14th April 2021

Hello Everyone

How is everyone doing?  Wanted to let everyone know the outcome of yesterday’s fantastic Carers Forum.

We had a wonderful presentation From Dhwani Shah from REAL the disability service discussing the project she facilitates ‘Support Planning’.  This led onto a lengthy discussion about how some services had not been as helpful or on the ball during the last year as some others, basically it is not a level playing field out there.

This nicely followed on with an update presentation from The Carers Centre CEO, Graham Collins.  He discussed upcoming changes and the opening up of the centre in response to the lifting of restrictions and vaccination programme.  It was agreed and we welcome any carer contacting us when services are failing, you have been let down and not listened to, this could be any organisation within the borough or any of our services.

So please let us know, as we are here to listen and support. Email tony@ccth.org.uk

I will be on leave from 16th to 25 April when I return, so no blogs until then.

Finally I wanted to say Ramadan Mubarak to all carers.

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 Activities & Information

Don’t forget our weekly Health & Wellbeing Activities:

Walking Wednesdays – every Wednesday at 1pm Meet outside the Carers Centre at 1pm, respectfully distanced walking and fun times begin

Stretch & Self massage with Casey – every Thursday at 1pm
This is a chance to learn techniques that help you with balance and self-care

Shadow Boxing & Mindfulness – every Friday at 11am
This group is for all abilities, at your own pace with a excellent meditation

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Vaccine Information

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Vaccination offers the best protection against Covid-19

Take up the offer of vaccination when you are eligible. Everyone aged 50 or over, with an underlying health condition or who is a carer/frontline health or social care worker, can get vaccinated.

The Covid-19 vaccine is safe and effective. It does not contain any animal or alcohol products – it is kosher, vegan and halal friendly.

The British Islamic Medical Association has confirmed that taking the Covid-19 vaccine (first or second dose) does not invalidate the fast. Please do not delay taking the Covid-19 vaccine.

Anyone eligible for the vaccine can call our dedicated helpline to ask questions or book their appointment on 020 3764 3030. More information, including on Ramadan, is available online.

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Get tested in Tower Hamlets!

Testing remains critically important. There are two types of testing – rapid testing for people without symptoms and testing for those with symptoms.

Symptomatic testing

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should book a test by calling 119 or booking online. You will be offered the nearest site to you with availability.

Asymptomatic testing

One in three people who have Covid-19 show no symptoms but can pass the virus on to others. This is why getting tested, even when not showing symptoms, is important. Everyone can access rapid testing twice weekly, with at least three days between each test.

Free rapid tests can be carried out at one of our testing sites in the borough or testing kits can be collected from a pick-up point and carried out at home.

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Want to avoid Diabetes?

Click on this link and take the quiz: https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/Know-your-risk-dtc/

If you have a score of 16 or over when using the Know Your Risk tool, you would then be eligible to refer yourselves to the programme.

The Diabetes Prevention Programme is a free service, available to all those at risk of type 2 diabetes who are registered with a GP in one of our supported locations.

It is a 9-month programme, run mostly in group sessions. The aim is to help you make lifestyle changes to reduce your blood sugar levels helping reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Initial Assessment: One-to-one phone appointment (45 minutes)

Group sessions: 6 fortnightly group sessions and 7 monthly group sessions (1.5 or 2 hours)

End of Programme Review: One-to-one appointment (up to 45 minutes)

You can find out more about the programme in your area on our website. Simply go to our Locations page here: https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/our-areas/ . Pick your area and access our informative ‘Patient Information’ leaflet.

Due to the current situation, we have had to change our approach in the delivery of our sessions. Sessions will be delivered remotely via telephone or Microsoft Teams. We will revert to face to face sessions as soon as we are able.

We do also have a digital one-to-one programme run by a partner company called Oviva. This programme is for anyone who would enjoy the benefits of one-to-one support from the comfort of their own home, at a time that works for them.

Provided by Oviva, the Digital Healthier You programme is an entirely remote programme where you will receive 9-months of personalised one-to-one support to improve your lifestyle and reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes through phone calls or using a smartphone app.

Members of the programme have found the one-to-one health coach support very motivating and enjoyed the convenience of speaking to their coach at a time and place that suits a busy schedule.

You are eligible for the digital stream of the Healthier You programme if you meet the following criteria:

• You have access to the internet (a smartphone is preferable, but not essential)
• You have a personal email address (not shared with a partner or other family member)

To sign up for Oviva they would still need to register online https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/know-your-risk-dtc/register/

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Dealing with change as lockdown restrictions ease

You may have a mix of feelings and emotions as we begin to ease out of lockdown. That’s perfectly normal.

For many, the chance to socialise is welcome. For others, a source of anxiety. Whatever you’re feeling is valid. It’s OK not to feel OK – but remember, support is available.

Our new blog article discusses the possible emotions and concerns Londoners may be dealing with as we come out of lockdown, and some tools and resources that may help.

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Help is available if you are not OK

Things can feel very hard at times. Support is available for whatever you are going through, there is hope and you are not alone.

In London, there are a range of free resources, online tools, and helplines available to help you cope and stay mentally healthy. These sit alongside non-urgent NHS psychological treatments, such as talking therapies, if you need further professional support to help you cope with mental and emotional problems.

Helplines

Many of us might be feeling unsafe, vulnerable, alone or unable to cope with grief or loss. The following helplines are free and confidential:

Samaritans: 116 123
Whatever problems you are facing Samaritans are there to listen.

SHOUT: Text Shout to 85258
Text service for support with any mental health concern (it will not show up on your bill).

CRUSE: 0808 808 1677
Support and advice if you are grieving or dealing with bereavement and loss of a loved one.

Switchboard helpline: 0300 330 0630
The LGBT+ helpline is open daily from 10am-10pm.

Looking out for friends and colleagues
It might feel more difficult to mention to someone that you’re worried about them, but now more than ever we need to keep our connections strong.

If you’re worried about someone, The Samaritans has a range of resources to help get the conversation started.

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