpaid carers available to undertake the caring roles needed, which is all very challenging for us. You will find more details about The Care Act on p.8.

We are fortunate to be working in partnership with Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, but as social care budgets are reduced, all partners have to be

more creative in the way services are delivered.

One new service that is launching in November 2014 is the Home from Hospital service. We will be working with Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living, Age UK Wiltshire and Age UK Salisbury District to get this off the ground. The Home from Hospital Co-ordinators will be based in each of the three district hospitals (Royal United in Bath, Great Western in Swindon and Salisbury District hospital). They will work with the hospitals to identify patients and carers who need support but wouldn’t be eligible for a social care service and will help to facilitate safe discharge back home.

Patients who access the service will be offered a free visit from a Help to Live at Home provider and volunteers will be available to offer help for people to return to a normal routine at home. There will be more information on this new service in GP surgeries, in the hospitals and on our website in due course.

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“Carers at the heart of all we do”

Introduction from Lindsay

I am sure there will be many more new areas of work as we continue to try and reach as many carers as possible. We have well over 8,000 registered with us so far, all of whom will be reading this newsletter, so if you have any ideas or suggestions please do let us know!

Season’s Greetings,

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Introduction from Lindsay

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

CSW’s Annual Friends and Supporters Lunch We are hosting a lunch on Wednesday 8th October at Devizes Sports Club to try and appeal to new funders and to say thank you to those who have supported us over the last year. For more information, please give us a call on 0800 181 4118.

Carers Rights Day 2014 This year’s Carers Rights Day is taking place on Friday 28 November 2014. This day always focuses on increasing the take up of benefits, making sure carers know their rights, guiding carers towards practical support and raising awareness of carers’ needs. We have an event in the pipeline, so look out for details nearer the time!

Help us to save money!

If you have an email address, please can we ask that you request to receive this newsletter by email in the future.

The more we have to get printed and posted, the higher the cost!

All you have to do is send a quick email to [email protected] with your name and address so we can update our systems.

An added incentive: people who receive it by email usually get it a couple of weeks before those who get it in the post!

Introducing Andrea and Derek...

Hello! We have been employed by Carer Support Wiltshire to set up a new service to support Young Adult Carers aged 16 – 25 years old.

Derek will be providing support to help Young Adult Carers in making the move into various adult support services, and Andrea will offer Young Adult Carers support and information to access education, training and employment opportunities.

Education, Training & Employment

Need some help finding a job? Not sure whether to go to university?

Whether it’s apprenticeships, student loans or tips on how to get into the workplace, we have some useful information for you. We can signpost you to the right places, advise you

about what to do next and make

sure you know the choices available to you.

Moving into adult support services

We want to ensure that those of you aged between 16 and 25 don’t slip through the net. There are lots of free support and services out there for you and we will do our best to make sure you can access them.

As well as groups and trips out, we will listen to your training needs and see what else might be useful to you.

Getting in touch with us

Give us a quick call on 0800 181 4118 or you can email us:

[email protected]@carersinwiltshire.co.uk

We can offer you support over the telephone, email, Skype or Facebook.

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A Song for CarersYoung Adult Carers

Young Adult Carers

Come on over and join in the conversation! Derek and Andrea update the Facebook page regularly with useful tips, links to helpful information and the latest groups and days out information.

www.facebook.com/YACWiltshire

or search ‘Young Adult Carers Wiltshire’ when you login.

Chat with other young adult carers and get in touch with us if you are in need of any support.

It’s your page, so let us know what you would like to see on it!

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Young Adult Carers

Young Adult Carers

Trip to Thorpe Park Wednesday 29th October 2014

Join us on a free fun day out to Thorpe Park! We will be visiting during Halloween season so the park will decorated all spookily...

Scream your head off on the amazing rollercoasters and the other thrilling rides on offer! There is also lots there for the faint-hearted too.

Times for the day:Pick-ups at 8:30am at the bus stop outside the Co-op on Wilton Rd, Salisbury SP2 7JY and 9:15am from the Co-op car park, Blackmore Rd, Melksham SN12 7HS .

We will be departing Thorpe Park at 6pm to return home.

To book a place, please contact Derek on 0800 181 4118 or email [email protected] by 19th October at the latest.

We now have a zone especially for young adult carers on our website! Take a look at: bit.ly/YAcarers for useful information, links and more.

Our training co-ordinator Steve Rose is now able to provide one-to-one help and support to carers who have worries around budgeting, debt or dealing with the banking system (types of accounts, debit/credit cards, ISA, general saving accounts and credit unions).

Steve is able to see individual carers for a maximum of four sessions.Meetings can be arranged at our Salisbury or Semington offices, or at a neutral venue of your choice.

A dementia friend is someone who will help people with dementia to live well for longer.

Anybody can become a friend. It’s as simple as just understanding a bit more about dementia. A free one hour session will give you helpful tips and ideas to help you support the people you know with dementia and their carers.

We are not able to provide you with specific financial advice or endorse any particular service or company but we can provide you with the tools to plan an effective budget, or understand the types of services that are out there.

To find out more, contact Steve on 0800 181 4118 or send an email to [email protected].

If you’d like to come along and earn your badge of honour, please visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk and then select “find a session near you” to find your nearest session.

Some will take place at our Salisbury office on the following dates:

Tuesday 21st October at 3pmMonday 17th November at 11amTuesday 16th December at 10:30am

Send a quick email to Eileen [email protected] or call 07594 634850 to book.

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News in brief

New money mentoring service

With a turnover of over £1m last year, Carer Support Wiltshire is a dynamic charity working within Wiltshire to support those providing unpaid care for another adult.

We are currently looking for new Trustees for our Board with expertise in any of the following areas: finance, HR, marketing, business skills or legal work.

Our Board meetings are held six-weekly in Semington and Salisbury

Hello from Diana There are two parts to my role as business manager for CSW. The first is overseeing all the areas of work that are needed for the organisation to function on a day to day basis – like communications, premises, equipment, financial control, fundraising and events. The second is leading on our development projects. This includes our hospital and GP engagement work, through which we try to ensure that carers are recognised and treated as expert partners by

alternately, with subcommittee meetings about four times a year, normally in Semington.

Please go to our website for details of this opportunity carersinwiltshire.co.uk/about-us/jobs/, which will give you all the information you need to know about the commitment we ask from our Trustees.

Please call 01380 871690 for an informal discussion with our CEO Lindsay Poulsom.

the staff in health care settings. This work is set to expand, to include other sorts of health and social care providers. Other new projects, like our work with Young Adult Carers, tend to start life in projects team, before they become embedded as part of our services. But my biggest challenge will be to help the organisation to develop new commercial services, so that we can move beyond being reliant on grants and donations. The employers’ project will be one such service – where employers will pay us for training to enable them to better support staff who are carers.

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New Staff & Trustees

Could you be our new Trustee?

The Care Act brings huge changes for carers. It pulls together previous legislation and for the first time gives carers ‘parity of treatment and esteem’ with the person with care needs, both referred to as individuals.

The Act comes into force in two stages, April 2015 and April 2016, with April 2015 seeing the introduction of the biggest changes for carers.

Here at Carer Support Wiltshire we are helping to prepare for its implementation and ensuring the carer’s voice is heard and influential with service commissioners.We thank those carers already involved in projects such as the review of carers assessments, the information and advice portal, and the Help to Live at Home providers to name but a few. If you are interested in helping with this really important work or know of another carer who is, call us on 0800 181 4118 to register for carer involvement.

The new system should last a generation and the guiding

principles which underpin it are

of Prevention, Parity, Integration and Personalisation.

Definition: Clause 10 (3) defines a carer as: ‘an adult who provides or intends to provide care for another adult (“adult needing care’’).

An adult will not be regarded as a carer if the adult provides or intends to provide care under or by virtue of a contract or as voluntary work.However, there will be specific cases in which it may be appropriate to regard someone in this position as a carer, for example a family member who receives payment for providing care through a direct payment.

Parent Carers and Young Carers are covered under the Children and Families Act 2014. There are provisions within the Act around assessment to ensure the transition and preparation for adulthood is

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The Care Act

The Care Act: What is it?What will it mean for carers?

flexible within the ages of 18 to 25.

Duty to promote well-being: The Act ensures that people’s well-being, and the outcomes which matter to them, will be at the heart of every decision that is made. Well-being outcomes include physical, mental, emotional, social and economic factors. It also covers participation in work, education and training. Duty to prevent, reduce, and delay needs: This applies equally to those not receiving services and their carers. The local authority is responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of services which will prevent or delay the development of, or reduce the need for, support for carers. The regulations cover charging for prevention with limits and specific free provision (including reablement). Duty to provide information, advice and advocacy: Each local authority has to provide information and advice on how the system works locally, the choice and types of care and support, how to access it, how to access independent financial advice on care issues and how to make a

complaint. This includes the provision of information, advice and advocacy services to carers.

The Act stipulates integration between care and support and health-related provision. This is being funded by the Better Care Fund and Wiltshire is a fast-track authority in delivering on this work.

Needs and assessments: There is a duty to assess on appearance of needs; assessments must be proportionate to the person’s needs, goals and circumstances; the assessment must consider their desired outcomes alongside needs; and the local authority must consider if other types of support available locally may also be of benefit.

The carer’s assessment should consider whether the carer is able and willing to continue to care; the impact of caring on the carer’s well-being, and the carer’s own desired outcomes including their own and local community resources. The Act drops the previous requirement to be providing regular or substantial care.

- Catharine Hurford, Head of Operations

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The Care Act

For more information on assessments, eligibility, safeguarding and other parts of the Care Act, please go to www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-care-bill-factsheets

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Fundraising updates

Fundraising golf day

Open garden at Beggar’s Knoll

On the 19th May we held a golf day at North Wilts Golf Club. 72 players in 18 teams of 4 entered the competition and enjoyed a great afternoon of golf in the sunshine. To boost our fundraising we held a very successful raffle which everyone generously supported. The day was rounded off by a meal and prize giving in the clubhouse when we were able to tell everyone about the work of CSW, the difference this makes to carers and how their support would help. The event raised a fantastic £1,720 and our thanks certainly go out to David and Philippa Stevens whose energy and enthusiasm made the day such a success.

The owners of one of the few Chinese gardens in England generously allowed us to hold a fundraising event at their lovely garden near Westbury. On the 22nd and 23rd July they opened up Beggar’s Knoll to the public to raise money for CSW and the National Gardens Scheme. Over the two days, garden enthusiasts were given private tours of the garden by the owners before enjoying a delicious afternoon tea on the lawn, provided by our volunteers. The event was a great success with 49 visitors coming along to experience the garden in fabulous summer sunshine. It raised £398 for Carer Support Wiltshire. Thank you to everyone who helped publicise the event, provided cakes or helped out over the two days.

Did you know you can help Carer Support Wiltshire - just by shopping online?

1: Sign-up on your desktop, tablet or via the mobile app. It’s fast, simple and 100% secure.2: Shop from a selection of millions of products at over 3,000 top online retailers including Amazon, John Lewis, eBay and Expedia.3: The retailer will donate a percentage of the purchase value to us. The best thing is, it won’t cost you a penny extra.

Since we first registered with this scheme in November last year 7 people have signed up and we have raised £28.71. Just imagine how much we could raise if we could get 1,000 people signed up!

Visit www.giveasyoulive.com/join/csw

We have been successful in our application to use the charity chalet at Salisbury Christmas Market this year. The event runs from 27th November - 20th December and CSW will be there on 11th December. Carrie and her team of creative carers are already working hard to make the gifts, decorations and jewellery we plan to sell. We will be drawing on the support of our volunteers to run the stand which will be open from 9.45am until 8.00pm.

Thank you... to everyone who has helped fund our work so far this year including: Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors, Bevirs Solicitors, Bradford on Avon Town Council, Bremhill Mowers, Calne Town Council, The Carers Trust, The Clinical Commissioning Group, Corsham Town Council, Cricklade Town Council, Devizes Town Council, Gaiger Bros Ltd, HM Foam & Upholsterers, Kerry Crescent Dental Practice, Lansdowne Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Martin Walker Estate Agents, Medical Money Management, Pewsey Parish Council, Pillow May, Planks Dairies, Poulshot Lodge Farm Shop, St James’ Trust, St Mary’s School Sports Centre, The Rotary Club of Chippenham Wiltshire Vale, The Rotary Club of Royal Wootton Bassett, Top2Toe Fitness, the Rotary Club of Trowbridge Wessex Mead, Westbury Town Council, Whitehall Garden Centre, Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Electrics, Wiltshire Farm Foods, The Wright Fund.

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Help raise money for CSW

© Salisbury Christmas Market

Salisbury Christmas Market Charity Chalet

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Jacqueline found us on the brink of breaking point

Jacqueline cares for her 15 year old daughter Kayleigh who has brittle asthma, a weak heart, a bone condition and brain damage which means she is unable to read or write and has issues with her short term memory. She also cares for her 74 year old father Derek who has atrial fibrillation, an aneurism and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Carers often don’t seek outside support until they reach breaking point. For Jacqueline, that came when her father’s health deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital.

“I got to the point where I thought ‘I can’t do this’. At that time, several months ago, I noticed a flyer about Carer Support Wiltshire in my GP surgery.”

Up until that moment, Jacqueline had got by with little outside support and coped with the great help from her 19 year old son David, 12 year old daughter Taylor-Ann and partner Gregory.

Once registered with Carer Support Wiltshire, a support

worker went out to visit and provided some great support. They talked her through the various help and services that she could access and each organisation was contacted individually on Jacqueline’s behalf.

I went through a huge list of things that I wanted to try and sort out and they just took care of it. It really took away a small burden.

“My father’s illness is now at the stage that we don’t know how much longer he’s going to be around.

“But I now know that I can email Carer Support Wiltshire and have a rant if things are getting me down.”

Carer Story

L-R: Kayleigh and Jacqueline

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This issue Carole Dibble, Administration Assistant, answers the questions...

If unlike Carole, you love shoes, you could help raise money for Carer Support Wiltshire when shopping for them online!

Take a look at p.11 to find out more.

How long have you worked for Carer

Support Wiltshire or its predecessors?

Nearly five years.Favourite music? Pop ballads and pop opera.

Favourite book? The Third Twin by Ken Follett.

Favourite film? Pretty Woman.

Favourite place? Home and Tuscany for its

beautiful scenery.Ideal dinner guest (dead or alive)? Elvis when

he was in his prime!If you were stuck on a desert island, what 3

things would you take? Photo of my family,

books and a lipstick.If you won the lottery, what would be the first

thing you would do? Share it out between

family, friends and acquaintances who could do

with a surprise gift.What would you call the autobiography of

your life so far? Rollercoaster.

Random fact about yourself: I hate shoes!

Staff Q & A

We put together a weekly digest of news articles, events and consultations of interest to carers, along with updates from Carer Support Wiltshire. Many carers and professionals alike have told us how useful they find it arriving in their inbox every week.

If you would like to receive it, just email [email protected].

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Carer Support Wiltshire (CSW) is growing fast and referrals are increasing daily. We continue to require the amazing help of volunteers to support the many services we have on offer.

CSW is signed up to the Wiltshire Valuing Volunteering Promise. We adopt good practices in volunteering management and demonstrate an appreciation of volunteers’ valuable contributions. The promise confirms our commitment to the principles of Choice, Inclusion, Support, Safety, Reimbursement and Reward.

Being involved in volunteering and making a difference to someone’s

life can also help you. Our annual volunteer questionnaires showed volunteering helped:

45% Increase their confidence 42% Develop new skills 14% Build a life beyond caring 3% Build on existing skills 10% Enter employment

We have lots of varied volunteering opportunities, all of which make a difference to the lives of carers in Wiltshire. We are particularly keen to recruit volunteers for our four “big C” roles! Take a look across the page for details.

For more information please visit the volunteering page on our website carersinwiltshire.co.uk or call us on 01380 871690. We would love to hear from you!

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Volunteering

We now need our volunteers more than ever before...

L-R: Serving afternoon teas at an open garden fundraiser; saying ‘thank you’ to volunteers in 2014; A volunteer helping with admin tasks and helping with a creative carers group making felt cherries.

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Volunteering

We now need our volunteers more than ever before...Many GP surgeries in Wiltshire offer regular clinics especially for carers. We need volunteers to provide administrative assistance to the CSW Carer Clinic Worker during Carers Clinics.

• Provide administrative support by listening and recording carers details, filling in registration forms or updating existing carer records

• Work confidentially and accurately • Be welcoming and empathetic to carers’ issues • Liaise with the Carer Clinic Worker regarding the clinic

Carers Clinic Assistant

To facilitate a monthly carers cafe and to promote a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for the attendees.

• Promote the cafe locally and encourage and keep a record of attendance • Report back any needs or concerns about the wellbeing of attendees to the Volunteer

Coordinator (or other designated worker)

Carers Café Facilitator

To provide confidential counselling to carers on a short term basis. Ideally you should be qualified to a minimum of Diploma level but 2nd year students looking to gain hours may be considered. In-house supervision, insurance and ongoing support is provided.

Counsellors

We are looking for therapists to provide complementary therapies to carers at various locations across Wiltshire.

Complementary Therapists

L-R: Serving afternoon teas at an open garden fundraiser; saying ‘thank you’ to volunteers in 2014; A volunteer helping with admin tasks and helping with a creative carers group making felt cherries.

Having your say...

Carer Support Wiltshire (CSW) wants to ensure that carers’ voices are directly involved in all decision-making for the development of new and existing services which support carers across Wiltshire.

How am I listened to? Jane Duke is the Carer Involvement Worker at CSW. She is here to make sure that you all get an opportunity to have your say and can tell us about any concerns and issues you may have.

Jane wants to be able to harness the skills, expertise and knowledge you’ve gained from your caring role.

What is happening in Wiltshire?The Wiltshire Carer Involvement

Group (WCIG) has been set

up to act as a representative group of carers. It meets every quarter to identify any issues or concerns which are affecting carers in Wiltshire. The role of this group is to make sure that those issues are then brought to the attention of the relevant authority so that they can be resolved.

WCIG held its first formal meeting on June 19. There are presently 17 members (with a target number of 20) to ensure this core group can work effectively. Some of the carers have come to the WCIG through other carer organisations in Wiltshire (Dorothy House Hospice, Spurgeons, Wiltshire PCC, Alzheimer’s Support and AWP).

The recruitment process will continue to ensure the group around the table represents as wide a range of carers as possible. You can find details of all

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Carer involvement

the members of WCIG on our website, together with the area of carers’ services which particularly interests them.

As the WCIG gets into its stride, it will start to identify the issues and concerns of carers that need resolving. Sometimes it will be necessary to set up working groups and to co-opt one or two carers to act as advisers. This will ensure that the WCIG group remains effective and does truly influence change for carers in Wiltshire.

Requests for involvement from carers have been steadily increasing. The statutory agencies are regularly seeking advice and consulting on a wide range of matters. We are pleased to report that a large number of carers have indicated their wish to be involved and we are trying to make sure that everybody’s special knowledge, expertise and interests are put to good use.

As the new Care Act nears its time for implementation in April 2015, we

anticipate that there will be even bigger demand for carers to give their views and to be consulted on the style of and delivery of carer services.

Ways you can get involved

• Take part in discussions about issues affecting you at our groups and cafes

• Join small review groups and working parties to work on a particular issue affecting carers

• Represent carers’ views in meetings, consultations and discussions with statutory organisations

• Tell your story to staff in hospitals and social care

• Represent the carer perspective on recruitment interview panels

• Participate in meetings, conferences and other consultation processes

• Complete periodic questionnaires and surveys

• Give your views at specialist groups or meetings that are provided by our partner organisations.

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Carer involvement

To find out more, please get in touch with Jane on 0800 181 4118 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can complete the special carer involvement questionnaire on our website at bit.ly/carerinvolvementquestions

The Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme has been setup to help customers on low incomes. It provides a £140 rebate on your electricity bill for winter 2014-2015.

It is up to your energy supplier to decide whether you are eligible for the discount. The criteria varies for each company, but is often open to you if you have a disability or long-term illness, or children.

If you are a pensioner in receipt of the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you qualify for an automatic Warm Home Discount through the Department for Work and Pensions.

More information on applying to your energy supplier for the Warm Home Discount is available at www.gov.uk or ring the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0845 603 9439, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Have you joined our Two Hundred Club? For just £12 a year, you’ll be entered in to four prizes draws with the chance to win amounts up to £100*! The best bit? Everyone who joins will be helping to raise money for us to support carers in Wiltshire. A win, win situation all-round. Call us on 0800 181 4118 or visit bit.ly/200club to join. Latest winning tickets numbers were:

June 2014: 1st - 23 2nd - 95 3rd - 72

*Prize amounts are reduced if we sell less than 200 tickets.

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Bits ‘N’ Bobs

Radar NKS Key Thanks to Caroline for this tip The Radar National Key Scheme (NKS) offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. Toilets fitted with National Key Scheme (NKS) locks can now be found in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations and many other locations in most parts of the country.

If you would like to obtain a key, you can purchase one for £3.75 from the Independent Living Centre in Semington. Simply call 01380 871007 or email [email protected] to find out more.

Free flu jabs for carers

Many people are entitled to a free flu vaccination to prevent them from catching the virus this Winter. This includes anyone who is looking after an older or disabled person, to ensure they can stay well in order to continue caring. It also covers anyone who is sharing a household with someone who is immunocompromised.

If you haven’t already made an appointment for a flu jab, we would recommend that you get in touch with your local GP surgery.

Health Trainers

Health Trainers work on a one-to-one basis to support behaviour change associated with ill health, including: unhealthy eating often linked to obesity, stopping or reducing smoking, increasing physical activity, reducing anxiety and boosting self-esteem. They will work with you for six sessions building motivation and confidence to enable you to help yourself and to maintain the changes. You can self-refer on 0300 003 4566 or by emailing [email protected]

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Useful information for carers

With kind thanks to our principal funders...

“Dear Carer Support Wiltshire,

‘It is so good to know all of this training and groups is there and free to access. It is making such a difference to my life and you calling me so quickly after my email makes me feel so supported and not alone’.”

A piece of feedback received from a carer who cares for her elderly mother who has dementia.

Keep in touch...

Freephone 0800 181 4118 (01380 871690 from a mobile) Email [email protected] Website www.carersinwiltshire.co.uk Twitter @carerswiltshire Facebook /carerswiltshire

Social Care Out of Hours Emergency Duty Number 0845 607 0888

Require large print or audio format? Contact Fiona, Communications Officer, on the number above or email [email protected]

Carer Support Wiltshire, Independent Living Centre, St George’s Road, Semington, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 6JQ and at 15 New Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2PH

Registered Charity No. 1092762 Company Limited by Guarantee 4415685

If you are no longer a carer, or no longer want our newsletter, please let us know.

Please remember: If you book on to any trips, activities or events, please let us know if you can no longer attend for any reason. We understand that caring commitments can change at short notice but if you inform us it means we are then able to offer your place to another carer.

All group and café dates are correct at the time of going to print. However, sometimes venues and dates change at the last minute due to factors outside our control, or in response to the needs of carers. Please ensure you check with us first if you are planning on attending.

TO BOOK ON TO ANY GROUPS OR EVENTS...Freephone 0800 181 4118 (01380 871690 on a mobile)Email [email protected]

What’s Inside?

P.2 Christmas Meals & Days OutP.3 Complementary Therapies P.4 Complementary Therapies (ctd.)P.5 Gardening, Walking & Book ClubsP.6 Creative Carers GroupsP.7 Groups in the NorthP.8 Groups in the North / KennetP.9 Groups in Kennet / the SouthP.10 Groups in the SouthP.11 Groups in the West P.12 Break opportunities in Wiltshire

What’s On GuideGroups & Events from October 2014 - March 2015

Christmas Meals Our Fundraiser, Helen Pearson, is currently in the process of seeking funding for carers to enjoy a free Christmas lunch. It’s a chance to get together at the festive time of year and enjoy a bit of time out.

If you would be interested in attending a lunch, please give us a call on 0800 181 4118 or email [email protected] with your name, address, telephone number and any special dietary and access needs. Please express your interest by 15th November.

Christmas Shopping TripsYou will have noticed that there seem to be no scheduled Christmas shopping trips this year. However, that doesn’t mean that none will go ahead!

If you would be interested in going on an outing to do a bit of Christmas shopping, or maybe a visit to a Christmas market, please get in touch with your ideas. The more of you that get in touch, the better chance there is of a trip (or two!) going ahead.

Please contact our Events Co-ordinator, Julie Jackson, on 0800 181 4118 or email [email protected] to let us know what you would be interested in doing.

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Christmas breaks

Enjoying a complementary therapy can help you to relax, balance your mind and have some time just for you. We organise regular complementary therapies all around Wiltshire so that carers can enjoy up to three sessions in any 12 months for free.

If you would like to book, please give us a call on 0800 181 4118.

North Wiltshire

Complementary Massage Therapy - 50min/1hr appointment.

Equilibrium The Natural Health Centre, Natural Health Clinic 128 High Street, 1 Forest Gate, Chippenham SN15 3RS Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7NY

Thu 23 October 10am - 1pm Mon 20 October 10am - 1pm Tue 11 December 10am - 12pm Mon 10 November 10am - 1pmThu 29 January 10am - 1pm Mon 8 December 10am - 1pmTue 10 March 10am - 1pm Mon 5 January 10am - 1pm Mon 9 February 10am - 1pm Mon 2 March 10am - 1pm

Malmesbury Primary Care Centre Priory Way, Malmesbury SN16 0FB 50 min/1hr appointments available from 10am - 1pm.

Thu 30 October Thu 6 November Thu 18 DecemberThu 15 January Thu 5 February Thu 12 March

Kennet Area

Unfortunately, we are currently unable to provide therapies in the Kennet area. However, please get in touch if you are interested in enjoying a therapy.

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Complementary Therapies

Provides relaxation and relief to muscle strain and fatigue and may improve your emotional

health by relieving stress and tension.

South Wiltshire

Complementary Therapies available will include head and shoulder massage, foot massage and reflexology - 45min appointments between 10am - 3:15pm.

Carer Support Wiltshire 15 New Street, Salisbury SP1 2PH

Thu 2 October Thu 13 November Thu 4 DecemberThu 8 January Thu 5 February Thu 5 March

West Wiltshire

All Complementary Therapies are 30min appointments apart from pedicures which are 45mins. Semington is 9:30am - 4pm and Warminster is 9:45am - 3:40pm.

Carer Support Wiltshire ILC, St George’s Road, Semington, Nr. Trowbridge BA14 6JQ

Thu 30 October FacialsThu 27 November ReflexologyNo therapies are taking place in DecemberThu 29 January ManicuresThu 26 February Aromatherapy MassageThu 26 March Pedicures

Warminster Library Three Horseshoes Walk, Town Centre, Warminster BA12 9BT

Tue 14 October Indian Head MassageTue 11 November ReflexologyTue 9 December Back MassageTue 13 January Indian Head MassageTue 10 February ReflexologyTue 10 March Back Massage

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Complementary Therapies

A form of massage therapy that focuses on the head, shoulders and neck to release blocked

negative energy and restore wellbeing.

A holisitic therapy focusing on the feet to alleviate pain and stress. It encourages healthy functions in corresponding areas of the body.

Walking Group 10:30am - 12:30pm All abilities are welcome - you set the pace!

Thu 20 November: Caen Hill Locks, Devizes A relaxed walk taking in the famous Caen Hill Locks.

Thu 15 January: A walk around Pewsey A circular walk of the lovely Wiltshire village and local nature reserve.

Thu 19 March: Historical walk in Silbury A historical and informative walk led by Peter Dunn, archaeological illustrator, in the Silbury/West Kennet area.

Gardening Group 10:30am - 12:30pm Topic-related talks for gardening enthusiasts and visits to pretty local gardens. Thu 2 October: Wiltshire Traditional Orchard Project in conjunction with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust An informative visit to view a traditional orchard in Rowde, nr. Devizes. Thu 4 December: Festive Table Decoration Come and enjoy a friendly and informal morning of festive creativity! Led by Richard Lewis, Head Gardener at Stowell House. It will be held at Sharcott Pennings Dairy Farm, nr. Pewsey and all raw materials will be provided.

Thu 19 February: Daffodil Picking Visit Woodborough Garden Centre (SN9 5PF) and pick February gold daffodils from their famous garden!

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Hobby & Interest Groups

Book Club 2:00 - 3:30pm An informal reading group with no obligation to read the entire book.

A carer-led group held at Devizes Library on the 2nd Friday of the month. Copies of books are supplied by the library and there’s always delicious cake! For more information about the walking, gardening or book group, please contact Caroline on 0800 181 4118 or send an email [email protected]

Creative Carers

We hold sessions in Chippenham, Salisbury, Royal Wootton Bassett, Bradford-on-Avon and Devizes.

They offer you the chance to meet with other carers, be creative and have some fun! The sessions are very informal and you don’t need any particular skills.

In the past we have had a go at felt making, flower arranging, card making, glass painting and lots more!

Our Salisbury group meets at 15 New Street, Salisbury SP1 2PH from 11am until 2pm. Upcoming activities are:

Wed 1 October: Christmas Wreaths Wed 3 December: Christmas Table DecorationsWed 4 February: Decoupage Cards

For upcoming dates and locations, please contact Carrie on 0800 181 4118 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, keep an eye on the ‘what’s on’ page of our website.

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Hobby & Interest Groups

CARER GROUP: 2:30 - 4:30pm on 1st Thursday of the monthSheldon Methodist Church, Audley Rd, Chippenham SN14 0DU 2 October Coping in the caring role (part II)6 November Money management4 December Having your say as a carerTBC January Stress management5 February Free session5 March Relaxation and mindfulness PARENT CARER GROUP: 10am - 12pmSheldon Methodist Church, Audley Rd, Chippenham SN14 0DU12 November / 14 January / 11 March

MENTAL HEALTH CARER GROUP: 10:30am - 12:30pmSheldon Methodist Church, Audley Rd, Chippenham SN14 0DU8 October This meeting has been cancelled.10 December Q & A session with Dr David Stevens, Psychiatrist. Please submit your questions to Maureen by 1 December.11 February Speaker to be confirmed.

CARERS CAFÉS

CALNE: Lansdowne Strand Hotel, The Strand, Calne SN11 0EH10:30am - 12pm on 4th Wednesday of the month22 October / 26 November / No December café / 28 January / 25 February / 25 March

CHIPPENHAM: Angel Hotel, 8 Market Pl, Chippenham SN15 3HD10:30am - 12pm on 3rd Thursday of the month16 October / 20 November / 18 December / 15 January / 19 February / 19 March CORSHAM: The Methuen Arms, High St, Corsham SN13 0HB10:30am - 12pm on 3rd Wednesday of the month 15 October / 19 November / 17 December / 21 January / 18 February / 18 March

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Regular Groups & Cafés

Groups in North Wiltshire

MALMESBURY: Kings Arms Hotel, High St, Malmesbury SN16 9AA 10:30am - 12pm on 4th Thursday of the month23 October / 27 November / No December café / 22 January / 26 February / 26 March

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT: The Angel Hotel, High St, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7AQ10:30am - 12pm on 2nd Thursday of the month9 October / 13 November / 11 December / 8 January / 12 February / 12 March

CARER GROUP: 10:30am - 12:30pm on 3rd Tuesday of the monthThe Bear Hotel, Market Pl, Devizes SN10 1HS21 October Having your say as a carer18 November Stress management16 December Free session20 January Relaxation and mindfulness17 February Coping in the caring role (part II)17 March Money management

CARER GROUP: 10:30am - 12:30pm on 1st Tuesday of the monthWesley Hall, Oxford St, Marlborough SN8 1AP7 October Stress management4 November Free session2 December Relaxation and mindfulness6 January Coping in the caring role (part II)3 February Money management3 March Having your say as a carer

PARENT CARER GROUP: 10am - 12pmNursteed Centre, Nursteed Rd, Devizes SN10 3AF14 October* / 11 November / 9 December* / 13 January / 10 February* / 10 March

*indicates it is led by a parent carer and not hosted by CSW

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Regular Groups & Cafés

Groups in the Kennet area

Groups in North Wiltshire

MENTAL HEALTH CARERS & FAMILY “DROP IN” 5 - 6:30pm Green Lane Hospital, Marshal Rd, Devizes SN10 5DSTakes place on the 3rd Friday of the month.

**COMING SOON** We will shortly have a parent carer group in Marlborough and a mental health group in Pewsey. Please give us a call on 0800 181 4118 or check the What’s On page on our website for details.

CARERS CAFÉS

DEVIZES: The Bear Hotel, Market Pl, Devizes SN10 1HS10:30am - 12pm on 1st Wednesday of the month1 October / 5 November / 3 December / 7 January / 4 February / 4 March

LUDGERSHALL: Queen’s Head, High St, Ludgershall SP11 9PZ2:30pm - 4pm on 1st Tuesday of the month7 October / 4 November / 2 December / 6 January / 3 February / 3 March

MARLBOROUGH: St Peter’s Church, High St, Marlborough SN8 1HQ10:30am - 12pm on 3rd Thursday of the month16 October / 20 November / 18 December / 15 January / 19 February / 19 March

CARER GROUP: 10:30am - 12:30pm on last Tuesday of the monthCarer Support Wiltshire, 15 New St, Salisbury SP1 2PH28 October Money management25 November Having your say as a carer9 December Stress management (please note earlier date this month)27 January Free session24 February Relaxation and mindfulness31 March Coping in the caring role (part II)

PARENT CARER GROUP: 10am - 12pmCarer Support Wiltshire, 15 New St, Salisbury SP1 2PH12 November / 14 January / 11 March

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Regular Groups & Cafés

Groups in South Wiltshire

MENTAL HEALTH CARER GROUP: 10:30am - 12:30pmCarer Support Wiltshire, 15 New St, Salisbury SP1 2PH19 November / 21 January / 18 March

MENTAL HEALTH CARERS DROP- IN at Salisbury Medical Practice, Fountain Way, Wilton Rd, Salisbury SP2 7FD at 5 - 6:30pmTakes place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month.

MENTAL HEALTH EVENING GROUP with Rethink: 7 - 9pmCarer Support Wiltshire, 15 New St, Salisbury SP1 2PH9 October / 13 November / 11 December / 8 January / 12 February / 12 March

CARERS CAFÉS DURRINGTON: The Stonehenge Inn, 2 Stonehenge Rd, Durrington, SP4 8BN - 2 - 3:30pm on 2nd Wednesday of the month8 October / 12 November / 10 December / 14 January / 11 February / 11 March

MERE: Angel Corner Tea Room, Angel Lane, Mere BA12 6DH 10:30am - 12pm on 2nd Monday of the month 13 October / 10 November / 8 December / 12 January / 9 February / 9 March

SALISBURY: The Red Lion Hotel, Milford St, Salisbury SP1 2AN10:30am - 12pm on 3rd Tuesday of the month 21 October / 18 November / 16 December / 20 January / 17 February / 17 March

TISBURY: Beatons Tea Rooms, The Square, Tisbury SP3 6JP10:30am - 12pm on 3rd Tuesday of the month21 October / 18 November / 16 December / 20 January / 17 February / 17 March

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Regular Groups & Cafés

Groups in South Wiltshire

CARER GROUP: 2 - 4pm on 3rd Wednesday of the monthUnited Church, Church St, Trowbridge BA14 8DY15 October Free session19 November Relaxation and mindfulness17 December Coping in the caring role (part II)21 January Money management18 February Having your say as a carer18 March Stress management

PARENT CARER GROUP: 9:30 - 11:30amCrosspoint, Market Pl, Westbury BA13 3DE22 October* / 26 November / 17 December* / 28 January / 25 February* / 25 March *indicates it is led by a parent carer and not hosted by CSW

CARERS CAFÉS MELKSHAM: The Kings Arms, 20 Market Pl, Melksham SN12 6EX10:30am - 12pm on 1st Thursday of the month2 October / 6 November / 4 December / No January café / 5 February / 5 March

TROWBRIDGE: Palmer Gardens, Islington, Trowbridge BA14 8QJ2 - 3:30pm on 1st Monday of the month6 October / 3 November / 1 December / 5 January / 2 February / 2 March

WARMINSTER: Magpie Café, 6 East St, Warminster BA12 9BN2 - 3:30pm on last Tuesday of the month28 October / 25 November / No December café / 27 January / 24 February /31 March

WESTBURY: Madame Butterfly Café, 16 Maristow St, Westbury BA13 3DN at 10:30am - 12pm on 2nd Tuesday of the month14 October / 11 November / 9 December / 13 January / 10 February / 10 March

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Regular Groups & Cafés

Groups in West Wiltshire

Free entry for carers accompanying someone with a disability

The National Trust offers a carer accompanying a disabled visitor free admission to their properties and attractions across the UK.

So long as the person with the disability has membership, or is paying for their ticket, the carer will go free! To save having to ask each time, you can ask for a ‘Access For All Admit One’ card which is made out in the name of the person with the disability so they are not limited to who can accompany them.

To request a card, email [email protected] or call 01793 817634.