Hello Everyone – Being listened to is great for your wellbeing…

So I had my meeting with the nursing home manager, she is a lovely woman, been a nurse for over forty years, is observant, patient and understanding and I do feel has a job that is demanding.  I wanted to start today’s blog on a positive note and most of it will be.

Our meeting was a productive one and we had a great discussion about my complaint, my thoughts, she did listen, make observations, and we made headway.  I will of course wait and see if what we discussed remains in place….

I spoke about the issue of the long wait when Mum rings her assistance bell, apparently someone should come in five minutes but I did explain that I had witnessed 45 to 60 minute wait when visiting.  We agreed that a member of staff even if busy would visit the room and acknowledge my Mum’s request and give her an approximate time when coming back to deal with her request if they are busy.

I found out that Mum did have another stroke causing her recent hospitalisation, which I tried to find out at the hospital and was given the run around.

We discussed person centred care, safeguarding, The Care Act and managing people with complex needs.  I went into professional mode but I also explained that this is also an emotional issue as she is my Mum and we are close.

They have agreed to get her into a wheelchair twice a week and take to the courtyard for a little vitamin D, Mum has said she does not want to go into the main living room, because all the old people hang out there.  I did think about replying but I thought I will let this one go…

So, it was good to be listened to, understood and valued as a carer and I am know this is something important to us all as carers.  I do hope you feel that the centre does this well via our assessments, counselling, wellbeing activities, benefit, debt and housing advice?

If you need us you know where to come, take time out from your caring role and have a laugh.  I say this because on a daily basis, the team can hear laughter from the main hall and we encourage it because we know laughter is the best medicine.

Have a restful, not to hot weekend.  Make sure you check out the Hot Weather advice on this website, look after yourselves and let’s catch up next week – I HEAR you say what is happening next week, well firstly it is my Birthday and a special birthday wish to Alaya who is 21 on Sunday, there are still places for the Tower of London trip, there are a couple of places left for the Day Retreat and the Buddhist Centre – if interested email me or Audrey .

Don’t forget our workshop on carer roles, the different hats we wear and the different roles we undertake and If this resonates with you as a carer and I know for certain it will for some, then why not consider our new monthly Talking Therapy Workshops    Each month the workshop will look at the many different aspects of a carer’s role.  This follows on from an exercise we did on what carers had to undertake as part of their caring role supporting friends and family.  For example, Researcher, Role model, Commissioner, Teacher, Influencer, Mentor, Community worker, Provider of high-level care, Expert at learning a new skill, Problem solver, Politician, Geneticist, advocate.

If this is something you would like information on and fancy learning skills to help you with the various aspects of your caring role then why not sign up for our first session on…

Tuesday 23^rd August – @ The Carers Centre  2pm to 3pm 

 

Don’t forget the  SIX BEST DOCTORS IN THE WORLD ARE rest, nutrition, exercise, sunlight, self confidence, family & friends!

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Tower Hamlets Connect/Adult Social Care : 0300 303 6070

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We are Recruiting 

Do you want to be part of a friendly and supportive team where you can support unpaid carers to know and access their rights and entitlements?  

Do you have skills that can help a diverse community of carers to understand think about themselves, identify their needs and enable them to access the support they need?  

You will be supported, line managed, and supervised by Mohammad, the Advocacy Team Manager, and you can contribute to the direction and aims of the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets.  

Please inform us if you need any reasonable adjustment when undertaking this recruitment process. 

This role could be possible as a part-time option

If this sounds like you then please apply on Charity Jobs with a CV and your supporting statement

https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/carers-centre-tower-hamlets/carers-support-advocate/845940?tsId=6

Closing date is the 20th AUGUST 2022.

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New photo collection shines spotlight on hidden older unpaid carers..

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Next Week’s Activities

Always Check out the  https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/     for fun, activities, workshops and treatments 

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Housing News

in order to even register for rehousing with LBTH now, you have to complete a scoping questionnaire and provide supporting documents etc. This means that in effect there are now 3 parts to the process. The rehousing process requires applicants to have full birth certificates for each member of the household and we need to let people know this because most people will only have the short form of their birth certificates to hand (we think this is for fraud prevention). We understand, it’s harder to get Birth certificates now because most of it has to be done online. We know this will adversely affect applications but obviously the council will say that it is a fraud prevention measure. We understand and it feels like they are trying to discourage applications but we want carers know this before we can give you an appointment.

If you are offered a housing appointment you must understand this process, you must bring all relevant documents as we can offer only one appointment and you will not be offered another one – sorry

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COVID-19 Updates

National

COVID-19 Vaccination Update for Autumn 2022 (Joint Committee on Vaccine and Immunisation, JCVI)

Over the last 2 years, through a combination of vaccine-induced immunity and immunity generated following natural infection (natural immunity), large proportions of the UK population have developed at least partial immunity against COVID-19.

As the UK transitions from a period of pandemic emergency response to pandemic recovery, the focus will increasingly be on protecting those in society who continue to be more at risk of severe COVID-19.

To achieve this, a planned and targeted vaccination programme is considered more appropriate than a reactive vaccination strategy.

For the 2022 autumn booster programme, the primary objective is to augment immunity in those at higher risk from COVID-19 and thereby optimise protection against severe COVID-19, specifically hospitalisation and death, over winter 2022 to 2023.

Accordingly, JCVI advises that for the 2022 autumn booster programme, the following groups should be offered a COVID-19 booster vaccine:

• residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
• all adults aged 50 years and over
• persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group.
• persons aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• persons aged 16 to 49 years who are carers.

In order to optimise protection over the winter months, the autumn programme should aim to complete vaccinations by the start of December 2022.

Operational flexibility will apply in relation to vaccine supply, promotion of vaccine uptake and prioritisation for vaccination according to underlying risk of severe COVID-19.

It is not the intention of JCVI that the 2022 COVID-19 autumn booster programme should disrupt or delay deployment of the annual influenza immunisation programme.

Both programmes are important for individual and public health, especially over the coming winter. Where operationally expedient, COVID-19 and influenza vaccines may be co-administered.

For further information, please click link:

JCVI Update

Beware! COVID Scam

One of our group members Rachel Vincent has contacted me regarding a COVID scam that she become aware of. This involved being sent the following message:

GOV.UK ALERT: You’ve been in cIose proximity to someone who tested positive. Get a free test kit by visiting: national-health-service.com

When Rachel checked the link she out that they wanted to charge her for a PCR test kit at which point she became suspicious and called the NHS on 119, where she was informed that this was a scam.

So well done and thank you to Rachel for highlighting this.

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Sunday 14th August
1.00 – 2.30pm 
Meeting point: Hackney Wick Overground Station
UK Black Pride is a free event

 

UK Black Pride is Europe’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean-heritage LGBTQI+ people.

This year UK Black Pride event will take place in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London. There will be a range of performances by music artists, dancers and drag performers. Visit the website to find out more: https://www.ukblackpride.org.uk/

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Following on, I wanted to do another shout to carers that we have a new group starting in September and already I have some carers who have joined but there are some places left if you fancy learning something new….

Open University Study Group

Learning is a great way to aid your wellbeing and the benefits are considerable. As part of partnership with Open University we have helped develop a Learning Guide for Carers, this guide is a tool to help carers access courses to suit all needs, likes and directions and now as part of our second stage, we are going to develop a study group, where you will be support by Tony.  You will receive group and individual support, regular check ins and learn as a group but your learning is individual.

If this sounds like something that interests you then email tony@ccth.org.uk  for a place, as places are limited.

We will start the study group in September

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National Prosecco Day 2022  – August 13th

 

International Left Handers Awareness Day 2022 – August 13th

For anyone who is left handed then it is your day and a big shout to our left handed carers and have a good day.

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We hope you may help us to identify research participants to our study “Forward with Dementia: co-creating Social Care supports”.

Forward with Dementia is a personalised online guide to help people with dementia, their families, and professionals providing support, to access the right information after a diagnosis. It is free to use and available on any device: https://www.forwardwithdementia.org/en/

The guide was produced with and for people living with dementia, those who care about them and healthcare professionals. We are now developing the guide to include resources and information for social care and care home workers.

We are inviting people living with dementia and caregivers to take part in individual qualitative interviews and join us in small group online workshops. We would love to hear what the important information areas to include on the website are, so that we can better support people following a dementia diagnosis. We aim to be inclusive, and we welcome the views of those who are not online or who lack digital confidence, and members of ‘seldom heard’ groups/communities.

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When you have some minutes spare, you want to stay cool and listen to my soothing voice….

Listen to the Carers Ignite PODCAST

Why not listen to The Carers Centre Podcast –  This is our first podcast and we are pleased with it.  A couple of carers approached me to ask if we could broaden our social media and develop a podcast for carers, made by carers and supported by the centre.  We approached Graham our Chief Exec and he was all for it and gave the green light and thanks to Chandrika and her producer skills and the wonderful Lloyd who is the co-host with myself we developed our first podcast.

We discuss being a male carer, barriers to men seeking support, carers wellbeing while having a laugh and fun.  We will be producing further podcasts and welcome stories/themes and guests to email me tony@ccth.org.uk

https://ccth.org.uk/new/information/carers-ignite/ 

 

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Launch of Somali National Helpline 0800 6102020

Better Safe Communities are pleased to inform you of the launch of the first historic Somali National Helpline, sponsored by the local businesses up and down the country and in regards to poor service provisions of UK public services for Somali communities nationally.

The Helpline was founded by Khadra Hersi, a student of London Met University. It is aimed at the Somali community, helping with language barriers, immigration, and mental health issues due to war in their country. The Somali National Helpline are a service that uses professionals to support people overcome issues they are facing. They exist to support individuals with language matters, mental health issues, and beneficiaries to solve their problems. They also provide translating and interpreting services. They are here to support and advocate for many problems faced within the Somali community such as young adults suffering from knife crime, and elderly people who feel isolated and lonely due to language barriers.

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Why do you need a Lasting Power of Attorney? 

Does the person you look after making their own decisions but want help managing their money? Maybe they can make their own decisions now but want an arrangement in case they can’t in the future. Without a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) your family may need to go to Court. This can cause lots of hassle, delay, and expense. 

There are 2 types of Lasting Power of Attorney; finances & property matters and decisions about health and care. 

Why should you do it now? 

• 1 in 3 of us will suffer dementia
• Many of us will retain mental capacity, but will physically struggle to manage our affairs at some point in our life
• Being married or asking your chosen person to act for you is not enough – you need to legally give them the power to help you
• If you leave making your Power of Attorney until you need it, it will be too late.

 

Carers Centre Partners 

The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets is pleased to work in partnership with respected Law firms to provide carers with affordable support with LPA.  

 Jones Whyte are a Glasgow based multi award winning Solicitor firm and the reigning Law Firm of the Year 2021 

• They prepare thousands of Powers of Attorney every year 
• Have partnerships with many major national charities
• They offer competitive Power of Attorney fees £349 + vat

Carers Centre staff can refer you, or you can contact them yourself on 0330 175 1234 or email appointments@joneswhyte.co.uk 

You can find our more about Jones Whyte here Power of Attorney – Solicitors Glasgow | Jones Whyte Law 

 

Duncan Lewis Solicitors – “We believe in access to justice for the most vulnerable in society and do everything we can to ensure legal advice and support is available for those who need it most”.  

Duncan Lewis Solicitors are a national firm with offices locally. 

• They prepare thousands of Powers of Attorney every year
• They are available for face-to-face appointments at their local office (1 Kingsland High Street, Dalston, Hackney, London, E8 2JS) or surgeries at the Carers Centre if requested 
• They offer competitive Power of Attorney fees £350 + vat

 

Carers Centre staff can refer you, contact us on 0207 790 1765 or at enquiries@ccth.org.uk 

You can find out more about Duncan Lewis here https://www.duncanlewis.co.uk 

 Most solicitor firms support with LPA and carers are under no obligation to use either firm listed above and are free to seek support from any firm they choose. 

 

What is I do not want to pay for support with LPA? 

We also provide workshops and information for those who want to set up an LPA themselves, many people set up LPA without legal support. You can check our Calendar or give us a call for updates on our latest workshops. 

You can also see the information links below for information. 

Different ways to manage someone’s affairs  

Make, register or end LPA 

Call us on 0207 790 1765 or email enquiries@ccth.org.uk to find out more about LPA. 

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A carers guide to home fire safety

A new video resource has been launched on the London Fire Brigade website to help carers learn how to keep people that receive care safe from fire.

Sadly, around one third of those here who die or are severely injured by fire are in receipt of some form of care or support. If you are a formal (domiciliary care worker, support worker or clinician) or informal carer (family member, friend or neighbour) and are caring for someone in their own home, this new resource will help you identify fire risks and show you what you can do to reduce them. There is also more information available on the website around fire safety and prevention.

Watch the video >

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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 neighbourhood 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 neighbour’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-Defence Class

When fighting off something as an assault, the element of surprise can work in your favour. If you regularly walk alone, take a self-defence 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-defence. The idea is to disable your attacker enough for you to get to safety, and a class focused on self-defence 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.

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