Hello Everyone
Firstly I wanted to say our heart goes out to the Ukraine – peace be with you all.
Has anyone noticed new people answering the doors or phones lately? Well they are our wonderful Reception Volunteers who kindly give up their spare time to help the Carers Centre out each week. They are an additional support and help to the Staff team and we all value them so much. Please say a hello when you next make contact with us and get to know these incredible women as they give their time to help carers get the support they need.
Did you know?
Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:
- creating positive feelings and a sense of reward
- giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth
- helping you connect with other people
It could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in your local community.
Meet the volunteer receptionists and me of course…
As from next Friday we are having the Centre IT suite as a Drop – in for carers to use.
As the country relaxes the Covid rules we wanted to open our IT suite to carers, carers who are students, carers writing CV’s and job applications, online food shopping or just want to check your emails once a week to catch up, meet other carers and have some mental respite.
We do not have a printer and cannot print copies for you, we ask you to be proficient enough to manage on your own as staff can provide minimum support as they are busy with their own work.
The Wellbeing Academy highly recommends this access to learning:
Check out a new free course that has just been launched that focuses on carer wellbeing. It is called ‘Physical activity for health and wellbeing in the caring role’ and has been kindly endorsed by the Carers Trust. The course is 6 hours in length and learners can achieve a ‘badge’ on completion of the end quiz, and this can be added on a CV to evidence their learning/continuous professional development. We hope that it will be helpful to those working with carers, including carer centre staff, those supporting carers less formally and importantly carers themselves!
Women’s History Month 2022
In partnership with community organisation Alternative Arts, we are supporting activities including exhibitions, discussions and celebrations taking place in galleries, schools, libraries and institutions across Tower Hamlets to mark Women’s History Month this March.
Art exhibitions to note include the Women’s History Month Photo Show at the Brady Arts Centre. The exhibition by women photographers, features photographs of women’s lives with portraits, documentary images of women at work, home and play, in demonstrations, performances, sport and celebrations. Performances are contributed by Holm Theatre at the Half Moon Theatre with a production of ‘Josephine’ about the inspirational Josephine Baker and more.
Find out more >
Highlights for next week….
Did You Know we have a weekly Shared Reading Group?
How does it work?
Does your caring role stop you from reading a book or books? When was the last time you had someone read to you?
Our weekly reading group enables carers to sit round a table, have fun with other carers and have a short story read to them by an experienced Reader called Dorothy (she is wonderful by the way). You then get to discuss the story, compare ideas and really delve into the characters, did you like them or dislike them, it is for you to chat and tell your story….
Everyone experiences the text in their own way, but the literature provides a shared language that can help us to understand ourselves – and others – better.
It can even help with your ESOL needs.
If this is for you then email tony@ccth.org.uk
ESOL – Tuesdays @ 1.30pm to 3.30pm at the Carers Centre
We have ESOL every week being facilitated by ELATT, we are providing a prayer space for students if required and we welcome any carer who wishes to improve their English. Learn how to talk to your Social Worker, GP, advocate for your loved one, talk to other carers and the world is your oyster…
Next Weeks Activities
REMINDER – YOU CAN CHECK THE CCTH CALENDAR –
If you want to know what activities are on each day at the centre then check out the CCTH Calendar – https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/?cid=mc-03c4653fb809aa02e303ae7a3bb5520a&month=9&yr=2021
Then email me tony@cth.org.uk to book your place.
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 >
MMR vaccine reminder
Parents and guardians are being encouraged to ensure their children are vaccinated against MMR. The MMR vaccine protects against three infections: measles, mumps and rubella.
If you can’t remember if your child is up to date, check their Red Book (personal child health record) or contact your GP.
More info >
Covid-19 in Tower Hamlets
Read the latest update on Covid-19 from our Director of Public Health, Dr Somen Banerjee, including changes announced this week on removing restrictions and living with Covid-19. The update also covers important information around rates of Covid-19 in Tower Hamlets at present and steps we should all take to stay safe.
Please note that with the government removing all covid-19 restrictions, people who have tested positive after 23 February will no longer be able to make a Test and Trace Support Payment claim. If you were contacted before 23 February, you can still claim within 42 days of receiving your notification. No claims will be accepted after 6 April 2022.
Read the update >
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.
REMINDER TO CARERS
If you still need PPE for you and your loved one then Tower Hamlets are still providing PPE for Carers.
Collection and delivery is on Wednesday only from Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG. Carers can call or email Ayeda directly 0n 07366977103 or ayeda@ccth.org.uk to order.
Important Numbers:
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
Opening hours
Monday - Friday – 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed
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