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Carers In Touch VSA Carers Service is provided on behalf of
Aberdeenshire Council.
Thank you events for carers Aberdeenshire Council hosted 3 very successful events to say thank you to the unpaid carers across the north-east. The celebrations formed part of Carers Week in early June and were held at venues in
Lonmay, Banchory and Inverurie. The events were opened by the Provost and carers were then invited to have a hand massage, participate in some light exercise, and access information from many different organisations who could provide support to carers. A buffet lunch was then followed by entertainment, and the afternoon ended with each carer receiving a beautiful gift bag provided by ‘Inspire Soaps’ a local social enterprise charity. Aberdeenshire’s Provost said: “It was a great oppor-tunity for carers to get away from their day-to-day life for an afternoon, and a chance for them to meet other carers in their local area and discuss common issues.” Carers commented “I learned a lot and the company was excellent”, and “It was good to chat to other carers and hear how they cope with caring”. A big thank you to all those who supported the event, and especially to all the carers for making it a great afternoon.
You can meet the staff throughout the year at the Support Groups, Forums and Events. If you would like to find out more call 01358 720824 or email [email protected]
Janice retires...
After 12 years, Janice has decided to move on to new pastures. Janice has been part of many changes within the service and supported us endlessly in her Senior Carers Infor-mation and Advice role as well as the guru with our in-house database. I’m sure you will join us in wishing Janice all the very best for the future.
Contents
Carer Training and Events..…………………..Page 1
Carers Events……………………..…………….Page 2
Carers Information .……………………………Page 3
Carer Support Groups / Forums……………..Page 4
Opportunities for Carers.……………………...Page 5
Your Aberdeenshire Carers Newsletter
September 2015 - March 2016
As of the 1st of September 2015, our new Carers Centre in Ellon will be open to welcome unpaid carers. Please come and enjoy a cuppa in our new premises at 71 Station Road, Ellon AB41 9AR or call us on 01358 720824. Please note: Our Peterhead office at 1 Carter’s Close is now closed. Any callers previously using the Peterhead contact number—01779 490894, should now call our Ellon office.
We’ve arrived in Ellon!
Staff Updates
Linda Camilli has recently joined VSA as Carers Centre Co-ordinator for South Aberdeenshire. She will already be a famil-iar face to visitors to the centre, in her ‘other’ job with PAMIS who share our office. Carla Angus has also joined VSA as Carers Centre Co-ordinator for Central Aberdeenshire. Again, Carla maybe a familiar face as she was involved in the recent launch of the DEMENTIA ACTIVITY WORKBOOK.
Carer Training
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SVQ 2 in Health and Social Care
Funded by Aberdeenshire Council, 25 unpaid carers have regis-tered and are undertaking this qualification. To date, 6 carers have completed their SVQ award. Spaces will be available until December 2015 for any unpaid carers who would like to register.
“Thoroughly enjoyed and has given me confidence and sense of self worth. I would definitely recommend other carers to do this.” P Thom-son
“I enjoyed learning more about how to care for my loved one. It was all a learning experience made easier with someone like Sandra’s help.” M Stra-chan
“It reinforced that I was doing a job that was worthwhile and it also boosted my confidence in coping with my carer’s position.” S Wright
Keep Well wellbeing checks for carers The Practice Manager at Banchory Group Practice has made us aware that they are offering Keep Well wellbeing checks for carers. This is a national programme that aims to help people achieve and maintain good health. Please call your own GP practice to find out if they are offering this programme. The wellbeing check can take approximately 20 minutes and includes a Blood Pressure check and the chance to discuss your health needs and lifestyle, for example, how active you are and what your diet is like. Having a wellbeing check will ensure you are getting the best care, advice and support to help you to meet your needs. It will also offer an opportunity to find out about local support ser-vices. If you are registered with Banchory Group Practice, please call the surgery on 01330 822121 and ask for a Keep Well appointment with Maria. All Carers are invited to attend.
PAMIS 'Empowering conversations' training event
PAMIS Grampian is offering training to help carers feel more confident in discussions with professionals around Self Directed Support. The two-day training will take place on Tuesday 1st September and Tuesday 8th September and will offer valuable insights into how to communicate effectively and confidently. Venue: Mile End Learning Centre, Midstocket Road, Aberdeen AB15 5PD, Time: 10-2.30pm. 15 places available. Priority will be given for carers of those with complex needs. Please contact Amy at PAMIS on 01569 764 221 for more infor-mation or to book a place.
Learning Opportunity for Carers Do you care for a friend or relative with dementia? Would you like to meet other carers in a similar situation so you can share your experiences in a guided learning programme? Would you like to learn a bit more about dementia and how you can make small changes which can have a positive impact on the wellbeing of both you and the person you are caring for? The sessions will be delivered by Kirsteen Heneghan, Dementia Advisor, with support from staff at VSA. Interested carers are asked to attend 5 one and a half hour ses-sions which will hopefully be run in the Turriff area. If you would like to know more please contact Kirsteen on 01467 530512 or Alison McKessick, VSA Support Worker for the Turriff/Banff area on 01261 818143.
Events
North Summer Events Although the skies were grey and the rain poured down it did not dampen the spirits of the 29 carers who enjoyed their Summer outing to Aden Country Park on July 15th. A leisurely wander through the farming museum followed by a lesson on making oatcakes, lunch and a walk to the farmhouse. Carers then relaxed with popcorn and sweets at Banff Castle where they enjoyed a cinema expe-rience watch-ing the film “What we did on our holiday.”
VSA Carers Summer Outing to Drum Castle I attended the Carers Summer Outing to Drum Castle along with my wife Kathy & we both had a lovely relaxing & enjoya-ble day out. I met other carers and enjoyed the Castle tour and exhibition of modern art. After our tour we enjoyed the sunshine and explored the Walled Gardens . We loved our day out & would like to thank all the Castle staff for their kindness & VSA for organising such a super break & for inviting us to attend.
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VSA Carers Support groups are held monthly on a regular basis and all carers are welcome to attend any of the groups. Please call any of the VSA Carers Centres offices for more information.
Peterhead Groups Venue: Hotspot |1 Kirk Street | Peterhead | AB42 1RT
Mondays from 13:30 - 15:00 7th Sept, 12th Oct, 9th Nov, 11th Jan, 8th Feb, 14th Mar
Ellon Groups New Venue: 71 Station Road | Ellon | AB41 9AR
Tuesdays from 10:30 - 12:00 15th Sept, 13th Oct, 10th Nov, 12th Jan, 9th Feb, 8th Mar
Fraserburgh Groups Carers Centre | 19 Seaforth Street | Fraserburgh
Tuesday of the month from 10:30 - 12:30 1st Sept, 6th Oct, 3rd Nov, 5th Jan, 2nd Feb, 1st Mar
Turriff Groups Celebrations Coffee Shop / Gateway Centre | Turriff
Wednesdays from 11:00 –12:30 9th Sept (Celebrations), 14th Oct, 11th Nov , 13th Jan, 10th Feb, 9th Mar (Gateway)
Banff Groups Duff House / Banff Castle | High Street | Banff
Tuesdays from 11:00 - 12:30 15th Sept (Duff House), 20th Oct, 17 Nov, 19th Jan, 16th Feb, 15th Mar (Banff Castle)
Stonehaven Groups 52 Evan Street | Stonehaven
Friday of the month from 10:00 - 12:00 4th Sept, 2nd Oct, 6th Nov, 8th Jan, 5th Feb, 4th Mar
Huntly Groups Basement | Linden Community Centre | Huntly
Mondays from 10:00 - 11.30 12th Oct, 9th Nov, 11th Jan, 8th Feb, 14th Mar
Inverurie—New Group Family Resource Centre | Victoria Street | Inverurie
Wednesdays from 10:00 - 11.30 (Sept, Oct, Nov) Mondays from 13:00 - 14:30 (Jan, Feb, Mar) 16th Sept, 14th Oct, 11th Nov, 11th Jan, 8th Feb, 14th Mar
Carers Support Groups
Carers Forum Carers Forums raise awareness of carers’ needs with local organisations and professionals and try to ensure that, through consultation with carers, services are developed that meet carers’ needs.
Christmas Forums followed by Christmas lunch
South: Tuesday 8th December, Belvedere Hotel, Evan Street, Stonehaven 11:00 —14:00
North: Tuesday 15th December, Fraserburgh Leisure Centre, Seaforth St, Fraserburgh 11:00 —13:00
Central: Tuesday 8th December, Hopeville Social Club, Harlaw Road, Inverurie 11:00 —13:00
The Christmas lunch forums are available both to Carers and their ‘care recipient’ . A contribution of £10 will be required from Carers. Please call us to book your place.
Carers Forums followed by soup and sandwiches
North: Wednesday 23rd September, Dawson Court, Victoria Street, Turriff 11:00 —13:00 Wednesday 23rd March, Balmoor Stadium, Balmoor Terrace, Peterhead 11:00 —13:00
South: Tuesday 15th September, Ravenswood Country Club, Ramsay Road, Banchory 11:00 —14:00 Tuesday 8th or 15th March, provisionally at Ravenswood Country Club 11:00 —14:00
Central: Monday, 14th September, Balhousie Care Home, Deveron Road, Huntly 11:00 —13:00 Wednesday 9th March, Ashdale Hall, Westhill Drive, Westhill 11:00 am—13:00
Booking is essential for catering purposes. Please call your Carer Support and Development Worker to book your place.
Registered Scottish Charity SC 012950
vsa aberdeen @supportvsa
Visit our website at: www.vsa.org.uk
Your Health and Social Care Services – We want Your Views
Health and social care services across Aberdeenshire are changing. We are writing a plan for the future of health and social care services in Aberdeenshire. The plan is based on what you told us should be available in your locality. It describes how we will work together to improve the health of local people and to provide the right services for people who are ill or who rely on social care. Please book your space in accordance with the program below.
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Opportunities for Carers
The plan is available to view on Aberdeenshire Council and NHS Grampian Website from the 17th August, please visit
the links below: http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/social/healthsocialcareintegration.asp
http://nhsgintranet.grampian.scot.nhs.uk/depts/CorporateCommunication/Pages/Aberdeenshire.aspx
Please note: We operate a phone diversion system if any of the team are out of the office, so someone is on hand Monday - Friday from 9am - 3pm to take your calls. Service Managers Gail McKeitch: 01358 720824 or 07894 395268 Debbie Stopper: 01358 720824 or 07803 727730 Carers Support & Development Workers: Kaye Taylor (North): 01346 510111 or 07894 406361 Alison McKessick (North): 01261 818143 or 07568 106357 La-Vonne Sim (North): 01346 510111 or 07850 651076 Debbie Neill (South): 01569 766714 or 07738 402635 Georgina Errington (South): 01339 887291 or 07894 614877 Moira Stewart (Central): 01358 720824 or 07894 614875 Carers Centre Coordinators Carla Angus (Central): 01358 720824 Linda Camilli (South): 01569 766714
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Jill Carrick: 01569 766714 or 07841 341084
Contact the Team Delgaty Mobility Caravan Holidays A group of five people from the Turriff area have formed a partner-ship and have purchased a fully accessible static caravan at Silversands Holiday Park at Lossiemouth.
One of the partners, Ian Garden, said that the caravan comes complete with wheelchair access, wet room/shower room and a portable hoist. “We set up Delgaty Mobility Caravan Holidays as an opportunity to help disabled people and their carers have a much needed break.” The caravan, which sleeps five people, is on a busy site which has its own clubhouse, restaurant, swim-ming pool and shop and caters for all ages which means it is suitable for a family holiday as well as for couples. For further information on the availability and prices please contact Ian on 01888 568699/ 07835443631 or [email protected]
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