This newsletter is also available to view and download at: www.pavs.org.uk/carers. Alternatively, if you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail rather than post, or if you are

no longer a carer and you do not wish to receive further copies, please feel free to contact Sally Davies on: sally.davies@pavs.org.uk or 01437 769422.

Work, Rest and Play The theme for Carers Week 2005 is ‘Work, Rest and Play’, which is in many ways related to the 2004 Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act. Carers Week will be promoting the rights of carers to have more choices and opportunities in all areas of their lives including work, training and leisure. This year Carers Week will be held from 13-19 June and a variety of activities will be taking place. If your support group would like to arrange an activity during Carers Week then get in touch with the organisation ‘Carers Week’ – their website address is www.carersweek.org and their phone number is 020 7566 7608. The Pembrokeshire Carers Forum will be held as part of a Carers Day on Friday June 17th at Clynfyw near Boncath. There will be a good range of activities for carers to participate in, which will follow the theme of work, rest and play. Jon Skone, Director of Social Care and Housing, and Chris Martin, Chair of the Local Health Board, have agreed to get involved in the day. More details will follow in future newsletters but you can put the date in your diaries now, to make sure you can come along.

Don’t forget – Friday June 17th

Contents Carers News Pages 1 - 5 Training News Pages 6 - 7 Benefits News Pages 8 - 9 Volunteering News Page 10 General News Pages 11 - 15 Deadline for articles

for next issue: April 29th 2005

Issue 10. February 2005

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Carers Grant 2005-6 This is the final year that the Welsh Assembly Government is ringfencing the Carers Grant. In 2005-6 Pembrokeshire has been allocated £235,039. Application forms have been sent out to all relevant voluntary organisations and carers support groups so they can apply by 18th February 2005. Last year the Carers Grant was allocated to 18 voluntary groups and 15 carers support groups. If you would like to hear more about the services that were provided to carers in 2004-5 or how the money will be allocated in 2005-6, then come along to the Carers Grant Consultation meeting at the Picton Centre, Haverfordwest on Thursday March 17th from 10.30 am – 12 midday.

Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 The Welsh Assembly Government has just issued draft guidance on the Carers(Equal Opportunities) Act, which is out for consultation until midday April 8th 2005. The Act is due to be implemented during April 2005. There are several sections which the guidance looks at Including:

• Section 1. A duty to inform carers of a right to an assessment. • Section 2. Assessment of carers. • Section 3. Co-operation between authorities.

A copy of the draft Guidance is available online from: www.dh.gov.uk/consultations. Carers UK will be producing a response to the Guidance, which will be sent out in their monthly mailing and published on their website: www.carersuk.org.

NEWS FROM NCH • Bikers give NCH a mountain of toys.

Over 100 bikers turned out on a very wet Saturday afternoon to deliver toys to families caring for children who are disabled. Father Christmas rode first to the Children's ward at Withybush and then to the College Guest House where a couple of families received their presents from Santa. A mountain of toys, all Christmas wrapped was delivered to the NCH Children's Centre and was distributed to many families with children who are disabled. Some toys went to Barnardos carers for when children stay with them and Holly House also received games and crayoning books. Plans are already afoot for a bigger event next Christmas.

• Forth Coming events Easter Egg Run - Sunday 20th March 2pm Haverfordwest Rugby Club. Any family with a child on the Specific Needs Register can attend the party and all children will receive an Easter Egg from the Bikers and a chance to sit on splendid motorbikes.

• New Developments The Children's Centre moves into the 21st Century and will have its own website. The site will be bilingual and have lots of information relevant to families of children with disabilities. Parents will be able to apply for training courses, register their child and exchange information and opinions with other parents Judith Edwards, Project Manager, Pembrokeshire Children's Centre

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Carols for Christmas

In the presence of local dignitaries, carers and friends, PRT Pembrokeshire Carers Centre’s annual Carols for Christmas was a great success. Music was provided by the Borough of Pembroke Silver Band and solo items were given by Sarah Jenkins, Henry Johnston MBE and Maureen Canton. The accompanist was Ann Evans and compere for the evening was Cllr Beryl Thomas-Cleaver. The evening ended with a delicious buffet supper provided by members of Pembrokeshire Carers Outreach.

Young Carers Following a hectic round of Christmas activities Young Carers now look forward to a programme of events during Half Term. In connection with a programme about Cars for Carers, HTV filmed part of the January Club Night when the Young Carers had an enjoyable session at Phoenix Bowl, Milford Haven. For more details about Pembrokeshire Young Carers please call Tracey or Jo on 01437 779188

Working Carers First Minister Rhodri Morgan will be keynote speaker at a conference organised by Carers Wales on February 4th 2004 at The Orangery, Margam Park. With new rights to flexible working for employees with caring responsibilities due to be implemented in 2006, the conference seeks to explore ways in which employers can better accommodate the needs of members of their workforce who combine work with looking after a sick/disabled relative or friend. Other speakers at the conference will be Janet Reed, Chair of CBI Wales Cymru and Felicity Williams, General Secretary of Wales TUC Cymru.

Caring for People with a Psychiatric Condition

The Princess Royal Trust and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have entered a partnership designed to improve understanding of the issues involved when caring for someone who is mentally ill. The Welsh Assembly Government will fund a conference to address this matter on March 24th 2005 in Swansea. Speakers will include the principal of the Royal College of Psychiatry and Dr Brian Gibbon, the Assembly’s newly appointed Minister for Health and Social Care. This all Wales conference is aimed at carers of people with mental illness and health professionals working in this field. Places are allocated via PRT Carers Centres in Wales and are limited, so early application is advisable. Please contact PRT Pembrokeshire Carers Centre on 01437 767762 for more information and to apply for a place.

STOP PRESS!!!!

We still have a very few Gardening/ Odd Job grants available for carers. Funded by the Carers Grant it ends on March 31st 2005. If you are a carer and need a little financial help to tackle those jobs you’ve not yet managed, contact PRT Pembrokeshire Carers Centre

on (01437) 767762 BUT HURRY! Time and money are running out.

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Mary Esmond 1920-2004

With deep regret we report the passing of Mary Esmond, Chairman of Pembrokeshire Carers Outreach. A small lady with great compassion and integrity, Mary’s contribution to society was colossal. Following a long and successful nursing career, the birth of her Downs syndrome daughter focused Mary’s attention on the welfare of those with special needs and to her considerable involvement with MENCAP, and allied organisations. Locally and as chairman of Pembrokeshire Parent Carers Association she campaigned for the welfare and inclusion of those with learning disabilities and their families. She will be greatly missed by Pembroke Dock Gateway Club not the least for organising and leading their annual holiday abroad. A champion for better rights for people with special needs and the support and welfare of people who care for sick or disabled family and friends caused her to become a founder member of Pembrokeshire Carers Outreach. Mary had interests in all strata of society and as a member of WRVS was an organiser of the Pembroke Darby and Joan Club. Her contribution to the community at all levels was enormous and whilst her passing represents an incalculable loss to society, all who were privileged to know Mary will remember with gratitude, a life dedicated to the welfare of others.

RSVP Cars for Carers

RSVP Cars for Carers is the tailor-made transport scheme for unpaid carers in Pembrokeshire. We continue to grow, with new volunteers and carers climbing aboard regularly, but we want carers to take advantage of the other services we offer as well: Bus Pass Photos We discovered that many people may not be reaping the benefits of a concessionary travel pass because of difficulties in getting a passport photo, worries about filling in forms and confusion about what documents you need to support your claim for a pass. If these are the kind of obstacles you face, then John, RSVP and Age Concern volunteer, will come and visit you to take your photograph and help you with the other bits. There is no charge for this service, as it is funded, but a donation would be gratefully received. You can contact John to make an appointment on mobile number 079763 06605. A concessionary buspass can lead to great discounts on public and community transport – for example, you can travel for 50% less with Cars for Carers if you show your buspass to your driver. Book Care & Transport Together Cars for Carers and Pembrokeshire Crossroads have come together to link care and transport: Cars for Carers will pay for Crossroads care if the carer is out on a journey with one of their drivers. Please do not hesitate to call Ann Williams at Crossroads on 01437 764639 or Rachel Evans at RSVP Pembs on 01437 768195.

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Update on Respite

The Respite Steering Group has continued to meet on a regular basis and developments are progressing well. The pilot project for respite at home for older people with dementia has begun and there is also a pilot project for respite at Clynfyw Countryside Centre for adults with physical disabilities. Clynfyw is an organic family farm in the north of the county, near Boncath, which has recently made some of its cottages fully accessible. The centre works closely with a local care agency who provide practical and physical support when visitors need it. The pilot project involves one cottage sleeping up to 6 people which has been booked by Pembrokeshire County Council for 4 separate weeks - 18 June, 16 July, 27

August and 10 September. Any one wishing to go should contact their Care Manager or if you would like more information about the project, contact Marj Hawkins on (01437) 776182.

Circles Network Wales – Pembrokeshire Happy New Year! A little late but this is the first opportunity for me to wish you all well! How fast 2004 has passed, meeting so many wonderful people and holding social gatherings and putting Person - Centred Plans together with some who I would like to now regard as friends, some of whom have achieved their Dreams and Ambitions. What is a Circle of Support? The basic idea of a Circle of Support is a very simple one, to help someone establish a personal social network. The Circle is made up of people who support the focus person in a non-judgemental way. Circle members encourage and help to plan a person’s dreams and ambitions. The Circle concentrates on the gifts and abilities of the individual using a way of thinking that I like to call the “CAN DO, NOT THE CAN’T DO” philosophy. We use Person Centred Planning tools to build a holistic view of the focus person’s life. The tools used could be a video, a treasure box or a book of photographs. We also build Person Centred Plans for the future to ensure the wishes and needs of the individual continue to be recognised. Not forgetting that we all like the opportunity to enjoy ourselves, we also have social events which could be bowling, going out for a meal or in the summer a picnic or barbecue The service we offer is FREE. There is no referral system, all you need to do is telephone us. I would really like the opportunity to meet you and explain how a Circle of Support may be able to help you. Tel 01348 831056 or Mobile 07970 604165 I hope you have a Fantastic start to 2005! Lyndsay Bone Facilitator, Circles Network Wales

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Outreach Carers Support Group The membership of this group continues to grow and the highly successful annual Christmas Lunch was held at the Pembroke House Hotel, Haverfordwest. Members are now looking forward to the St Valentine’s Day lunch on February 14th 2005. Working with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the group will visit and comment on disabled access to various beauty spots in the National Park. Meetings take place at PRT Pembrokeshire Carers Centre on the first Tuesday of the month at 2 pm. A programme of events for 2005 has been drawn up and details are available on request from: Dave Watkin on 01437 769701 or Pembrokeshire Carers Centre on 01437 767762.

North Pembs Carers Support Group The North Pembs Carers Support Group has recently been meeting more regularly and getting more carers involved. At the January meeting it was good to see 14 carers coming along to the Wintern Day Centre and spending a couple of hours chatting and sharing views and information. One of the topics on the agenda was how to spend the remainder of the Carers Grant and several suggestions were made. One of the suggestions which everyone agreed with was to combine the next meeting with lunch. This has now been booked at the Fishguard Bay Hotel on Wednesday February 23rd. If you are a carer living in North Pembrokeshire and you would like to come along, please contact Patricia Nathan on 01348 873928 for more details. The next support group meeting will be held at Wintern Day Centre on Wednesday March 16th from 1-3pm. If you would like to come along to the meetings but you need help with transport or you need someone to look after the person you care for while you are at the meeting, please contact Sally Davies on (01437) 771196 and I will try to make some arrangements.

Meet the Mouse Meet the Mouse is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative which aims to bring the benefits of ICT to people in Wales.

Workshops will be held for anyone wanting to learn the basics about using computers. Sessions will cover everything from switching on, to sending email and accessing the internet. Meet the Mouse will be in

Pembrokeshire on the following dates: Tenby – De Valance Pavillion April 19th 10.00 – 12.30 English April 19th 2.00 – 4.30 English April 19th 6.00 -8.30 Welsh

Pembroke Dock - Cricketers Club April 21st 10.00 -12.30 English April 21st 2.00 – 4.30 English April 21st 6.00 – 8.00 Welsh Narberth - Queens Hall May 5th 6.00 - 8.30 Welsh May 6th 10.00 - 12.30 English May 6th 2.00 - 4.30 English

For information or to book a place contact learndirect on 0800 100 900

Carers Training

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New Course for Carers An exciting new opportunity for learning is being developed by Pembrokeshire College and PAVS. City and Guilds has been piloting an online course for carers in England. It has been such a success that it is now going to be piloted with up to 20 carers in Pembrokeshire. Here are some of your questions answered:- What does it involve? There are four modules in the course which should take approximately 40 hours to complete. The different modules are

· Moving Forward · Taking Care · Managing Caring · Living with Others

The pilot project will run from April to July 2005 with an induction day at the end of March. What equipment will be needed? Access to the internet is all that is needed. This could be from a computer in your own home or you could use one of the computers in Pembrokeshire College, in the PAVS IT room or at a local library, internet café or community centre. Only very basic computer skills are needed, such as using a mouse and typing small amounts of text. If you are a complete novice to computers, some training on these basic skills can be organised for you. What support will I get? There will be a tutor from Pembrokeshire College, who will offer support and assessors who will give you feedback on your assignments. In the future it is hoped that some carers who have completed the course will volunteer to be mentors for future course participants, so they will be on hand to answer any queries. When will it start? There will be an induction day for the course at Pembrokeshire College on Wednesday 23rd March from 11 – 1. How do I apply? Fill out the slip in this newsletter and send it back by 1st March to Sally Davies at PAVS. If you are unable to come to this induction but you are interested in doing the course, fill out the form anyway, so we know who is interested. What is the cost? The course is free to those who get a place on the pilot project. There may be a small charge in the future, but there are bursaries available to cover these costs. It is hoped that if carers agree to be volunteer mentors, any costs they have incurred will be reimbursed. How can I find out more? If you have any questions about the course, contact Kate Hawkins from Pembrokeshire College on (01437) 765247 or Sally Davies on 01437 771196. If you would like to find out more or try out some of the exercises, log on to the City and Guilds website on www.learning-for-living.co.uk

NCH Training for Parents Basic First Aid 22nd Feb 05 Moving and Handling 23rd Feb 05 Growing Up, Relationships & Sexuality 3rd March 05 These courses are available to the Parents of a child on the Specific Needs Register. Contact NCH for more information on (01437) 764569.

Staff/ Volunteer Training

This takes place at PRT Pembrokeshire Carers Centre on alternate Wednesdays and carers

wishing to attend are most welcome. For details of the Spring 2005 training programme, please ring

the centre on (01437) 767762

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LEARNING PLAN for CARERS Following a successful Build on your Skills workshop facilitated by PAVS, a draft Learning Plan has now been published, which specifically seeks to address the training needs of carers in Pembrokeshire. At the initial workshop, a small group of carers came together and worked through a series of participatory activities, designed to identify and prioritise training needs. The results of this work were collated and used to produce a draft Learning Plan, which was subsequently presented to a wider audience at a recent Carers Forum meeting in December. The next step is to draw up a Carers' Training Programme and discussions are currently taking place with key partners to agree the best way to deliver the Learning Plan. Every effort is being made to link up with existing training provision, such as courses offered by Pembrokeshire Carers' Outreach and NCH Cymru, to make sure that there is no duplication of effort. Whilst this work goes on, however, things are not standing still! PAVS new open training programme for Spring/Summer includes some of the courses identified as high priority for Carers. A pilot group of 20 carers are due to start an on-line Learning for Living course in April, offered by Pembrokeshire College in partnership with PAVS. As well as this, two FREE places for voluntary carers are available on courses offered by the Pembrokeshire County Council Social Care Workforce Development team. A number of volunteer Learning Champions have been recruited to drive forward the training agenda for carers in Pembrokeshire. The role of the Learning Champion is two-fold. First, they will encourage the widest possible take-up of learning by carers and secondly, provide information about courses that are available in the area. Thanks to Felicity Pritchard, Dave Watkin, Lesley Williams and Maureen Canton who have all volunteered to be Carers Learning Champions. For more information about the Carers' Training Programme, becoming a Learning Champion or taking part in the on-line pilot course, ring Sally Davies or Roger Smith at PAVS on (01437) 769422.

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Home Responsibilities Protection From the recent Carers Rights Day feedback, it is clear that many people are not aware of what this is. Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) is a way of protecting your right to a Retirement Pension if you have to stop work either to bring up a family or to look after someone who is sick or disabled. Only the years since the scheme started in 1978 are affected by HRP. HRP can only be awarded for complete tax years. So how does HRP work? First let me explain how you qualify for a state retirement pension. At the moment men get their Retirement Pensions at 65 and women at 60, but this is changing. By the year 2020 men AND women will get their pensions at 65, although this won't affect women born before 5.4.50. To get 100% basic pension, you need to have paid National Insurance contributions for at least 90% of your working life from age 16. This works out at 44 years for a man and 39 years for a woman. These years are called “qualifying” years. If you have gaps in your record, for instance when you were sick or out of work and looking for a job, you may get "credits" for your contributions, which will fill the gaps. HRP will not give you "credits" for the years you spend at home, but it will reduce the number of years of qualifying years you need, to get a full pension. So how do you get HRP? There are 2 ways: 1. If you are at home bringing up children, you will get HRP automatically as long as your name is

shown as the main payee for your Child Benefit claim. I stress this, because nowadays it's not unusual for dad to stay at home with the children while mum goes to work. For the man to get HRP he must be the MAIN PAYEE for the Child Benefit. It is possible for a man or woman to stay at home with their children for 19 years and still get a full pension, as long as the rest of the years they need are covered by paid or credited contributions.

2. If you have to give up work to care for someone who is ill, you can apply for HRP as long as the person you're looking after is getting Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance. If you qualify for a benefit called Carers Allowance, you’ll get automatically get credits towards your pension, if not –if for example another person already receives Carers Allowance to look after that person, you'll need to apply for HRP for each tax year you are a carer. If you are claiming HRP for the years you have spent caring between April 1978 and April 2002, you can claim at any time up to state pension age. From April 2002 you must claim HRP within three years of the end of any tax year you spend caring for someone with a long-term illness or disability. Leaflet CF411 explains about HRP and has an application form. You can get it by telephoning the Leafletline 0800 0328 555 (24 hour answerphone),by ringing the Benefit Enquiry Line free on 0800 882200 or from the Inland Revenue - who are now responsible for HRP, via their website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk. You can print out a form and the notes of explanation from there.

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►Since April 2003 a foster carer can qualify, also. Since April 2002 carers have started to build up entitlement to the State Second Pension. Generally this will give a carer an additional pension – on top of their basic Retirement Pension – of roughly £1 a week for each year they have spent caring since 2002. This makes it even more important that those carers who don’t get Carer’s Allowance claim HRP. If you are looking after a child over six years old who gets the middle or the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance you will need to claim HRP to build up entitlement to the State Second Pension. You must claim HRP even though you get Child Benefit in these circumstances but you don’t need to make a claim if you get Carer’s Allowance.

If you've not reached pension age yet and you think you've missed out on HRP, send for a forecast of your pension on form BR19. The forecast will tell you whether there are any years of HRP recorded for you. If there are not, and you think there should be, you need to provide details of your "caring" years. Only people who were paying full standard rate contributions before they gave up work can get HRP. Women who paid the “married women’s stamp” immediately before giving up work to take on caring responsibilities aren’t eligible for HRP until their election to pay the reduced contribution lapses – usually after two complete tax years. You can get a lot more information in the leaflet “State pensions for carers and parents” available from the Pension Service on 0845 6060265. STOP PRESS Order books end 28th February 2005. If you have not yet changed over to payment into an account, you should do so a soon as possible. Phone 0800 107 2000 or visit the web site www.dwp.gov.uk/directpayments for more information. Jane Bryant - Information Officer for West Wales, Social Security Office, Tŷ Myrddin, Dan y Banc Road, Carmarthen, SA31 1GS Tel: 01267 322130

Carers Rights Day 2004 The Carers Rights Day which was held at the HOPE Centre in Neyland on December 3rd 2004 was a great success. It was the first event jointly organised by the Carers Wales Pembrokeshire Branch and PAVS and many carers gave positive feedback on this partnership working. 56 people attended the event, 34 of whom were carers. The theme of the day was the Carers Equal Opportunities Act which is due to be implemented in April 2005. If you would like a full copy of the Carers Rights Day report, please contact Sally Davies on 01437 771196. A Carers Rights Roadshow was also held throughout the county to inform carers about benefits and services.

Kath Jones from Gennex at the Carers Rights Roadshow in Pembroke Dock

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Volunteering Pembrokeshire

For many carers caring is a full-time occupation, taking up 24 hours of each day. However, some carers may have some hours to spare each day, either if their cared for person is at a day centre or school, or they may want to be occupied at home. Sometimes a few hours a week is all that is needed to take up some voluntary work. Volunteering could give you a chance to get involved in your community and meet other people. It could be something related to your caring role or something completely different. There are over 400 volunteering opportunities held at Volunteering Pembrokeshire at PAVS and some of these are activites that could be carried out at home. If you are interested in following up any of the opportunities below, or you would like to find out about others that are available, please contact Volunteering Pembrokeshire on (01437) 769422. Volunteering Opportunities AGE CONCERN PEMBROKESHIRE ‘Creative’ Volunteer THEATR MWLDAN FILM SOCIETY Volunteer Committee Member PEMBROKESHIRE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Volunteer Clerical Assistant PEMBROKE AND DISTRICT CITIZENS ADVISE BUREAU Volunteer IT Assistant FISHGUARD SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE COMMITTEE Volunteer District Contacts

HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Volunteer Admin Support FRAME Volunteer Woodworker Volunteer Placement In Electrical Testing

Workshop PEMBROKESHIRE MIND Women In Mind Volunteer YSGOL BRO INGLI Listening To Readers Volunteer CONNECT DRA Volunteer Committee Member THE VETERAN HORSE SOCIETY Volunteer Office Assistant PROJECT MILFORD Volunteer Fundraiser PEMBROKESHIRE COALITION ‘U Can’ Enabling Support Volunteer NARBERTH AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY AND SPORTS ASSOCIATION Volunteer Fundraiser PAUL SARTORI FOUNDATION Volunteer Handyperson NATIONAL TRUST Volunteer Marketing Assistant Volunteer Steward MOUNT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Volunteer Community Committee.

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The Churches Counselling Service in Wales (CCSW) The CCSW is a generic counselling service and was established in 1995, initially to meet the needs of Christian and non-Christian leaders and their families living and working throughout Wales. This service has since that time expanded and is now able to offer help to anyone who feels they need someone to talk to. It is open to people of all faiths or none. The service is a confidential personal service, and has counsellors working throughout Wales. All of our counsellors are well trained and receive supervision from professional staff. Counselling can address a range of personal, family, relationship and financial difficulties. It helps with ordinary problems of living and life crises. It can help people who are adjusting to life events, such as bereavement, post natal depression, illness, disability or loss. In Pembrokeshire we will shortly be increasing our group of counsellors thereby making it easier for people to access counseling. At present we do not have a waiting list. This service is a free service – we do not ask for a fee – however training and the organisation of the service are obviously costly and so any donation to the work would be appreciated. If you feel you could benefit from our service, telephone the co-ordinator on (01437) 764384. Arrangements for counselling will be made as quickly as possible.

EXPERT PATIENTS PROGRAMME 1. Expert Patients Programme (EPP)

The EPP is an NHS based training programme to help people living with a long-term chronic condition to cope better and to live life to the full through improved self-management techniques. People with long-term conditions experience similar day-to-day problems, including tiredness, pain, isolation and depression. In a supportive environment, and with the understanding of people who are in a similar situation, participants learn new skills, develop existing ones, share common experiences and try out new activities. The course is open to everyone, whatever their health condition.

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What does the programme involve? Two tutors, who themselves have a long-term health condition, run courses in accessible venues in local communities. The courses consist of six weekly sessions each lasting two and a half hours. Courses are free of charge and an accompany handbook is also supplied free of charge. What does the course cover?

o How to communicate more effectively with doctors, other health care professionals, family and friends.

o Techniques to help deal with problems such as frustration, anger, depression and other emotional changes brought about by having a long-term condition.

o How to take care of your health – such as taking medication, exercising and eating healthily. o How to carryout normal daily activities, household chores, work and social life. o Techniques to help manage fatigue and pain. o Relaxation techniques. o Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance. o How to plan for the future and get the most out of life.

2. Course Planned for 2005

Courses are being planned throughout the Pembrokeshire area during 2005 and anyone interested in attending a course should register their interest by: Telephone: 01792 784844 and speak to Claire or Caroline Email: expertpatients@swansealhb.wales.nhs.uk or Website: www.swansealhb.wales.nhs.uk Bookings are currently being taken for the following course: ►

3. Tutor Training Opportunities

Without the time and commitment of our volunteer tutors, there would be no Expert Patients Programme in Wales. Tutors commit themselves to attending a four-day residential training course and, once successfully completed, delivering a minimum of two courses per year in the community. This is a hugely rewarding role and one that is fully supported by a team of co-ordinators and on-going training. To allow potential tutors to decide whether the programme is for them, what is expected of them and what they can expect in return, two Taster Days are being held before potential tutors are selected to attend residential training. Taster Days are being held: Tuesday, 24th Feb 2005 @ Halliwell Centre, Trinity College, Carmarthen Wednesday, 23rd March 2005 @ Queens Hall, Narbeth, Pembrokeshire Anyone interested in attending should contact Claire or Caroline for an application form, which includes a person specification and role description. Also if you would like publicity material to distribute on EPP courses or for the Taster Days, contact Claire or Caroline. We are currently recruiting volunteer tutors and participants for Expert Patient courses coming up in the Pembrokeshire area...please contact Claire or Caroline if you are interested or would like to discuss it further on 01792-784844

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Pembrokeshire Over 50s Conference Pembrokeshire’s Conference for the over 50s is taking place at the Queen’s Hall Narberth on 15th March 2005 from 10am – 4pm. The conference is an opportunity for people over 50 to share their vision and ideas for living well during their retirement years in Pembrokeshire. The Conference Aims: • To review the achievements of the past year in Pembrokeshire and nationally in Wales. • To encourage greater participation and involvement of older people in planning services • To consult on the actions needed in 2005-06 and the draft action plan for development projects • To promote local opportunities for life long learning and leisure Who should attend? • Residents of Pembrokeshire aged over 50 • Elected members of Pembrokeshire County Council • Representatives from organisations and clubs for older people • Representatives from Community and Town Councils For further information or to book a place contact: Liz Higham, Strategy Co-ordinator for Older People Telephone: 01437 776222 E mail: liz.higham@pembrokeshire.gov.uk Places are limited so please apply for your ticket as soon as possible. Tickets are free and the conference includes • lunch and refreshments • discussion groups • opportunities for lifelong learning leisure and creative workshops A chance to put your questions to senior managers and policy makers.

HELP TRAIN STAFF Pembrokeshire County Council Social Care and Housing are looking to expand their pool of customers who are willing to assist in staff training sessions on the complaints system. If you would like to take part further information is available from: Mel Richards, Customer Liaison Officer, Social Care and Housing, County Hall, Haverfordwest SA61 1TP. Tel: 01437 776534 e-mail: melanie.richards@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

PEMBROKESHIRE PEOPLE FIRST NEW YEAR, NEW START for People with Learning Disabilities in Pembrokeshire. During the last few months a Steering Group for Pembrokeshire People First have been meeting regularly. They have been working towards a funding bid to officially establish a People First group for Pembrokeshire. We are seeking to help people to know, understand and obtain their rights, develop skills in confidence and assertiveness and help to enable them to be included in decision making that affects their lives FURTHER NEWS and INFORMATION IN THE NEXT EDITION, but if you want more information now, contact Lyndsay Bone on (01348) 831056.

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REHABILITATION SCHEME ENJOYS SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR. A rehabilitation scheme, which helps elderly people return to their own homes after a stay in hospital, has been hailed as a great success. The scheme is available to be used by elderly patients discharged from either South Pembrokeshire Hospital in Pembroke Dock or Tenby Cottage Hospital, providing they are medically fit but need extra rehabilitation before they are able to return home. At Riverside Home in Pembroke, a team of residential and community rehabilitation staff work with the discharged patients to help them improve their mobility and maintain their independence before and after they return home. This is achieved by concentrating on exercise, walking and other skills required for maintaining personal safety. Operated jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council, the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust , the scheme also represents the benefits of partnership working between health and social care agencies. Those on the Scheme also benefit from essential support services provided by the Voluntary Sector, namely Age Concern and Pembrokeshire Care & Repair. Staff from the home have been able to develop their skills with the guidance and support of the occupational therapist and physiotherapist based at South Pembrokeshire Hospital. Since December 2003, 47 patients from Milford Haven, Neyland, Tenby, Narberth, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock areas have benefited from the rehab scheme. Following a formal review of the service, it has been proved that this has been a very successful scheme which is set to continue and possibly be extended to other areas of the County. It also represents a major step forward towards a model of combining health and social care services for the benefit of patients. It is also seen as an important development to deliver and develop the future joint service in the new Resource Centre planned for the South Pembrokeshire Hospital site. One former patient was full of praise for the rehabilitation scheme. Said Joan Davies of Milford Haven: “I would like to thank all members of the Riverside staff. They showed so much patience towards me. I am very grateful for all they did to help me get back on my feet.” Another ex-Riverside client, David Lewis, now back at home in Saundersfoot, commented: “I feel I must thank all the ladies for the way they looked after me at Riverside. Everyone was helpful and understanding and helped me in every way they could.”

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Integrated Health and Social Care Agreement Plans to bring Health and Social Care services closer together took an important step forward recently with Mr Frank O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust and Mr Jon Skone, Director of Social Care and Housing formally signing a preliminary agreement to work together towards integrated Health and Social Care in the Pembroke / Pembroke Dock locality. This good news follows on from the Welsh Assembly Government approval of the project to extend South Pembrokeshire Hospital in order to create a new Resource Centre for Health and Social Care services. The planned provision of In-patient/client beds and day care facilities to be provided jointly in one building will help ensure integrated local services for local people. The principles on which this project is based, are of joint working by agencies and the Voluntary Sector to support people in their own homes wherever possible. Further work is now ongoing to draw up a full partnership agreement to be agreed by the Trust and Pembrokeshire County Council within the next six months. The planned integrated service will have a pooled budget and be jointly managed in order to break down any real or perceived barriers between Health and Social Care service delivery. The project will aim to provide better services and safeguard the future of the South Pembrokeshire Hospital in Pembroke Dock by funding an extensive rebuild and refurbishment programme. Instead of just an NHS community hospital, it will become a Health and Social Care Resource Centre, providing in-patient beds, minor injury unit, outpatients department and an integrated Day Unit. The new centre will also combine social care services currently provided at the town’s Hawkstone Road Day Centre and Riverside Elderly Persons Home in Pembroke, both of which will close. Said Councillor David Wildman, County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for The Elderly and Infirm: “This is an enormously exciting project. Traditionally the local authority, through its Social Services, has provided residential, day and home care in the county. This project will, through partnership working, allow these services to be enhanced and re-provided jointly with colleagues from the local NHS sector and the voluntary sector.” The County Council’s planning committee has already approved plans for the two-storey extension at the rear of the existing building. Various buildings within the site will be demolished, including the portakabin currently adjacent to the west elevation. The committee was told that the extension works are designed to blend in with the existing buildings, with the building work due to finish by the end of next year.