Hello Everyone – Community Enhances Wellbeing

5. Learning

Communities are usually built around common interests, but that doesn’t mean they’re homogeneous. We can still find people within them who have different views, experiences, or beliefs, and learning from them can help us reach insights that we may not have reached on our own.

6. Acceptance

Developing community bonds with others who have different views may be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to practise acceptance. I had a personal breakthrough when I read this article and understood that acceptance doesn’t necessarily imply agreement.

This valuable lesson can bring peace and relief. And there’s another side to acceptance: self-acceptance. Community belonging helps us accept that sometimes we’re strong and sometimes we’re vulnerable and that we need the support of others to avoid unnecessary emotional struggles and pain.

7. More connections, more chances of success

The importance of community goes beyond the personal sphere and extends to professional development. Since the pandemic begun we’ve seen a stronger focus on supporting local businesses, so this is a good place to start networking and building strong relationships. You never know where that could take your business idea or professional life.

Check out https://www.happiness.com/magazine/relationships/the-importance-of-community/

My baby boy getting ready for the Jubilee…

Another example of a community is 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.

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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. 

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Millions of people have provided unpaid care to family and friends over the past two and a half years to ensure they were looked after and kept safe. The level of support that carers have provided to family and friends has been staggering, but has often come at great cost to their own health and wellbeing. Although some may feel that the pandemic is over, many carers don’t feel that way – both the legacy of the pandemic, as well as worries about infection, are still present in carers’ lives.

Ahead of this winter, and to ensure carers get the support they need as soon as possible, Government needs to provide more support to unpaid carers to enable them to care safely and well, and to live a life beyond their caring responsibilities. That’s why this Carers Week we are collectively calling for Government to develop a Recovery and Respite Plan for unpaid carers, outlining additional support for carers across a range of areas – including breaks, respite and care services, infection control, identification of carers, financial help, and support to juggle work and care. Doing so would recognise the enormous impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on carers’ lives, as well as the lives of people they care for, and help to mitigate some of the negative impacts that caring can have on carers’ own physical and mental health.

To raise awareness of Carers Week and our campaign, please click the button below and take a couple of minutes to write to your local MPs today. We have provided a template letter and ask that you add your own personal experience of caring to this, before sending it. Please forward any response you receive from your MP to policy@carersuk.org so that we can follow up with them, if you are happy to do so.

Click link below to write your letter

https://carersuk.e-activist.com/page/105999/action/1?ea.tracking.id=cuk-aff&utm_source=Carers%20UK&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=13220633_Email%20to%20affiliates%20-%20Carers%20Week%202022%20campaign%20-%2023rd%20May&dm_i=74C,7VD3T,W8A2O3,W5F7U,1

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East London Peer/Carers Group coming soon at the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION LAUNCHES NEW PROJECT IN LONDON TO SUPPORT CARERS WITHIN THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY

• RBL launches ‘Network for Carers’ to support carers within the Armed Forces Community who feel isolated or lonely
• The first ever event in London will be held at Imperial War Museum London on Friday 10 June
• RBL research shows 70% of carers in the Armed Forces community surveyed say caring has negatively affected their mental health, with 50% saying it has affected their physical health
• Register your interest here: rbl.org.uk/networkforcarers

A new project that aims to support carers within the Armed Forces Community who feel isolated or lonely is coming to London for the first time.

The Royal British Legion (RBL) has launched Network for Carers, offering monthly face-to-face and virtual social groups to provide opportunities for the military community in London to access support and share knowledge and experiences. It is funded by a grant from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust’s Tackling Loneliness programme.

Recent research from the RBL reveals that 70% of surveyed unpaid carers in the Armed Forces community experience a negative impact on their mental health, and over 50% say their physical health is suffering due to the strain of their caring responsibilities.

For unpaid carers who have a family member currently serving in the Armed Forces, nearly 90% say their own mental health has been negatively affected.

The research also identified that unpaid carers within the Armed Forces community are receiving half as much support as carers in the civilian population.

Despite carers in the Armed Forces community being at risk of loneliness and isolation, 40% of unpaid carers surveyed admitted they had received no support at all over the last two years.

Over the course of the pandemic, half of these carers have seen a reduction in the availablity of support and services that they and the person they care for need.

But now, for the first time in London, a face-to-face social group will meet at Imperial War Museum London on Friday 10 June.

Jane Britton, RBL’s Head of Community Development said: “The RBL’s research has revealed a troubling situation for many carers in the Armed Forces community.

 

“The strain of caring has damaged their mental and physical health and very few are able to take a break which is why establishing this Network for Carers is so important.

 

“The purpose of this new project is to help Armed Forces carers feel less lonely and isolated because of their caring role.

 

“By connecting the military community with their shared memories and experiences, the Network for Carers social groups will support people to develop friendships, interests and engage more with their communities.”

 

In total, the RBL intends to establish twenty support groups across the UK, all held in safe environments connected to the Armed Forces community.

• Carers within the Armed Forces community that are struggling to look after a loved one or feel they would benefit from having a wider support network of those in a similar situation, and would like to access the programme should visit rbl.org.uk/networkforcarers

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Come and join us at this wonderful event

 

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

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

Check out the monthly 2022 timetable,  as this will let you know our weekly activities’ and then email tony@ccth.org.uk for a place.

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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 >

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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/

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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.

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