Carers Connection July 2024

Carers’ Connection

July 2024

I can’t believe we are in July already and I’m writing my last Aberdeen Carers newsletter introduction. I am moving to a new post in Glasgow to be closer to my family and I wanted to take the time to thank the great staff team that I’ve been lucky enough to work with since the service began four years ago. I would also like to say a huge thank you to all the wonderful carers I’ve met during my time managing the service. Your care and dedication to your loved ones is so special.

The team organised a lovely farewell for me, and we have included photos here. I am now handing the baton over to Andrew Falconer, who joined the service as Team Leader but then went on to job share with me when my own caring role meant I needed to reduce my hours a bit. I’m sure many of you will have already met him and I wish him and you all the very best of luck for the future.

Joanna McPherson

Stay up to date with all the latest news on our Facebook page. The page is public, and you don’t need to have a Facebook account to access it: www.facebook.com/ aberdeencarerssupportservice

Meet the team

Andrew Falconer Service Coordinator

Tel: 07917 521268

Email: andrew.falconer@ quarriers.org.uk

Nicola Black Administrator

Tel: 07917 521879

Email: nicola.black@ quarriers.org.uk

Allyson Flockhart

Family Wellbeing Worker

Tel 07554 555027

allyson.flockhart@ quarriers.org.uk

Teresa Massie Carer Advisor

(Enhanced Carer Support)

Tel: 07917 521853

Email: teresa.massie@ quarriers.org.uk

Susan Middler

Digital and Community Inclusion Worker

Tel: 07917 521886

Email: susan.middler@ quarriers.org.uk

Natalia Beaton

Family Wellbeing Worker (Health and Wellbeing)

Tel: 07917 052551

Email: natalia.beaton@ quarriers.org.uk

Kyle Fitzpatrick

Senior Administrator

Email: kyle.fitzpatrick@ quarriers.org.uk

Louisa Donaldson Carer Advisor

Tel: 07917 521885

Email: louisa.donaldson@ quarriers.org.uk

Lauren Gardiner

Family Wellbeing Worker (Respitality)

Tel 07917 521874

Email: lauren.gardiner@ quarriers.org.uk

Lauren Mitlon

Family Wellbeing Worker (Triage)

Tel 07939 173970

lauren.milton@ quarriers.org.uk

Emmanuel Fianko Administrator

Email: emmanuel.fianko@ quarriers.org.uk

Elaine Dukes

Parent Carer Advisor

Tel: 07917 521852

Email: elaine.dukes@ quarriers.org.uk

Mairi Lorimer Family Wellbeing Worker

Tel 07917 521862

mairi.lorimer@ quarriers.org.uk

Loreena Piffre

Family Wellbeing Worker (Enhanced Carer Support)

Tel 07551 018643

loreena.piffre@ quarriers.org.uk

Meet the team (continued)

Anna Schmitt

Family Wellbeing Worker (Respitality)

Tel 07917 051489

Email: anna.schmitt@ quarriers.org.uk

Susan Shaw

Family Wellbeing Worker

Tel 07531 193656

Email: susan.shaw@ quarriers.org.uk

Welcome to the team

Allyson Flockhart

Hello to all. I recently joined Aberdeen Carers Support Service as a Family Wellbeing Worker after over 13 years with Advocacy Service Aberdeen, and I am looking forward to the new chapter in my life. I have dealt with both sides of carers’ lives, from being a carer myself to representing carers at all levels. This really is fascinating and rewarding, and has helped me develop experience and knowledge for well over 40 years. It is so special.

Mackenzie Wilder

Family Wellbeing Worker (Diversity and Inclusion)

Tel 07586 564203

Email: mackenzie. wilder@quarriers.org.uk

make a difference in the lives of others aligns perfectly with Quarriers’ mission and values. With my skillset and experience, along with the recent attainment of my master’s degree in the relevant field, I am eager to contribute to Quarriers’ goals and visions.

Outside of work, you’ll often find me buried in a good book, watching football, and staying informed about international politics, global governance issues and policy-making. I’m thrilled to be part of the Quarriers family and am looking forward to the fruitful journey ahead.

Lauren Milton

I love to travel and have been to lots of places where the culture has been fantastic. I enjoy baking, and since meeting great friends in America I have learned to quilt, which I do to relax in my workshop.

Emmanuel Fianko

I am beyond excited to have joined the incredible team here at Aberdeen Carers Support Service as an administrator. It’s an honour to be part of such a passionate and dedicated group of individuals. Before joining the team, I had the privilege of working in administrative roles across various organisations. However, this feels like coming home. My passion for humanitarian endeavours and my desire to

I’m excited to have joined Aberdeen Carers Support Service in my new role as Family Wellbeing Worker (Triage). Quarriers does incredible work to support carers and I’m looking forward to being a part of that support network. Care and social work have been a continued thread throughout my working life, and I hope I am able to translate my experience into this new post.

Outside of work, my five-year-old daughter keeps me busy. My family and I live in rural Aberdeenshire and enjoy spending as much time as possible outdoors. I am a keen runner and yogi and recently took part in the Edinburgh half-marathon to raise money for charity. I am passionate about natural living, as I strive to achieve a holistic approach to life.

Glasgow sector day

We recently attended a Children, Families & Health sector day at The William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre in Glasgow, where Jo and Andrew had been invited to give a presentation on our coproduced service to Quarriers managers and team leaders.

Staff heard how we involved our carers from the very beginning, from deciding what the service should be called to choosing our logo and colours. Jo and Andrew shared our development plan and spoke about many aspects of our coproduction, including our various groups and how we regularly ask carers what they would like to see from the service.

After the talk, they answered questions from the audience and received lots of positive feedback — to such an extent that we now have a queue of staff wanting to come and visit us in Aberdeen!

A Wee Blether with Mary

At one of our Middlefield Wee Blether groups, we were delighted to learn that regular attendee Mary (pictured right), now in her 80s, worked for Quarriers as a children’s nurse sixty years ago, looking after babies and toddlers at Quarriers Village in Bridge of Weir! We loved chatting to her and said how fitting it was that someone who spent time caring for others is now receiving support from the same organisation.

Carers’ roadshow

In April, we attended the Carers Scotland roadshow at Aberdeen Science Museum. Carers were invited to drop in for a cuppa and receive information on carers rights, local support services, and more.

We distributed a range of leaflets and flyers, and many carers stopped to chat to us — including a few who had just identified as carers and have since registered with the service.

Key discussions with carers included Self-Directed Support, Adult Carer Support Plans, community support groups and Creative Breaks funding. Thanks to everyone who came along!

Kinship support Carers Week

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. During Carers Week 2024, we welcomed a variety of local organisations to the office including Silver City Surfers and Penumbra, and hosted a drop-in session where carers could come along for a cuppa and a chat.

We are grateful to the National Trust for Scotland for marking Carers Week by inviting carers to Fyvie Castle for a Mental Health and Wellbeing Activity Day. On offer were events such as wellbeing walks, art activities and castle tours. A picnic was provided too! Thank you to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting carers with transport to and from Fyvie. Our Parent Carer Advisor, Elaine, who is also a carer, reported benefitting greatly from the day out and said that a wonderful time was had by all!

Feeling anxious or struggling to cope?

Our weekly Kinship Carer Support Group began in January and carers have enjoyed meeting up for a cuppa and a chat about their kinship roles. We recently ran a very successful course for them — I’m a Kinship Parent, Get Me Out of Here! — which covered a range of topics such as trauma, parenting styles, managing challenging behaviours, and self-esteem/self-worth, as well as the importance of advocating for themselves and the children they care for and how to do that in a productive way.

Kinship carers have shared with us how important they feel it is that the group is run by professionals that are not social workers. It’s important to them that they come to our group and can be open and honest about how difficult it can be to care for a child, often with trauma that is difficult to manage.

Pitch perfect

A big thank you to Aberdeen FC Community Trust for treating our Men’s Group to tickets for two matches at Pittodrie in April, with the men being lucky enough to be gifted a hospitality box for one of the games.

If any carers would like their names to go into a ballot for future tickets, should we be lucky enough to be offered more, please drop us an email: aberdeencarers@quarriers.org.uk

Remarkable Raymond

On Good Friday, we headed off to the Aberdeen Bowling Club Darts League Finals at Kittybrewster & Woodside Bowling Club. Raymond, who we support, had very kindly arranged for all proceeds from that evening’s raffle to be donated to us, saying that he wanted to “give something back” for everything we have done for him. He tells us more:

“I’ve been supported by you since October last year. I was in a bad way and getting very depressed. I had initially walked past your office a couple of times and didn’t have the bottle to chap on the door. I should have, but I didn’t. I’m now glad that I eventually did. I’m happy that I’m supported by you, and if I can do anything at all for you, I will. I can’t speak highly enough of you all. You’re all friendly, you all listen to me, and I’m the biggest yap in the world!

“I’ve just sat here today for two hours at the Men’s Group with fellow carers that I’ve got to know since being supported by you, and with your workers Susan and Teresa. You can’t get better than that.

“There’s a lot of stress involved when you’re a carer, but you can come here and let go. To me, Aberdeen Carers Support Service is number one — the best thing I’ve ever come across! As long as I live, I hope to do as much fundraising as I can for you.”

We can’t thank Raymond enough for his amazing efforts and kind words. We had a fantastic, fun night at the bowling club. A lovely buffet was provided, and organisers said they had never seen as many raffle prizes before, so a huge shout out to everyone who donated these!

In addition to the money raised from the raffle, we were deeply grateful to receive an extremely generous donation from local scaffolding company Abscaff Ltd, making the total raised on the night almost £1400.

Huge thanks go to everyone involved in making the evening such a great success — we couldn’t have done it without them and congratulations and well done to Abergeldie Bowling Club for winning the darts league!

Aberdeen Kiltwalk

Huge congratulations and thanks to team members Andrew, Loreena, Susan and Teresa, and carer Katrina for completing the Aberdeen Kiltwalk at the beginning of June! In total, over £1200 was raised for the service.

The amazing Katrina, who took on the 18-mile Mighty Stride and raised

Pamper time

Two groups of carers recently made use of their Doorstep Breaks funding by choosing to enjoy spa days at Ardoe House Hotel, a baronial 19th century mansion set in tranquil countryside just three miles away from Aberdeen city centre.

Thank you to both groups of ladies for sending us these lovely photos and feedback. We’re glad to hear you all had a fab time!

“Thank you to all involved at Quarriers for arranging this for us. I had a facial, and the therapist was lovely. It was very relaxing and I’m glad to have been given the opportunity. The lunch was lovely, and we could relax there too. We didn’t want to leave! Thank you all so much. It’s really appreciated.”

a whopping £350, said, “I chose to do the Kiltwalk for Quarriers as they provide fantastic support for unpaid carers. I’m very grateful for the support my family has received.”

Well done to all for their dedication and achievements!

“We had an amazing day, making use of the facilities before the treatment — swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. I had a back and shoulder massage. My therapist was so kind and understanding to speak to, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The lunch was amazing too. The room had a super atmosphere, and the food was delicious. Thank you to Quarriers for a fabulous day.”

“It was a great day. After spending the morning in the pool/jacuzzi/sauna, I had a very relaxing facial followed by lunch. It was refreshing yet relaxing at the same time. I definitely felt the benefit of some gentle exercise on my troublesome hip, which was an unexpected bonus. Thank you for making it possible for me.”

“Just one word: ‘wonderful’! We all headed up to the spa to have a face or body massage and head and shoulder massages. Each one of us said we were so relaxed and enjoyed the quietness of the countryside. It was just what we all needed - relaxation and the enjoyment of each other’s company. Thank you for making our spa day possible.”

Aberdeenshire adventure!

Several members of our Moving On group, for carers whose loved ones have passed away or are now living in care homes, recently arranged to go together on a funded Doorstep Break with local company Grampian Escapes and Tours, choosing the day trip ‘Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire’. Sightseeing stops included Collieston, the Bullers of Buchan, Gardenstown, Crovie, Pennan — with its famous red phone box as seen in the 1983 hit film Local Hero — and Fraserburgh, where they enjoyed a lovely lunch.

“We had a super day out with the Moving On group. Not a nice start as it was damp and raining, but we soon all cheered up after our coffee and scrumptious cakes at Eli’s coffee shop in Gardenstown. It was just like sitting in someone’s living room. Coffee and cake were on offer for £5 that day, with proceeds going to Alzheimer Scotland. Our driver, Jamie, was very knowledgeable about all the coastal villages we visited. We had a lovely lunch at Fraserburgh, with the haddock falling off the plate — it was so huge and delicious, and then the sun came out. I enjoyed the tour. It is nice to go away with people in the same situation. Looking forward to the next outing!”

“I enjoyed first of all the company of my travelling companions. We wandered around in all the lovely villages we stopped at and our driver, Jamie, somehow managed to keep a commentary going throughout the day telling us so much about the whole area and its history. Lots of lovely memories. A brilliant day. Thank you.”

“The bus trip was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt greatly relaxed. Thanks.”

“It was such a pleasure for me, being in amongst such good company. I hadn’t been anywhere for years due to my caring role,

but during the trip I felt a great sense of achievement; like I had taken a big step on the road to normalisation.”

Carers were accompanied on the trip by our Digital & Community Inclusion Worker, Susan, who said, “We all had such a wonderful day on our shared adventure around the Aberdeenshire coastline, with lots of laughs and camaraderie. On reflection, bus trips are normally all about the places you visit, and of course it was fantastic to spend time at each stop, looking around and learning new things, but this wasn’t just about the destinations, it was seeing carers having time out, bonding with each other and making memories that was the highlight for me. One of my most rewarding days at work, which will stay right up there as a high point in my memory bank.”

Carers’ Corner - London calling

Hello. I’m Shahnaz, full-time unpaid carer for my 19-year-old son. In March this year, I flew from Aberdeen to London to attend the Carers UK Members’ Conference 2024, getting up at 3am for my 6am flight to Gatwick. On arrival, I caught a train to central London and was at the venue, Woburn House in Tavistock Square, by 9.45am. I really enjoyed the conference and the opportunity it provided to connect with other carers and professionals from across the UK. We heard from many speakers including the Chair and the Chief Executive of Carers UK. However, during the lunch break, I received a call from my son’s day centre saying that he wasn’t well and could I come and take him back home. Obviously, being in London, I couldn’t do this, so I contacted my husband and he dealt with the situation.

There were lots of highlights at the conference, with professionals encouraging carers to recognise that we have the power to change things; that we must hold politicians to account on what they are doing to help us. We also heard from carers themselves about their experiences and the impact their caring roles have on them.

The conference finished at 4pm. I was staying in London after the conference because my husband said he would look after our son, giving me the opportunity to take a break. I was very happy and excited about this, and my brother was there at the train station to pick me up. It is so emotional — as well as relaxing when you meet and spend time with your siblings. My brother and I both achieved PhDs at the University of the West of Scotland. He is a lecturer in a well-known UK university, and I am an unpaid carer because my caring duties do not allow me to go out and look for research jobs. My family always comes first. My son is completely dependent on others 24/7. He cannot do a single thing. He is very beautiful and very innocent. We call him a person from Jannatul Firdouse (Paradise).

I was very happy with my family in England but then I received another call to say that my son wasn’t well, and I had to change my flight and come back home. As a carer, I cannot make promises to anyone because most of the time things happen suddenly, and I have to change my plans. But Alhamdulil ALLAH, I have a good support network of family, friends, and professionals from different organisations.

I’m grateful to those who organised this useful conference for carers. I received lots of information which will help me and my family with our caring duties, as well as tips on how to look after ourselves as carers.

If you are interested in becoming a free member of Carers UK, you can sign up here: https://bit.ly/3yIUDzs

Members receive a wide range of benefits, including regular updates by email on the latest carer news and information and opportunities to get involved in their research and campaigns.

If you have anything you would like us to feature in a future edition, whether it’s a photo, poem, useful info for other carers, or anything else carer-related, please send it to susan.middler@quarriers.org.uk

Unpaid Carer’s Leave

The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 came into effect in April 2024.

Carers are now entitled to five days of unpaid leave per year, to give or arrange care for a dependant who has:

• a physical or mental illness or injury that means they’re expected to need care for more than three months

• a disability (as defined in the Equality Act 2010)

• care needs because of their old age

• The dependant does not have to be a family member. It can be anyone who relies on them for care.

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/carers-leave

Creative Breaks

Gayle

Initially, I wasn’t sure how to use the Creative Breaks funding, but I found out about the Urban Wellness Hub in Bridge of Don and decided to explore what they had to offer for myself and my son. The staff are amazing. They welcome you at the door and then you find your name on a sign welcoming you to your treatment. I had a float experience, which was amazing and very surreal. The water was warm, and for the first ten minutes lights twinkled and music was playing, then the lights went out and it was completely dark for the next 50 minutes! You float around; your body and mind switch off and you move into a deep relaxed state bliss! The lovely staff were on hand pre- and post-float to get me settled and provide reassurance, and they checked in with me afterwards. My son tried the float and liked it initially, but he couldn’t switch his mind off (he has ADHD). He lasted 25 minutes, and of course you can get out whenever you wish. I benefitted from three more floats, as they came at a reduced rate due to purchasing a block.

Because I sit at a desk a lot, my back gets tense. I also have a niggly knee, so I had three Bowen treatments at the Hub. Bowen is a hands-on therapy which is done through your clothing gentle pressure moves/rolls on your body, with breaks to let the body process the good work that is being done. Your mind relaxes as you lie there, while your body gets the chance to correct and heal.

My son was also keen to try this and had three treatments. He had been going through a bad patch at the time, and when I came out of my float and looked through the window at him coming out of his massage, he had the biggest smile that I had seen in a long time. He felt mentally and physically so much better after each treatment.

Thank you, Quarriers, for the amazing opportunity to have this funding and treat ourselves to such luxury. My son and I looked forward to going there together and chatted about it in between sessions. I hope that other carers will consider the Wellness Hub for their own or their loved one’s wellbeing. There are many other treatments available, including reflexology, Hopi ear candling and vitamin injections.

Shahnaz

My 19-year-old son is disabled and depends on us for every single thing. My husband, my elder son and I are full-time unpaid carers for him. Our Creative Breaks funding was very helpful. We used the money for a few day trips to various beautiful places around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and enjoyed our time together as a family. The trips really helped us and were very good for our mental health. Thank you.

Missed an edition?

Backdated copies of Carers’ Connection are available to read via our Virtual Carers Centre: https://carers.quarriers.org.uk/aberdeen-carers

Carers’ groups

Date and time Session

August

Monday 5 August 12noon - 2pm

Tuesday 6 August 11am – 1pm

Tuesday 13 August 2–4pm

Tuesday 20 August 10.30am –12.30pm

Monday 26 August 10–11.30am

Wednesday 28 August 11am - 1pm

September

Monday 2 September 10–11.30am

Monday 2 September 12noon - 2pm

Tuesday

3 September 10.30am –12.30pm

Tuesday 3 September 11am – 1pm

Monday 9 September 10–11.30am

Monday Men’s Group – Come along for a cuppa and a chat and meet others in a similar situation. To book, contact 07917 521853 / teresa.massie@quarriers.org.uk

Coffee & Crafts – Get creative and meet fellow carers. Bring your own projects if you wish, but we do have some craft materials available. To note your interest, contact 07917 521862 / mairi.lorimer@quarriers.org.uk

Moving On – A group for those whose caring relationship has changed, perhaps due to the person you cared for passing away or moving into full-time care. Contact 01224 914036 / natalia.beaton@quarriers.org.uk if you’d like to come along.

Parent Carer Support Group – Receive advice, support and signposting. Donbank Room, Tillydrone Community Campus, 52 Hayton Road, Aberdeen AB24 2UY. Contact 07917 521852 / elaine.dukes@quarriers.org.uk to book your place.

Kinship Carer Support Group – Drop in for a cuppa and a chat, with a focus on Kinship Support. Manor Park Hub, Manor Park Primary School, Danestone Circle, Aberdeen, AB16 7YB. Contact 07917 521852 / elaine.dukes@quarriers.org.uk

Connexions – A closed group for women in need of mental health support. Please contact 07917 521853 / teresa.massie@quarriers.org.uk to discuss the criteria.

Kinship Carer Support Group – Drop in for a cuppa and a chat, with a focus on Kinship Support. Manor Park Hub, Manor Park Primary School, Danestone Circle, Aberdeen, AB16 7YB. Contact 07917 521852 / elaine.dukes@quarriers.org.uk

Monday Men’s Group – Come along for a cuppa and a chat and meet others in a similar situation. To book, contact 07917 521853 / teresa.massie@quarriers.org.uk

Parent Carer Support Group – Receive advice, support and signposting. Donbank Room, Tillydrone Community Campus, 52 Hayton Road, Aberdeen AB24 2UY. Contact 07917 521852 / elaine.dukes@quarriers.org.uk to book your place.

Coffee & Crafts – Get creative and meet fellow carers. Bring your own projects if you wish, but we do have some craft materials available. To note your interest, contact 07917 521862 / mairi.lorimer@quarriers.org.uk

Kinship Carer Support Group – Drop in for a cuppa and a chat, with a focus on Kinship Support. Manor Park Hub, Manor Park Primary School, Danestone Circle, Aberdeen, AB16 7YB. Contact 07917 521852 / elaine.dukes@quarriers.org.uk

Tuesday 10 September 2-4pm Moving On – A group for those whose caring relationship has changed, perhaps due to the person you cared for passing away or moving into full-time care. Contact 01224 914036 / natalia.beaton@quarriers.org.uk if you’d like to come along.

Monday 16 September 10–11.30am

Tuesday 17 September 10.30am –12.30pm

Kinship Carer Support Group – Drop in for a cuppa and a chat, with a focus on Kinship Support. Manor Park Hub, Manor Park Primary School, Danestone Circle, Aberdeen, AB16 7YB. Contact 07917 521852 / elaine.dukes@quarriers.org.uk

Parent Carer Support Group – Receive advice, support and signposting. Donbank Room, Tillydrone Community Campus, 52 Hayton Road, Aberdeen AB24 2UY. Contact 07917 521852 / elaine.dukes@quarriers.org.uk to book your place.

Date and time Session

Wednesday 25 September 11am - 1pm

Monday 30 September 10–11.30am

October

Tuesday 1 October 10.30am –12.30pm

Monday 7 October 10–11.30am

Monday 7 October 12noon - 2pm

Tuesday 8 October 11am – 1pm

Tuesday 8 October 2-4pm

Monday 28 October 10–11.30am

Tuesday 29 October 10.30am –12.30pm

Wednesday 30 October 11am - 1pm