Hello Everyone
Another week begins and I hope it is a good one..
Yesterday was World Mental Health Day and it got me thinking about Carers mental health and what do you do need to support better mental health for yourself? Do you tap into local services, do you do your own thing, do you use the Carers Centre or do you need help joining activities?
The Carers Centre has a broad range of activities you can tap into such as a weekly shared reading group (details below), we have monthly massage appointments, we work with the Buddhist Centre to provide away from home retreats, weekly walking group, creative arts and crafts on tuesdays and thursdays, peer support groups for for a range of conditions and of course our weekly Tuesday social club. So if you need some time away from your caring role to have a mental breather, relax and have some fun then email tony@ccth.org.uk to find out more and book your place.
I am lucky enough to have a dog and of course he needs daily walks, I find getting outdoors, walking both the dog and myself, breathing fresh air and chatting/connecting to fellow dog walkers really helps my mental health maintain a postive level and I keep my weight and Diabetes in check, so a win all round.
Photo from this mornings walk
We have been sent an amzing short story from a carer – so please read…..
WAITING…
By T David
Huddled together in the dark, it was dank, smelt of sweat, waste and tears. They were
still tethered together like animals. Squashed into an abyss, in a warren of buildings, which
made no sense.
Some tried to speak, but it was like a cacophony of sounds. At first, all I could
understand was the desperation in people’s voices, I didn’t have to know what they were
saying. And then, realising that we were many, from different tribes and places; I was just about
able to pick out the familiar sounds of my language, words that I understood. Some here were
traders, who could explain, so questions were asked and translated again and again.
‘What was going on? Where is this place? Why are we being held like this? Where we
being taken? Why us? Who did this? Was it this tribe or that behind it? How long would we be
here? Why have we been taken so far away from our towns and villages? How will we get back?
How long did you walk? Where are you from?’
‘What had happened to the old man with who was with us? Where were our sisters and
daughters? Had anyone seen ….?’
‘Our gods will protect us. Our king will send out a rescue party. All will be well.’
The voices slowly trailed into silence, as no-one could answer the many questions. The
lull in the noise, was soon filled again, when one person cried out ‘it’s a punishment from the
gods’. ‘They are all dead’ shouted another. ‘I saw strange men’ whispered a boy in the far
corner, ‘they are not like us’ he continued. ‘Who else would use this metal to join us, and treat
us like animals, but strangers!’ said another. Again the strong voice, that had mentioned the
gods, said ‘just you wait, we’ll be saved, and my brothers will rescue me’
A dejected voice, quietly said ‘your brothers were here, and taken yesterday’. What did
you say? Repeated the strong-voiced man, now taken aback. ‘They were here, asking if anyone
had seen you, over and over again, saying their father would never forgive them…’ explained
the quiet voice. ‘They were taken away by the strange men, and never came back’
Silence fell, we were exhausted from many days and in some cases, weeks of walking; we’d
been beaten, whipped, and chained together by the neck. We were then pushed and shoved
into this hellhole building with no air, with too many people. We had scraps of food thrown at
us, and water sprinkled on us.
We had all seen things, but this was not the ways of tribal warfare. This was something
else. This was not the odd kidnapping here and there, which happened between rival towns.
This was wrong.
Every so often, people were dragged out, and rarely came back. Those few who did, just
sat in vacant silence, as if struck dumb.
We all contemplated our fate, prayed to our various gods for action, hoped for the best
(whatever that was); still, it wasn’t looking good. I could hear the wails, the screams from other
parts of ‘building’, but whilst you couldn’t see, so your imagination ran riot. I slept
uncomfortably to close to the others and fitfully. I could hear the strangers and their cronies
running and shouting, every so often, and thought that must be good. And then nothing.
And yet they and I waited, in our cruel confinement, for what would happen next…
#
My maternal grandparents born in the early 1900s, were the children of returned
captured slaves, who made it to Abeokuta, Nigeria from Sierra Leone.
We know our history and those who accepted us.
End
NATIONAL HATE CRIME AWARENESS WEEK
9th – 16th October 2021
Organised by
17-24-30 NationalHCAW
Why not join and become a volunteer, always report Hate Crime or help out in anyway you can https://nationalhcaw.uk/
I’m pleased to let you know that applications for our ZOOM Film School are now open.
Check out the film on our website as the students did this ealiuer this year https://ccth.org.uk/new/video/
This long-running training programme is generously supported by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.
It is open exclusively to low-waged and unemployed Tower Hamlets residents, offering free, professional training in film and TV production, including:
- 6 weeks of practical filmmaking training, including production of a short film.
- 3 x mentoring sessions with a high-calibre industry professional.
- Accreditation (Open College Network credits in Film Production)
- Masterclasses and networking sessions.
- Paid placement/job opportunities.
- Bespoke career guidance and pastoral support.
- Travel/childcare costs.
Further details can be found at: https://www.fourcornersfilm.co.uk/whats-on/zoom-film-school
The deadline for applications is midnight on 8th November 2021
Get Online Week is a digital inclusion campaign organised by Good Things Foundation.
3.7 billion people are digitally excluded worldwide (ITU, 2020). Over 13 million people people in the UK lack the digital skills they need for work (Lloyds Consumer Digital Index, 2020). A lack of digital skills and access can have a huge negative impact on a person’s life, leading to poorer health outcomes and a lower life expectancy, increased loneliness and social isolation, less access to jobs and education. If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s how vital digital skills are to our wellbeing and safety.
This year’s Get Online Week campaign will take place from 18 – 24 October 2021.
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to safely participate in our digital world and no one should be left behind. Through Good Things Foundation’s network of community organisations and with the help of our supporters, events and activities will again take place in hundreds of communities to spread the Get Online Week message that everyone can: Get online. Get connected.
As the campaign gets closer, we’ll be sharing LOTS of tips and resources on how to do this and what your Get Online Week activities could look like, so you can engage with the people who need your help, whether that’s online or in person.
REMINDER – YOU CAN CHECK THE CCTH CALENDAR
If you want to know what activities are on each day at the centre then check out the CCTH Calendar – https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/?cid=mc-03c4653fb809aa02e303ae7a3bb5520a&month=9&yr=2021
Then email me tony@cth.org.uk to book your place.
This Weeks Activities
11th October
Therapy Day – CCTH – 10am to 3pm
Shared Reading for Carers – CCTH – 11am to 12 noon
12th October
Renal Carers Support Group – ZOOM – 11am to 12.30pm
CREATE – Ceramics – CCTH – 11am to 1pm
Carers Forum – CCTH – 2pm to 3.30pm
13th October
Carers of people with a Learning Disability & Autism – CCTH – 11am to 1pm
Young Adult Carers Group – CCTH – 5.30pm to 7.30pm
14th October
New Carer Induction – CCTH – 11am to 12 noon
Arts & Craft Group – CCTH – 11.00am to 12.30pm
Walking Thursdays/Health Walks – CCTH/Outdoors – 1pm to 2pm
WeConnectCommunties Hub – CCTH – 2pm to 3pm
15th October
ESOL Class – CCTH – 12.30pm to 2.30pm
Don’t Forget to get your Flu Jab & Covid Booster
WALKING ALONE? REMEMBER THESE 10 TIPS
1) Plan Your Route
Make sure you plan your route ahead of time. If you are walking in an area you are not familiar with, this can help keep you from getting lost. You will be able to walk with confidence. If you do get lost, don’t wander aimlessly, find a gas station, supermarket, or fast-food restaurant where you can ask for directions.
2) Make Sure Someone Else Knows Your Plans
Don’t go out when it is dark without telling someone, even if you are just taking the dogs out for a walk around your neighborhood or walking home from a friend’s house nearby. It may seem paranoid, but in fact, knowing someone knows where you are can be reassuring and help you feel safe. If you fall and hurt yourself or run into trouble, and someone knows where you are, they can send help if you don’t arrive at your destination on time.
3) Always Carry Your Phone with You
Always carry your phone, but not for music or to make social calls as your walk. Your phone can be a lifeline if you see something suspicious or worse if something happens to you. Download a safety app on your phone, so you’ll be able to discreetly alert the authorities if you feel threatened or see something suspicious.
4) Avoid Suspicious People and Areas
Areas that are dark, deserted, or out-of-the-way, such as an alley or a parking lot, can be riskier than a well-lit area full of people. Stick to busy, lighted paths, to minimize the risks. Also, walk mainly in familiar places where you are known. That way, if you feel like a suspicious person is following you, you can always duck into a store you know or knock on a neighbor’s door. Avoid empty streets and pathways with thick shrubbery.
5) Keep Your Hands Free
Except for a flashlight and one of the items discussed below, keep your hands free. If you are carrying anything, put it all in one bag or backpack. This will make it easier for you to react if you notice someone following you. In a dangerous situation, carrying too many bags can keep you from moving as quickly as you can if your hands are free or if you only have one bag.
6) Carry a Non-Violent Deterrent
In addition to a flashlight, carry a non-violent deterrent such as a whistle, mace, or pepper spray. A whistle will help you alert others and call them to aid you if something is wrong. The loud noise may put off attackers, and they’ll move on to find someone else. Mace or pepper spray can give you enough time to evade a potential attacker, and in a pinch, a flashlight can be used as a weapon. Make sure you know how to use the mace or pepper spray to get its full effect.
7) Wear Reflective Clothing to Prevent Accidents
When it comes to personal safety, it’s not just about suspicious people. Areas with low visibility can be prone to accidents. Reflective clothing allows bikers and cars to see you as you walk along. A flashlight or headlight can also help drivers see you if there are dark stretches of road on your route.
8) Take a Self-Defense Class
When fighting off something as an assault, the element of surprise can work in your favor. If you regularly walk alone, take a self-defense class. You don’t have to become a black belt. In fact, it’s probably better to learn something like Krav Maga, which has been popular for self-defense. The idea is to disable your attacker enough for you to get to safety, and a class focused on self-defense will help give you those survival skills.
9) Remove Any Distractions
Keep your phone in your hand in case you need to hit the panic button on your safety app, but don’t let it distract you. When walking alone at night for exercise, music can be motivating and energizing but also distracting. You may not hear someone driving or walking up behind you. Avoid wearing headphones or talking on your phone as you walk.
10) Trust Your Gut
When walking alone at night, trust your gut. If you feel like an area or situation may be dangerous, don’t wait around to find out. Stop and scan your surroundings if you think someone is following you. If you are being followed, walk as quickly as you can to a well-lit public place. You can wait until you feel safe, or call a friend, a taxi, or an Uber to help you get safely get home at night.
Following these personal safety tips will help keep you stay safe when walking alone. Always be aware of where you are and alert to suspicious activity.
Community Fibre has given 12 month free internet/broadband for THH residents only. We would like to offer this service to vulnerable residents who may be digitally excluded.
Please note devises will not be provided.
CCTH will collect names of any carers interested and who can/will benefit from this offer, can you please send me your names and address by the 29th of October.
so we can pass them onto Community fibre.
Help to shape our council budget
Residents, businesses, and local organisations are urged to take part in the council’s budget consultation, launched this week.
Despite challenges posed by government cuts, increases in the number of vulnerable residents and a rising population, Tower Hamlets Council has the seventh lowest council tax in London and continues to invest in the services that matter to residents. The consultation is your chance to get involved in the budget process which plans for the council’s income and expenditure in the year ahead.
Give your views >
Thought-provoking and feel-good activities for Black History Month
We are hosting and supporting a varied programme of activities, offering residents and the wider public the opportunity to engage with the richness of Black arts, culture and history this October as we mark Black History Month.
Activities and events include live music, film, workshops, art, theatre, talks and more.
Don’t miss the photography exhibition Beauty and Power. Alternative Arts presents ten black artists who have been brought together for the first time to exhibit their photography at the Brady Arts Centre during the month. The show is a celebration of black culture, perception and moving personal experience.
Celebrate Black History month >
REMINDER TO CARERS
If you still need PPE for you and your loved one then Tower Hamlets are still providing PPE for Carers.
Collection and delivery is on Wednesday only from Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG. Carers can call or email Ayeda directly 0n 07366977103 or ayeda@ccth.org.uk to order.
We are re-starting our dementia-friendly gallery tours!
Living London Moments Tours
On Wednesday 13th October, 2pm – 3pm join us at the Museum of London
Join us on a tour of our galleries! These relaxed tours, led by our knowledgeable hosts, will give you insights into our amazing collections through sensory, interactive experiences. Each tour focusses on a different theme and are held at both our sites. In October we will be exploring the theme ‘when we were young’ at our Museum of London site, London Wall.
We’re having a little difficulty with our website so if anyone wants to book please do email me directly and I will get you booked on!
We are also starting monthly artist-led workshops which explore our collections in a creative, interactive way..
Time Together
This is a creative, sensory workshop, led by different artists each month, which explore the collections of the museum through song, story and creativity. Held in our immersive galleries we use our collections as inspiration to spark creativity and conversation. Each workshop is free but must be booked using the links below or by emailing me directly. Any questions please contact memories@museumoflondon.org.uk.
These are all held at the Museum of London Docklands.
Wed 20th October, 2pm – 3pm
Wed 5th Nov, 10.30am – 11.30am
Wednesday 1st December, 10.30am – 11.30am
https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands/event-detail?id=289008
Did You Know we have a weekly Shared Reading Group?
How does it work?
A group of carers, one of them a trained Reader Leader, reads a great novel, short story or poem aloud. We stop and talk about what we have read. There is no need for carers to read aloud or speak – it’s fine to just listen. The idea is to create a space where people feel at ease.
Reading the literature aloud in real-time, means that everyone is involved in a shared, live experience. Carers are encouraged by the Reader Leader to respond personally, sharing feelings, thoughts and memories provoked by the reading.
Everyone experiences the text in their own way, but the literature provides a shared language that can help us to understand ourselves – and others – better.
It can even help with your ESOL needs.
If this is for you then email tony@ccth.org.uk
Next Group Session is Wednesday 13th October 11am to 1pm
We Will be having someone coming from the Transistion Team to help you understand their role, the team’s criteria and how thery can help your family member movge into adulthood. We will also have a presentation on PIP and what to expect when completing the application form, when the benefit is up for review and the langauge to use.
Check out a new free course that has just been launched that focuses on carer wellbeing. It is called ‘Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role’ and has been kindly endorsed by the Carers Trust. The course is 6 hours in length and learners can achieve a ‘badge’ on completion of the end quiz, and this can be added on a CV to evidence their learning/continuous professional development. We hope that it will be helpful to those working with carers, including carer centre staff, those supporting carers less formally and importantly carers themselves!
Genesis Cinema showcases Black History Month film season
Our programme of activities for Black History Month continues throughout October, giving residents and the wider public the opportunity to engage with the richness of Black arts, culture and history.
Tower Hamlets residents can visit Genesis Cinema for free from 10 – 13 October for London Throughout the Decades, a season showcasing key London set films by Black filmmakers, including Franco Rosso’s Babylon – a film which captures the trials and tribulations of young black youths in troubled London in the early eighties, and more.
What’s on >
Important Numbers:
Unpaid carers can still access FREE PPE supplies. If you would like to receive PPE, Please contact the Carers Centre on 0207 790 1765 or Ayeda directly.
Domestic Violence Duty Line: 020 7364 4986 between 9am – 5pm.Victim Support: 020 7364 2448/7957
Just wishing everyone a peaceful, safe and week and remember if you need information and advice from the Carers Centre just email enquiries@ccth.org.uk
Tony Collins-Moore
Carers Academy Manager
Opening hours
Monday - Friday – 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed
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