Carewaves - Spring 2016 Carewaves - Spring 2016

Spring 2016 www.carersinherts.org.uk
A Newsletter for
Family Carers and Caring Friends
Last summer families with a
disabled child under 19, enjoyed
time together at a picnic. We
have another picnic planned as
part of our Carers Week events.
Read more on pages 15–18.
in Hertfordshire
charity registration number 1085491
Contents
Page 4
News
Page 7
Did you know?
Page 8
Spotlight on the Carer Trainer Unit
Page 10 Carer Support Hubs
Page 12 Young Carers
Page 14 Supporting health professionals
Page 15 Carers Week
Page 19 Have your say
Page 22In our own words –
some carers’ stories
Page 24 Help us help carers
Page 28 Carers’ Passport update
Page 29Volunteering
Page 30 Useful information
Page 31 Free courses and workshops
About Us
Carers in Hertfordshire is the leading
countywide charity for unpaid carers
looking after a loved one, friend,
neighbour or relative due to illness,
frailty, mental health needs, disability
or substance misuse. We support all
carers, children and adults, either living
or working in Hertfordshire.
Carers do not have to live with the
person they are looking after to receive
help and advice. For more information
about our services or how you can
support our work, see Contact Us on
the back page.
Got a comment,
compliment or complaint?
in photographs. They help us raise
awareness about life as a carer and
how Carers in Hertfordshire can make
a difference.
Disclaimer
Every effort is made to ensure the
information in Carewaves is correct at
the time of publication, however,
Carers in Hertfordshire is not liable for
any incorrect information or errors.
Don’t forget you can receive regular
updates via email. Please call
01992 58 69 69 if you would like to be
added to our mailing list.
Join the online conversation!
Find us on Facebook
and follow us on
Twitter @CarersinHerts.
We value your feedback as it helps us
understand the impact of the support
Front cover:
we provide and identify any areas for
development. We are keen for carers to Emma and her daughter
share their stories with us or be involved Sienna enjoy our
Family Picnic.
Making Carers Count
A warm welcome 3
Carers often tell me that they are
surprised to learn about the range of
services we offer and this issue certainly
shows the breadth of our work making
carers count.
It’s a busy time for Carers in
Hertfordshire and our 21st year will
bring change and progression. We’ve
been working with Hertfordshire
Crossroads-South – incorporating it into
Carers in Hertfordshire as one charity.
We feel this will improve and strengthen
the services and support for carers and
the people who they care for. You can
read more on page 4.
At the time of publication, the Board
of Directors and I were finalising our
Business Plan for the next three years.
It has been fascinating to see our
achievements, such as the introduction
of an advocacy worker and extra
support for young carers. We’re also
really proud to have identified more of
Hertfordshire’s hidden carers and the
number of carers we are registering
continues to increase. We now have
18,333 adult carers and just over 1,200
young carers on our database.
Among our future priorities will be
supporting carers with transitions and
building resilience. We’ll be sharing more
details about this, so keep a look out
for an email, letter or on our website,
Facebook and Twitter pages.
It’s always a great opportunity for me
and my colleagues to meet and talk
to carers and we take on board your
comments, for example:
• Parents of disabled children said they
wanted some basic first aid training so
we organised a session; and
• In the Herts Youth Manifesto young
carers asked for groups in every district,
so our Young Carers Team and some
young carers have worked with Youth
Connexions towards establishing groups.
Read more on page 13.
I look forward to welcoming you to our
courses, forums and events over the
next few months. There is Carers Week
(6th–12th June) and our Annual Carers
Event later in the year. You can read
more about our plans for Carers Week
and upcoming courses in this issue. Other
stories in this issue highlight some of our
recent successes, the development of
more Carer Support Hubs and a spotlight
on our Carer Trainer Unit.
Please get in touch to share your views
and experiences as they are appreciated –
either email [email protected]
or call 01992 58 69 69.
Michèle Stokes
Internship opportunities
People wanting to develop their skills to
return to work or change jobs are also
welcome to apply.
We are planning to have a part-time
Communications and Marketing Intern
for three to six months plus two other
full-time internships – details of the projects
they will work on are open to discussion.
All internships will be paid the Living
Wage of £8.25 an hour. If you would
like to talk about these further please
contact us on 01992 58 69 69.
If you or someone you know wants to
improve their work skills you may be
interested in our new internships.
The internships are ideal for
university students who have just
graduated or are on a break and
want to get experience working in
a charity or role they are training for
such as finance, administration or
working with carers.
Chief Executive
4 News
Joining forces to improve services for carers
In a bid to strengthen services and
support for unpaid carers and the
people they look after, we are in the
process of incorporating Hertfordshire
Crossroads-South into Carers in
Hertfordshire as one charity.
Mike Ormerod, our Chair, said: “Both
organisations felt it was the right time
to work closer together so that carers
had one less service to be referred to,
which frees up their time and reduces
duplication. We are committed to
ensuring unpaid carers are valued,
informed and supported in their caring
role and that they have a collective
voice with the chance to be involved
in planning and decision-making with
regards to services for them.”
Janice Guerra, Hertfordshire
Crossroads-South Chair, who plans to
join our Board of Directors, said: “We
have a wealth of experience providing
trusted and valued services. We hope
joining forces will enable us to reach
a wider number and range of carers,
who may not already be receiving the
support they need.”
• Domiciliary Care that is regulated by
the Care Quality Commission and
involves the provision of individual
care packages and support to
allow people to live at home as
independently as possible;
• A Carers Breaks Service where trained
care workers provide blocks of care to
give carers a break so they can attend
appointments or work;
• Borehamwood Seniors Club for people to
meet up and enjoy activities and lunch;
• Support groups including carer cafés;
and
• A Home from Home service for the
person needing care. It gives them a
regular opportunity to meet others in a
safe and friendly environment.
These will work in tandem with our
services:
• Information and Carer planning;
• Free workshops, courses and events
for carers;
• Support for GP Carer Champions and
other health professionals;
• Young carers service;
• Involvement forums and a chance to
share views with commissioners;
The transfer into one charity should also
make it easier to access funding and raise • Seven Carer Support Hubs with more
on the way;
the profile and needs of unpaid carers.
• Mentoring;
Our Chief Executive Michèle Stokes
reassured everyone receiving services • Carers’ Passport discount card;
from both charities that they will
• Carer Trainer Unit;
continue as normal. She also thanked
• Make a Difference for Carers Break;
everyone who has provided support in
and
the past and hopes this will continue.
• Bereavement support.
The Carers in Hertfordshire
Crossroads Service will mean that in the For more information please call
south/west of the county we will offer:
01992 58 69 69.
5
Celebrating award successes
We’re delighted that our work and
the efforts of some carers and young
supporters have been recognised with
awards.
Katie Pinnock, Director, UK & Ireland
Charitable Partnerships at GSK said:
“Carers all too often suffer in silence
while caring for a loved one. Carers
in Hertfordshire provides important
Carers in Hertfordshire has won a
services that ensure carers are
GSK IMPACT Award, a national award
identified and supported, and that
run in partnership with The King’s Fund,
people working with carers are aware of
that recognises excellence in charities
their needs.
improving health and wellbeing in its
communities.
“The charity has an energetic team
which has been able to rally support for
We beat more than 400 organisations
its services and worked closely with the
to win the accolade and £30,000 in
local public sector. Congratulations on
unrestricted funding and received the
award along with the nine other winners this achievement it is well warranted.”
at a prize ceremony at the London
Science Museum in May.
Michèle Stokes said: “We’re
delighted that our work with carers
to make carers count has been
recognised with this prestigious
award. At the heart of our support to
carers is improving their health and
wellbeing and we constantly develop
our service to ensure we respond to
their changing needs.”
Further success
We are delighted that two carers - Tricia
Cooper and Janette Downey (pictured)
– were recognised at the Mercury and
Observer Community Awards and won
the Carer of the Year category. They
both care for their sons with learning
disabilities as well as organise a
monthly Pudding Club for unpaid carers
in Bishop’s Stortford for over three
years. Carers go along with a pudding
and enjoy some refreshments, a chat
and laugh and a couple of hours break
from caring.
Part of the prize was a promotional video.
Two teams of students that took part in
the Centre for Voluntary Service (CVS)
Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge and
were raising
funds for us with
their business
ideas - have
won awards.
You can read
more in the
fundraising
section
Carers Tricia and Janette
(page 26).
who run the Pudding Club.
6
Carers courses are available near you!
A common
comment we
hear from
carers is
“You never
do anything
in my area.”
However,
we have
covered
most areas
as you can see from the map, pictured
with blue stickers to indicate where we
have delivered our workshops, courses
and events.
Jo Willis, Carers Learning and
Development Manager, said:
“Hertfordshire is a large county with
urban and rural areas, but we have
tried to have something in most
areas. Decisions are made according
to where we have been before, who
is running the course on our behalf,
carer interest and cost, because our
courses are offered free to carers.”
Expanding our services
In agreement with Hertfordshire County
Council, we are now offering Carers
Assessments for adult carers who look
after an adult, as a pilot project.
As part of the Care Act 2014 all
unpaid carers are entitled to a Carer’s
Assessment, which considers the impact
caring is having on the individual’s
wellbeing, their relationships and ability
to work and carry out day to day tasks.
As a result, the person may receive help
or funding for specified support or be
put in touch with other organisations.
Sharon Ruse, our Carers Assessment
& Safeguarding Officer and a qualified
We are pleased to work with colleges,
Hertfordshire Adult and Family Learning
Services and the Worker’s Education
Association and must consider their
guidelines.
If you live in Hitchin, Harpenden, Potters
Bar or Rickmansworth, then you have
reason to complain as there have been
fewer activities in these areas. To address
this, we plan to establish Carer Support
Hubs in these areas soon. Rickmansworth
and Potters Bar are coming this year.
The hubs will give a good basis for more
activities in these areas.
If any carer learns about something
happening in another part of the county
that they would find beneficial, please
let us know because if there is enough
interest, we will try to run something
nearer to you, where possible.
Contact Jo Willis or Lisa Meakin on
01992 58 69 69 or email
[email protected]
A list of upcoming courses can be found
on our website www.carersinherts.org.uk
and on the back pages.
Social Worker, will initially carry out
20 Carers Assessments. After this we
will review whether to undertake more
Carer Assessments.
Sharon said: “By providing Carers
Assessments we can offer an enhanced
carer planning service. Carers will
not need to be referred to another
organisation and repeat their situation,
something they have told us is important.
Carers should be reassured that our
aim is for you to feel your needs and
concerns have been listened to and
the support you receive has made a
difference to your health and wellbeing.”
Did you know? 7
Hertfordshire Wheelchair Service is being reviewed
The two Clinical Commissioning Groups
(CCGs) in Hertfordshire are reviewing
the county’s wheelchair service to
ensure it meets the needs of service
users and carers.
As part of the review the CCGs want to
seek the views of people who use the
service, their carers and staff. If you
would like to be involved in a service
user group please call 01707 367 210.
County gets more enhanced disabled toilets
The number of toilets suitable for all
people with a disability is growing as
there are now 11 Changing Places
toilets in Hertfordshire. Plus, this
summer there will be a MIGLOO – a
fully mobile changing facility, at some
community events.
Changing Places toilets are different
to standard disabled toilets. They are
safer and more comfortable for people
with profound and multiple learning
disabilities, spinal or brain injuries and
their carers to use.
The latest Changing Places toilet
opened behind St Albans City and
District Council Offices, next to the
Alban Arena Car Park in Civic Close,
St Albans, and is accessible 24-hours
with the electronic card obtained from
the Council.
The other Changing Places toilets are
in various Day Services, Westminster
Lodge Leisure Centre, St Albans, and
Free Church Hall in Letchworth.
Also this Summer the Mencap Profound
and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
Network has acquired a MIGLOO that is
equipped with a changing bench, hoist
and toilet. It will be at the following events:
• Rickmansworth Festival,
21st & 22nd May;
• Abbots Langley Carnival,
Saturday 11th June;
• Croxley Revels,
Saturday 18th June.
For the St Albans Changing
Places facility call the Council on
01727 866100. There are criteria to
meet before being given access.
Government seeks carers’ views
The Government is seeking views from
carers, their families and professionals
working with carers on what further
support can be provided ,as it feels a
new National Carers Strategy is needed.
The consultation is running until
30th June and you can take
part online at
https://consultations.dh.gov.uk/carers/
how-can-we-improve-support-for-carers
There is a survey with questions about
identifying carers, their lives, any
financial or health concerns and what
types of services or support would be
helpful.
For more information please call
020 7210 5051 or
email [email protected]
8 Spotlight on… the Carer Trainer Unit
Professionals find real value in involving carers in training
Our Carer Trainer Unit (CTU) welcomes
the chance for carers to be involved in
the planning and delivery of training to
health and social care professionals
as this makes a real difference to the
services they provide.
Judith Kitch, who manages the team
of 25 Carer Trainers, said: “Health
and social care providers appreciate
that by involving carers in their
training, staff or students have a better
understanding of the issues carers
face and how, as practitioners they
can learn from their experiences and
identify how they can deliver more
carer friendly services.”
The team works with GP practices,
care homes, Hertfordshire County
Council, Hertfordshire Partnership
NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), NHS
Trusts, training companies, and the
University of Hertfordshire. Among the
sessions they have supported are staff
inductions, carer awareness training,
recruitment exercises and interview
skills practice for social care staff.
“We acknowledge that the lived
experiences of carers are important
to us and our nursing students. Their
participation is crucial to the recruitment
and selection for our nursing degree
programmes, subsequently enabling
meaningful education of our nursing
students, future clinicians and leaders.”
Senior Lecturer at the University of
Hertfordshire.
Delegates enjoy the sessions
and find the real world stories a
unique teaching tool that has
lasting impact.
One participant commented: “I will
now be more mindful of and consider
carers’ opinions more, they are
the experts in the care of their
loved one.”
The Carer Trainers have a range of
caring backgrounds. They have been
trained so they are confident speakers
and can plan and deliver training and
presentations.
We need new Carer Trainers. In return
for your valued support you will be paid
Last year, the CTU delivered almost 100
for your time and travel expenses.
training sessions. Feedback has been
extremely positive:
“First-hand experience
is invaluable in
encouraging staff to
work collaboratively
with carers and
communicate more
confidently with
them.” Sophie Taylor,
an Inclusion and
Engagement Manager
at HPFT.
9
“Being a Carer Trainer is rewarding, you don’t need to be
an expert, it’s your experience as a carer that matters!”
This is a comment from Julia Suslak,
Other
who has been a Carer Trainer for about sessions Julia
seven years.
has been
involved with
Julia is a mum of twins – now 23 - who
have included
were born prematurely and her son
interviewing
Jack had health complications. He has
Social
cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk
Workers
and needs a wheelchair to get around.
and talking
However, Julia said: “He’s wonderful
to some
and we communicate in our own way.
University of
He loves stories, is happy and now lives
Hertfordshire
in supported accommodation with other
nursing
young people with similar care needs.”
students
about being a carer and answering their
Julia explained that she became a
questions.
Carer Trainer as she wanted to give
something back to the community when
her work situation reduced.
She said: “I find being a Carer
Trainer satisfying and rewarding. I
She said: “I’ve never needed much
get nervous before each session, but
support because I felt that if my
I know that sharing my experience
son was OK then so was I, but
is invaluable and may make a
Carers in Hertfordshire has given
difference between someone
me friendships and understanding.
providing good or bad care.
When I found out they were looking
Sometimes, there are a few tears,
for carers to share their experiences
but I think that is helpful as it reminds
with students and professionals
professionals they are working with
working in health or social care, I
people.”
thought I could help. It’s something
that combines my work knowledge of
being a trainer with my experience as Finally, Julia said: “I would encourage
a carer.”
other carers who are happy to be
open and talk about their experience
to think about being a Carer Trainer.
Most of the training Julia delivers is
The team at Carers in Hertfordshire
part of Moving and Handling sessions
to care home staff or people working in support you and you get feedback
following the sessions you deliver.”
care as she shares her experience of
using hoists and supporting her son.
If you would like to discuss
Julia said: “I tell them that it’s important becoming a Carer Trainer or
how you may use Carer
to get the person they are moving to
Trainers please contact
co-operate and engage with them
Judith on 01992 58 69 69 or email
otherwise things can go wrong. They
should see them as a person and not a [email protected]
weight.”
10 Carer Support Hubs
Exciting times ahead for hubs
We will be opening three new Carer
Support Hubs in 2016/17 as part of our
Big Lottery funded Caring Communities
Project to have 16 hubs in Hertfordshire
by 2019.
Hubs are run by carers for unpaid
carers and groups meet monthly so
carers can get together and chat, share
views, get tips and find out what help
is available locally. Sometimes they
have a guest speaker or activity for
example in March the Welwyn Garden
City Hub had a visit from two therapists
from Welwyn Hatfield Complementary
Therapists Group. Kerstin offered
reflexology and Louise hand massages.
As you can see from the picture carers
really relaxed!
Our new hubs will be in Letchworth,
Potters Bar and Rickmansworth. Alex
Daar, Caring Communities Projects
Officer, explains more about how
locations are chosen: “A key approach
is co-production, which means that
staff and carers work together to
make decisions through the Caring
Communities Project Steering Group.”
At its February meeting the Group
agreed that it was important to open a
hub in each of the 10 districts first and
that it would be ideal for carers to have
a hub within five miles of where they
live.
Alex said: “We use large maps,
compasses and the carers’ expert
knowledge to help us identify suitable
places.”
Elaine Titmus, Volunteer Leader of
the Welwyn Garden City Hub, said of
her role on the Steering Group: “It is
very exciting to help in the roll out of
this project. We believe we will prove
how important it is to give carers
opportunities to meet each other in their
local area.”
Alex thanked Elaine for managing the
Welwyn Hub’s move to a new home,
in a more central location - the United
Reformed Church, Church Road,
Welwyn Garden City.
To prepare for the new hubs there
will be some Carer Information and
Support Events to find out what Carers
in Hertfordshire can offer you, learn
about hubs and enjoy some relaxation.
The events planned are at:
Letchworth: Thursday 19th May,
10.30am to 1.30pm, Mrs Howard
Memorial Hall, Norton Way South,
Letchworth, SG6 1NX.
Potters Bar: Wednesday 14th
September, 10.30am to 1.30pm,
Wyllyotts Centre, Darkes Lane,
Potters Bar, EN6 2HN.
Rickmansworth: Date and venue to be
confirmed, but likely to be in November.
We also have courses for people who
wish to volunteer as Ambassadors or
Mentors – for details see the Course
List on the back pages.
If you want to get involved with
a hub, any event or to find out more,
please call 01992 58 69 69 or
email [email protected] or
for event bookings email
[email protected]
Hubs and Peer Led Groups 11
Name of Group
Where Meeting
Carers Support
Hub Bishop’s
Stortford
Methodist Church, Wesley Hall, 34b South Street,
Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3DZ.
1st Tuesday of each month 10.30am–12.30pm
Carers Support
Hub Hemel
Hempstead
William Crook House, Green End Lane
Warners End, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2BH
2nd Wednesday of each month 10.30am–12pm
Carers Support
Hub Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon Baptist Church, Burford Street,
Hoddesdon, EN11 8HX.
Last Friday of each month 10.30am–12.30pm
Carers Support
Hub St Albans
St Paul’s Church, Blandford Road, St Albans, AL1 4JP
3rd Tuesday of each month 1.30pm–3.30pm
Carers Support
Hub Stevenage
Stevenage Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, SG1 1LZ
Last Thursday of each month 10am–12pm
Carers Support
Hub Watford
Community Room, Asda, North Watford, WD24 7RT
1st Thursday of each month 10.30am–12.30pm
Carers Support
Hub Welwyn/
Hatfield
United Reformed Church, Church Road,
Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6PS
3rd Wednesday of each month 12 noon–2pm
Carers Camera
Club
Humphrey’s Café, Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6 BX
2nd Wednesday of each month 10am–12pm
Royston Carers
Group
Costa Coffee, Tesco, Royston, SG8 5AU
Meet fortnightly on 2nd and 4th Monday of month (Not Bank Holidays) 11am–1pm
Radlett Carers
Support Group
Radlett Reform Synagogue, 118 Watling Street, Radlett, WD7 7AA
2nd Wednesday of each month (not October) 1.30pm–3pm
St Albans Stitch
and Knit
Waterend Barn Pub, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3LE
Meet alternate Tuesdays 10.30am–12pm noon
The Pudding
Club
The St Barnabus Centre, Church Lane, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 4BE
Third Monday of the month 8pm–9.30pm
Abbots Langley
Carers Coffee
Morning
Methodist Church Hall, Langley Road, Abbots Langley, WD5 0EJ
Last Wednesday of each month 10.30am–12pm
Hemel Carers
Evening Group
Greenhills Day Service, Tenzing Road,
Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4HS.
2nd Thursday of every other month (12/05, 14/07) 7pm–8.30pm
If you want to go to any of the groups please email [email protected] or call
01992 58 69 69 and let us know which group you are interested in. We can then put you in
touch with the carer contact for the group, who will confirm timings, dates and venues, as
these sometimes change.
12 Young carers
Young carers speak out about their priorities for support
In the February half term break our
Young Carers Council hosted our annual
Young Carers Conference. It brought
together 50 young carers and over
40 health, education and social care
professionals at Watford Football Club.
The Young Carers Council has reviewed
the feedback from young carers about
what they want explored as part of
Youth Connexions Hertfordshire Youth
Manifesto 2016. As a result they have
identified two main priorities, which are:
• Young Carer Awareness. This is
about awareness of young carers’
responsibilities, understanding the
impact on education and personal life,
and recognition and support for their
caring role.
The focus of the conference was on
priorities for young carers in 2016. The
young carers could talk to each other and
to professionals about the issues that
matter most to them. These included:
• Early identification of being a young
carer;
• The impact that caring has on
emotional and physical wellbeing;
• Better support in school and with
transitions;
• Being listened to and included in
decisions about care;
• The effect caring has on family finances.
The stories and experiences shared
by the young carers formed part of
the consultation for the Hertfordshire
County Council’s Young Carer Strategy.
The day ended on a high with a
question and answer session with three
Watford FC players and a stadium tour.
Chair of the Young Carers Council
Grace Huxtable, who is 18 and helps
care for her Mum, said: “The conference
went well and I think the professionals
really took on board our stories. An
issue we highlighted was that we
wanted to be involved in discussions
when it comes to caring and not be left
out due to our age.”
• Opportunities for young carers: This is
about the availability of activities and
opportunities for young carers and
the barriers they may have accessing
these such as financial and location.
Questionnaires on these priorities
will be sent to young carers and
professionals in May. The responses
will then be analysed and form the basis
for the Young Carers section in the
Manifesto, which will be launched this
Autumn.
13
New support for young carers
Additional services and support for
young carers is now available online
and through a new young carers group.
Youth Connexions at Bowes Lyon
Centre, Stevenage, now has a
young carers group that meets on
Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
It provides a chance for young carers
to meet up, chat, and play table tennis
or other games. For more information
contact Anwar Haq on 07766 558846.
East Herts, Broxbourne and Hertsmere
Connexions have also been in touch
with us to consult with young carers
about the support they would like.
In addition, anyone aged between 10 and
25 and registered with a Hertfordshire GP
surgery can get free online emotional and
mental health support, using a website
called www.kooth.com
You sign up and choose an avatar
(an online character) to represent you
anonymously and have an online chat
with a counsellor or therapist.
Kooth’s counsellors are available until
10pm, 365 days a year, to help with
problems including family issues, eating
disorders, loneliness, bullying and
depression.
Users can also talk to other young
people anonymously on the moderated
forums and keep an online journal.
Kooth was launched following a review
of Hertfordshire’s Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Services in 2015. It
was commissioned by East and North
Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG), Herts Valleys CCG and
Hertfordshire County Council.
Upcoming events
Firefighter for the Day –
a trip to Borehamwood Fire Station
for young carers in the Borehamwood
area in the May half term break.
Skiing at the Snow Centre,
Hemel Hempstead, in the
summer holidays.
Sports taster sessions in
partnership with Sportspace Dacorum.
Keep an eye out for further information!
Bereavement support
If you have recently lost the person
for whom you have been caring, the
bereavement service may be able to
help you at this difficult time.
Run by a group of experienced and
trained volunteers, the service offers group
sessions where bereaved carers can meet
together to share their experiences, help
them to find their own way to cope, move
forward and find more information about
support and services available. The next
group starts meeting in September.
For those who do not wish to attend
the group or are unable to, telephone
support is offered.
We are also looking for more bereavement
volunteers, training is provided. To learn
more call 01992 58 69 69 and ask for a
bereavement volunteer to ring you.
14 Supporting health professionals
Working with GP practices and health professionals
It’s been a busy first year for our GP
Liaison Officer David Cadogan, as he
supported GP practices with their carer
awareness events and provided training
for GP Carer Champions.
Around 100 professionals attended the
five basic Carer Awareness training
events he organised across the
county for Carer Champions and other
interested health professionals.
He has also set up six Carer Champion
Peer Support Groups and been involved
with another four. The groups are intended
to help health professionals identify:
David said: “The face to face events
have been good at increasing carer
identification and so I plan to focus
on how to set up and run successful
carer events as part of my next round
of training.”
The first session should be in July and
there will also be training focused on
making the most of IT to identify and
record carers at some Peer Support
Groups.
• Common themes, challenges,
solutions and joint working
opportunities; and
• Training, support needs from the
Clinical Commissioning Groups,
Carers in Hertfordshire and other
organisations.
Many GP Practices have held successful
events for carers including Carer Coffee
sessions and Carer Clinics. Some
practices including Sheepcot Medical
Centre, Leavesden, and Bennetts End
Surgery, Hemel Hempstead, have had our
volunteers or Carer Support Advisors visit
to provide face to face support to carers.
Holywell Surgery, Watford, hosted a successful
Carers Coffee event in March. Pictured is Practice
Manager Ceara Keane.
Other Upcoming Events
Healthy hub events – We plan to trial
a health focused session at two Carer
Support Hub meetings in September
(Bishop’s Stortford and Watford). We
hope to have some health professionals
available to give NHS health check-ups
and a health-related group discussion.
Carers Week is 6th–12th June – If you
are holding an event in your practice
or would like an information pack with
some leaflets and posters to share with
carers please get in touch.
If you are planning flu clinics we may
be able to send trained volunteers or
staff to speak with patients who may
be carers. At one surgery last year we
identified over 40 carers.
To keep in touch about any of our
support for GP practices and
health professionals please
contact David on 01992 58 69 69
or 07917 186841 or email
[email protected]
Carers Week 15
Together we can build Carer Friendly Communities
The theme of Carers Week 2016
(6th–12th June) continues on from
last year – Building Carer Friendly
Communities.
Throughout the week, and year, we
will be out and about in the community
trying to reach out and identify carers
and we look forward to meeting you.”
Carer Friendly Communities are places Last year during Carers Week – an annual
campaign to raise awareness about caring
where local people, businesses and
and the challenges carers face - we were
services support carers to look after
involved with 30 events and registered
their loved one well and recognise
new carers as well as spoke to hundreds
they have needs and their health and
wellbeing should be supported. It could of people about the charity.
be that the GP practice or Optician
This year, we are involved with a range
provides flexible appointments to carers of activities including carer forums,
and that employers have policies
pamper sessions, a chance to speak to
around flexible working.
commissioners and a picnic for families
with a disabled child aged up to 19. For
Our Chief Executive Michèle Stokes,
details of events see pages 16 and 17.
said: “Carers do an incredible job,
We will also have information stands
but caring can take a toll of their
in Sainsbury’s stores, hospitals and
health, relationships and finances,
other venues – so do stop by to say
without relevant support at the right
hello and find out more about Carers in
time. We have reached over 19,533
Hertfordshire or ask a question.
carers, but want to identify and help
For GP practices and other organisations
more as there are at least 115,000
holding events we can provide a pack
in the county looking after a loved
of leaflets and posters so they can add
one or friend who wouldn’t cope
details of their activity and promote it.
without them.”
More events are likely to be added
She continued: “Carers Week is a
and for an up to date list visit our
chance to celebrate the contribution
Carers Week 2016 page on our website
carers make to their families,
at www.carersinherts.org.uk or call
communities and wider society and
01992 58 69 69. Please also get in
encourage people, businesses and
touch and let us know about any events
organisations to support carers.
you are planning.
16 Carers Week Events
Other events are planned for
Carers’ Week and a full list can be
found at
www.carersinherts.org.uk or email
[email protected]
Carers Coffee and Cake Break
Carers Fit4Care Coffee Morning
Venue: The Forum at Ibis Hotel,
Danestrete, Stevenage, SG1 1EJ.
Saturday 11th June, 10.30am–12pm noon
The Young Carers Council will be
decorating cakes and fundraising for
Carers in Hertfordshire. Anyone who
wants to drop by for a chat, drink and cake,
and a chance to meet the Young Carers
Council are welcome to attend.
Venue: The Healthy Hub Stevenage,
Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton
Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ.
Monday 6th June, morning
A joint venture between GP Carer
Champions, Crossroads Care Hertfordshire
North and ourselves.
HERT
STEVENA
Carers Afternoon Tea
Venue: Dacorum Community
Mental Health Centre, St Paul’s,
Slippers Hill, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 5XY.
Tuesday 7th June, 1pm–3pm
Instead of the normal Carers Support
Group meeting organised by
Rod Cottrell there will be an afternoon tea.
If you wish to attend please contact
Rod on 07794 633404.
Information and Carers’ Passport
Venue: Watford General Hospital,
Vicarage Road, Watford, WD18 0HB
Thursday 9th June from 9am–3pm
We will be answering any questions, handing
out information and registering people for our
Carers’ Passport discount card.
WELW
GARDE
BERKHAMSTED
HARPENDEN
HA
HEMEL
HEMPSTEAD
ST. ALBANS
RADLETT
WATFORD
BUSHEY
Pampering and Information Event
Venue: Niland Conference Centre,
93 Elstree Road, Bushey, WD23 4EE.
Friday 10th June 11am–3.30pm
Carers in Watford, Hertsmere and
Three Rivers can get information and enjoy
some pampering. We will be issuing
Carers’ Passport discount cards to carers
who haven’t got one. Book a place by
calling us on 020 8905 1158.
Yellow Ribbon Information Drop-in
Venue: Sainsbury’s Potters Bar, 7-8
Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 1AU.
Tuesday 7th June, daytime
Get information about caring, collect some
free gifts and learn about our new Carers
Support Hub for the area. For more details
call 0208 905 1158.
POTT
17
Carers Information and Wellbeing
Event
Venue: Royston Leisure Centre,
Woodcock Road, Royston, SG8 7XT
Monday 6th June, 11am–2pm
You can drop by and get some information
to help you with your caring role or talk to
ROYSTON someone for advice. We also hope to have
some fitness and health related activities.
Bishop’s Stortford Carer Support
Hub
TFORDSHIRE
Venue: Methodist Church, 34b South
Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3DZ.
Tuesday 7th June 10.30am–12.30pm
Carers are invited to drop-in and meet other
carers for a chat, share information and find
out about the support available in their area.
AGE
LWYN
EN CITY
WARE
BISHOP’S
STORTFORD
HERTFORD
ATFIELD
TERS BAR
Family Picnic
Venue: Aldenham Country Park,
Aldenham Road, Elstree, WD6 3BA
Sunday 12th June from 2pm–5pm
The event is for families with a child aged
up to 19 with a disability and their parents
and brothers or sisters. They can enjoy
time together and there will be a picnic
tea and chance to use the indoor and
outdoor facilities at the specialist play
centre. Call 01992 58 69 69 or email
[email protected] to book
(priority given to people who haven’t
previously attended).
Carers’ Question Time
Venue: BioPark, Broadwater Road,
Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3AX.
Thursday 9th June, from 10am–2pm
Carers can get together and share their
views or ask questions to people from
organisations providing services for them. We
hope to welcome John Wood, Hertfordshire
County Council Chief Executive, to the event.
Call 01992 58 69 69 to book.
Carer Forums
Two venues in Hatfield
Tuesday 7th June
Our forums enable carers to meet up,
learn about issues relating to their caring
role and share their views with people
making decisions about services. We
have our Learning Disability Carers
Forum at Birchwood Leisure Centre from
10am–12.30pm and for carers affected by
a loved one’s drug or alcohol use there is
a Family Carer Forum at Oxlease House
from 10am–1pm. For more details call
01992 58 69 69.
18 Carers Week continued
Get involved in Carers Week
As part of the week you can help build
Carer Friendly Communities in a variety
of ways such as:
• Recommend organisations,
services and employers who are carer
friendly to us by emailing
[email protected]
and post details at www.carersweek.org
• Invite organisations to find out more
about becoming carer friendly; and
• Commit to becoming carer friendly –
you can download a pledge card on
our Carers Week 2016 page
and if you want you can share
pictures on our Facebook or
Twitter @CarersinHerts pages
or the Carers Week page
@carersweek. Don’t forget to use
hashtag #carersweek
Our photo shows some staff from
Sainsbury’s, which is supporting the
campaign, with pledges.
In the lead up to the week we have
asked some carers about what they
think a Carer Friendly Community is and
the one top tip they would give other
carers. Here are some replies:
What is a Carer Friendly Community?
“It is about building a support network
and having confidence that whether you
approach a health professional or public or
voluntary sector organisation for help, they
are all aware of the services available for
you in your community.” Carer Tricia.
“Somewhere carers have opportunities
to meet or have contact with other
carers, who they can relate to, and
share experiences and tips with. A
wider support network gives you more
solutions to any problems you encounter
in your caring role and means you do not
feel alone.” Carer Lynne.
'“Businesses and employers that
respect any caring commitments their
staff or customers may have. They
promote awareness at all levels of the
organisation, about how they support
carers and their carer friendly policies.”
Carer David.
“Having professionals from health
services and other organisations
recognise my caring role and involve
and consult me about any issues or the
treatment of the person I care for, where
this is possible.” Carer John.
What one piece of advice would you give other carers?
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help, there
are plenty of organisations that provide
advice, information or services to
carers.” Carer Tricia.
“Try a Carers in Hertfordshire hub or
forum and meet other carers. Carers
tend to know all about the support
available for carers and the people they
are looking after. They can recommend
the best organisations to approach for
help.” Carer Lynne.
“Before you go to appointments,
write down a list of questions you
want to ask and points you want to
get across. You’ll be amazed what
you forget once you’re there.”
Carer David.
“Let your GP know of your caring
role so they can make sure you stay
healthy.” Carer John.
Have your say 19
Involvement
Our involvement team gives you the
chance to meet other carers and
have your say on the planning and
development of services in Hertfordshire.
We are pleased to welcome a new
member to the team – Sue Maskell, who
works with carers of someone with a
learning disability or autism.
During the year the team organise
forums or invite carers to get involved
in surveys, campaigning of our carers’
involvement network. Please see the
Have your say section on our website
for more information. Alternatively get in
touch using our contact details.
Meet the Carers Involvement Team
Roma Mills:
Carers Involvement Manager
Sarah Williams and
Deryn Sparrow:
Mental Health
Sally Stratford:
Dementia and Older People
Su Bartlett:
Drugs and Alcohol
Sue Felgate:
Advocacy
Maria Kiely:
Parent Carer Worker
Sue Maskell:
Learning Disablilities and Autism
Jacqui Smith:
Judith Kitch:
Carer Trainer Unit
Parent Carer Worker, Transition and
adults with a learning disability
Parent Carer views wanted
Work is underway to develop a joint
service between Hertfordshire County
Council’s Children’s Services and
Health and Community Services, for
disabled children and young people and
their families.
A key driver of the 0–25 Together Service
is providing independence, planning
for adulthood from an earlier point and
ensuring there is a focus on long-term as
well as short-term outcomes.
The new service will reduce the number
of assessments and plans the young
people and their carers are subject
to, leading to a smoother transition
into adulthood and adult services and
reduction in duplication of efforts.
The service will combine the Council’s
Disabled Children’s Service and Transition
Team and is due to launch in October 2016.
As planning progresses, views and
suggestions from parent carers will be
sought and there is an event on Thursday
26th May. The Council would like parent
carers of children and young people aged
14 and over who have a service from
the Disabled Children’s Team, as well as
parents of children up to 25 who have
been through transition, to attend to give
their views on this new developing service.
The event takes place at
Birchwood Leisure Centre,
Longmead, Hatfield, AL10 0AN. The
session runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm
and is followed by a light buffet lunch.
Places are limited and to book
email [email protected] or
call 01992 58 69 69.
We will keep you updated about any
changes to the service.
20
Upcoming Involvement Forums
C4A (Carers of adults with
Asperger Syndrome/
High Functioning Autism
Mondays –
9th May,
4th July,
5th September
and 7th November.
All held from 7.30pm–9.30pm at
Oxlease House,
Travellers Lane,
Hatfield,
AL10 8TJ.
Learning Disabilities
Tuesdays
7th June,
2nd August,
4th October
and 6th December.
All held from 10am–2.30pm at
Birchwood Leisure Centre,
Longmead,
Hatfield,
AL10 0AN.
Mental Health
Tuesday 17th May,
1pm–3pm
(light sandwich lunch from 12.30pm)
Wednesday 13th July,
7pm–9pm
(tea and cake from 6.30pm)
Tuesday 6th September,
10.30am–12.30pm
(coffee from 10am and
light lunch after meeting)
Thursday 17th November,
1pm–3pm
(light sandwich lunch from 12.30pm)
All sessions at
Oxlease House,
Travellers Lane,
Hatfield,
AL10 8TJ.
Dementia
Monday 16th May,
Sportsman Room at
Birchwood Leisure Centre,
Longmead,
Hatfield,
AL10 0AN.
Wednesday 13th July,
Watersmeet,
High Street,
Rickmansworth,
WD3 1EH.
Thursday 8th September,
Stevenage Community Arts Centre,
Roaring Meg Retail Park,
Stevenage,
SG1 1XN.
All sessions are from 10am–12.15pm
followed by a light sandwich lunch.
Family Carer (Drug and Alcohol)
Tuesdays
7th June,
2nd August,
4th October
and 6th December.
All sessions are at
Oxlease House,
Travellers Lane,
Hatfield,
AL10 8TJ.
and from 10am–1pm,
a light lunch is served at 12.30pm.
21
Hertfordshire now has a complete Dementia Support Team There is now countywide support for
people with dementia and their carers
as the Dementia Support Team is
complete.
• Amanda Noble, Carers Dementia
Nurse, and Debbie Thompson,
Dementia Carers Senior Support
Worker, in East and North Herts.
The team provides clinical support to
carers of someone with dementia. They
can assess the carers’ physical and
mental health and diagnose conditions
such as depression and support them.
The service doesn’t manage crisis work,
but should prevent crisis. It will not
duplicate the work of voluntary or social
care organisations that provide support
to carers.
They can also help the carer in
managing difficult behaviour or
deterioration in the person with
dementia.
To access the service you can refer
yourself via 0300 777 0707 or a GP, health
professional or organisation like Carers in
Hertfordshire can make a referral.
The team is made up of:
Carers will be supported for up to six
months, face to face or over the phone.
They can be re-referred after this if their
situation changes.
• Occupational Therapist, Natasha
Yemm, and Carers Dementia Nurse,
Donna Yates in West Herts, and
Importance of Emergency Planning
People with dementia can be
especially vulnerable during
emergencies, so it is important for
carers to have a plan that includes
details of the needs of the person
with dementia.
Sophie Donoghue, a Hertfordshire
County Council Resilience Officer,
said: “To coincide with Dementia
Awareness Week (17th–23rd May) we
want to remind carers the importance
of planning what would happen to
the person they care for if there is an
emergency. Preparation can reduce
worry and stress all round.”
Tips include:
Widen your network. If you are sick
or in an accident, stuck in traffic, or
working and something happens to the
person you care for or you cannot get
home on time, who would you turn to for
help? You should identify family, friends
and any close neighbours to help.
Develop a plan with any
professional carers. If someone
provides care find out their policy
for emergencies and for a residential
facility find out about their disaster
and evacuation plans.
Prepare an emergency bag for
the person you care for. This can
be kept with your loved one or ready
to collect and include instructions for
their routine and care, what
the medicines are, what the
insurance policies are and
any other useful information.
You can find
out more about
contingency
planning by
calling the
Council on
0300 123 4042.
22 In our own words
We know that every carer’s situation is
unique to them and so is the support
they seek from us at Carers in
Hertfordshire. Whether it is one-off,
occasional or more regular support – a
phone call for advice or attendance at
an event, course or forum – we want
to make sure each carer’s journey has
positive outcomes.
Here, two carers share their stories
about the support and services and how
we have helped them.
Bonita Davis
courses to learn practical skills such
as first aid and about benefits, as well
as creative sessions that interest me
including writing, digital photography
and out of the ordinary textiles.
The courses mean so much to me
as I can go to them and meet other
carers and have a laugh. Caring can
be isolating and serious but by going
to courses and meeting other carers I
can spend some time doing something
for me and talking to others who
understand what it’s like to be a carer.
I have three children and my 14-yearold son has severe Autism. Like most
parents I have been his carer since
he was born, but our lives have been
tested with many sleepless nights,
issues around eating and challenging
behaviour.
One particular challenge I had was
getting my son out of nappies. I was
so sure that he would be out of them
at an early age, but when he was two
I spoke with a mother of a 10-year-old
who was delighted that her son had just
been toilet trained. After a lot of time,
research and patience I’m glad to say
we achieved success just before his
13th birthday.
I found out about Carers in
Hertfordshire at an event for parent
carers. The main support I have
received is through attending the
free courses, workshops and events
it organises. I’ve been on a range of
After attending a writing course I was
inspired to do a song writing course,
which I was grateful to have funded
through the Carers in Hertfordshire
Make a Difference for Carers service.
It’s something I can do at home and
is a good outlet to have time out from
caring.
Carers in Hertfordshire has been
brilliant and if I’m struggling or want
some information or support, I know
I can call and someone from the
charity will listen and help me.
I’ve recently completed the charity’s
mentor training
so I can use my
experience of
caring to help
other parent carers
who could benefit
from support.
23
Brian Bickel
My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
six years ago, but as is usual I had
become a carer prior to that time
without realising it. I looked for support
from many organisations and that
is when Carers in Hertfordshire
stepped in. I valued their support and
found it helpful to have the chance to
have a voice and share my views and
experiences as a carer with staff and
professionals who commission and
provide services for other carers.
I am now involved in several groups
that plan future services including the
Carers’ Reference Group and Caring
Communities Steering Group, and
participate in one off projects when
new initiatives are considered.
I also attend dementia carer forums
and the Hemel Hempstead Carers
Support Hub. I feel it is important for
carers, like me, to meet up and learn
from each other.
As an Ambassador for Carers in
Hertfordshire, I represent them at
events and talk to new carers about
the charity and their caring issues.
The Young Carers Conference
(pictured) is a good example.
I have been trained as a Dementia
Mentor and I have supported four
people and am currently mentoring
a fifth person. Carers discuss the
issues they have and my role is to
listen and provide advice or
information based upon my
personal experiences.
Sharing experiences is important
for carers and I would encourage
anyone caring for a loved one or
friend to get in touch with Carers in
Hertfordshire if they haven’t already
done so as there are so many
ways the charity can help you.
Reading a book on caring will
never answer all the questions
raised in the mind of a carer.
Talking to other carers is so
important in trying to provide
those answers.
You can speak to Alex Daar
about being a Mentor or
Julie Hayes about volunteering
opportunities, please
call 01992 58 69 69.
24 Help us help carers
Fundraising
• Recruiting your contacts to make us
As a charity we want to identify and
Charity of the Year;
support as many unpaid carers as we
can so that they have the services and
• Joining in a planned activity or
help they need to make their caring
organising your own fun fundraising
role easier. We can only do this with
event such as a bake off, quiz, party.
the continued support of the community
For inspiration give us a call;
who raise funds, make donations or
share their skills and services. There
• Donations in memory of someone
are so many ways you can support us
special, in lieu of flowers or a gift in
including:
your will.
• By shopping online via
We are happy to provide advice and
www.easyfundraising.org.uk and
choosing Carers in Hertfordshire as support. Call us on 01992 58 69 69
your charity, we can receive donations or visit our fundraising pages at
www.carersinherts.org.uk
at no extra cost to you!
Make your donations go further
You could make your donations to help
us provide advice and support to unpaid
carers go further, at no extra cost to
you, thanks to two matched funding
campaigns plus Gift Aid.
LocalGiving is encouraging people
to donate £5 as part of #GiveMe5
to support Carers in Hertfordshire
on Thursday 16th June and then on
#GivingTuesday 29th November.
All you have to do is visit our
fundraising page
www.localgiving.com/charity/carersinherts
from midnight to 11.59pm each time
and make a one-off donation of £5.
Each £5 donation will be placed into a
draw and could be doubled to £10!
Grow Your Tenner launches on
18th October and this is a fantastic
opportunity for you to donate £10
which will then be matched funded
to £20! Last year we raised around
£500 and recruited some new regular
donors. Details of this year’s campaign
are still to be
announced –
keep an eye on
our website and
Facebook page
for updates.
If you are a UK
tax payer, please
remember you
can Gift Aid your
donations, which
means we can
claim an extra
25p for every £1
you give.
25
Care for a Get Together? Our new fundraising campaign
People enjoy meeting up with family
and friends for a chat and something
to eat or drink, which is why this
Summer we are launching our
Care for a Get Together? campaign.
As part of the campaign, we’d like
you to hold an event where you can enjoy
some quality time with relatives, friends
or colleagues over some tasty treats, and
donate any proceeds from your efforts
towards our work making carers count.
Your event could be an afternoon tea,
bake off, coffee morning, barbecue,
cheese and wine evening or a beer and
To help you we will provide a pack,
games night. You could organise all the
which includes fundraising ideas,
food or get guests to bring something too!
posters, balloons, and a lucky square
game card to help you raise additional
funds and more.
Linda Cudmore, Development and
Fundraising Manager, said: “This
campaign is all about bringing
people together to enjoy some
refreshments and socialising while
raising money for us. Whether you
are baking or tasting you can make a
real difference to the lives of unpaid
carers in your community.”
Only a few core ingredients are
required:
• A venue to host your event
We plan to launch Care for a Get
Together? on 1st July with our own
event. We will share details
nearer the time.
You could hold an event that week
or any time after that as the campaign
will be ongoing. You can pledge
support through our website
www.carersinherts.org.uk
Best wishes
Linda Cudmore
• Guests
• Beverages and tasty titbits
• Lots of fun and chat
Development and
Fundraising Manager
26
Students prove they mean business
TEAM ILLUSION (pictured), from Sir
John Lawes School, Harpenden, was
one of nine team taking part in the
St Albans and Harpenden CVS run
challenge. They received the award for
Closest Co-operation with a Charity.
The team of eight students raised an
As part of the Dragons’ Apprentice
Challenge each team of year 12 students incredible £2,650 through activities
including a quiz night; selling ice cream
was given £100 in September and had
and refreshments at school events
to come up with business plans to turn
such as the school musical and parents
the investment into £1,000 or more for
evenings and a sponsored swim where
their designated charity, by the end of
they covered 140 lengths of the pool –
January. They had help from a mentor.
the distance of Lake Windermere.
TEAM IGNITE (pictured below),
Eloise Culley, Illusion’s Team Leader,
Charity and The team of eight from The
said: “This project has been a fantastic
Broxbourne School, were paired with us
opportunity for our team in developing
and were one of 13 teams competing in
the challenge run by Broxbourne and East so many essential skills. It has been
Herts Centre for Voluntary Services (CVS). enjoyable helping and encouraging
others to do their best. Team work and
raising money for this worthwhile charity
is what Team Illusion is all about.”
Young entrepreneurs on the two
Dragons’ Apprentice Challenge teams
that were supporting us have proved
they have the skills to run successful
businesses and have won FIVE awards –
well done!
Jess, from Team Ignite, said: “We were
pleased to have won. We enjoyed
the challenge as it got us out of our
comfort zone and gave us experience
in business and working with adults.”
The team of six girls did a range of
activities including selling cakes and
merchandise in school and other venues
and a collection at Asda, Ware. They
made a total profit of £961 for our work.
At a prize giving ceremony the team
was one of five invited to present to a
panel of Super Dragon judges and were
named the Overall Winners.
They also won:
• Outstanding Individual – Jess Williams;
• Best Example of Close Co-operation
with their Charity; and
• Best Managed Project.
Linda Cudmore, said: “The girls from
both teams quickly learnt about the
challenges unpaid carers face and
what support Carers in Hertfordshire
provides. They worked tirelessly to
raise funds and awareness. They
showed real initiative and held a range
of successful events that involved a
lot of organisation and planning. On
behalf of Carers in Hertfordshire
I would like to say a big thank you for
all their efforts and hard work.”
27
Thank you
Our sincere thanks to all the individuals,
businesses and organisations who have
supported us so generously through
fundraising. We depend on your support
to help fund the advice and services
we provide carers across the county.
Your efforts also help us raise the profile
of carers and identify Hertfordshire’s
hidden carers so they do not feel
isolated. Here are some of the ways you
have been supporting us:
Pat Crilly played four gigs
around St Patrick’s Day
and raised nearly £200
from donations.
Harpenden Ladies Circle made
a wonderful
donation of
£3,977 from
the money
raised at their
40th anniversary
Annual Craft Fair.
By voting for us in the
Waitrose and John Lewis
Community Matters
scheme. Last year we
received £2,879 thanks
to John Lewis Watford
and Waitrose stores in
Berkhamstead, Hertford, Stevenage
and Welwyn Garden City supporting us.
We are delighted to have been chosen
as the Charity of the Year for:
• Broxbourne Golf Club Men’s Captain; and
• Henkel Ltd in Hemel Hempstead.
Upcoming events
Thursday 12th May
Gala Charity Performance of Twelfth
Night at Abbey Theatre, St Albans,
7.30pm for 8pm.
Company of Ten are performing this
Shakespeare classic with a twist.
Tickets are £14 each and include a
drinks reception.
Saturday 14th May
May Fair at High Street, Hoddesdon,
Hertfordshire EN11 8TL. 11am–5pm
There will be live music and
entertainment, children’s rides and an
array of craft and charity stalls, including
a Carers in Hertfordshire stand.
Sunday 19th June
Summer Fair, Town Centre, Waltham
Cross 10pm–4pm
It’s a Year of Culture in Broxbourne,
celebrating the range of creative and
cultural activities and organisations in
the Borough. The Fair, for all ages, will
include entertainment, stalls and we will
be there raising awareness and funds.
Saturday 13th August
K Fest, Hertford Club, Bull Plain,
Hertford, SG14 1DT. 12pm noon–11pm
Bands and artists will be singing at
this event, we are being supported
thanks to Pat Crilly and will have
information and a collection there.
Sunday 28th August
Hertford Music Festival, Hertford
Club, Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT.
12pm noon–11pm
We will have a collection and
information at the event.
If you take part in runs, walks, bike rides
or other challenges, you could raise
sponsorship for us. We can help you
make the most of these opportunities by
providing fundraising tips and advice.
For more details about any event or
to volunteer at any of them, please
get in touch with Linda Cudmore on
01992 58 69 69 or email
[email protected]
28 Carers’ Passport discount card
Plans for popular Carers’ Passport
It’s been three years since we launched
our Carers’ Passport discount card and
what a success it has been in helping
identify carers and give them savings
in participating shops, restaurants and
other businesses.
So far 6,192 (and counting) Carers’
Passports have been issued with 2,882
of them being to unpaid carers new to
the charity.
Karen Denny, Carers’ Passport Officer,
said: “That’s a massive 46% who
now have access to free information,
advice, learning opportunities and more.
Welcome to you all!”
Karen also thanked the new businesses
that are now providing offers. These are:
• Boots stores in Kings Langley, Abbots
Langley, Hemel Hempstead and
Watford (St Albans Road) – 10% off;
• Muffin Break in Hemel Hempstead –
10% off;
• DAW, Watford – 10% off;
• Verulamium Spa at Westminster
Lodge Leisure Centre, St Albans –
15% discount;
• Stortford Shuttle, Bishop’s Stortford –
50% off;
• Welwyn Garden Osteopaths in
Welwyn Garden City – 10% discount;
• Blue Chair Therapies in Watford –
£5 off; and
• Sports Therapy 4U in Baldock –
15% discount.
This year we are printing the Carers’
Passport Offers Booklet differently
and you will be able to collect a new
ring bound copy from your local library
from the end of May 2016. The library
will have regular updates of available
discounts so all you have to do is pop in
and ask for the latest version.
It’s easy to apply for your discount
card. All you have to do is complete the
form below or online at
www.carersinherts.org.uk
To find out more about the card or if
you are a business and want to provide
an offer please contact Karen on
01992 58 69 69 or email
[email protected]
Carers’ Passport Application Form
To apply for your Carers’ Passport discount card, simply return your completed form
to Carers in Hertfordshire, The Red House, 119 Fore Street, Hertford SG14 1AX,
with a passport size photograph. Or you can sign up on the Carers’ Passport
section of our website www.carersinherts.org.uk
Title:
First name:
Surname:
Address:
Postcode:
Telephone:Mobile:
Email Address:
Do you care for an Adult
or Child:
Approximately when did you start caring: Month
Year
Volunteering 29
You’re Amazing
We recognise that our volunteers are
special, selfless people. You give your
time week after week, some even day
after day and the commitment you show
is exceptional. This is why over the last
few months we have been listening to
what you had to say!
We held focus groups on both sides
of the county to find out how we can
better support you – thank you to
everyone who attended. Some of the
suggestions were to hold regular team
meetings and to introduce a volunteer
newsletter and we are going to act on
these suggestions.
In addition, everyone felt that an
information sheet of useful carer facts
that volunteers can have, particularly
when out in the community, was a good
idea. This is something we will also
explore.
This year’s Volunteers Week has been
extended nationally and runs from 1st
– 12th June. However, we are busy
planning events to celebrate and thank
our volunteers to take place from 1st –
3rd June. We will send out more details
nearer the time and add them to our
website www.carersinherts.org.uk
Julie Hayes, Volunteer Co-ordinator,
said: “The support from our
volunteers over the last six months
has been overwhelming. You have
helped out at fundraising events and
a mystery volunteer kindly dressed
up as Watford FC mascot Harry the
Hornet to entertain young carers at
the Young Carers Conference.”
Collectively our volunteers give us over
100 hours a month, that’s amazing!
However, we would love to welcome
more people to share their skills,
experience and time as volunteers
and support our work in making carers
count. We have a range of roles from
working in the office to providing
support in the community. Whether you
can spare an hour every now and again
or commit to something more regular
we’d love to hear from you so please
get in touch.
If you would like to discuss volunteering
please contact Julie on 01992 58 69 69 or
email [email protected]
Useful contacts for carers
Alzheimer’s Society
020 7423 3500
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Information, advice and campaigning about
Dementia.
Age UK Hertfordshire
01707 323272 or 0300 345 3446
www.ageuk.org.uk/hertfordshire
Advice, information and practical support for
older people and their carers.
Breakaway
01442 454280
www.hertsdirect.org/services/healthsoc/
carersupport/outcare/breakaway
A free service that gives carers a break by
arranging for a trained and Council approved
volunteer to sit with the person being looked
after, for a few hours.
Carers UK
0808 808 7777
www.carersuk.org
National organisation providing advice and
support to carers.
Herts Mind Network
020 3727 3600
www.hertfordshiremind.org
For people with mental health issues.
Hertfordshire Action on Disability (HAD)
01707 324581
www.hadnet.org.uk
Helping older and disabled people stay
independent.
Hertfordshire Independent Living Service
(HILS)
01462 678423
www.hertscommunitymeals.co.uk
Provides the county’s meals on wheels
service.
Hertfordshire Society for the Blind
01707 324680
www.hertsblind.com
Helping blind and partially sighted people
stay independent.
Mencap
0808 808 1111
www.mencap.org.uk
Supporting people with learning difficulties to
live life as they choose.
Carers Trust
0844 800 4361
Motor Neurone Disease Association
www.carers.org
Works nationally to improve support services North and East Herts
03457 626262 (Helpline) 01438 717169
and recognition for carers.
(local contact: Mrs Chris Carter)
Crossroads Care
www.mnd.n-herts.freeuk.com
Hertfordshire North
Help, support and advice for sufferers and
carers.
01462 455578
www.crossroadshn.org.uk
Parkinson’s UK
Provides respite and other carer support.
0808 800 0303
www.parkinsons.org.uk
Hertfordshire Autistic Resource Centre
Support and research charity for Parkinson’s.
07836 667 394
www.nasherts.org.uk
POhWER (Advocacy support)
Local branch of the National Autistic Society. 0300 456 2370
www.pohwer.net
Headway Hertfordshire
0300 330 1455
Stroke Association
www.headway-herts.org.uk
0303 3033 100
Support, guidance, activities and rehabilitation www.stroke.org.uk
to those affected by brain injury.
Support for stroke survivors.
HertsHelp
0300 123 4044
www.hertsdirect.org/hertshelp
Phoneline to help you find the right
community group to support you.
We have a lot of other information about
local groups and organisations, so if
what you are looking for is not here,
please call 01992 58 69 69 and speak to a
Carers Support Advisor.
FREE Courses and workshops
COURSE
Bowls for Carers
You can learn to bowl at these fun,
informal sessions. You can choose
to attend regularly or when you can
make it.
DATE(S)
Thursdays
10am–12pm noon
VENUE
Hertford Castle
Bowls Club,
Wallfields,
Hertford,
SG13 8EG.
Caring with Confidence
Carers can learn skills to make a
positive difference to their lives. The
course runs over five weeks.
Tuesdays 17th, 24th
& 31st May and 7th &
14th June
10am–1pm
Garden House Hospice,
Gillison Close,
Letchworth,
SG6 1QU.
Everyday First Aid
Learn how to help someone in an
emergency. Skills covered include
care for burns and cuts.
Friday 20th May
10am–12.30pm
Quaker Meeting House,
12 Southdown Road,
Harpenden, AL5 1PD.
Wednesday 19th
October
10am– 2.30pm
Tuesday 24th May
10.30am–12.30pm
noon
Light buffet afterwards
Hospice of St Francis,
Spring Garden Lane,
Berkhamsted, HP4 3GW.
Thursday 16th June
10am–12.30pm
Welwyn Garden City
Library, Campus West,
Welwyn Garden City,
AL8 6AJ.
Ware Priory,
High Street,
Ware
SG12 9AL.
Mindfulness – The Basics for
Parent Carers
This workshop is for parent carers of
a child aged up to 14 with a disability.
It will teach some mindfulness and
meditation techniques that can help
reduce stress.
Introduction to Assertiveness
Workshop
This workshop looks at ways of being
assertive and reducing stress.
Your cut out and keep guide
Inspired to Write Course
This course is run over five sessions
and you will learn to write for pleasure
and profit.
Tuesdays 21st &
28th June &
5th, 12th & 19th July
10am–12pm noon
The South Hill Centre,
Cemetry Hill,
Hemel Hempstead,
HP1 1JF.
Tuesday 28th June
Ambassador Training
This course provides you with skills so 10am–12pm noon
that you can help us identify carers,
run an information stall or give a talk
about Carers in Hertfordshire to a
small group.
Mrs Howard Memorial
Hall,
Norton Way South,
Letchworth,
SG6 1NX.
Thursday 7th July
One You Day
Hertfordshire County Council and
NHS organisations in the county are
joining forces to hold health related
events as part of the One You national
health campaign to encourage adults,
particularly those in middle age,
improve their health.
Various events will take
place across the county.
Details will be added to
our website.
Legal Planning Workshop
Solicitor led workshop about wills,
trusts and Power of Attorney.
Hertford Theatre,
The Wash,
Hertford, SG14 1PS.
Wednesday 20th July
10am–12.30pm
FREE Courses and workshops
COURSE
Introduction to Skiing
Adult carers who have little or no
experience of skiing may enjoy this
introduction to skiing. This is run over
four sessions.
DATE(S)
Tuesdays 6th, 13th,
20th September,
4th October
6.30pm–8.30pm
VENUE
The Snow Centre,
St Albans Hill,
Hemel Hempstead,
HP3 9NH.
Preparing for End of Life
Aimed at carers of someone with
a life-limiting illness this course
covers topics such as Advance Care
Planning, district nursing, benefits and
funeral planning. It provides a safe
space to voice fears, ask questions
and learn from others.
Tuesdays 6th,
13th, 20th &
27th September &
4th October
2pm–4pm
The Hospice of
St Francis,
Spring Garden Lane,
Berkhamsted,
HP4 3GW.
Dates and times to be
Mentor Training
confirmed.
If you have two years’ experience
caring or working in a related area,
we are looking for volunteer Mentors
to support other carers. You will learn
how to listen without judging and offer
emotional support.
Venue to be arranged
depending on interest.
Please contact us to
register an interest.
Looking after your back
Dates and times to be
This course will teach you how to look confirmed. Contact us
after yourself in your caring role.
to register an interest.
Garden House Hospice,
Gillison Close,
Letchworth, SG6 1QU.
Out of the Ordinary Textiles Course Dates and times to be
confirmed. Contact us
Run over five sessions you will learn
how to mix fabric, paper and stitch to to register an interest.
create works of art. Use creativity to
improve your wellbeing and connect
with other carers.
Getting to know a tablet computer More courses will be
Tablet Taster session – see how easy planned soon. Contact
us to register an
it is to get online. Tablet computer
interest.
provided if you do not have one.
Broxbourne
Ask your local library
about any courses they
run.
To book a place or register an interest in any of our courses or events visit
Events section of our website www.carersinherts.org.uk
Email [email protected] or call 01992 58 69 69.
Making
Carers
Count
Carers
count
charity registration number 1085491
Contact us
If you would like information or want to get more involved
we would love to hear from you:
Write to: The Red House, 119 Fore Street, Hertford, SG14 1AX
Email: [email protected] Tel: 01992 58 69 69
@CarersinHerts
Carers in Hertfordshire. A Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered Company Number 4131036 (England and Wales)