Hello Everyone

I just wanted to end the week with some thoughts and highlights..

It was really great to see some many carers taking up activities and really wanting to improve their wellbeing.  We had a high attendance at the March 2022 Carers Forum where we heard from the Care Quality Commission who told us how to feedback negative or positive experiences of care for carers or the people they care for.  So you might want to feedback about Adult Social Care, Hospital or NHS services or any other service that you come into contact with.  This was followed by a brilliant presentation on REAL’s employment support service for people who are disabled and what you can expect for companies to meet your needs.  This is especially topical as carers are reporting that they need to do some work to pay for the increase in the cost of living.

We had many carers at our Carers Mental Health Programme with Talking Therapies learning to Goal set and stay committed.  A challenge when you are a caring and being pulled in every direction but carers loved it and took away many self help ideas.  We conducted our first Wellbeing Academy feedback exercise after a Arts, Crafts & Conversation support group and most carers reported that they felt their physical and mental wellbeing was reasonable, they have very little time to themselves and it is extremely important to maintain good wellbeing as carer and for themselves.

This shows me that the age old issue of not enough time for yourself, want to improve wellbeing but being a carer is a barrier to committing to endeavours proves difficult.

This is why The Carers Wellbeing Academy runs it’s thirty plus activities each month in time reasonable segments.  You can come to an activity after your morning caring tasks like personal care, feeding and cleaning, you have time to pop round at lunchtime to feed your loved ones and as if by magic you have time to do the school run as our activities finish in time for the carer/parents to pick up their kids.

All in a days work for a carer…..

So The Wellbeing Academy and the rest of the team is here for you to attend a wellbeing activity, sort out your benefits, have an assessment, get advocacy when it is needed.  As we say our job at the centre is make your life as a carer the least stressful it can be.

But remember it is up to you to look after your health and wellbeing and I am here to support, inform and connect you to an improved you.

Also talking of feedback, I have been advised by the Carer Wellbeing Champions to send out reminder emails to carer with each blog’s direct link.  If you want this please email and I will add to the list.

---

 

Next Weeks Activities

 

---

 

New employment and skills centre launches in Tower Hamlets

We are delighted to have launched a new employment and skills centre at the former Fruit and Wool Exchange in the heart of London, Spitalfields.

The centre will eventually provide access to job and career support for people living in the borough. But in the short-term, it has been given to Poplar HARCA to use to run an arts and leadership programme for young people.

Read more >

 

---

 

Free family activities at Chrisp Street Market Spring Fayre 

Join the Sunny Jar Eco Hub team at Chrisp Street Market on Saturday 26 March from 12pm – 4pm for a creative afternoon celebrating spring.

Learn how to upcycle plastic bags and other discarded material into beautiful flowers, take part in children’s play at Carmen’s café, and get a free bike check-up courtesy of Dr Bike. 

What’s on >

---

Government failing to ensure a decent life for older people as pensioner poverty spirals

‘The State of Ageing 2022’ suggests England is becoming an increasingly challenging country to grow old in, with pensioner poverty and levels of poor health increasing.

The government is failing to ensure a decent life for older people, says the English public, according to new YouGov polling commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better, with just 19% saying the government is currently doing enough to support an ageing population.

The polling of over 2,000 people comes as the Centre for Ageing Better launches its annual State of Ageing Report, a comprehensive view on ageing in society. The report, which includes analysis of public and government data sets, shows that prospects as we age are getting much worse amidst a steep rise in pensioner poverty. A further 200,000 people of pension age fell into poverty in the last year, data shows.

Click here – https://ageing-better.org.uk/news/government-failing-ensure-decent-life-older-people-pensioner-poverty-spirals?utm_source=Ageing+Better+Email+Updates&utm_campaign=8639985269-The+State+of+Ageing+2022&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f4499c1616-8639985269-374441001

---

---

 

 

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.

In 1979, the General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.

Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled. Racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, and we have built an international framework for fighting racism, guided by the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Convention is now nearing universal ratification, yet still, in all regions, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings.

“The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an opportunity to renew our commitment to building a world of justice and equality where xenophobia and bigotry do not exist. We must learn the lessons of history and acknowledge the profound damage caused by racial discrimination.”   (former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon).

Background

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21^st March,  the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.

In 1979, the General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. The General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.

Since then, the apartheid system in South Africa has been dismantled, racist laws and practices have been abolished in many countries, however still today, too many individuals, communities and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings.

“Voices for action against racism” is the theme for 2022. It aims at highlighting the importance of strengthening meaningful and safe public participation and representation in all areas of decision-making to prevent and combat racial discrimination; reaffirming the importance of full respect for the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and of protecting civic space; and recognizing the contribution of individuals and organizations that stand up against racial discrimination and the challenges they face.

This simple message can be a powerful vehicle to encourage people everywhere to strengthen and consolidate their voices against racism, to mobilise against all forms and manifestations of racial discrimination and injustice, and to ensure a safe environment for those who speak up.

Voices for action against racism is consistent with our borough’s No Place for Hate Campaign & Pledge commitments and indeed our pledge to become an anti racism borough by 2025. The day also provides an opportunity to reflect on our actions and treatment of people who are different from us on racial, ethnic and or other personal characteristics.

To mark this day we are therefore asking our Partners & Hate Crime Champions to:

• Raise awareness of racial discrimination, injustice and hate crime among staff in your organisations and local communities. (Race Hate Crimes continue to be the highest reported strand of hate crimes in England & Wales accounting for a third of the 114, 958 reported hate crimes in 2020/21
• Become a No Place for Hate Champion
• Review your policies, procedures and practices to ensure they are inclusive of people including those from a different racial background.
• Reaffirm your commitments to our No Place for Hate Campaign by encouraging staffs, service users, family members and peers to make a united stand against all forms of hate crime by signing the attached Personal Pledge and return to hatecrime@towerhamlets.gov.uk Alternatively pledges can be completed online at:  www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/hatecrime

A further reminder of services provided by Tower Hamlets Hate Crime Team:

• Hate Crime advice to individuals & professional, signposting to specialist support services
• Coordinate Tower Hamlets No Place for Hate Forum & Hate Incident Panel
• Annual Hate Crime Delivery Plan
• No Place for Hate Campaign/Pledge & Champions Project
• Free training, awareness and outreach including Champions Training
• Hate Crime Manual with a directory of support services
• Marking notable hate crime events such as National Hate Crime Awareness Week..etc.
• www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/hatecrime

To report a Hate Crime emergency call the Police on 999, non-emergency 101.  Victim Support National Helpline 0808 168 9293.

---

 

 

---

 

Did you know……

Yoga for Carers – March 23^rd 2.30pm to 4pm at London Buddhist Centre

The Academy has commissioned Breathing Space to deliver a much-requested taster session on Yoga for Carers to aid their wellbeing.  It takes place at the Buddhist Centre and did you know that yoga can support your wellbeing in the following ways?

Yoga improves strength, balance, and flexibility. …

Yoga helps with back pain relief. …

Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms. …

Yoga benefits heart health. …

Yoga relaxes you, to help you sleep better.

Learn some basic poses to help the body to stretch and release. Open to all levels of experience, including complete beginners.

We have 12 places, and you can only reserve your place by emailing tony@ccth.org.uk

---

 

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 >

---

 

ELOP’s LGBT+ Groups
Join our fun, friendly and non-judgemental safe space to meet new people and discuss LGBT+ topics!

LGBT+ Over 50 Social Group 
Every Monday 1.00 – 2.30pm, online 

LGBT+ Social Support Group 
Every Tuesday 7.00 – 8.30pm, online 

Stonewall – https://www.stonewall.org.uk/ 

LONDON Friend – https://londonfriend.org.uk/

---

 

 

---

 

---

 

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.

---