21st October 2020

Hello Everyone

So third day back at work and today I am in the office.  It is always great to be with my colleagues and I have to say a big thank you, for checking up on me and sending positive messages when I was in recovery.

As I mentioned I will spend the next few weeks sharing information and reminding you all to take care and observe the rules to protect yourself.

Carers UK have produced a new report, Caring Behind Closed Doors: 6 months on, which looks at the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unpaid carers, and is based on the experiences of over 5,900 current and former carers. Thank you to those who shared our recent survey.

The report reveals that the majority of carers are desperately worried about how they will continue to care safely through the coming winter, with many continuing to provide extraordinary hours of care for loved ones with increasing needs, without the usual help from family and friends, and with limited or no support from local services.

The key findings from the report show:

• 4 in 5 unpaid carers (81%) are currently providing more care than before lockdown.
• More than three quarters (78%) of carers reported that the needs of the person they care for have increased recently.
• Most carers (64%) have not been able to take any breaks at all in the last six months
• More than half (58%) of carers have seen their physical health impacted by caring through the pandemic, while 64% said their mental health has worsened.

Carers are in urgent need of more support and without the right intervention the stress and challenges they are currently facing could lead to carer-breakdown, with negative impacts for both carers’ and those needing care.

That’s why we are now calling for Government to provide immediate support for carers through winter in line with carers’ priorities. We also want Government to introduce a New Deal for Carers, with tangible medium term action to support carers and those they care for. Longer term, carers also need to be placed at the heart of a reformed and sustainable social care system that provides more support to both those giving and receiving care.

What are the lessons for practice and what are carers’ key recommendations?

In the report, you will find (see pages 20 and 21) a list carers’ key priorities, where professionals and local organisations can make a real difference, whether it’s information for carers, sources of local support or opening up services using the different funding mechanisms for carers. You will also see a section (see page 19) on carers’ use of technology, which we hope will be useful for reflecting on policy and practice. We know that face to face services still remain important and vital for many.

If Carers can relate to the findings of this report – The Carers Centre Tower Hamlets is here to help and support, you.  Please contact us if you need us.

New counselling service supports people with grief.

The Centre has partnered with local charity, City and East London Bereavement Service (CELBS), to introduce a new service to support people coping with grief and bereavement.

The Covid-19 crisis has compounded the way grief is experienced by a number of difficult factors presented by the pandemic. People may have lost loved ones and not been able to say goodbye properly, they may be coping with a life-limiting illness or struggling to deal with grief in the context of our changing and challenging world.

Free sessions are provided with experienced bereavement counsellors in a safe and confidential space to help process difficult emotions and find new ways to make sense of them.  Sessions are provided both on-line and in person (subject to Covid-19 regulations).

Through the partnership with CELBS, the Centre’s team of Social Prescribing Link Workers are undergoing specialist bereavement training to also be able to support people with grief.

Bereavement counselling is available to people aged 18 or over who live in the borough of Tower Hamlets and the surrounding area.

One-To-One Individual Bereavement Counselling

Pre-Bereavement Counselling – for life-limiting illness

Couples Counselling – when a child has passed away

Relatives and friends of anyone who has died in any of the hospitals within the Barts Health NHS Trust can also access free bereavement counselling through this service.

Celbs is accredited with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

For more information and a referral form please email socialprescribing.bbbc@nhs.net or call:

• 07928 809935
• 07496 283141
• For Bengali speakers: 07931 869773

Join Opening Doors London on Stress Awareness Day, 4th Nov 2020, to learn how “minority stress” affects LGBT+ people over 50 and how older people’s services can make a difference.

The booking link is: https://odlresearchseminar2020.eventbrite.co.uk

Do you or fellow carer you know want to improve your/their English?

• Title – English Conversation Club
• Date – 26th October 2020 (Every Monday) – 11th January 2021
• Duration – 12 weeks
• Time – 5 – 7pm
• Location – Zoom
• Phone: 02085146251
• Email – wfc@rcss.org.uk
• Website – www.rcss.org.uk/help-with-employment

To register: http://us19.listmanage.com/survey?u=f3e7d87efdff502f0c6057e19&id=8cbc9d45dc

If you need help to get a place on this course – please email tony@ccth.org.uk

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