Carer Support Newsletter

Issue 1 January 2019

Contents

Page 1: Welcome

Page 2: What we do

Page 3: Wellbeing ads

Page 4: Recovery College

Page 5: Take 5

Page 6: Dates for your Diary

Page 7: Quality Improvement

Page 8: Feedback form

Carer Support Service

Ballynahinch Community Services 45/47 Main Street Ballynahinch BT24 8DN

Email:carer.support@setrust.hscni.net

Happy New Year!Welcome to our new newsletter. This will be the first of many that will provide you with information about our services and events and give you information relevant to your caring role. As you may be aware, there have been staff changes in the Trust carer support service within the past year. We look forward to meeting many of you at our events and working with you. We want to provide a service that’s about you. Your views and opinions are important to us so we encourage you to talk to us.

It is our hope in the future to contact you via email in order to send you more regular up-to-date information. Please let us know your email details or any changes in your circumstances. Those without email can still receive information by post. Please let us know if this is the case.

We would be grateful if you could complete the update form and send this back to us

via email or post.

Pamela SmythCarers Development

Manager

Sharon Graham Carers Support

Officer

2Carer Support

A reminder of what we do?

We aim to recognise and value the work of carers. The carer support service is a central point of contact for carers where advice and guidance can be given and where carers can be signposted to other relevant services. With consent, we forward requests for carers to speak to a health care worker about their caring role and the impact this has on their life. This can result in a carer being provided with support or could identify opportunities for carers to have a short break from the caring role.

The carer support service maintain a carer’s database so that we can keep carers up to date with services, new supports, events and relevant information. The information we hold also helps us to provide the Trust and Departments such as the Health and Social Care Board with statistics in order to maintain services and helps to shape future services for carers. At South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust we take your privacy seriously. In line with legislation the Trust has a range of measures and strict standards to protect paper and electronically held information.

The service also organises events, courses and information sessions throughout the year for carers. This could be coffee mornings, IT courses, speakers or specific social activities. We work together with community organisations and groups in order to respond effectively to your needs. We support carer groups in the community by providing small grants.

What happens if my caring role comes to an end?

We rely on you to let us know when your caring role comes to an end. Please contact us at carer support so that we can keep accurate records. This could be you or a member of your family. We will keep your details on the carer database for twelve months after the caring role has ended unless you tell us otherwise. We are happy to assist former carers with advice and information. Following a twelve month period, your name will be removed from the carer database. If you take on carer responsibilities again in the future, you are welcome to come back onto the carer mailing list.

What do you need to do?

Please update your information on the enclosed form and email or phone us if you are a carer and wish to remain on the carer mailing list. Please let us know if you are no longer a carer.

Email: carer.support@setrust.hscni.net Telephone: (028) 9756 5456

A FREE 6-week stress management programmeDo you have problems with stress, low mood, panic,

anxiety, sleeping difficulties, problems coping at home, work or school, tension?

• The class runs once a week for 6 weeks and teaches skills and techniques for managing stress

• Topics covered include: an overview of what stress is, controlling your body, controlling your thoughts, controlling your actions, getting a good night’s sleep and planning for the future

• Stress Control is a class not ‘group therapy’ – you do not have to talk about personal difficulties in front of others

• Come along by yourself or feel free to bring a friend or family member with you.

If you are currently suffering from stress, know someone who is or just want to be better

equipped, then this is the course for you!No booking required - Just turn up

Where: Downpatrick Arts Centre Down Arts Centre 2-6 Irish Street Downpatrick, BT30 6BP

When: Monday 21 January 2019 - Monday 25 February 2019

Time: 6.30pm - 8.00pm

Stress Control

Visit: facebook page stresscontrolni or www.setrust.hscni.net

A FREE 6-week stress management programmeDo you have problems with stress, low mood, panic,

anxiety, sleeping difficulties, problems coping at home, work or school, tension?

• The class runs once a week for 6 weeks and teaches skills and techniques for managing stress

• Topics covered include: an overview of what stress is, controlling your body, controlling your thoughts, controlling your actions, getting a good night’s sleep and planning for the future

• Stress Control is a class not ‘group therapy’ – you do not have to talk about personal difficulties in front of others

• Come along by yourself or feel free to bring a friend or family member with you.

If you are currently suffering from stress, know someone who is or just want to be better

equipped, then this is the course for you!No booking required - Just turn up

Where: Lisburn Library 23 Linenhall Street Lisburn BT28 1FL

When: Tuesday 22 January 2019 - Tuesday 26 February 2019

Time: 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Stress Control

Visit: facebook page stresscontrolni or www.setrust.hscni.net

Are you interested in supporting someone with Dementia

Why not come along to your local Carer Support Group?

Our next meeting:

Thursday 7 February 20197.00pm - 8.30pm

Palliative Care and End of LifeLynda Williams, Alzheimers Society

We meet in the Consultation Room Waiting Areas, Ground Floor, River House,

Lagan Valley Hosptial

3 Carer Support

The SET Recovery College offers free educational courses about mental health and recovery which are designed to increase your knowledge and skills and promote self-management. Courses are available to anyone with an interest in mental health and wellbeing including: service users; family members and staff.

Each course is co-produced and co-facilitated by Recovery College Tutors. At least one tutor will have lived experience of mental health recovery and the other will have learned experience of the subject area. Tutors have a special interest in mental health recovery.

The Recovery College promotes three themes: hope, opportunity and control.

Who is it for?

The Recovery College is available to anyone with an interest in mental health and wellbeing including:

• Service users

• Family members

• Carers

• Trust employees

• Members of the community and voluntary sectors.

Please note: booking is essential

How to access the Recovery College?

The Recovery College has campuses throughout the South Eastern Trust. For more information about what free courses are running in your area please download a copy of the prospectus from the SET website http://www.setrust.hscni.net/pdf/2018-2019%20SET%20Recovery%20College%20Prospectus.pdf or contact the office for further information on (028) 9041 3872 (email: recovery.college@setrust.hscni.net).

Here is the link for semester 2 timetable online: http://www.setrust.hscni.net/pdf/recovery%20college%20timetable.pdf

4Carer Support

5 Carer Support

Most of us know when we are mentally and physically well, but sometimes we need a little extra support to keep well.

There are five simple steps to help maintain and improve your wellbeing. Try to build these into your daily life – think of them as your ‘five a day’ for wellbeing.

ConnectConnect with the people around you: family, friends, colleagues and neighbours at home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these relationships as the cornerstones of your life and spend time developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Be activeGo for a walk or run, cycle, play a game, garden or dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take noticeBe observant, look for something beautiful or remark on something unusual. Savour the moment, whether you are on a bus or in a taxi, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Keep learningDon’t be afraid to try something new, rediscover an old hobby or sign up for a course. Take on a different responsibility, fix a bike, learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun to do.

GiveDo something nice for a friend or stranger, thank someone, smile, volunteer your time or consider joining a community group. Look out as well as in. Seeing yourself and your happiness linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.

The five ways to wellbeing were developed by the New Economics Foundation.Artwork designed in association with Belfast Strategic Partnership.

Public Health Agency, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. Tel: 0300 555 0114 (local rate).

08/15

6Carer Support

Dates for your Diary

Carers Rights DayHaving the right information at the right time can make all the difference when you’re looking after someone.

Each year Carers UK hold Carers Rights Day to:• Make carers aware of their rights• Let carers know where to get help and support in their local community• Raise awareness of the needs of carers.

This year Carers Rights Day is on Friday 30 November.

Carers WeekCarers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who come together to organise activities and events throughout the UK, drawing attention to just how important caring is.

This year carers week is 10 - 16 June and we will be organising various events throughout the Trust for you to attend. Further information will be provided closer to the time.

We have booked a Carers Cabaret night at Temple Golf Club on Friday 14 June. Further details and booking arrangements will be forwarded to you in due course.

Carers NI

What Carers NI can do for you? • I need help with caring • I want to find local support • I want to campaign • I need policy information • I want to find out about training • I need help to lead a carers’ group.

FIND OUT HOW or their website: www.carersuk.org/northernireland or call them on (028) 9043 9843.

7 Carer Support

As part of the regional HSCQI work the Trust have the opportunity for people to participate in the Quality Improvement Award Programme for Service Users and Carers. This 16 week programme gives Service Users and Carers the opportunity to develop skill in Quality Improvement in Healthcare and to work alongside staff to deliver a quality improvement project.

Through the programme they will:

• Understand what is meant by QI and the role of data in quality improvement • Be able to understand and apply a range of QI tools and methodologies • Be able to identify and involve stakeholders in QI improvement activities • Gain a recognised qualification – OCN level 3

The course will run from April-July and will involve an afternoon information session and 3 face-to-face training days in Belfast

We would like you to share your ideas with us. Complete the form and email back to us.

Suggestions for future Carers Events

Let us know your ideas

Information sessions eg. PSNI / Citizens Advice Gardening Mindfulness sessions Fitness classesCraft mornings Walking groupComplementary therapies Mens interests Afternoon tea Local interest talksCooking demonstrations Tour of local landmarks eg. MountstewartDrama SpeakerLanguage Classes French Spanish etc. Introduction to Photography Training on advocacy, working carer rights, caring role and empowerment

Training on enhancing skills in the area of co-production and engagement

Tick box if interested:

Have you any other ideas that you want to share with us?

8Carer Support