CareLine: Summer 2015

Summer 2015

The Magazine For Unpaid Carers In East Sussex

East Sussex

Do Yo Look u After Someo ne?

CareLine Magazine

Also avai la

b le online

events calendar

Digital Inclusion 6

Carers 11

Voices

20

1

Contents Time to Talk 4-5

Welcome 3

Learning

Digital Inclusion

Disability Groups 8-9

6-7

Events Calendar

Respite 10

11-14

Juggling

Carers Week Review

Work & Caring 16-17

15

Carers Groups Directory 18-19

Carers Voices: Forums 20-21

Carers Toolkit 22

Training for Carers 23

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Contents

Welcome A word from the editor Kate Glover Information Officer at Care for the Carers Welcome to the summer 2015 edition of CareLine, the magazine for anyone in East Sussex looking after a friend or relative who couldn’t manage without your help.

CareLine brings together information on behalf of local orgnisations working with and for unpaid carers.

You will find this issue packed with information about your rights, services available to you, events and opportunities.

this publication, so please do let us know what you think .

I would like to take this opportunity to ask for your support in ensuring that CareLine reaches as many unpaid carers across the county as possible.

The more people that recieve their copy electronically, by email or by reading it on the website, the more hard copies of the magazine we can distribute to venues that reach out to new carers.

This edition of CareLine has been approved by the new Carer Review Group, made up of local carers coming together to ensure publications are interesting and easy to read. If you would like to become involved in the future please get in touch.

To do this we need your help.

You may notice that the events calendar in this edition has had a make-over based on your feedback. The Review Group are keen that your views continue to influence the content and style of

We are trialling the publication of a PDF version of the magazine, as well as the usual online edition.

If you are able to receive CareLine digitally either fill in the form on the back of this issue, or email us at info@cftc.org.uk and request to be switched to a digital subscription.

If you would take a digital copy of CareLine if we produced it

in a different format, then let us know. We will do our best to meet your needs. Maybe you need it to work on a particular e-reader, tablet, or smartphone?

The Care for the Carers website at www.cftc.org.uk has recently been redesigned and includes a new CareLine archive. If you have any feedback - please get in touch!

I really hope that you enjoy this latest edition of CareLine. If there is anything you would like to see included in the future or have any comments on how it might be improved, you can reach me on 01323 738390, or email me at the address below.

Best wishes,

Kate Glover Editor kateg@cftc.org.uk

Welcome 3

Time to Talk ‘Looking After Me’

Care for the Carers Supporting Parent Carers Time to Talk offers counselling and a peer-mentoring service to enable carers to manage the feelings and challenges they face.

‘Looking after me’ - Peer Mentoring Carers are very often so busy caring for a loved one and doing everything else that life demands of them that they forget that they matter too. As a carer, your own health needs and wellbeing can take a back seat or get forgotten altogether.

You may lack the time, energy, motivation or the information to ‘do something nice for yourself’ which, in time, can affect your own health.

84% of carers say that caring has a negative impact on their health, but it is important for those depending on you that you do stay well.

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Time to Talk

‘Looking after me’ supports and empowers carers to explore and identify positive changes.

Carers meet weekly or fortnightly with a volunteer peer mentor for about 12 weeks. Over a cup of tea they discuss the carers situation and consider what changes the carer would and could make to their wellbeing.

They might explore what opportunities are available for engaging in local activities e.g. learning, group support, fun and fitness activities.

Getting involved can give you some well-deserved ‘me time’, it can also help reduce the isolation that carers so often have to cope with. Of course it isn’t always easy ‘getting out there and doing it’. Peer mentors are excellent motivators and can help you overcome any hurdles together.

We want this service to support more carers across the county, but to do this we need more volunteers.

Some of our peer mentors have experience of being a carer but others do not. What they all have is a positive outlook, a good listening ear, empathy, a desire to help make a difference, initiative and a few hours to give.

Training and support is available and this really is an interesting and rewarding role.

If you would like to work with a peer mentor, or to volunteer, - please get in touch on 01323 738390, or contact Carole Gregory, Volunteer Coordinator, at caroleg@cftc.org.uk

Peer Mentoring in Action

Melanie and Katie share their experiences of peer mentoring

Melanie - Carer

Katie - Peer Mentor

Before I met Katie, I felt that I was just a Carer. I woke up in the morning filled with anxiety about my day. I felt alone and let down by other services I had turned to for help. It seemed nobody wanted to help me.

When starting the mentoring I really didn’t know what to expect. I think I was just as nervous as Melanie meeting her for the first time. She knew what she wanted, but wasn’t sure how to access the right resources or what services were available.

I supported her in finding different groups that connected her back into the community and was to build hope and choices.

Katie listened to me and gave me an opportunity to offload and share my concerns about my future.

She encouraged and motivated me to believe I could be Melanie as well as a carer.

I’ve never had a lot of confidence; being a carer for so many years I had forgotten about looking after myself. Social situations filled me with anxiety, and my self-worth was at its lowest before I started the peer mentoring.

Several weeks on, I’m actively linking up in social activities and selfhelp groups in the community. My confidence has grown, and although I still get tough days, I know I have somewhere I can go to meet/talk and listen to like-minded people; where I’m able to identify my own feelings in others which really helps me understand myself. I have the opportunity to share my thoughts and be part of a support network.

Fear used to stop me trying new things. With the help of the peer mentoring I’ve enrolled in college in September.

All of us at times need a little support and an empathetic listening ear.

It’s been an absolute pleasure to be part of her journey of selfdiscovery. I too have learnt so much about the role of being a carer and the strain it can take on your daily life. I have a much better understanding of what is involved in being a carer.

I would like to thank Melanie for showing me what an important and special role being a carer is, and also how mentally and physically absorbing a caring role can be. I’m so proud of what Melanie has achieved in such a short space of time.

It’s been a privilege to meet such an amazing lady who has such a difficult role to accomplish day in day out. It has been an invaluable experience to be a volunteering as a peer mentor and I’m proud to be supporting in my community.

Time to Talk

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Digital Inclusion Using computers, tablets, or smartphones can be daunting for the uninitiated, however they can make a significant difference in people’s day to day lives.

This can mean cutting household bills, finding a job, or maintaining contact with distant friends and relatives.

Attending events from home Care for the Carers recently trialed Skype particiation in a Carers Voices GroupThe group usually meets face to face, but this time, one member joined the discussion from home, using their laptop’s webcam and microphone. The group found that attending ‘virtually’ worked well, so we will now offer this option at any engagement events we can.

Participating in online events

Having your say online usually means ticking boxes in a survey, but an alternative is taking part in Reducing digital exclusion an online debate. Care for can help address many wider equality, social, health the Carers will be trying out this approach this summer, and wellbeing issues such by setting up a moderated as isolation. 81% of people chatroom to discuss over 55 say being online engagement opportunities makes them feel part of for carers. modern society and less lonely.

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Digital Inclusion

This involves logging on to a chatroom which has been specifically set up for the purpose. The discussion will focus on a pre-agreed topic, and is moderated by a facilitator.

The aim is to facilitate a safe and friendly environment for debate, whilst managing any disruption - for example anyone verbally abusing participants will be removed from the chatroom.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Care for the Carers on 01323 738390 or email at info@cftc.org.uk Help with getting online If you don’t have access to the internet at home - there are a number of ways to get access for free via the use of publicly available computers.

There are public computers in nearly all East Sussex Libraries (known as “People’s Network“) and these are available for sessions up to one hour at a time, or two hours per day. If the library is not busy and there is not anybody waiting - then sessions may be extended on an ad-hoc basis.

Sessions can be booked in advance, either online or over the phone, or you can just drop in and see if there is a computer available for you to use.

You will need to become a member of the library before you can use the computers, but it is free to join and all you need is some proof of identity (and preferably a recent proof of address) in order to sign up.

Free ‘Computer Buddy’ sessions If you are new to using the internet and don’t know where to start - you can book in with a Computer Buddy at most local libraries.

These sessions are free, and involves a volunteer sitting with you for half an hour to an hour in order to help you to achieve what you want to do. The volunteers cannot do it for you, but will be able to point you in the right direction and provide advice. These sessions tend to get booked up quickly and there is sometimes a waiting list - so it is important to book in advance.

If you would like to know more about using library computers or book in with a Computer Buddy - you can phone East Sussex Library and Information Service on their local rate number, 0345 60 80 196. More information is also available on their website at http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries.

Computer Help at Home The Association of Carers offer a ‘Computer Help at Home‘ service. This is designed to help Carers to learn how to use their computer in ways that will support them in their caring role, helping them to have more time to themselves and reducing their isolation. The service is free, and enables the carer to learn without having to leave or arrange respite care for their loved one.

If you are interested in receiving Computer Help at Home sessions, you can contact the Association of Carers on 0300 330 9498, or by email info@associationofcarers.org.uk.

Digital Inclusion 7

Learning Disability Groups Support for Parent Carers Care for the Carers in currently in touch with 395 carers of a loved one who has a Learning Disability, and 101 carers of someone with Autism and/or Asperger’s. All identify themselves as Parent Carers, and 88% are caring for an adult.

We run Learning Disability Carers Groups to support those parent carers of an adult (please see page 9 for information on ESPACC if you care for a child).

However our groups are underused, with only a minority of parent carers attending. We are keen to make the support on offer relevant and useful, so we have asked for feedback on how we can make them better.

Based on your ideas, a new type of event will be held in September. Parent carers will have the chance to access information on focused themes, as well 8

Learning Disability

as the moral support of meeting with peers, and discussion of strategic issues.

Learning Disability Carers’ Information Event Thursday 24th September 10am-2pm (lunch included)

Chalk Farm Hotel - the venue for the pilot information event

Chalk Farm Hotel, Coopers Hill, Willingdon, Eastbourne, BN20 9JD

• Shaping the future Parent Carers are experts on the needs of their sons and daughters, and your views should shape the development of the services that affect their, and your, lives.

This event will focus on: • Education & Training Whether it’s for pleasure or to achieve specific goals, learning can empower you to make positive changes – find out what’s on offer.

• Career & Employment Thinking about returning to work? Find out about flexible working, and your rights as an employee and a carer.

Please contact Care for the Carers to book your place by phone on 01323 738390 or email info@cftc.org.uk.

If you can’t be there, but want to get information, or comment on, any of these topics, please do let us know. We’ll send you a pack and feed your views into the debate on the day.

A Carers Journey Janice Eggers

I have felt every emotion possible in my caring role, which essentially drives me forward in a positive way. Everything I do, as a carer, I always try and look at the outcome which is to improve the lives of our family. I’ve learnt to be patient when filling out forms, going through yet another assessment or review.

As a parent carer people ask me ‘what keeps you going’? It’s an interesting question, and over the last thirty years I have been a carer member of various carers groups and committees in the I’ve had time to county. For me it is essential engagement think about that. work to keep and improve services for people who need them. Carers’ My husband and I care for our seriously organisations have been incredibly disabled son. I had a trouble free supportive to me and I have embraced their pregnancy. When our son was born in services with sincere thanks. I have no idea 1984 he began to have seizures at seven what the future holds. I live life day to day. weeks old. Our lives were turned upside down. There followed months and years Some days are tough, some pure joy, every of hospital appointments and tests. Finally day is different, every day is a challenge. a diagnosis after twelve years, a unique After yet another sleepless night I drag chromosome abnormality. myself downstairs and I am greeted with a smile from my son which is saying ‘thanks We moved to East Sussex in 1992 with our mum’. That’s what keeps me going. son and daughter having previously lived in three different counties. Each move required new assessments, new schools, new services, new Special Educational East Sussex Needs Statement. Over the years I’ve met Parent and and worked alongside inspirational Carers Council people, including other carers.

The purpose of ESPaCC Our son is an amazing young man. He is to develop a single has incredible strength, has coped with voice representing minor & major surgery, sudden blindness all parents, carers and families of children or in his early twenties, chronic reflux, young people with any additional need in challenging behaviour and self-harms on order to influence all services affecting and a daily basis. My son has taught me so relevant to children and young people. much about myself. I have learnt to be resourceful and proactive - for example Their aim is for Parents and Carers to work applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant to in partnership with local services and we adapt our home so our son can continue want to influence the decisions that affect to live with us for as long as possible. our families, locally and nationally.

Attending caring courses, counselling skills, a carers project, positive behavioural For further information, please call training, a university project called Carers 07432 067242, email admin@ Lives or helping to raise for the PTA eastsussexpacc.org or visit the website at hydrotherapy pool. http://www.eastsussexpacc.org/ Learning Disability 9

Respite Greenwood refurbishment offers a ‘Hotel’ style service for people with learning disabilities provide five beds for planned respite for clients unable to use Greenwood.

Greenwood, in Bexhill, re-opened its doors on Friday 8th May following extensive refurbishment. The facility now offers; • En-suite facilities • Upgraded communal areas • A hotel style reception.

• An electronic bed booking system and upgraded technology for clients and staff.

The Sandbanks service will undergo a similar refurbishment in September.

Previously, both services have provided both planned respite and emergency placements.

Greenwood will now focus on planned respite breaks, with all future referrals directed to the service. There are 15 rooms available - four of which are for flexible use, chiefly to accommodate people in an emergency if Sandbanks beds are occupied.

Sandbanks will provide accommodation for emergency placements, offering 6 beds for this purpose. It will also

10 Carers Respite

How carers are influencing service development A project group, which includes a parent/carer representative, has been meeting since June 2014 to ensure the work is well planned and keeps on track.

Communication and contact with both Greenwood and Sandbanks families is key to the successful completion of the refurbishment work.

A monthly bulletin has been circulated to all families to ensure that they are kept up to date with progress. In addition five open meetings have been held, including an opportunity to visit the newly refurbished Greenwood. We have also taken the opportunity to discuss changes to the service model with families and have generally received very positive responses.

If you would like any further information, please contact Sue Booker on 01424 724993 or email sue.booker@eastsussex. gov.uk.

If you want to know more about the range of respite provision that’s available and how to access it you can call Care for the Carers on 01323 738390, email info@cftc.org.uk or visit the East Sussex County Council website and search for “respite“.

The Association of Carers are offering a new service, supporting Carers to Identify and Plan Residential Respite.

Whether you are looking for short or long term residential respite - they can provide a list of residential homes or, if required, they can go along with you to view. If you would like further information about this service please contact: 01424 722309

events calendar Welcome to the new style carers’ groups calendar!

Following feedback from carers who liked to print CareLine but didn’t necessarily have colour printers at home, we have changed the the calendar from a grid to a list format and no longer rely on the coloured dots to indicate where each group is based. This will also benefit carers who are using the new PDF download facility to transfer CareLine on to non-colour devices e-reader devices, such as the Kindle.

In addition to this, the calendar is now an entirely removable centrefold, which can be removed and hung on your fridge or noticeboard at home, without removing any of the other articles or information from the magazine.

Further details about the groups can be found on pages 18 and 19, including details of dementia groups, acquired brain injury groups, and the new Learning Disabilities Parent Carer Information Event which is due to be held in September.

If you would like to send a comment about the new format, orwould like to let us know about other groups supporting carers in your area, please get in touch by phone on 01323 738390 or by email at info@cftc.org.uk.

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August 2015

Tuesday 4th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- United Free Church Hall, Croft Road, CROWBOROUGH, TN6 1HA

- St Mary’s House, Ringmer Village Hall, RINGMER, BN8 5QH Wednesday 5th 10:30am - 12 noon Wellbeing Group

- Fleur de Lys Meeting Room, Market Street, HAILSHAM, BN27 2AE Thursday 6th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Herstmonceux Village Hall, Hailsham Road, HERSTMONCEUX, BN27 4JX Tuesday 11th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- Plumpton Village Hall, 1 West Gate, PLUMPTON GREEN, BN7 3BQ

- Carillon Cottage, High Street, WADHURST, TN5 6AA Wednesday 12th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- The Bridge, 361 Priory Road, ORE, TN34 3NW

- Seaford House, Crouch Lane, SEAFORD, BN25 1PW Monday 17th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Russell Centre, 24 Hyde Road, EASTBOURNE, BN21 4SX Tuesday 18th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Rendezvous, 168 South Coast Road, PEACEHAVEN, BN10 8JH Wednesday 19th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Church Bailey Court, Montague Way, Westham, PEVENSEY, BN24 5NB Thursday 20th 2 pm - 4 pm Information and Advice Group

- Heathfield Community Centre, Sheepsetting Lane, HEATHFIELD, TN21 0XS Friday 21st 1 pm - 3 pm Information and Advice Group

- Forest Row Community Centre, Hartfield Road, FOREST ROW, RH18 5DZ Tuesday 25th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Netherfield Village Hall, Netherfield Way, NETHERFIELD, Battle, TN33 9PZ 2pm - 4pm Mental Health Support Group

- Summerhayes Wellbeing Centre, Marshall Lane, NEWHAVEN, BN9 9RB Wednesday 26th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Rye & Winchelsea Memorial Hospital, Peasmarsh Road, RYE, TN31 7UD 2pm - 5pm Mental Health Support Group

- Brightview, 6 Saffrons Road, EASTBOURNE, BN21 1DG Thursday 27th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- Centenary House, 21 Holliers Hill, BEXHILL ON SEA, TN40 2DZ

- St. Barnabas Church Hall, Kingfisher Drive, LANGNEY, BN23 7RA Friday 28th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Tyler Room, The Luxford Centre, Library Way, UCKFIELD, TN22 1AR

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Saturday 29th 10am - 12 noon Mental Health Support Group Events Calendar

- Carisbrooke House, Stockleigh Road, ST LEONARDS ON SEA, TN38 0JP

Wednesday 2nd 10:30am - 12 noon Wellbeing Group

- Fleur de Lys Meeting Room, Market Street, HAILSHAM, BN27 2AE Thursday 3rd 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Herstmonceux Village Hall, Hailsham Road, HERSTMONCEUX, BN27 4JX Tuesday 8th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- Plumpton Village Hall, 1 West Gate, PLUMPTON GREEN, BN7 3BQ

- Carillon Cottage, High Street, WADHURST, TN5 6AA Wednesday 9th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- The Bridge, 361 Priory Road, ORE, TN34 3NW

- Seaford House, Crouch Lane, SEAFORD, BN25 1PW Tuesday 15th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Rendezvous, 168 South Coast Road, PEACEHAVEN, BN10 8JH Wednesday 16th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Church Bailey Court, Montague Way, Westham, PEVENSEY, BN24 5NB Thursday 17th 2 pm - 4 pm Information and Advice Group

- Heathfield Community Centre, Sheepsetting Lane, HEATHFIELD, TN21 0XS Friday 18th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Tyler Room, The Luxford Centre, Library Way, UCKFIELD, TN22 1AR 1 pm - 3 pm Information and Advice Group

- Forest Row Community Centre, Hartfield Road, FOREST ROW, RH18 5DZ Monday 21st 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Russell Centre, 24 Hyde Road, EASTBOURNE, BN21 4SX

September 2015

Tuesday 1st 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- United Free Church Hall, Croft Road, CROWBOROUGH, TN6 1HA

- St Mary’s House, Ringmer Village Hall, RINGMER, BN8 5QH

Tuesday 22nd 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Netherfield Village Hall, Netherfield Way, NETHERFIELD, Battle, TN33 9PZ 2pm - 4pm Mental Health Support Group

- Summerhayes Wellbeing Centre, Marshall Lane, NEWHAVEN, BN9 9RB Wednesday 23rd 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Rye & Winchelsea Memorial Hospital, Peasmarsh Road, RYE, TN31 7UD 2pm - 5pm Mental Health Support Group

- Brightview, 6 Saffrons Road, EASTBOURNE, BN21 1DG Thursday 24th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- Centenary House, 21 Holliers Hill, BEXHILL ON SEA, TN40 2DZ

- St. Barnabas Church Hall, Kingfisher Drive, LANGNEY, BN23 7RA Saturday 26th 10am - 12 noon Mental Health Support Group

- Carisbrooke House, Stockleigh Road, ST LEONARDS ON SEA, TN38 0JP

Events Calendar 13

October 2015

Tuesday 6th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- United Free Church Hall, Croft Road, CROWBOROUGH, TN6 1HA

- St Mary’s House, Ringmer Village Hall, RINGMER, BN8 5QH Wednesday 7th 10:30am - 12 noon Wellbeing Group

- Fleur de Lys Meeting Room, Market Street, HAILSHAM, BN27 2AE Thursday 8th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Herstmonceux Village Hall, Hailsham Road, HERSTMONCEUX, BN27 4JX Tuesday 13th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- Plumpton Village Hall, 1 West Gate, PLUMPTON GREEN, BN7 3BQ

- Carillon Cottage, High Street, WADHURST, TN5 6AA Wednesday 14th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- The Bridge, 361 Priory Road, ORE, TN34 3NW

- Seaford House, Crouch Lane, SEAFORD, BN25 1PW

- Church Bailey Court, Montague Way, Westham, PEVENSEY, BN24 5NB Thursday 15th 2 pm - 4 pm Information and Advice Group

- Heathfield Community Centre, Sheepsetting Lane, HEATHFIELD, TN21 0XS Friday 16th 1 pm - 3 pm Information and Advice Group

- Forest Row Community Centre, Hartfield Road, FOREST ROW, RH18 5DZ Monday 19th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Russell Centre, 24 Hyde Road, EASTBOURNE, BN21 4SX Tuesday 20th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Rendezvous, 168 South Coast Road, PEACEHAVEN, BN10 8JH Thursday 22nd 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Groups

- Centenary House, 21 Holliers Hill, BEXHILL ON SEA, TN40 2DZ

- St. Barnabas Church Hall, Kingfisher Drive, LANGNEY, BN23 7RA Friday 23rd 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- The Tyler Room, The Luxford Centre, Library Way, UCKFIELD, TN22 1AR Tuesday 27th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Netherfield Village Hall, Netherfield Way, NETHERFIELD, Battle, TN33 9PZ 2pm - 4pm Mental Health Support Group

- Summerhayes Wellbeing Centre, Marshall Lane, NEWHAVEN, BN9 9RB Wednesday 28th 10am - 12 noon Information and Advice Group

- Rye & Winchelsea Memorial Hospital, Peasmarsh Road, RYE, TN31 7UD 2pm - 5pm Mental Health Support Group

- Brightview, 6 Saffrons Road, EASTBOURNE, BN21 1DG Saturday 31st 10am - 12 noon Mental Health Support Group

- Carisbrooke House, Stockleigh Road, ST LEONARDS ON SEA, TN38 0JP

14 Events Calendar

Carers Week Review On 29 January 2015 Trudy Mayes, Headway’s Counselling and Carers Manager, held a coffee morning for carers to come and learn about communication issues for people with a brain injury. The meeting was attended by Nick Behn, a Speech and Language Therapist from City University, London. Nick has been working alongside Headway clients in the latter months of 2014 for a research project towards his PhD and his work has been empowering and insightful. He was invited to the coffee morning, as we recognise the need to support carers that face communication challenges with their loved-one following brain injury.

The event sparked much interest and lively discussion from carers, prompting plans for a future Headway workshop. We are working to develop a creative and dynamic workshop session that encourages participation, understanding and greater awareness about our own role as communicators in relationships with others.

Growth of a New Partnership Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face, and recognise the contribution they made to families and communities across the UK. Carers Week 2015 was a huge success across the county, with a range of events, information stands, and more all raising awareness of unpaid carers in our communities.

The theme this year was “Building Carer Friendly Communities“, which Care for the Carers is now using as the starting point for a new program of carer and community involvement. Information stands across East Sussex asked “What makes a community “carer friendly”?” and challenged the public and local businesses to consider what they could do to improve life for carers in their area.

For the first time, a special East Sussex Carers Week website was created, so that all of the organisations involved could enter the details of their events on to a central calendar, and share resources.

Share Your Story Throughout the week, we encouraged carers to share their stories. Carers can do this in a variety of ways - on paper, by audio recording, video recording - however they feel the most comfortable. One example is that of a carer who has made a Youtube video describing his feelings about being a full-time carer for his wife. You can see it through the address below, or through scanning the QR code below with a smartphone.

youtube.com/watch?v=rhjlSJ4YkmE

Carers Week Review 15

Juggling Work & Caring • Around three million people in the UK are combining caring with paid work • Over 2 million people have given up work at some point to care for loved one • Half of working age carers live in a household where no-one is in paid work • 3 million carers have reduced working hours • 70% of carers were over £10,000 worse off as a result of reduced earnings • Women aged 45-54 were more than twice as likely as other carers to have reduced working hours as a result of caring responsibilities

The 2011 Census found that around half of the UK’s carers combine work with unpaid caring responsibilities. Over two million carers work full-time and one million part-time.

The peak age of caring also often coincides with the peak of an individual’s career in their 40s- 60s.

National opinion polling for Carers UK’s Caring & Family Finances Inquiry showed that middle-aged people Whilst part-time working with caring responsibilities is much more common were more likely than carers amongst carers than of other ages to have given non-carers, carers are also more likely to stop working up work, reduced working hours and see a negative altogether as they struggle to switch to part-time hours. impact on their work, like stress and tiredness.

16 Working Carers

Information taken from “Facts about carers”. Policy Briefing May 2014 by Carers UK. You can read more at http://cftc.org.uk/QR/ careline/2015/summer /workingcarers, or by following the QR code below.

Working Carers Influence Decision Making in East Sussex In East Sussex the Carers Partnership Board has a Working Carers Sub-Group whose membership is made up of local working carers and professional representatives.

The group aims to ensure the needs of working carers are taken into account in the design and delivery of services.

They are particularly interested in making sure accurate and accessible information is available to carers in relation to their rights, available support and service availability.

Influencing the days, times and places support are offered are key as well as the availability of respite provision.

• To take a ‘reasonable’ amount time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. Find out more at http://carersuk.org/timeoff • If you have worked for your employer for at least a year and are responsible for a child under 5 (under 18 if they are disabled and receiving Disability Living allowance) you will have certain entitlements to parental leave for more information see http://carersuk.org/parentalleave

If you are an employer who would like to know more about your responsibilities, Employers for Carers helps employers to improve their understanding and provide better support for carers balancing the If you are a working carer who would like to demands of work and caring. To find out consider being part of this important work more visit http://employersforcarers.org please contact Teresa Flower at teresaf@cftc.org.uk or call on 01323 738390

In the workplace If you are a working carer, let your workplace know and find out what support is available. If you juggle work and care, telling your employer that you are a carer is not always an easy step.

However, there may already be support, advice and information for carers in place.

Your employer may have a carers’ policy, counselling services or advice packs for carers. Trade unions can also be a good source of support.

As a carer you have a legal right to:• Request a flexible working pattern.

Employers can refuse but should deal with requests in a ‘reasonable manner’.

Download a free guide at http://carersuk.org/flexibleworking

Help resolving employment disputes Southdown Housing Association Ambitions Service provides vocational support for local carers This includes helping carers to maintain employment at times of stress, or to support a return to employment.

Early intervention is a key factor in achieving successful outcomes for both the employee and the employer.

For details please contact the Ambitions Coordinator Paul Turk on 07805 811186 or email p.turk@southdownhousing.org.

Working Carers 17

Carers’ Groups

Directory Info & Advice Care for the Carers’ Information and Advice groups are regular meetings for all carers, between 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, facilitated by Carer Support Workers.

Each group meeting follows a the same basic format - the first half of the meeting gives you time to have a cuppa and a chat with other carers, and in the second half a guest speaker will join the meeting, bringing with them useful information and advice.

Following each group meeting, the Carer Support Worker will also be available should you wish to discuss any worries or concerns.

Bexhill Centenary House, 21 Holliers Hill, Bexhill, TN40 2DH Crowborough The Lounge, United Church, Croft Road, Crowborough, TN6 1HA Eastbourne The Russell Centre, Royal Voluntary Service, The Russell Centre, 24 Hyde Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4SX

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Here you can find out about your local carers’ groups, which organsation they are run by and where they meet. To find out when a group meets please check out the Carers’ Group center-fold calendar.

If you would like to find out more about any of the carers’ groups details please contact Care for the Carers who will be happy to advise.

Forest Row Forest Row Community Centre (The Garden Room), Hartfield Road, Forest Row,RH18 5DZ Hailsham & Herstmonceux Herstmonceux Village Hall Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux, BN27 4JX Heathfield Heathfield Community Health Centre (Ian Price Room), Sheepsetting Lane, Heathfield, TN21 0XG Netherfield Netherfield Village Hall, Netherfield Way, Netherfield, TN33 9PZ Langney St Barnabas United Church Hall, King Fisher Drive, Langney, Eastbourne, BN23 7RA Ore Ore Community Centre 455 Old London Road, Ore Village, Hastings, TN35 5BH Peacehaven The Rendezvous, The House Project, 168 South Coast Road, Peacehaven, BN10 8JH Pevensey & Westham Church Bailey Court (The Lounge), Montague Way, Westham, Pevensey, BN24 5NB

Plumpton Plumpton Village Hall, 1 West Gate, Plumpton Green, BN7 3BQ Rye & Winchelsea Rye & Winchelsea Memorial Hospital, Peasmarsh Road, Rye, TN31 7UD Seaford Seaford House (The Lounge), Seaford House, Crouch Lane, Seaford, BN25 1PW Uckfield The Luxford Centre (The Tyler Room), Library Way, Uckfield, TN22 1AR Wadhurst Carillon Cottage (The Lounge) High Street, Wadhurst, TN5 6AA

Wellbeing Groups These are informal groups that carers are welcome to pop along to any time between 10:30 am - 12 pm for a cuppa, a chat and wellbeing sessions.

Hailsham Fleur De Lys Meeting Room, Market Street, Hailsham, BN27 2AE

Telephone 01323 738390

Telephone 01424 773687

Telephone 01825 724323

Mental Health

Dementia

If you look after someone with a mental health issue, these specialist groups from Care for the Carers have tailored information and advice just for you.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s Carer Support Groups meet regularly across the county.

Group meetings provide a safe, friendly environment - where you can be yourself and talk about dementia comfortably with others who find themselves in similar situations.

(There are new additional dementia groups at Hailsham and Seahaven. Please contact Lea James on 07834 755639 for more details.)

Battle - 2 pm - 4 pm Alzheimer’s Society Battle office, Beckett House, Mitre Way, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AS

These Headway Hurstwood Park support group meetings aim to provide carers with the opportunity to meet other people in similar situations.

You can obtain and exchange information and support from facilitators, speakers and each other in a relaxed and informal setting.

Eastbourne Brightview, 6 Saffrons Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1DG Hastings & St Leonards Carisbrooke House, Stockleigh Road, St Leonards, TN38 0JP Newhaven Summerhayes Wellbeing Centre, Marshall Lane, Newhaven, BN9 9RB

Learning Disability For details of the new Learning Disability Parent Carer Information event, please see the full-page article on page 8 of this edition of CareLine.

Bexhill - 2 pm - 4 pm The Old Bank Chambers, Buckhurst Road, Bexhill on Sea, TN40 1QF Crowborough 2 pm - 4 pm Horder Centre, St John’s Road, Crowborough TN6 1XP Eastbourne 1.15 pm - 3.15 pm Milton Grange, Milton Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 1SL Hailsham - 1 pm - 3 pm Fleur de Lys Meeting Room, Inglenook Market Street, Hailsham, BN27 2AE

Acquired Brain Injury

Brighton Montague House, Montague Place, Brighton, BN2 1JE Eastbourne East Sussex Disability Association, 1 Faraday Close, Hampden Park, BN22 9BH Hailsham Diplocks Hall, The Diplocks, Hailsham, BN27 3JY

Hastings - 2 pm - 4 pm St Barnabas Church, Hoads Wood Road, Hastings, TN34 2BA Lewes - 1 pm - 3 pm Phoenix Day Centre, 26 Malling Street, Lewes, BN7 2RD

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Carers Voices: Forums

Your chance to influence the future of carers’ services in East Sussex

There are a range of ways that carers can influence local policy and services. Carers’ Forums are a great opportunity for carers to come together and discuss the issues that matter to them.

This Spring, there were three forums – in Hastings, Heathfield and Eastbourne. Carers have highlighted how crucial good health and social care services are, so wanted to find out more about East Sussex Better Together. This programme will change the way NHS and Social Care services are delivered in East Sussex, to ensure that they are integrated and cost efficient.

Carers called for: • Improved communication between agencies providing services - a ‘joined-up’ approach.

• Improved access to a wide range of up-to-date and relevant information for carers.

• Professionals to work together so that carers and patients do not have to repeat their story over again. Carers understood

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the importance of patient confidentiality, and gave examples of ways that professionals had responsibly shared information and the difference this had made to their lives.

• Recognition and respect of Carers – carers are experts on the care needs of those they care for and health and social care professionals should involve them in care planning.

• Coordinated and cohesive services. Service providers need to work together in a more synchronized way.

East Sussex Better Together The Forums noted that Better Together embraces many of the key elements of the new Care Act, which brought new rights and legal standing for carers.

Carers also welcomed that some of the themes of Better Together echo carers’ feedback over the years, in particular the need for services to work well together and be efficient.

• More flexible services – the ‘one service fits all’ approach, doesn’t meet the needs of the people using the services across the county right now.

• Increased provision of accessible, community based services.

We were grateful to the Better Together team for their input to the Forums, and for their active consideration of carers’ key messages, which are already being included in the development of Better Together.

‘East Sussex Better Together is a framework for how we deliver health and social care services with the existing financial envelope. This is not just about saving money, it is delivering a system of sustainable care that will keep people healthier and address their health and social care needs.’

Hugo Luck - Head of Corporate Services for High Weald Lewes Havens Clinical Commissioning Group You can read more about what happened at the Spring Carers Forums on our website: http://cftc.org.uk/forumreport Alternatively you can use a smartphone to scan the QR code here, oryou can call us on 01323 738390 and we can send you a paper copy.

Get Involved!

If you would like to make a difference to local carers’ policy and services, you can get involved in: • Carers’ Voices Network – join your local Carers Voices Group or share your views online.

• Act as a Carer representative on a Health and Social Care committee or Board.

• Come along to a Carers Forum in the Autumn.

• Contribute to a focus group • Take part in surveys and consultations.

• Tell your support worker or carers group what is important to you.

Your voice does make a difference, so why not complete the form below and book your place at our next forums in October 2015.

The Care Act 2014 sets out a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the system should protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect.

As a result, Local Authorities must fulfill a series of new safeguarding legal obligations, and we have been pleased to have the chance to work with the Safeguarding Adults Board to ensure that carers are involved.

Safeguarding is about protecting the most vulnerable in our society, and so the Carers Voices Groups have agreed that this should be the focus of this Autumn’s Carers Forums. There will be information on new local authority duties and how they affect carers, and on what to do if you are concerned about somebody, as well as time to get to know other carers from your area over lunch.

Book your place at the Autumn Forums 2015 Your details Name Address

I would like to attend 7th October - Community House, Meridian Way, Peacehaven, BN10 8BB 9th October - Horntye Park Sports Complex, Bohemia Rd, Hastings, TN34 1EX

Postcode Telephone Email

14th October - Herstmonceux Village Hall, Hailsham Road, Hailsham, BN27 4JX

I would like to bring

The person I care for or a guest. (There is a small Please email your response to info@cftc.org.uk, or charge of £5 per person for non-carers) complete this form and post it to our FREEPOST address: 21 Care for the Carers, FREEPOST RTAC-GURC-XUJC Highlight House, 8 St Leonards Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3UH

Carers Toolkit Course s The Carers Toolkit is a programme designed to equip carers with skills and information on a wide range of care-related issues, and was featured in the last issue of CareLine. If you would like to book on to any of the courses shown below, contact Laura or Hazel at Care for the Carers on 01323 738390 or by emailing carerstoolkit@cftc.org.uk.

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Training For Carers WRAP Courses Coastal Wellbeing is run by Molly and Lucy, two experienced, accredited Advanced Level WRAP Facilitators. Our aim is to support and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to create positive change in their lives through WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Planning).

WRAP courses run for 6 weeks (3 hours each session) or 8 weeks (2 hours each session) with up to 12 participants in each group. For more information about courses please contact the facilitators: Molly Booth Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator 07507 734370 molly@coastalwellbeing.co.uk

Lucy Tucknott Advanced Level WRAP Facilitator 07598 323254 lucy@coastalwellbeing.co.uk

For more information about WRAP visit www.coastalwellbeing.co.uk/WRAP

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Contact Us

Care for the Carers

Telephone: 01323 738390

www.cftc.org.uk

Email: info@cftc.org.uk

Name Address

I am a carer Sign me up to receive CareLine Please update my address Send future editions of CareLine by email

Postcode Telephone Email Please complete & post this to our FREEPOST address: Care for the Carers, FREEPOST RTAC-GURC-XUJC Highlight House, 8 St Leonards Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3UH

Please contact me about the help available

I am no longer a carer Please unsubscribe me from CareLine Please send me the “After Caring” booklet I would like to know about staying in touch