Hello Everyone – Happy Jubilee Celebrations and Bank Holiday Weekend

You deserve a life outside of your caring role, and get support, connection and information when you need it…

Introducing our newest member of staff – Audrey Tipson – Carers Wellbeing Academy Support Worker 

When you come to the centre for your appointments or take part in an organised wellbeing academy activity, you will get to meet our new staff member Audrey Tipson, she is the new Support Worker for the Carers Academy and I hope you will welcome her and get to know her over the upcoming months.  Audrey will be here to support you with your wellbeing in the same way as I do, as well as encourage you to take part in activities designed tp help carers with their physical and mental/emotional wellbeing.

VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK 2022

A time to say thanks!

The Carers Centre would like to thank Asma, Dorothy, Lisa, Tracey, Gill, Farzana, Em, Justina, Sanyu and Sharmin for your wonderful volunteering contribution, we could not do our work without you.

Did you know that there are wellbeing benefits when volunteering

The events are on the website calendar so please check the link below

Check out the  https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/

Make sure you tell the team if you want to attend – The Kensington Trip is now full but all activities have places.

Pamper Day & Garden Party – Monday 6th June 10am to 2pm at the Carers Centre

come have a massage, Strawberries and Cream and have fun with other carers.

Coaching for Carers – Tuesday 7th June 11am to 1pm at the Carers Centre

This workshops theme is 3 Steps to Self-Care – email tony@ccth.org.uk to reserve your place

Understanding Safeguarding as a Carer – Tuesday 7th June 2pm to 3pm at the Carers Centre

Carers do have a role in Safeguarding and it is important to protect you, your loved one and friends

Open University – Ageing Well Talk – Wednesday 8th June 11am to 1pm

We are pleased to have Jitka coming to talk about the Open University Ageing well series and as part of the ‘Ageing Well Public Talk series’ we are exploring how important it is, over our lifespan, to maintain a well-balanced nutrition and hydration as well as regular physical and social activity in the older age, also known as the ‘Five Pillars of Ageing Well’. As we know we start ageing the moment we are born. It demonstrates more significantly when we reach a certain age, the usual benchmark being 65+, but our ageing starts much sooner and the way ageing demonstrates when we are over 65 depends on decisions we have been making over our life span.

NHS care advice for the Jubilee bank holiday weekend

Hospital emergency departments and ambulance services remain under immense pressure, and may not always be required. Many people can be treated safely and comfortably elsewhere, meaning those who need life-saving care can be seen quicker.

Your best routes to urgent care include visiting your local pharmacy for advice, booking an out-of-hours appointment with your GP or contacting NHS 111.

Find out more >

Raise a glass to celebrate World Milk Day 2022

We say Cheers’, Mma manu’, Yam sing‚to the parents who make sure there’s always a carton in the fridge, to the hard working dairy farmers, to the organisations who provide dairy supplements to help tackle famine and malnutrition, to the huge network of people who help us to enjoy milk.

As we Raise a Glass to milk, we connect with others and invite them to join the celebration that the goodness represents. It allows us to share the stories about all the goodness of milk and all the people who produce it. It offers a simple, natural way to recognize the people who matter most to us ‚ in our communities, schools and homes.

Back in 2001, somebody decided that the world should take a day to celebrate anything and everything related to milk. They requested that the FAO (the Food and Agriculture Organisations of the United Nations) should put forward a specific day for these festivities they selected June 1st, and the rest his history!

The tradition of celebrating World Milk Day on June 1st came from the fact that many countries were already celebrating World Milk Day on or around this date. A date in late May was originally proposed, but some countries felt that they already had too many holidays around this time. As a result, June 1st became the special day dedicated to milk.

World Milk Day puts a lot of attention on milk and does a great job in publicising activities connected with the milk industry. The fact that many countries around the globe all choose this specific day for World Milk Day shows that milk is a food that is cherished worldwide.

Make sure you have a glass today, if that is your thing or use alternatives to milk, I hear they can be really good 

Our weekly Walking Thursday’s Group

Each week carers meet up at the centre, some drift from the Arts, Crafts and Conversation group and some carers meet later to join the walk.  Each week the group walks to different parts of Tower Hamlets, share knowledge and anecdotes, walk to have fun, stop off for Coffee, tea and Cake and just be comfortable in each others company.  So if this sounds like an activity you might want to join, or suggest new and exciting places to walk just let us know.

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. 

Come and join us at this wonderful event

The Festival of Communities is back

The Festival of Communities is returning to Tower Hamlets on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June, bigger than ever before. Exploring living and learning, it’s a fantastic weekend of free family fun with lots of activities, games and demonstrations for all ages.

Hosted by Queen Mary University working with local partners – hands-on activities and workshops will showcase local research, creativity and community initiatives. There will also be food stalls, free face painting, henna, balloon modelling and inflatables.

Find out more >

How about you join up for a Self-Care Workshop…

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.