It's a great time of year to plan out some winter activities, check your home is geared up for winter, and make some energy-saving changes.
This year's cost of living crisis will impact us all, and we have some great tips to help you manage your bills.
Keeping active in the winter months is crucial, keeping away the viruses and helping with mental health. We have lots of suggestions for you in this issue!
Carers Rights Day is November 24th - check out the programme of activities we have planned for you!
Toooftenweunderestimatethepower ofatouch,asmile,akindword,alistening ear,anhonestcompliment,orthesmallest actofcaring,allofwhichhavethe potentialtoturnalifearound.
Leo F. Buscaglia
GETTING WINTER READY 2 0 2 2 2 0 2 2 Somerset Carers Somerset Carers newsletter newsletter Keep up to date @somersetcarers @somersetcarers @ccs-somerset-carers www.somersetcarers.org
CARERS RIGHTS DAY 2022
WithCarersUK,wewantto:
ensurecarersareawareoftheirrights letcarersknowwheretogethelpandsupport raiseawarenessoftheneedsofcarers.
L E A R N M O
R E
THIS YEARS THEME IS 'CARING
COSTS'
CaringCostsinsomanyways.Itcouldbethecost to unpaid Carers wellbeing and ability to access health services. Sometimes it’s the financial costs associated with looking after someone – or the effectsontheCarersemploymentoptions.
Taking care of someone may cost Carers the quality oftheirrelationships, throughnotbeingable totaketimeouttospendwithfriendsandfamily,or throughchangestotherelationshipwiththosethey carefor.Andthecurrentcostoflivingcrisisisbeing feltevenmoreacutelybyCarersthroughouttheUK.
This year for Carers Rights Day, we have a seriesofdrop-in's,trainingandpodcastsall designed to help Carers become more aware of their rights and help improve lives. Seethenextfewpagesfordetails.
Podcast-AndrewHenon,SomersetCarersEngagement ctOfficer oductionofCarersservicesacrossSomerset Driving vementsinhealthandsocialcarethroughpatient,publicand holderengagementandinsight TalkingCafeLiveonline illage&CommunityAgentssupportCarers,find aboutGPCarersChampions&CarersGroups. 4pm:DigitalSkillsTrainingwithSparkiT ptonMalletLibrary,2MarketPlaceBookon01458550977 dcast-WhyishavingPowersofAttorneyimportant? vicefromaLastingPowersofAttorneyspecialist WATCHNOW! TalkingCafesthisweek: :Podcas SHRMana portedinth 2pm:CarersRoadshowatMorrisonsinWincanton 7pm:CarersGrouponline-registeronline WithSparkSomerset https://somersetcarersorg/carersgroups/
ek 4pm everyweek Burrowbridge,KingAlfredPub:2pm-4pm-every4thFridayofthemonth Thursday: Thursday: FFriday: riday: 0pm 3.30pm(2nd&4thMonday) Chard,TheGuildhall:10am-12noon-everyweek Wiveliscombe,SilverStChurch:10am12nooneveryweek Bridgwater,TheHubatAngelPlace:10am-12.30pm-everyweek Dulverton,MAGNA,FishersMeadCommunityRoom:10.30am12.30pmeveryweek LangportLibrary:10am-12noon-everyweek Yeovil,StPeter'sCommunityCentre:10am12nooneveryotherweek TalkingCafesaregreatifyouarelookingforhelpandadviceonimportantissuessuchas: WHY POP IN? caringforanother housing feelingsoflonelinessandisolation adultsocialcare children’sservices health WWW.SOMERSETAGENTS.ORG/TALKINGCAFES finance helpwithfood/cooking anythingelsethatisworryingyou Dementiacareandsupportin SomersetwithReminiscence Learning Carersgroupsandsupport forCarersinSomerset Savemoneyonyourenergy billsandsupportifyouare strugglingtopayforyour utilities
Wehavereallyenjoyedtravellingover thecountyandmeetingsomany Carers.Thelastdateforthisyear's roadshowisbelow. ThenextroadshowwillbeinSpring2023! 23rdNovember Wincanton Morrisons,BA99RP Free Goody Bag! Free Goody Bag! 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm
Onlinecourse registerandcompleteinyourowntime SingingforWellbeing https://lms.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk/enrol/index.php? id=347 DAY:Thursday13thDecember2022 TIME:12noon 2pm HobbyClub-Yeovil https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/courses/yeovil hobby club 6/ DAY:Monday5thDecember2022 TIME:10.30am 12noon BeKindtoYourMindYoga Frome https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/courses/frome be kind to your mind yoga 26/ COURSES FOR CARERS DAY:Wednesday4thJanuary2023 TIME:11:30pm 1pm ArtJournaling https://www.sslcourses.co.uk/courses/course/artjournaling 2/ Onlinecourse-registerandcompleteinyourowntime UnderstandingMentalHealthandWellbeing (forparentsandcarers) https://www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk/courses/understandin g-mental-health-and-wellbeing-for-parents-and-carers/ Manymoreareavailable findonetosuityouthroughtheseproviders: SomersetSkillsandLearning invenuesandonline SomersetRecoveryCollege invenuesandonline RecoveryCollegeOnline onlineonly Many of these courses repeat on a regular basis - contact the provider or visit their websites for more dates.
DAY:Wednesday30thNovember TIME:10am 11.30am IntroductiontoLowMood-Bridgwater https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/courses/bridgwater introduction to low mood 4/ DAY:Thursday12thJanuary2023 TIME:10:30am 1pm Neurodiversity-TheAutisticBrain https://www.sslcourses.co.uk/courses/course/neurodiversit y the autistic brain 2/ DAY:Monday6thFebruary2023 TIME:6pm 8pm AnxietyAwarenessandSelf-HelpStrategies https://www.sslcourses.co.uk/courses/course/anxiety awareness-self-help-strategies-3/ COURSES FOR CARERS DAY:13thDecember2022 TIME:1.30pm 3.30pm GardeningatBishopsPalace Wells https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/courses/wellsgardening at bishops palace 4/ DAY:Wednesday30thNovember TIME:10am 1pm Artforall Glastonbury https://somersetrecoverycollege.co.uk/courses/glastonbury art for all 6/ Manymoreareavailable findonetosuityouthroughtheseproviders: SomersetSkillsandLearning invenuesandonline SomersetRecoveryCollege invenuesandonline RecoveryCollegeOnline onlineonly Many of these courses repeat on a regular basis - contact the provider or visit their websites for more dates.
NHS
Anyone can get flu and pass it
effective
stopping
Gettingthefluvaccinationcanpreventusfromspreadingflutoeachother,protectingthosewhoarevulnerable andreducingtheburdenontheNHSandotherhealthandcareservices
For more information on eligibility, please click here: Flu vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk) For further information, please click here: Flu – Healthy Somerset However,ifyoudonotfallintoanyofthesecategories,youarestillabletogettheflujabfromaslittleas£14 fromyourlocalpharmacy How to book: ThosewhoareeligiblefortheNHSfreeflujabcanbevaccinatedviatheirCommunityPharmacyorGPSurgery Ifyouareeligible,youmayhavereceivedaletterfromyourGPaboutgettingyourflujab,youshouldfollowthe instructionsoutlinedonthatletter IfyouhavenotheardfromyourGPsurgeryregardingyourflujabandyouareeligibleforafreeflujab,thenplease bookatyourlocalpharmacy YoucanfindyourlocalpharmacyandtheircontactdetailsusingtheNHSwebsite (FindapharmacythatofferstheNHSfluvaccine NHS NHS(wwwnhsuk))andgivethemacalltofindouthow togetyourvaccine Everyonewhoiseligibleforthefreefluvaccinewillbeabletogetit,butnotallstraightaway,thosewhoaremore vulnerablewillbeprioritised IfyouhaveanappointmentforaCovid 19boostervaccineataGPsurgeryor pharmacy,youmayalsobeofferedafluvaccineatthesametime Do not delay booking your flu vaccine appointment so that you can get both vaccines together. Only some people will be offered both vaccines at the same time.
FREE FLU VACCINATION WINTER 2022 FromSeptember2022,thefluvaccinehasbeenofferedtoover35millionpeopleintheUK,includingsecondary schoolstudentsandthoseover50withnomedicalcondition.Thisbuildsonthesuccessoflastyear’sexpanded fluprogramme,whichsawarecordnumberofpeoplegettheirjab.
on. The flu vaccine is
at
this. Catchingflucanmakeusseriouslyunwell,resultingindaysinbed,takingtimeoffwork,missingthingsweenjoy doing,andnotbeingabletodoeasyday to daytasks. Thiswinter,wewillallhavelessimmunitytofluandarethereforemorelikelytocatchflubecausewehavenothad fluingeneralcirculationsince2019 ThefluseasonintheSouthernHemisphere,countrieslikeAustralia,canoften predictthepotentialforasimilarexperienceinNorthernHemispherecountries Thisyear,Australia’sflu seasonstartedearlierandinfectedmorepeoplethanpreviousyears,particularlychildrenaged5to9
Additionallyitwillhelpusstaywell
The Carers Bible by Amanda Waring
Thisaccessibleanddetailedguideincludespracticaltips, checklistsforbestpractice,descriptionsoftheirexperience fromawiderangeofcarersthataddressessolutionstocommon problems,andexpertadviceonhowtodelivercompassionate anddignifiedcaretoolderpeople.Uniquely,AmandaWaringalso providessupportandguidanceforthecarer,howtomaintain energyandcommitment,howtorecognisesignsofcompassion fatigueandwherecarerscangethelpiftheyneedit.
The Humans by Mat Haig
Afteran'incident'onewetFridaynightwhereheisfoundwalking nakedthroughthestreetsofCambridge,ProfessorAndrewMartin isnotfeelingquitehimself.Hefeelslostamongstanalienspecies andhateseveryoneontheplanet.Everyone,thatis,except Newton,andhe'sadog.Whoishereally?Andwhatcouldmake someonechangetheirmindaboutthehumanrace...?
Whetherduetooldage,illnessordisability,moreandmoreofusare becomingcarerstolovedones.
CarersandCaringisacompletehandbookforanyoneinacaring role,guidingyouthroughtheeverydayadministrativeandemotional challengesofsupportingalovedone.
Checkthe'BuyUsed'optiononAmazontobuyacheapersecond
and Caring: the one stop guide by june andrews
READING AcollectionofbooksusefulforCarersor recommendedbyotherCarers Essential Carer's Guide to Dementia by mary jordan
Carers
SUGGESTED
IntheEssentialCarer'sGuidetoDementia,Maryexplainswhat youcanexpectwhenyoureceiveadiagnosisofoneofthemany causesofdementiaandwhatyoucandotomanagelifegoing forward howyoucanslowtheprogressofsymptomsandhow youcanmaximiseavailablesupport.Theearlieryoustart,the betteryouwillbeabletocope.
handcopy,orlookonEbay.YoucouldalsocallyourLibraryorlocal charityshoptoseeiftheyhavethebookyouwantinstock.
Checkourwebsitehere forallpreviousbook recommendations
SUDOKO ANSWERS HERE (TOP TWO ON PAGE): WWW.MEMORY-IMPROVEMENT-TIPS.COM/ TAKE A BREAK Grabacuppa,andenjoyourpuzzlescreatedforyou! EasyPrintPage AUTUMN ACTIVITIES IN SOMERSET PLAY ONLINE HERE HTTPS://THEWORDSEARCH.COM/PUZZLE/4252 561/AUTUMN-ACTIVITIES-IN-SOMERSET/ ApplePicking Carnivals CoastPath DunsterCastle Exmoor GuyFawkes Hestercombe KilveBeach LeighWoods MarketTowns MontacuteHouse Pumpkins QuantockHills VobsterLake
ADULT SOCIAL CARE IN SOMERSET HAVE YOUR SAY An important consultation from Somerset County Council.Surveycloses2ndJanuary2023. T A K E P A R T H E R E Weknowthatadultsocialcareisarealpriority forpeopleinSomerset. Aspartofaseriesofengagementactivitiesrun bySomersetCountyCouncilduring2022,over 5000residentshavebeenaskedwhattheir prioritiesareforcouncilspendinginSomerset. TheresultshavemadeitclearthatAdultSocial CareisatoppriorityforSomersetresidents, rankingnumber2inthepoll,afterprotecting childrenandimprovingeducation. Inordertoimprovetheservice,Somerset CountyCouncilwouldliketohearwhatyouthink byfillinginthissurvey,youarehelpingthem understandwhat'simportanttoyou,andways theycanimprovesocialcareservicesin Somerset. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU? Complete the survey here: https://somerset.inconsult.uk/caresurvey22/consultationHome
4 LONGER - AGE UK STRONGER Age UK Somerset want you to stay Stronger 4 Longersoyoucankeepdoingtheimportantthings theactivitiesthatmakeyou‘you’. F I N D O U T M O R E Whetherit’sputtingyourwellieson,playingwith yourgrandchildrenorevenhangingoutthe washing,theywanttohelpyoukeepdoingthem. AgeUKSomersetareworkingwithSomerset Activity&SportsPartnership(SASP)todeliver theStronger4Longercampaignacrossthe county. Forinspirationonhowtokeepactiveathome, gototheSASPwebsitebelowfortheir ExercisestoGetStarted. Ifyou’dliketojoinoneofAgeUKSomerset’sfun andfriendlyexercisesessions,youcanfindout what’sonnearyouhere. HOW DO YOU LIKE TO BE ACTIVE? Ifyouwantmoreinformation,contacttheAgeUK SomersetFallsPreventionServiceon01823345614,email fallsprevention@ageuksomerset.org.ukorvisit www.sasp.co.uk/stronger4longer
Anewone-stoptravelinformationwebsitehasbeenlaunchedbySomersetCountyCounciltosupportmorelocalpeopleto accesspublicandcommunitytransport.
Ifyoudon’townacar–oryouwanttoleaveitathomeandtravelmoresustainably,ThinkTravelcanhelpyouwithyour transportoptions.Whetherit’sgettingtothedoctors,shops,travellingtowork,college,orschool,orjustintotowntomeet friendsorfamily,thenewtravelplannershowsyouwhat’savailable.Itcoverspublictransport,communitytransport,the Slinkydemandresponsivetransportserviceandcarsharing.
Tostartyoursearch,allyouneedtodoisenteryourjourneystartpointanddestinationintheplannerandThinkTravelwill findtheavailableoptionsforyou.Aswellasinformationontrainandbusservices,there’salsoadedicatedcarsharingnotice boardyoucansignupto,whereoffersorrequestsforcarsharingjourneyscanbeposted.Theaimistogrowthisfacilityand encouragelocalcarsharingnetworkstoevolve.YoucancheckoutThinkTravelhere:https://somerset.thinktravel.info
Bishop’sPalace Meetingroomsnearthecafé Wells TheSwanHotel 11SadlerSt,WellsBA52RX
Glastonbury StJohntheBaptist Church HighSt,GlastonburyBA69DR
Frome CricketGround SheptonMallet ArtsBank,HighStreet
month 11amto12.30pm
4thWednesdayofthemonth 10amto1130am
3rdMondayofthemonth 10.30amto12noon 1stWednesdayofthemonth 1030amto1230pm
Bridget01749670667 info@headsupsomersetorguk
Bridget01749670667 info@headsupsomersetorguk Cath07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk
Alongsidethetalkingcafe,Arttherapy,taichietc runningatthesametimeweekly Tricia01373301369 Christinersmith@blueyoundercouk CarrieCarriehemmmgs1@gmail.com ActivityGroupLead"Lovetomove" CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk (CarersGroupLead g
TheHubAngelPlace
BurnhamonSea
TuesdayTBC Volunteersneededplease 10.30amto12noon Activitiesforthepersonyoucarefor whilstyoujointhecarersgroup
CathHolloway07951944420 cathholloway@sparksomersetorguk CathHolloway07951944420 Burnhamcarers@outlook.com
CommunityCentre emonth 1pmto3pm(TBC) Pleasephoneandchecktime 4thTuesdayofthemonth 10amto1130am WHO DO I CONTACT?
WHERE? WHEN?
CONTACT? MORE MOREiinformation nformation
PS PS
WHO DO I
HTTPS://SOMERSETCARERS.ORG/CARERS-GROUPS/ HTTPS://SOMERSETCARERS.ORG/CARERS-GROUPS/
ERSET
MarketHouse, TheShambles
KeintonMandeville VillageHall
Martock
ChristianFellowship Church Crewkerne HenhayesCentre SouthStreet,TA188DA MainCrewkerneCarpark
Yeovil Café,Westlands EntertainmentCentre Chard EnglishMartyrsChurch Hall 2EastStreet Ilminster MonksYard(upstairs)
WincantonandBruton BalsamCentre Usemaintownfreecarpark
Langport TheBridgeBakeryCafe TA109RB
SouthPetherton StPeterandStPaul's OpenHouse
themonth 10.30amto12noon
1stWednesdayofthemonth 11amto1230pm
Activitiesforthepersonyoucarefor included
1stThursdayofthemonth 10.30amto12noon Relaxationsessionsincludedinto2023
3rdThursdayofthemonth 2pmto330pm
Newgroupwithflexercisesessionforthe personyoucareforinadjoiningroom.
2ndTuesdayofthemonth 11amto1230pm
Activitysessionforthepersonyoucare forwhilstyoujointhegroup
2ndMondayofthemonth 1030amto1230pm 3rdThursdayofthemonth 1pmto2.30pm
Meetforlunchorasnack
2ndMondayoftheMonth
2pmto330pm
Activitysessionforthepersonyoucare forinthenextroom.
4thWednesdayofthemonth 2pmto3.30pm
WHO DO I CONTACT?
FlorenceMills01963359081/ fliss1938@icloud.com
RuthMetherell01963359329
JaneTomkins01963350210 Janecarers@outlookcom
JackyReedJacky.reed@talktalk.net
JackyReedJacky.reed@talktalk.net
3rdWednesdayofthemonth 1115amto12noon
CaroleLadelade7@icloud.com CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk
PatGalpin01460220026 Kate01460394331 chardcarers@aolcom
AlisonBirket01935427825/ 07774231996 a.birket@btinternet.com
GwenVenturs
CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk
CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk
CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk
Dulverton ExmoorMedicalCentre Minehead OldHospital TheAvenue,TA245AY 1stTuesdayofthemonth 230pmto4pm 2ndThursdayofthemonth 10amto12noon Wellington TheIronDuke Towncentre Taunton WellspringsChurchCafe QuantockRd,TauntonTA27NL 1stMondayofthemonth fromFebruary6th2023 1030amto12noon 1stTuesdayofthemonth 11amto12.30pm CathHolloway07951944420 cath.holloway@sparksomerset.org.uk Carol07888077757 mccracken@talk21com JaneLillis01823331222 janel@somersetrccorguk ON 7pm FourthTuesdayofthemonth Registerhere: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsd 2srDosHNxXbpisp2S2zbl8XRsryReb RSET EA WHO DO I CONTACT? WHERE? WHEN? WHO DO I CONTACT? WayneStokes01823331222 waynes@somersetrcc.org.ukplease callfirstasthedatemaychange Pleasemakecontactwiththeleader beforeattendingincaseofanyupdates, andsotheleadercanlookoutforyouto giveawarmwelcome.Carerscanjoinany andasmanygroupsastheywishasthey allhaveaslightlydifferentoffer.
Quick Reference Useful Websites and contact numbers
Website Telephone
Somerset Carers website
Spark online Carers Groups
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
https://somersetcarers.org/carersgroups/ Email:cathholloway@sparksomersetorguk
Spark Online Carers Groups Cath Holloway 07951 944 420 Carers UK www.carersuk.org 020 7378 4999
Citizens Advice
Spark online Carers Groups
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/ looking after people/carers help and support/ 03444 111 444 NHS www.nhs.uk/conditions/social care and support guide/practical tips if you care for someone/ 111
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online carers group
Somerset Direct www.somerset.gov.uk/social care and health/ For Adult Social Care, Carers Assessments & Blue Badge Scheme blue badge@somerset.gov.uk
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
www.somersetft.nhs.uk/carers service and triangle of care/ Support to unpaid carers and family members who look after people with mental health problems
0300 123 2224
Spark online Carers Groups
01749 836 606 carers trust https://carers.org/ 0300 772 9600 Age UK www.ageuk.org.uk 0800 88 22 00
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online carers group Spark online Carers Groups
https://www.sparksomerset. org.uk/online carers group
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
