newsletter– february 2015 supp… · plumassier with displays of fans hats and shoes and...
TRANSCRIPT
Newsletter– February 2015
Charity Number :1069278 Company Number: 3534933
Big Lottery Funded Project to support Parent Carers across
County Durham Following extensive consultation in 2013 we secured a Big Lottery Grant worth
£380,000 over 5 years to employ two new Parent Carer Development and Support
Workers. Sara Carlton and Rachel McCreesh joined us in September last year and
are already busy delivering specialist advice and support across
the County. They both have a wealth of knowledge and
experience and together will tackle the issues Parents told us
they wanted help with. These include;
* Independent specialist advice on gaining support and services
across education, health and social care.
* Improved opportunities for support from other Parent Carers
by attending groups, courses, events and through social media
* Advice and support around benefits and grants.
* Support to get time for yourself and improve your health and
wellbeing.
* Parent Carers to be recognised as expert partners in their
children’s care.
For more information contact them direct on;
Rachel- 01915006016, [email protected] Sara- 01325524606, [email protected]
Online Monthly Competitions In January we launched the first of our monthly competitions. Published on Facebook and Twitter we introduced our ‘My Favourite Place’ photo competition. We asked for people to send in a photo of their favourite North East place, venue or landmark and the most popular favourite would win a food and wine hamper donated by the William Brown Medical Centre in Peterlee. Here is the winning photo from Paula Wallace, this is her families favourite place their caravan in Alston, congratulations Paula. There were some beautiful entries, thank you to those who shared their pictures. Look for us on Facebook for details of February and future competitions.
Thank you for telling us what you think about our service 600 Carers took part in our recent survey and
we would like to thank you for contributing.
We are busy compiling a report and looking at
all the suggestions and comments and will be
sending out the results in our next newsletter.
We will also be able to say what changes we
have made following the feedback. The
winner of the £100 voucher was selected
using a random number generator, we
respect the winners request to remain
anonymous, however we can say that they
were from East Durham.
Great North Run 2015: Feeling Fit Enough? Once again thousands of fit (some not so fit) runners are donning their
running shoes getting an early start in preparation for this years Great
North Run. Last year our small team of runners did a fantastic job raising
£1500 between them and this year we hope to improve on this by
increasing the number of runners. Friends of Durham County Carers
Support, Gareth Hertz, Rod Cambridge, Claire-Louise Wells and David Wells
have chosen to run for us again and this year Gareth brings with him friend
and colleague Lindsay Bowman, also joining us Helen Hindson and our very
own Sara Carlton one of our Parent Carer Support and Development
Workers. That leaves us with three spare places if any of you feel fit enough to have a go. If you would
like to run for us please contact Joanne Jones on 01325 524605
We Need Your Help!
Since last year our Volunteers have contributed over 2500 hours of vital support to the service. The roles vary and can be as few or as many hours a quarter as you can spare. They support us with delivering counselling, office administration, promoting the service by delivering newsletters and posters to local GP practices and community venues, contacting Carers by phone to gather feedback on our service or asking their opinions of other services and fundraising. Would you or someone you know like to make a difference and contribute to the future of the organisation by getting involved? We are really interested in talking to you if you have skills and experience in organising events, fundraising in your local community for good causes or would be willing to talk to local shops about having one of our brightly coloured donation boxes. We also need more Volunteers to support us with ensuring our marketing materials are seen in all local GP surgeries and community venues. If you want to support us please contact Andrea Emerson, Volunteer Co-ordinator for an informal discussion on 01915006010 or email [email protected]
Save the Date! We are pleased to
announce the date and
venue of this years Charity Ball. Following on from
last years Summer Ball, this years will be held on
Friday 25th September at The Radisson Blu, in
Durham City, there will be a 3 course meal and the
evening will finish with a disco, we will be
announcing this years entertainment later in the
year.
We would like to hear from anyone who would
like to offer to help out with the organisation of
the event. If you have any suggestions or would
like to help out please contact email
Carers send in their Carer Break Creations We receive many messages from Carers who have received Carer breaks funding
to help them start up a new hobby or continue with one they enjoy. From time
to time they send us photos of their creations. Here are some of the pictures
that we have been sent from Carers who have been baking knitting, crocheting,
drawing and card making. Its lovely to see what people are doing to enjoy their
breaks, please keep them coming, don’t worry if they are not perfect we just
want to see what you are doing. If you have a story to tell about your Carer
break or a photo to send us please contact [email protected]
What's on in County Durham The Bowes Museum - Birds of Paradise: Plumes and Feathers in Fashion
Open Monday to Sunday 10am—5pm A dramatic and striking exhibition, that features the ancient profession of
plumassier with displays of fans hats and shoes and extravagant catwalk
creations from British, Belgian, French and Italian designers. This is the only
UK venue to host this exhibition and it is only available until 19th April. Cost:
Adults £9.50, Concession £8.50, Students £5.00, Under 16yrs free.
Ice Skating at Beamish Museum: Only available till 01/03/15
Ice Skating at Beamish, every weekend until the 1st March 2015. Enjoy a spin
on the real ice rink outdoors in the Edwardian Pit Village
Locomotion—Winter Steam Gala
Locomotion , the National Railway Museum at
Shildon have announced a new addition to their programme. The ‘Winter
Gala’ will be themed around Edith Nesbit’s ‘The Railway Children’ with a
selection of locomotives displayed together that have featured in the
television and film adaptations of the story. Saturday and Sunday 14th and
15th February 2015 from 10am – 4pm.
Bishop Auckland Food Festival
The Bishop Auckland Food Festival will take place over two days on Saturday
18 and Sunday 19 April and celebrates the very best in Northern food and
drink with over 160 stalls across the Market Place and Auckland Castle
grounds. Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th April from 10am—4:30pm
For more information on any of these events visit www.thisisdurham.com
Former Carers Group Are you interested in meeting up with other former Carers? We meet on the first Monday of each month at the Wicket Gate in Chester le Street from 11.30 – 2pm. Feel free to come and enjoy a breakfast or lunch or just the company. I look forward to meeting you, if you have any questions please feel free to contact Andrea on 0191 5006010
Learning Disability Adult
Carers Group Wednesday 25th March : 10am to 12noon
Durham Town Hall
Do you support an adult with a Learning Disability in County Durham? This group will offer an opportunity for Carers to get together informally . You will meet other Carers who may have experience of similar concerns or may want to share what good things are happening for the person they care for. There is also an opportunity for a friendly chat or to seek valuable advice. A member of Durham County Carers Support will be on hand to give support through the morning. An Officer from the Local Authority will also be on hand to give feedback from the last Engagement Forum, the North East Regional Partnership Board.
If you are unable to attend and have a question you would like taken to the Local Authority please contact Susan Garrett on 0191 5006030 or email [email protected].
We look forward to seeing you there.
Introducing New Support Groups For Carers
New Carer Groups at Costa Coffee Branches For Carers We would like to introduce two new groups for Carers in County Durham . Following on from the existing group that currently meets at Barnard Castle we are pleased to
announce new groups in Durham and Peterlee .
Carers are invited to come along and meet with other Carers who are in a similar position
to them. It is a great opportunity to meet new people who experience similar concerns for a friendly chat
or to seek valuable advice. A member of staff will be available to give support . All Groups are informal
and friendly. Pop along for a cuppa and a chat.
Barnard Castle Group : First Tuesday of every month from 10:30-12:30 at Costa Coffee
Next Group 3rd March. For more information contact Nicky on 01833 600578
Remember to say that you are attending the coffee morning when you order and you will
receive a 10% discount on anything you purchase.
Peterlee Group : First Tuesday of the month from 1:00-3:00pm at Costa Coffee
Next Group 3rd March For more information contact Alison Dixon on 0191 5006031
At the first group in March there will be free coffee and a cake for Carers
Durham City Group : Third Tuesday of every month from 9:30-11:30am at Costa Coffee
Next Group 17th March. For more information contact Andrea Emerson on 0191 5006010
DON’T FORGET DEMENTIA! “Don’t forget Dementia” is a group that meets the
first Thursday of the month in Barnard Castle for
those who care for someone suffering from a
Dementia related illness. We meet at the “SOS”
Café in King Street, Barnard Castle friendly
conversation and have speakers to talk about
different aspects of Dementia relating to the caring
role. In February, we will be talking about
reminiscence and how that can stimulate
conversation and memories for everybody not just
Dementia sufferers: Ann Henderson from the
Disability Access Forum is hoping to join us with
materials.
Carer finds comfort in Support Group Suzanna met husband Simon back in 1994 shortly before he was
due to join the army. They married in 2000. Simon was with the
Royal Green Jackets and served operational tours in Bosnia and
Northern Ireland. Institutionalised military issues eventually lead to
Simons depression and ultimately his diagnosis of PTSD.
It was in 2010 after a series of family related events that Simon
suffered a complete breakdown. He suffered with flashbacks,
nightmares, night terrors, anxiety, aggressive outbursts and traumas stemming from his time in the
army. Suzanna and Simon struggled to find help via statutory services and the major charities and so his
issues became so severe that he had to close his photography business leading to financial problems for
the family which worsened Simons condition and led to him becoming suicidal.
Suzanna struggled to cope with Simons depression and it was whilst seeking help she was put in touch
with her local Carers Centre in Penzance. The family moved up North in 2012 and
Suzanna sought out her local Carers Centre and registered with us at our Consett
office. She asked about support groups and as luck would have it our Consett office
had one of the most successful support groups in the area with around 15-20
people attending each month. The group meets on the second Tuesday of every
month. Suzanna made some great friends within the group. Not only did she find
someone who lived very close by who’s husband suffered similar anxieties as Simon
but both families had a child with Asperger’s, so the pair found they had a great
deal in common.
‘It is so good to find a group of people who understand exactly what you are going through. The group
can talk and discuss issues without judgement and you can say what you actually feel without offending
anyone, after all none of us actually want to strangle members of our family but we have all been there!’
Suzanna was determined to help others who have suffered similar difficulties in finding help. She is
involved in a number of support groups for families of veterans with PTSD and is a committee member
for the local Armed Forces Community Covenant. Every year she takes part in a sponsored walk with a
group of ladies called ‘Wenches in Trenches’. This year they completed a walk in Belgium to raise money
for a memorial for the nurses of World war 1.
Suzanna has set up a website to help Military Veterans and their families who are going through the
same difficulties as she, Simon and their children went through. It offers a detailed explanation of PTSD
and the symptoms and provides links and contact details for organisations charities and support groups
that can help people suffering with similar issues. http://www.veteransupport.co.uk/
She has also set up her own website, where she documents her own struggles with frank descriptions of
living with someone with PTSD. Suzanna records details of the campaigning and fundraising she is
involved with for military causes and offers her own contact details for people who find they need
someone to talk to who have been in similar circumstances. http://www.suzannagreen.co.uk/
Suffering from her own health issues Suzanna selflessly dedicates her spare time to helping others as
well as the needs of her own family. She is keen to thank the charities that have helped her, giving
special thanks to Durham County Carers Support and our group of Carers where she met her close friend
Andrea. They have both enjoyed using Carer Breaks to have spa days together ‘It is great to have the
time to treat ourselves together where we can both forget about our other stresses and pamper
ourselves’.
Mindfulness Taster Sessions for Carers Do you feel constantly worried? Are you constantly trying to juggle all of your life's issues at once? Mindfulness is a way of reducing stress or anxiety and improving concentration and general well being. We are holding some 2 hour taster sessions for Carers around the County in the following venues: Wednesday, 15th April 10am - 12 noon – Auckland Park Hospital, Bishop Auckland.
Thursday, 23rd April 2pm – 4pm – North Road Methodist Church, Durham City.
Monday, 27th April 10am – 12 noon – East Durham College, Peterlee.
If you would like to attend any of the taster sessions please complete and return the reply slip before Friday, 20th March. Name _________________________________________Telephone Number_______________________
Address_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________Postcode_______________
Please state which venue you would like to attend_____________________________________________
Return to Carole Gibson, 1 Hutton Close, South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland County Durham, DL14 6XG
Mental Health Awareness The next mental health awareness/information
course for Carers of adults with mental health issues
will take place at Lanchester Road Hospital. The
course will run over 5 weeks, starting on Tuesday, 7th
April and ending on Tuesday, 5th May. Topics
covered will include Introduction to Mental Health,
Accessing Services and Working with Carers, Sharing
Information and Consent, Staying Well and Coping
Strategies and specific mental health conditions.
If you would like to attend this course please contact Carole Gibson on 01325 524603 or why not update Carole with your email address by contacting cg her at [email protected] and receive regular updates.
Artwork from Mental Health Carers Well-Being Days at Hardwick Hall
Last year we held 2 well-being days for Carers of adults and older people with mental health issues. During the day Carers attended an art workshop facilitated by Emma Beattie and Stuart Flude from RT Projects. As carers entered the room they sat around a long table which was covered with a long roll of white paper. They were asked to recall in a few words their childhood memories of a day at the seaside and a poem was produced capturing these memories. Carers were then given white wax candles and asked to fill the sheet of white paper with drawings of objects relating to their memories of the seaside. This could be anything from waves to fish or boats, shells, sandcastles, buckets, spades etc. It didn’t matter if they couldn’t draw as you couldn’t see it anyway – white wax on white paper! Once the sheet of paper was covered they were given paintbrushes and pots of paint in varying shades of green and blue and asked to cover every inch of the paper in a wash in whatever shades they chose. At this point the wax drawings began to show through and then while the paint was still wet it was sprinkled with rock salt which gave the effect of small flowers or sea anemones! The carers then found their favourite section and cut it out. This was then inserted into a card for them to take home as a reminder of the day. Emma and Stuart then took the remaining painted paper back to their workshop and produced this fabulous piece of artwork for us by cutting the paper into strips and weaving them together. This was then finished off by writing some of the “memories” over the top. I’m sure you’ll agree this has given us a fabulous reminder of a wonderful day!
Congratulations to the last three months winners 500 club winners and thank you to all of you for your
continued support
500 CLUB 1st Prize reaches over £100!
Our 500 Club has reached an all time high with first prize paying out £107 in January of this year. Since January 2014 we have paid out £2112.50 in winnings to our supporters. Joining the 500 Club gives you the opportunity to support the charity and a very good chance of winning a monthly prize with 50% of the income paid out as prize money.
Club members pay £12 per year to be entered into 12 monthly draws for prize money of 1st £100 2nd £70 and 3rd £35, the value of the prize money will depend on the number of Club members and could be higher or lower than the stated amounts. The draw will take place on the first Thursday of each month and the winners will be contacted by letter along with their winnings. Names of the winners will appear in our quarterly newsletter. We do appreciate that you must receive many requests for charitable donations, but our 500 Club gives you the chance to win your money back and more every month! Why not share a membership with family or friends or even better, buy more than one membership as a syndicate and increase your chances of winning? If you wish to purchase a membership to our 500 Club please complete
Durham County Carers Support 500 Club membership application: I would like to purchase ………. number/s for Durham County Carers Support 500 Club NAME (BLOCK CAPITALS) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
ADDRESS …………………………………………………………………………………………………..............................................
………………………………………………………………………………………………………. POSTCODE …………………………………
TELEPHONE NUMBER ……………………………………………………………
I enclose my cheque payable to ‘Durham County Carers Support’ for £12 for one year’s membership. Signed ………………………………………………………….. Dated……………………………………………………………….. PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED FORM TO: DURHAM COUNTY CARERS SUPPORT 1 HUTTON CLOSE SOUTH CHURCH ENTERPRISE PARK BISHOP AUCKLAND DL14 6XG
Date Received Number Allocated
November
1st Wendy Pringleton £85
2nd Ellen Nairn £57
3rd Linsey Jackson £29
December
1st Angela Marshall £96.00
2nd Helen Moody £64.50
3rd Mrs G Peverall £32.00
January
1st Mrs S Greenwood £107
2nd Yvonne Scott £71
3rd Anne Clarke £35
Durham County Carers Support is supported by
CONTACT US TELEPHONE: 0300 005 1213 TEXT: 07624 818 403
email: [email protected] www.dccarers.org
HEAD OFFICE
1 Hutton Close
South Church Enterprise Park
Bishop Auckland
Co Durham DL14 6XG
CHESTER-LE-STREET
Bullion Hall
South Approach
Chester-le-Street
Co Durham DH2 2ES
CONSETT
Village Hall,
Delves Lane
Consett
Co Durham DH8 7BH
Contact Details for Local Offices
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Old Address
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Contact number:
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If you are no longer a Carer and would like your details removed from our database, please tick
here Send to: FREEPOST RTAC-BGCX-GLZC, DURHAM COUNTY CARERS SUPPORT, Village Hall,
Delves Lane, CONSETT DH8 7BH
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