Plan Agree Askforhelp Getabreak,ifyoucan TalktootherCarers CheckChristmasopeningtimes Staywarmandwell Keepcalmandrelax
TOP TIPS FOR CARERS THIS CHRISTMAS Caringforsomeonecanbeveryrewardingbutisundoubtablyvery hardwork,Christmascanbringawholenewsetofchallenges. Hereareafewideastohelpyouduringthefestiveseason Plan It'snevertoolatetotryandplanasmuchas youcaninadvance,thisisparticularlyusefulif thepersonyoulookafterlikesorneedsroutine.
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Chatwithfamilyandfriendsaboutyour Christmasplansandalsodiscussany worriesyouhave.
Ifeveryoneagreesonwhatisgoingto happenoverthefestiveseasonitcanhelp reduceconflict,alleviatestressandmake thingsrunmoresmoothly.
aSK FOR HELP AsaCarerit’simportantyoutryandgeta restoverChristmastoo. Ifyou’vegotfriendsandfamilywhocould help,evenforacoupleofhours,don’tbe afraidtoaskthem. Manypeopledon’trealisetheimpactcaring canhavebutmaybeabletooffersupportif youexplain.
GET A BREAK IF YOU CAN Ifyouhaven’tgotanyonewhocouldhelp, contactouradvicelineon08003168600 andwewilltryandsupportyouwithfinding amicroprovider.
TALK TO OTHER CARERS Ifit’snotpossibleforyoutogetabreak, youmaybeabletogetcomfortandsupport bytalkingtootherCarersinthesame situation. SeeourwebsiteforalistofCarersgroups, bothonlineandinperson: https://somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/
CHECK CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES Somelocalandnationalservicesarelimited overChristmassoyouandthepersonyou lookaftermayfindithardertoaccess supportifyouneedit. Tryandfindoutinadvancewhichlocal serviceswillbeavailable. Think too about pharmacies and GPs surgery opening times to make sure you’ve got all the medication you need to see you throughtotheNewYear.
STAY WARM AMD WELL It'simportantforyoubothtostayhealthy andwarmallthroughthewinter. WatchTalkingCaférecordingsonour websitefortipsonstayingwarmand healthyeating,usethedrop-downtosearch bysubject: www.somersetagents.org/talking-cafes-live anddon’tforgettomakesureyouroiltank istoppedup -joinourbulkbuyinggroup forsavings:www.ccslovesomerset.org/oil/ PleaseletyourlocalVillageAgentknowif youarestrugglingtoheatyourhome.
KEEP CALM & RELAX Weknowit'seasiersaidthandone,buttry torelaxasmuchasyoucan. WehavesomegreatTalkingCaféliveson ourwebsitetohelpwithrelaxationand wellbeing. www.somersetagents.org/talking-cafes/ talking-cafe-live-sessions/
SOMERSET Carers BOUGHT TO YOU BY CCSTHE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FOR SOMERSET SomersetCarersiscommissionedbySomersetCounty CouncilandNHSSomersettodeliversupporttounpaid Carers. WedothisthroughourarmyofVillageandCommunityAgents.Anyone over18thatlooksaftersomeoneinanunpaidcaringcapacitycanreceive supportfromSomersetCarersforfree. Youcanreferyourselfor,withpermission,youcanreferanotherperson toSomersetCarersbycalling08003168600. Youcouldbelookingafteralovedone,friend,partner,parentorchild(it doesn’tmatteriftheyareunderorover18)onaregularorirregularbasis. One Family: One Agent
SOMERSET Carers CarersHelplineorregisterwithus: 08003168600 carers@somersetrcc.org.uk SomersetCarers-aresourceforUnpaidC www.somersetcarers.org FollowusonFacebookorTwitter: www.facebook.com/somersetcarers www.twitter.com/somersetcarers Village&CommunityAgentdedicatedwebsite www.somersetagents.org OrderyourFREEcopyofIfOnlyI'dKnownTha -abookwrittenbyaCarerforCarers,orour serviceflyer.Emailcarers@somersetrcc.org.uk
Quick Reference Useful Websites and contact numbers
Website Telephone
Somerset Carers website
www somersetcarers org Visit the Carers Hub for a huge directory of local support and resources, searchable by condition. 0800 31 68 600
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online-carers-group
Spark online Carers Groups
Citizens Advice
Spark online Carers Groups
https://somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/ Email:cathholloway@sparksomersetorguk
Spark Carers Groups Cath Holloway 01458 550973 Carers UK www.carersuk.org 020 7378 4999
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ looking-after-people/carers-help-andsupport/
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online-carers-group
03444 111 444 NHS www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-andsupport-guide/practical-tips-if-you-care-forsomeone/ 111
Somerset Direct www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/ For Adult Social Care, Carers Assessments & Blue Badge Scheme - blue-badge@somersetgovuk
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Spark online Carers Groups
www.somersetft.nhs.uk/carers-service-andtriangle-of-care/ Support to unpaid carers and family members who look after people with mental health problems
0300 123 2224
Spark online Carers Groups
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online-carers-group
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online-carers-group
01749 836 606 carers trust https://carers.org/ 0300 772 9600 Age UK www.ageuk.org.uk 0800 88 22 00
