wwww.somersetcarers.org ww.somersetcarers.org
It'sabusytimeofyearwithsomuchgoingonand somuchtodo.Wehopeyoufindourfestive resourceshelpful.
Inthisissue,wehearwhatbeinginvolvedinCalls forCarersmeansforonevolunteer.Takealookat theHelpThroughWinterinitiativeandcheckout thelatestoncarersgroupsinyourarea.
We’reconstantlyaimingtodevelopthesupportwe offerforunpaidcarersandwewanttoensurethat itsuitsyourneeds.Sopleasetakeafewminutes tohaveyoursay.
Wehopeyoufindsometimeforalittlerestand relaxationoverthefestiveperiod.
Supportovertheholidays
OpenMentalHealthcarers
Haveyoursay
VolunteersProspective
PayItForwardForSomerset Knitforyourneighbour
HelpThroughWintersupport
SharedLives
Outandabout Newphysicalactivityresource
Somerset
SUPPORT OVER THE HOLIDAY Thefestiveseasoncanbeatrickytimeto navigateifyou’recaringforafriendorfamily member.
Itmaybedifferenttothewayyouhave celebratedpreviously,itmaycomewith additionalstressesorworriesandthe preparationsandplanningcanfeel overwhelming.
We’vegatheredtogethersomethoughtsand resourcesthatwehopewillbehelpfuland enableyoutocelebrateinawaythatsuits you.
Youcanalsoaccessadirectoryof supportandadvice,information, activitiesandhelplines.Ithasa wealthofresourcesoffering guidance,specialistadviceand practicalassistance.Coursesfor carersalongwithadviceandlinksto specificmentalconditionshave recentlybeenadded.
There’salsoanewgroupforunpaid carerssupportingpeoplewith mentalhealthchallenges.Thegroup meetsfrom10to11:30a.m.atThe ReCreationHub,RhodeLane, BridgwaterTA66HZonthefirst Tuesdayofthemonth.
Ifyoucareforsomeonewhoisexperiencing challengeswiththeirmentalhealth,theOpen MentalHealthCarersProjectprovidesfree helpandadvice.Throughtheproject,carers canfindoutaboutresources,organisations andactivitiesthatareavailabletohelpthem.
Theycanalsoreceiveasupportiveweekly phonecallfromafriendlyvolunteerwithlived experiencewhounderstands.CallsforCarers addressesthesenseofisolationmanycarers feelandgivespracticaladviceandalistening ear.
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsregarding supportthroughOpenMentalHealth, pleaseemailKatherineat carers@somersetrcc.org.ukorvisit https://openmentalhealth.org.uk/
https://somersetcarers.org/who-can-help-you/open-mental-health-carers/ and
https://openmentalhealth.org.uk/support-for-carers/
Yourviewsasacarerarevalued.Wewouldbegratefulifyoucouldletus knowyourthoughtsonthefollowingsubjects:
DigitalSupportforCarers
AtSomersetCarerswearelookingtodevelopourdigitalsupportfor unpaidcarersandwe’dreallyappreciateyourinputviathisshortsurvey.
https://forms.office.com/e/hXp990Y5fR
OpenMentalHealthCarersSurvey
Pleasecompletethisshortsurvey-wevalueyourinputaboutunpaid carersandfamilymemberswhoareprovidingsupportforpeople experiencingmentalillhealth.
https://forms.office.com/e/DTJRACbCZE
FRAUD HELPLINE Itisgoodtoknowthatthereissomeonetoturn toifyouhaveaconcernovertheauthenticityof acallfromyourbankorbuildingsociety.
Threeyearsago,StopScamsUKsetupa specialhelplineasasafe,securewayforpeople whobelievetheymaybebeingscammed,to connectdirectlytotheirbanks.
Yousimplydial159,you'reaskedwhoyou bankwithandyou'reputthrough.
Scammersareunder increasedpressure fromthe159fraud helplinewhichreceived 800,000callsinits firstthreeyearsof operation.
It’snotafreephonenumberandhowquicklyindividualbanksgetcallersto specialistfraudadvisorscanvary.Butwith20banksnowsignedupcovering 99%ofUKcurrentaccountholdersit'sausefultoolinthefightagainstfraud.
A VOLUNTEERS PERSPECTIVE OneofourvolunteershasbeenofferingCallsforCarersfortheOpen MentalHealthCarersProjectforjustunderayear.Hereshesharesalittle aboutherexperienceasavolunteerandwhatitmeansforher.
Myroleistoprovidepeersupporttocarersthroughweekly,sometimes fortnightly,phonecalls.MostcarersIhavespokentorecognizethe importanceoftheirownmentalhealthneeds,andIfoundthattheyoften justneedalisteningearandtheopportunitytooffloadinanimpartialand safespace.
Havingnopreviousvolunteeringexperience,Iinitiallyhadverylittleidea aboutwhattoexpect.HoweverthevolunteerfocusedtrainingIreceived fromtheteamatCommunityCouncilforSomersethascertainlyprovided mewithafirmbaselineofknowledge,whichhasproveninvaluablein allowingmetoaccuratelysupportcarers.
Therehasbeenabroadrangeofmentalhealthburdensfromthevarious carersthatIhavesupportedsuchasanxiety,feelingsofbeing overwhelmed,andisolation.Undoubtedly,therearecomplexandsensitive issuesbeingdiscussedanditisimportantthatfromthestartofmy supporttoacarer,Iamclearthatitismyroletolistenandempathise, ratherthanfixtheirconcerns.Ineverysinglecase,thecaregiverIhave supportedhasfoundgreatrelieffrombeingabletodiscussandmentally digesttheirchallenges.
Generally,Isupportcarersonaweeklybasisanddedicateanhourofmy timeoverthecourseofsixweeks.Ilistentotheirconcernsandchallenges aswellassignpostingthemtofurthersupportingnetworks.Ihavefound animmenseamountofpersonalrewardinprovidingpeersupportto carersandoftenitisclearthatthecaregiversareequallyasgratefulfor thesupporttheyhavereceived.Ifindmyvolunteerworkincrediblyfulfilling; ithasinstilledasenseofcommunity,warmthandroundnesstomylifein Somerset.
A CAMPAIGN TO CHANGE LIVES EverydaywehelppeoplelikeAmy, whoselimitedmobilityleftherwithout freshfoodandtheabilitytocookfor herself.Withoursupport,Amynow hasaccesstoafoodpantryanda kitchensetupathomethatallows hertoprepareherownmealsagain.
AtCCS,we’reworkingtomakesure thatnooneinourcountyhastoface hardshipalone.ThelaunchofourPayIt ForwardForSomersetcampaignwill enableustoprovidevitalsupport servicesthathelpSomersetresidents whentheyneeditmost.
Everypounddonatedwillsupportour workinthecommunity;addressing economicchallenges,healthneedsand socialisolationacrossthecounty.
Edwasoverwhelmedbymemoryloss andmountingdebts.Withoursupport, Edreceivedhelpwithfinances,tailored dailycareandnowfeelssafeathome.
TherearelotsofwaysyoucanhelpushelpmorepeoplelikeEdandAmy. PleasetakealookathowyoucouldPayItForwardforSomerset.
https://ccslovesomerset.org/pay-it-forward-for-somerset
Thiswinter,wearedelightedtobepartof theHelpThroughWinterinitiative,a programmefundedbySomersetCouncil.
Thisserviceisforindividualsandfamilies whoarefindingitdifficultwiththeadditional challengesfacedthroughwinter.
We’reheretoprovidesupportforthosein needwithpracticaladvice,financial assistance,andessentialresources.
SHARED LIVES SOUTH WEST SharedLivesprovidespersonalisedsupportwithinthehomesofapprove carers,offeringamorehomelyandcommunity-basedalternativeto traditionalcareservices.
Theysupportpeoplewhoneedcarebymatchingthemwithapproved carerswithsimilarlifestyleandinterests,whoprovidesupportinafamilylikeenvironment.
SharedLivesfocusesonintegratingindividualsintothecommunity, promotingindependence,andensuringthatcareistailoredtoeach person ’sneeds.Home-basedcareisavaluablewaytoprovidesupportfor peoplewithvariousneeds,includingthosewithdisabilities,mentalhealth conditions,orolderadultsrequiringassistance.
Benefits of Shared Lives Person-CentredCare-Shared Lives prioritises support tailored to the unique needs and preferences of each individual
BetterPersonalOutcomes- Individuals receiving care through Shared Lives often experience better personal outcomes.
ExtendedCommunityLiving- Individuals with increasing needs are able to remain in the community for longer periods before requiring more intensive support.
ImprovedWellbeing-The personalised and community-oriented care significantly improves physical and mental well-being.
SkillDevelopment-By participating in everyday activities within a household, individuals maintain, learn and practice skills that contribute to their independence and self-sufficiency.
CommunityPresenceandSupportCircles–Support in building and maintaining a community presence and developing circles of support
https://www.sharedlivessw.org.uk/shared-lives-services-and-support/
ThesunshoneforLucy,oneofour VillageAgents(Carers),whenshe wentalongtoFleeceFestin GlastonburyintheAutumn.Thiswas abrandnew,freeminifestival organisedbyyoungpeoplefor youngpeople.Lucytalkedtoyoung adultcarersaboutthesupport availableandwhattheywouldliketo seegoingforward.
OUT & ABOUT Weknowthatsometimes peoplewhosupportafriendor familymemberdon’tnecessarily considerthemselvestobea carerandsooftenaren’taware oftheorganisationsand servicesontheirdoorstepthat canhelp.ThisInformationDay wasagreatopportunitytoget outintothecommunityandhelp bridgethatknowledgegap.
Wealsorantwowellattended InformationSessionsincollaboration withSomersetCouncil,whereunpaid carerswereinvitedtocomealongto findoutaboutcarersassessments andwhatsupportisavailablefrom SomersetCarers, localcommunity organisations,SomersetCounciland more.
Unpaidcarerscouldvisitavarietyof stallsanddemonstrationsall designedtohelpwiththeircaringrole.
OUT & ABOUT SomersetCarersServicewasdelightedtojoinarangeofSomersetHealth CareprofessionalsonatouroftheMedequipbaseinTaunton.Medequip providesthecommissionedSomersetCouncil/NHSSomersetCommunity EquipmentandWheelchairservice,supplyingequipmentthathelpspeople retaintheirindependence.
WeworkcloselywithMedequip,thelargestCommunityEquipmentservicein theUKandpartnersAJMHealthcare,whomanagethewheelchairServicein Somerset,toensureourcarershavethemostuptodateinformationonthe equipmentavailabletothem.Theirrepresentatives,CliveandBruno,often joinusatourCarersGroupstogivelivelyandinformativetalksaboutwhat theycanoffer.
Seeingtheteaminactionwasincredible.Wewereamazedbythebroad rangeandamountofequipmentheld,thecarefullogisticsinplacetoensure waitinglistsarekepttoaminimum,andwerepleasedtohearthatkitis refurbishedforfutureusewhereverpossibleandkeptoutoflandfill.
Wealsolearnedmoreabouttheequipmentavailableandthecustomer serviceprocess,sothatwecansharemoreinformationwithourcarers.
ToseeifyouareeligibleforloanequipmentfreeofchargefromNHS SomersetorSomersetCouncil,youcanbookavisittotheIndependent LivingCentresinWellington,YeovilorSheptonMallet.Call03001232224 SomersetDirect.Anat-homeortelephoneassessmentmayalsobe available. Ortoreceiveacatalogueofself-fundableequipment,call 01823211699oremailclive.rymer@medequip-uk.com
NEWPHYSICALACTIVITYRESOURCE FORCARERS WeAreUndefeatablehasjoinedforces withCarersUKtoempowerfamily,friends andcarerstosupportthepeopletheycare fortobeactive,andtoencouragethemto movemoretoo.Thecampaign,fundedby SportEngland,haslaunchedanewphysical activityresourcecalledUndefeatable Together,towhichmanycharitypartners havecontributed.
WeAreUndefeatableisamovement supportingpeoplewitharangeoflongtermhealthconditionstobemoreactive. Weunderstandthatgettingactivelooks differentforeveryoneandthatevery achievement,howeverbigorsmall,isworth celebrating.
Thenationalcare youwhencaringforsomeone.Thecard identifiesyouasacarer,includesyour emergencycontactdetailsandhasthe optiontoenableaccesstoyourcarerplan viatheQRcode.Theappunlockstools, discountsonallsortsofthingsfromfoodand drinktodaysout,guides,supportandmuch more.
Ifyou’reregisteredwithSomersetCarers, youcanbuythecardforjust£4.99 insteadoftheusualpriceof£8.00.
CARERS GROUPS CARERS GROUPS WehavearangeofonlineandfacetofaceCarersGroupsacrossSomerset.A chancetomeetothercarerswhounderstandandcanoffereachothersupport, friendship,ideasandfeedbackontheirexperiences.
Theseareintheroomnextdoorand usuallycompriseofsimplebowling, conversationandperhaps completingajigsaworagame together.Theyareledbyqualified, insuredinstructorsandsupported byavolunteersoyoucanbesafein theknowledgethatthepersonyou careforissafeandhappy.
Notonlydoyouhearfrompeoplewhohave usedthesupportservicesavailable,youcan heardirectlyfromthepeoplewhoarethere tohelpyou.Weregularlyhostspeakersfrom avarietyofservicestodirectlyansweryour enquiriesandtellyouaboutthehelpthat theycanoffer.Fromequipment,torespite, andeverythinginbetween.
AllourCarersGroupsvaryinsize,attendees andsetting,soyoucanfindonethatsuits you.Youcangotoasmanyasyoulike,as oftenasyouwish.
Someofourgroupsalsooffergentle activitiesforthepersonyoucarefor.
8003168600andlookonourwebsitelistingstofindoutwhereyour stgroupis.Docallthegroupleaderbeforeyouattendincasedetails changed.
www.somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/
Pleasemakecontactwiththeleaderbeforeattendingforthe firsttimeincaseofanyschedulechanges,andsotheleader canlookoutforyoutogiveawarmwelcome.Carerscanjoin anyandasmanygroupsastheywishastheyallhavea slightlydifferentoffer
Axbridge
AxbridgeTownHall
R4thMondayofthemonth 2pm-330pm
cathh@somersetrccorguk WHERE?
BurnhamonSea WaffleHubMethodistChurch 35ACollegeSt, TA81AS
Wedmore
TheSwanHotel BS284BQ
Bridgwater
TheRosaryNursingHome
4thTuesdayofthemonth 10amto11.30am
1stFridayofthemonth 10amto12.00pm DementiaGroup
2ndFridayofthemonth 10am-11.30am
CreechStMichael
BaptistChurchdownstairs
Taunton
Mikey’sCafe,StMichael’s
Wellington
StJohn'sChurch
TA218SD
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrccorguk
CathHolloway07535279359
Bridget01749670667 info@headsupsomersetorguk RunbyHeadsUp
CathHolloway07535279359 cathh@somersetrccorguk
REA 3rdFridayofeverymonth 10.30amto12noon Activitysessionforthepersonyou careforinadjoiningroom
1stFridayofeverymonth 10amto1130am .
1stTuesdayofeverymonth 1.30pmto3pm Forcarersandthosetheycarefor
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
CathHolloway07535279359
cathh@somersetrccorguk
CathHolloway07535279359
WellingtonCarersElle@outlook.com
O
Carersgroup:7pm-fourthTuesdayofthemonth
Registerhere:https://somersetcarersorg/carers-groups/ andclicktheblue'Register'button
THECOMMUNITYCOUNCILFORSOMERSET SomersetCarersiscommissionedbySomersetCouncilandNHSSomersettodeliver supporttounpaidCarers.
WedothisthroughourarmyofVillageandCommunityAgents.Anyoneover18that looksaftersomeoneinanunpaidcaringcapacitycanreceivesupportfromSomerset Carersforfree
Youcanreferyourselfor,withpermission,youcanreferanotherpersontoSomerset Carersbycalling08003168600.
Youcouldbelookingafteralovedone,friend,partner,parentorchild(itdoesn’tmatter iftheyareunderorover18)onaregularorirregularbasis.
Follow us on social media /SomersetCarers /SomersetCarers
FITZWARRENHOUSE QUEENSTREET TAUNTON TA13UG carers@somersetrcc.org.uk wwwsomersetcarersorg
CCSisaCompanyLimitedby GuaranteeNo.3541219 CharityNo.1069260
/lovesomerset
/CC4Somerset
/company/ccs-somerset-carers/
SignuptoreceivetheSomersetCarers newsletter.
https://somersetcarers.org/register/ Don’tforget,onceyoujoinyoucan unsubscribeatanytimeandweonlyhold theinformationyouprovideonouronline subscribersmailinglist.
IfyouarereceivingtheCarers Newsletteritisbecauseyouhave signeduptoreceivethenewslettervia ouronlineregistration.
Wedefinethisas‘legitimateinterest’ andareprocessingyourdata(i.e. storingyouremailaddressandusingit tosendyouthisnewsletter)onthis lawfulbasis.Tofindouthowweuse yourpersonalinformationmore generallysee: https://ccslovesomerset.org/ccspolicies
Ifyouwouldliketoopt-outof receivingfuturecopies,pleaseusethe unsubscribebuttonatthebottomofall ouremailsorcontact carers@somersetrcc.org.uk
Somerset Carers website
Somerset Carers Groups
Spark online Carers Groups
Carers UK
www.somersetcarers.org VisittheCarersHubforahugedirectoryoflocal supportandresources,searchablebycondition.
https://www.sparksomerset.or guk/online-carers-group
https://somersetcarers.org/carers-groups/
Email:cathh@somersetrcc.org.uk
www.carersuk.org MondaytoFriday,9am–6pm(includingBankHolidays)
Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ looking-after-people/carers-help-and-support/
Spark online Carers Groups
Somerset NHS carers assessment service
https://www.sparksomerset.or g.uk/online-carers-group
www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-supportguide/practical-tips-if-you-care-for-someone/
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/
https://wwwsomersetgovuk/roads-travel-andparking/apply-for-or-renew-a-blue-badge/
https://wwwsomersetgovuk/children-families-andeducation/the-local-offer/social-care/carers-assessments/
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/carers-service-andtriangle-of-care/sample-page/caring-for-someonewith-a-mental-health-condition/
Somerset dementia wellbeing service www.somersetdementia.org
Age UK
www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/
