NEWSLETTER Spring 2016 - Lifeworks Staffordshire

P3 Meet the bears
Say hello to our latest additions to the Carers Hub
family, Cosmic and Pluto the teddy bears!
P4 Have your say
Now is your chance to give your feedback around
proposed changes to the council's charging policy
P7 Winter warmers
Take a look at a few of our tips on how to stay warm
and dry this winter - with a bonus hearty recipe!
NEWSLETTER
THE CARERS
HUB PROMOTES
SUPPORT FOR
CHILDREN
AND YOUNG
CARERS ACROSS
STAFFORDSHIRE
The Carers Hub is supporting a
campaign to give recognition to
thousands of young carers across
the county who work around to clock
providing care and support to family and
friends.
As the UK marked Young Carers
Awareness Day last month (January
28), our team launched a series of
events and special activities around
Staffordshire to highlight the work
done by children and young carers and
encourage them to come forward to
access the support and vital services
they are entitled to.
Our first stop was Keele University,
where we hosted a stand to reach out to
students who are balancing their studies
with unpaid care to a relative.
For the first time this year, new students
starting at Keele were asked on their
pre-enrolment forms whether they
had caring responsibilities. Nearly 100
students said they were, and another
64 said they were a parent caring for a
child.
Deborah Gibson, our Community
Engagement Officer said: “Many young
carers are under a lot of strain as a
result of their caring role, juggling family,
school and personal life.
Spring 2016
His cheeky smile says it all. Our arts and craft activities at the Carers Hub in
December proved popular among young carers, with Jaydyn (7) – (pictured
here) joining the fun. Turn to page 3 for more photos.
“Inevitably, this can have a huge
impact on their studies. By the time
a young carer reaches the age of 18,
they are twice as likely to be NEET –
that’s not in education, employment or
training - so it is vital they get support
as early as possible. We want to make
sure they know there are people who
understand the issues they are facing,
and where they can get help.”
forms to indicate whether they were
carers, we think that the number we
have identified is much lower than
it probably is. By working with The
Carers Hub, we hope more students
will feel they can ask for support.
Keele University has also donated
two teddy bears – Cosmic and Pluto
- which will travel around the county
with carers and our staff.
“There are many students who
continue to live at home and caring to
such an extent that they can’t move
out. Others have left home, but feel a
very heavy responsibility towards the
person they’ve left at home and are
worried. They will often go home to do
some sort of care.”
With any luck, you will have heard
Deborah and Lucy Clifford on the
radio. They were invited by BBC Radio
Stoke, Signal and Cannock Radio to
talk about the work being done at the
Carers Hub. We also attracted the
attention of the Burton Mail.
You can follow Cosmic and
Pluto’s journey on Twitter @
thecarershub by using the
#TeddyCare as they travel
around the county. Find out
where their first stop was by
turning to page 3.
Katy Lockett, the university’s Money
and Welfare Officer said: “At Keele,
we aim to support under-represented
groups among our students and
one of those groups is young carers.
Although we asked students to
tick a box on their pre-enrolment
Carers Hub
1
This is a great time to tell
us what you need in 2016
" Dear Carers,
I can’t believe it’s February already! I hope that you all had a
fabulous festive period and enjoyed time spent with family and
friends.
The break has given me time to reflect on what The Carers Hub
has achieved since its launch last year, looking at what we’ve
done well, and - more importantly - how we can make our
service even better.
For those who have resolved to have a healthier 2016, we’re
running Health & Wellbeing sessions, and we’ve set up new
activities, such as our Young Carer Arts & Crafts days, and a
regular coffee morning to encourage carers to meet up.
With Stoke being named the European City of Sport in 2016,
we’re hoping to get adult and young carers involved in a number
of sports activities we’re planning, starting over the half term and
Easter holidays. If you prefer something a little less strenuous,
why not come along to our Crafting Soft Toys and Furnishings
workshops.
YOUNG CARERS GET MESSY
AT ART WORKSHOP
Never has getting messy been so
much fun. Our young carers explored
their creative side at a recent arts and
craft workshop.
people aged between 5 and 16 who provide care for a relative
who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses alcohol or
drugs, so we need to do everything we can to support them.
We’ll also participating Carers Week (8-14 June 2016), which is
based around the theme of Building Carer Friendly Communities.
We would love to hear your suggestions on what events you
would like us to organise that you feel would benefit carers
within your community. Please feel free to include any thoughts
no matter how big or small. You can read more about Carers
Week at www.carersweek.org
Using cotton wool balls, glitter and
pipe cleaners, they painted, baked,
glued and twisted their way to make
colourful Christmas decorations and
biscuits.
It was a great opportunity to let the
children (and grown-ups!) express
themselves, explore and get messy –
as our photos show.
In the meantime, we would be delighted if you wanted to get
involved with our work at the Carers Hub. If you would like to
explore volunteering opportunities, please call us on 0330 123
1937.
Sessions like this for young carers are
held in Saturday mornings, so come
and join us.
You can find more details on any of the above on our website
www.thecarerhub.co.uk or twitter @thecarershub.
This just leaves me to wish you a positive and joyful 2016.
Jagdeep Soor
"
I also wanted to remind you about the Personal Wellbeing
Budget, which offers you the opportunity to apply for a break
from your caring duties, a short trip or an item that will make
a significant positive impact to your caring need. Do give us a
call or visit our website if you want further details on Personal
Wellbeing Budget or need help to apply.
Ready, Teddy
Go!
Much of this edition of our newsletter is devoted to our young
carers, with our team embracing Young Carers Awareness
Day last month to highlight the contribution being made by
Staffordshire’s young carers. Did you know there are an
estimated 700,000 young carers in the UK? These are young
Win football tickets
Win tickets to watch Stoke City v Newcastle
United on Wednesday 2nd March!
The competition is open to new and existing
carers. To enter the draw simply contact us in
person, by telephone or by email before 5pm on
Wednesday the 24th February.
Don't miss a chance to see the Potters at
Britannia Stadium! Enter the draw now.
Join Crafty Carers!
Are you passionate about patchwork? Crazy
about carding? Would you like to develop new
crafting skills?
Are you interested in joining a Carers Group
of Crafters?
There will be a new weekly group starting on
Wednesday 3rd February at the Stafford Carers
Hub Office from 10-12pm.
If you are interested in booking a place or
require more details, please call the Stafford
Office on 0330 123 1937
2
This is Cosmic the Bear and we hope
you’ll like her – and her pal Pluto - bear-y,
bear-y much.
These two furry friends – donated by
Keele University – will be helping us
highlight the contribution that young
carers make as we travel around
Staffordshire this year.
First stop for Cosmic and Pluto was a
trip to see Stoke FC play, with Deborah
Gibson ensuring they were in for a
big surprise when she secured great
seats. On the way back, the bears had
to practice safety first – with Deborah
making sure they buckled up for the
journey home.
We’re also looking for young carers to
take Cosmic and Pluto out for the day
and to write about their experiences,
whether you want to take them to school
or on an exciting day trip or activity you’re
planning. By all accounts, they certainly
love a picnic too.
If you are a young carer and would like to
invite Cosmic or Pluto to join you for the
day, please get in touch with Deborah at
[email protected].
You can also follow their progress on
Twitter using the hashtag #teddycare.
3
HAVE YOUR SAY ON PROPOSED
CHANGES TO COUNCIL’S
CHARGING POLICY
DO you care for someone who pays a contribution towards the
care and support they receive in the community or at home?
Is the person you care for about to enter residential or nonresidential care for the first time?
These are the key proposed changes that the county council is
suggesting:
•
If so, then proposals by Staffordshire County Council (SCC) over
its charging policy for adult care and support services could
affect them, and you now have a chance to have your say in a
public consultation.
Following the introduction of the Care Act, the council has
been tasked with changing the adult care system, and wants
to help people to live as independently as possible for as long
as possible, and to ensure care is available for those who really
need it.
•
The changes it is proposing will determine how people contribute
to the cost of their care, and when/if they will be charged. You
have until March 7 to respond to the proposals.
This year alone, the council invested an extra £20m towards
the cost of care, but with budgets getting tighter, this is not
sustainable. The consultation will help establish what would be
a fair contribution for people to make towards the costs involved
in assessing their care needs and subsequently when they
purchase that care.
The proposals affect people who currently receive care, or may
do in the future. Most of the proposed changes would only
affect those entering residential or non-residential care for the
first time, or those that are currently paying the full cost of their
care.
Those who pay a contribution towards the care and support
they receive in the community or at home would be asked to
pay more if the results of their financial assessment showed they
could afford to. However, some people may see a reduction in
the amount they have to pay and some people would see no
charge.
You can have your say by either:
• Filling in a feedback form on the internet
at www.staffordshirecares.info/careact/
contributions
• Emailing [email protected]
• Filling in a feedback form. You can request
a paper copy by emailing careact@
staffordshire.gov.uk. The survey should
then be posted back to: Contributions
Consultation, Staffordshire County
Council, Staffordshire Place 2, Tipping
Street, Stafford ST16 2DH.
•
•
Everyone receives a financial assessment, and that people
are charged their full contribution towards their care and
support services (arranged by SCC) from the start of their
care. This will only affect people entering social care for the
first time. Currently, people are charged in different ways
depending on whether they are to receive residential or
non-residential care services, but the Care Act states that
the council needs to stop using interim/ flat-rate charges for
people needing non-residential care.
The amount people pay is based on the actual cost of their
assessed care and their financial circumstances, regardless
of whether they receive their care in a residential setting or
in other care settings, including living at home. Any increase
would be phased in over a three year period and would only
apply if that person could afford to pay more. Some people
will pay less. Currently, the maximum amount people in
non-residential care (who have capital and assets over
£25,000) contribute to their care is the same, regardless of
the actual cost of their care. These were rates set in 2011.
People needing over six weeks of care will have the option
to pay for it themselves, based on a financial assessment to
see how much they can contribute towards the costs. The
first six weeks will be free to everyone assessed as needing
reablement care, regardless of where they receive it.
People who can afford to fund their own care and
approach the county council to arrange their residential
accommodation will be charged a set-up arrangement fee
of £182 and a £65 annual fee for care. Currently, the county
council does not arrange residential accommodation for
self funders – people who pay the full cost of their care or
those that have over £25,000 in assets and capital.
The Carers Hub works closely with local
charities and organisations to ensure that
carers get access to the services and support
they need. Here, generalist advisor Barbara
Tyler talks about the inspirational people behind
the Biddulph Carers Group
Barbara Tyler
Carers Hub advisor
A VISIT to the Biddulph Carers Group today made me realise
the importance of people being happy to offer valuable support
to each other at a time when budgets are being squeezed and
services all over the country are in short supply.
social functions which she found very difficult in the past, but is
beginning to gain some confidence and is finding socialising an
enjoyable activity and much less daunting than it used to feel
for her.
The group was at risk of closing down when Kath Wilshaw had
a discussion with her daughter to decide if they would be able
to keep it running. Kath’s daughter was very positive about the
idea and encouraged her to carry it on. Kath met with her local
councillor and told him about the plight of the group and he has
assisted with the funding of the venue for the coming months.
Both Alice and Arthur feel that the carers group and other groups
like these are very therapeutic and important because they
enable carers of all ages to meet up and discuss any problems
they are having and share anything that is going well for them.
Kath and her daughter spend a lot of their time identifying what
activities could be provided for the carers group. Today’s activity
was hand massage with essential oils and most of the carers
took part and really enjoyed it. These activities give the carer a
significant break away from their caring role and provide some
well deserved “me time!!!”
Kath knows first-hand what it’s like to be a carer. She became a
carer for her brother who has epilepsy, a back problem and other
significant health issues after working in the care environment
for many years. Caring for her brother came naturally to her
after a wealth of caring experience and she spends much of her
time providing practical and emotional support for him.
While I was talking to Kath, she was also busy providing a warm
welcome to the other carers coming into the group, making
cups of tea and coffee and cooking oatcakes and cheese for
breakfast.
Both Alice and Arthur are amazing people. Alice finds writing
poetry therapeutic. She discovered it as a therapy whilst in
hospital and has since had many of her poems published.
Arthur also takes time out from his caring role by doing
photography and sets up exhibitions of his work for others to
enjoy. He has recently spent six months collating information on
the history of World War 1 and displayed it in Biddulph Methodist
Church Hall. I was amazed by the amount of work that Arthur
had put into it and what incredible stories he could tell me about
individual soldiers who had served in the war.
The Biddulph Carers Group meets every
third Monday of the month. A small donation
towards the cost of breakfast is required.
We discussed Kath’s workload as the group organiser and
agreed the Carer’s Hub could provide some practical support to
lighten her role and enable Kath to take a more prominent part
in the discussions and activities of the group.
I also met two patrons of the group, husband and wife Alice
and Arthur, who have been married for 46 years, they describe
themselves as ‘carers for each other’.
Alice became carer to Arthur in 1988 when he suffered his first
heart attack. He was, at that point, a full time architect working
for the regional health authority in Manchester.
Alice supports him with practical tasks, doing most of the
cooking and cleaning.
Full details on the consultation, including
a Q&A and case studies showing how
different people would be affected by the
proposals, are available by emailing careact@
staffordshire.gov.uk. You can also get details
through the Carers Hub.
Arthur is also classed as Alice’s carer as she suffers agoraphobia
and anxiety (social phobia) which can bring on panic attacks
when she has to go out.
Arthur offers emotional support and encourages Alice to attend
Please respond by 7 March 2016.
5
STAY SAFE
What to Look Out For…
Scammers will use every trick in the book
to get you to part with your cash. These
might include telling you that:
•
•
•
•
•
You’ve won a lottery, sweepstake
or competition… but you have to
send money to claim it
Money you have won is being held in
a holding company… but you have
to send money to claim it
Each year, millions of Britons fall victim to scammers,
costing us hundreds of millions of pounds. Highly
professional criminals are forever coming up with new
and more sophisticated ways of parting people from
their cash or gleaning personal information such as bank
details.
The best thing we can all do is make ourselves aware of
what could happen. Here, Paul Edden, of Home Instead
in Stoke, describes some of the dangers that you need to
look out for to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Scammers also send authentic looking
scam mail purporting to be from your
banks or building society asking for
personal information and/or cash. It’s
more prolific via email, called phishing,
but it’s still being sent out via the post.
In another fraud, which is becoming
increasingly more common, innocent
people are also being talked into making
bank transfers by highly-convincing
scammers who often claim a fraud has
been detected on a victim's bank account
and they have to act fast by moving their
6
Turn your heating down by 1°C.
•
•
Use your central heating timer to
turn heating on and off and not the
thermostat.
Always use a full load in a washing
machine.
•
Use an economy programme on your
washing machine whenever possible.
How to stay Scam Safe
•
•
Never send cash, disclose personal
details or buy goods to claim a prize.
Keep your radiators clear. For example,
do not put a large sofa in front of the
radiator as it will absorb a lot of the heat.
If the weather is fine, dry your laundry
outside instead of using the tumble
dryer.
•
For properties with high ceilings, placing
a shelf just above the radiator helps to
deflect the heat into the centre of the
room rather than it drifting straight up to
the ceiling.
•
As tempting as it is, don’t dry clothes
on the radiators. It makes your boiler
work harder than it needs to.
•
Keep filters clean in your tumble
dryer.
•
Put radiator panels behind radiators
fixed to external walls to help reflect the
heat back into the room.
•
•
Use thermal or heavy curtains during
the winter and close them at dusk. This
will help stop heat escaping through the
windows.
Use Eco Balls in the tumble dryer.
They make gaps in the washing to
allow the heat to move more freely so
clothes will dry quicker.
•
Beat The Cold is an organization
which is working to reduce the
incidence of cold-related illness and
fuel poverty across Stoke-on-Trent
and Staffordshire. For further details,
go to http://beatcold.org.uk/energysaving-top-tips/ or ring them on 0800
389 2258.
Remember that your bank will never ask
for your full Pin or any online banking
passwords over the phone or via email.
They will never send someone to your
home to collect cash, bank cards or
anything else, or ask you to email or text
personal or banking information, and they
will never ask you to authorise the transfer
of funds to a new account or hand over
cash
Watch out for secret deals, get rich
quick schemes, claims and inheritance
notifications. Always seek professional
advice before signing up for any type of
investment scheme including land, wine
and property. They will frequently be
worthless.
Scammers
send
out
catalogues
selling food, pills, potions, jewellery,
clothes, items for home and garden. They
guarantee a prize to those who order and
make it appear like ‘you’ are the only one
to be getting this amazing offer.
In reality, they never send the promised
prize (though some do send “cheap”
goods to keep the victim on the
“hook”). Instead they send out more
promises to get more orders!
•
Below you can see a range of photos of
scam mail that is sent on a daily basis to
people in the UK. It’s easy to see why
so many individuals who have not been
made aware of this type of criminal
activity, fall for these scams.
There is a “secret” deal which will
make you rich… but you have to
send money to claim it
If you receive a suspicious phone call…
Remember, you do not have to get into
discussions over the phone with anyone,
and never give out any personal
information, such as bank or credit
card details. These could be used
fraudulently.
Don’t be fooled by criminals claiming
to be clairvoyants…
Criminals claiming to be clairvoyants hunt
down the socially isolated, superstitious,
bereaved or troubled. They try to
‘befriend’ the victim by showing false
concern, then demand fees to keep
danger away or direct happiness towards
them. Many swear the victim to secrecy.
It’s important to remember that these so–
called mystics, clairvoyants, mediums
and spiritualists do not know you
personally….They are sending identical
letters and making the same phone calls
Energy saving tips
Laundry
to thousands of people. No harm will
befall you or your loved ones if you don’t
pay up…but if you stay in the trap, you
could be financially destroyed!
A clairvoyant can stop bad luck or
direct good luck towards you… but
you have to send money to claim
it
After the recent flooding and snow, we’re looking forward to the
weather gradually improving in March. Until then, Deborah Roe,
our Partnership & Engagement Manager, has found some great
energy saving tips to help save energy and money in your home,
courtesy of Beat the Cold’s website, and a great recipe for a
flavoursome soup that is sure to warm us up.
Heating and Water
money into a so-called "safe account".
Police estimate that £23.6 million was
stolen last year by simply persuading
victims to hand over their money in this
way.
Somebody has left you an
inheritance… but you have to send
money to claim it
WINTER SURVIVAL TIPS
Keep your business to yourself. Just say
“No thank you, I am not interested” and
hang up straight away. Once your name
is on a “suckers” list, the only way to stop
receiving scam mail is to stop responding!
More information…
There are lots of people who can help
you if you feel you are being targeted. To
report a scam call Action Fraud on 0300
123 2040.
To explore True Call, a call blocking
device tested by Trading Standards, you
can visit www.truecall.co.uk •
Remove all draughts around the house
to help stop the heat from escaping.
•
Use letter box covers and key hole
covers to help minimise draught.
•
Installing loft insulation could save
around £145 a year.
•
Fit double glazing to reduce heat loss
through windows.
•
Try to limit electric showers to 10
minutes or invest in a shower monitor
to keep an eye on how much hot water
you’re using.
•
Make sure the water immersion tank is
insulated. This will help keep the water
hot for a longer period.
Cooking
•
Only fill the kettle with as much water as
you actually need.
•
Use the kettle to boil water for cooking,
instead of heating a pan on the stove.
Not only will this be more efficient, but it
generally takes less time too.
•
Always use the right size of pan for your
cooking ring and put a lid on it. This will
help save energy as it will cook quicker.
•
Use a microwave or a pressure cooker
instead of the oven as they should cook
food quicker.
•
A steamer or segmented pan means you
can cook several types of vegetables on
one ring.
•
Switch off the oven sooner, as some
dishes will cook while the oven is
cooling.
•
If you do not use the clock on your
microwave turn it off when not in use.
Vegetable and
chorizo soup
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp olive oil
1 leek, cut into small chunks
1 large carrot, cut into small chunks
1 sweet potato, cut into small chunks
1 celery stalk, cut into small chunks
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
1 x 400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
small bunch thyme, tied together with
string (optional)
570ml/1 pint vegetable stock
150g/5oz green beans, trimmed
1 raw chorizo sausage (about 110g/4oz),
cut into small chunks
PREPARATION METHOD
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over
a medium heat. Add the leek, carrot,
sweet potato and celery and fry for
10-12 minutes, or until the vegetables
start to soften but don't colour.
2. Season with salt and freshly ground
black pepper and add the cumin,
tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, thyme,
vegetable stock and green beans.
Bring to the boil then reduce the heat
and simmer for 40-45 minutes, or until
the vegetables are tender.
3. Meanwhile, heat a frying pan over a
medium-high heat and fry the chorizo
for 10-12 minutes, or until crisp and
golden-brown.
4. Remove the thyme from the soup and
stir in the chorizo. Season, to taste,
with salt and freshly ground black
pepper.
5. Ladle the soup into warm soup bowls
and serve with crusty bread on the
side.
7
Upcoming events!
We always look forward to meeting carers of all ages so we can explain how the Hub will work and
to ask what services are needed. We host a wide range of social and information based events
across the region.
You can also find out more about our services and the events listed below or on our website at
www.thecarershub.co.uk.
THE HUB CLUB
We host a wide range of different social
activities, learning opportunities and
educational classes at our Hubs and at
different locations around the community.
You can take part in activities such as:
• Ten pin bowling
• Craft days
• First aid classes
• Quizes and social meet-ups
• Information points
• Fire home safety courses
We have events designed specifically for both
adult and young carers. So get in touch to find
out more and sign up!
INFORMATION
POINTS
We regularly set up information points
throughout the community so that carers like
you can come and hear about the services we
offer in a convenient location.
Please give us a call or check out
www.thecarershub.co.uk to find the nearest
one to you.
We're always open to suggestions of where
you'd like to see us visit, so please get in
touch.
Happy Year of the Monkey!
To celebrate the Chinese New Year starting on Monday February 8 we have
a whole host of young carer craft events planned across the county.
Come on down and get in the spirit of the New Year!
Launched in October 2015, The Carers Hub
is a single point of contact for carers and
their families to access a range of services
such as 1:1 support, regular groups, training
workshops and online support.
GET IN TOUCH
PHONE: 0330 1231937
EMAIL: [email protected]
Carers Hub
SGI Offices, Madford Retail Park, Foregate
Street Stafford ST16 2QY
Suite 9, The Forecourt, Albion Street, Hanley,
Stoke on Trent ST1 1QH
8