Hello Everyone – Covid Booster and Flu Jab…
I hope everyone is feeling good and healthy, as I had my Covid booster and flu jab last night and so did my partner and I would like to urge carers and their loved ones to get your seasonal immunisation. Carers are eligible and so are your loved ones if they are deemed clinically vulnerable. Don’t forget there are new variants out there and transmission rates are climbing so be proactive, be safe and look after yourselves.
On another note my respite really was respite for the soul, I had a wonderful holiday but I am busy with a lot of Mum’s issues and I am now sorting out the sale of the house I grew up in because the council are on the case, they deem my Mum having assets and she has to pay over £900 per week for her care home charge.
So, wish me luck ….
Disclaimer: The author is writing his personal thoughts on behalf of the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets and assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this blog. The information and thoughts contained in this blog is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness but is the intellectual property of the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets.
Celebrating Black History Month
Throughout October and into early November, we have a vibrant programme of events across the borough to celebrate Black History Month and showcase the immense contributions made by those of African and Caribbean descent to British society.
Events range from exhibitions to screenings, from talks to music, walks to theatre and more.
Employability and jobs fair
Find out more about available jobs and training opportunities in Tower Hamlets at a jobs and employability fair on 12 October. Speak directly to employers and training providers about current vacancies, apprenticeships, and training courses on offer.
More than 200 available jobs across sectors including construction, retail and hospitality, administration, education, health and more will be showcased at the event. You must be aged over 16 and be a Tower Hamlets resident to attend.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workpath-jobs-and-employability-event-tickets-717826457257
The Next Week’s Activities – check out https://ccth.org.uk/calendar/
On Thursday 5 October, Real in co-production with Thames 21, will visit East India Dock Basin and Trinity Buoy.
This event will be a casual get together with drinks and refreshments and will be a great opportunity to discover more about our river’s rich history while also making new connections.
Everybody welcome!
What Are We Going To Do?
We will take a slow walk along the riverside to East India Dock Basin, spending a little time to absorb the rich history of the old dock.
From there, we take another short walk to Trinity Buoy itself where we will enjoy some refreshments courtesy of Thames21.
Matt from Thames 21 will tell us about the work that they are doing on the river and how you might get involved and would also like to hear your thoughts on accessibility of the river space.
This will help Thames21 to improve their services for Disabled people.
There will be plenty of time for us to just chat and catch up with each other.
Trinity Buoy Wharf is a centre for arts and cultural activities located on the River Thames and home of famous Trinity Buoy Lighthouse, the UK’s only inland lighthouse
When & Where?
When: Thursday, 5 October, 11:00am [for approximately 2.5 hours].
Where: We will meet at East India DLR Station, ground floor level, the stone seats directly opposite NISA.
Want to join us ?
You can register by clicking on the button below.
If you prefer to sign up via email or by phone, or if you have any questions, please use these contact details:
📧 Email: hello@real.org.uk
📞 Phone: 020 7001 2170
Access Information
East India Station is step free to ground level.
The route to Trinity Buoy is step free with minimal road crossings, drop curbs are in place.
The walking route has frequent potential break points with seating along the way.
Accessible Toilets facilities are available at Trinity Buoy.
After The Visit
The main group will return to East India DLR by the same walking route.
There is also the option for attendees to use the D3 bus. The D3 starts at Leamouth, this being only 300 metres from Trinity Buoy.
We hope to see you on 5 October!
Visit a National Trust place for free this autumn.
Take a stroll surrounded by colour, spot wildlife and connect with nature when you escape into autumn. Experience the awe of the season at places in our care by claiming a free, single-use pass to use between 18 September and 20 October 2023.
Messages of Hope to join Mental Wealth Festival
Messages of Hope will be in attendance at the Mental Wealth Festival at City Lit Café.
Messages of Hope is a campaign that encourages anyone and everyone to write anonymous messages to share hope, advice and encouragement for anyone that might be struggling. Many of the submissions contain personal positive affirmations alongside messages of support or wisdom.
As part of the festival’s programme, people will be able to add their own messages to several pre-prepared canvases in order to spread hope and meaningful positivity. The canvases will then be displayed in a public space.
Find out more
Messages of Hope will be in attendance at the Mental Wealth Festival at City Lit Café.
Messages of Hope is a campaign that encourages anyone and everyone to write anonymous messages to share hope, advice and encouragement for anyone that might be struggling. Many of the submissions contain personal positive affirmations alongside messages of support or wisdom.
As part of the festival’s programme, people will be able to add their own messages to several pre-prepared canvases in order to spread hope and meaningful positivity. The canvases will then be displayed in a public space.
This collaboration forms part of the wider Messages of Hope campaign, created by founder Beth Evans in 2020 as a result of her own personal mental health journey. Beth has previously written a blog about her experiences and why she started the campaign and you can get a daily message by following @ThroughTogether on Instagram.
Activities – October 2023
Chair Disco & Exercise
Thursday’s 5th and 26th October @ 1pm to 2pm
This new activity is part of our volunteer/accredited Carer Health Champions programme and Tracey will be facilitating two sessions a month where you will have the opportunity to sit or stand and do an exercise and disco session, learn to use your body, stretch, raise your heartbeat, and have some disco fun.
This weeks session went very well and many carers came and enjoyed themselves as well as helping to improve their physical and emotional wellbeing. I hope to see more of you and a big thank you to the wonderful Tracey.
Creative Writing for Carers
Monday’s 16th & 30th October @ 12.30pm to 2pm
We are introducing a twice monthly creative writing group led by another carer champion the wonderful Anita. You will have the opportunity to remain in a creative bubble as these sessions are directly after our Shared Reading Group. Think how you are transported to another world with the reading group and how you can use your imagination to write your own short story, poem and use this time for yourself to think about you.
Ramble for better Health
Monday’s 9th & 23rd October @ 12.30pm to 2pm
This activity is facilitated by Sharron one of our volunteer/accredited Carer Health Champions and this activity is for carers who wish to get healthier, maintain good health, reduce the risk of Diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure and have fun trying.
Good Vibe Afternoon & Picnic – @ The Docklands Museum (New Exhibition)
Thursday 19th October @ 1pm to 4pm
This new Carer Champion activity facilitated by Hilary is where carers will be able to attend a local, free, or low-cost day trip, bring a picnic and Watch out for news of each month’s trip.
Don’t forget that the activities we run are aimed at giving carers a chance for emotional respite, enabling connection with others so you do not feel alone and giving carers the chance to have fun, relax and be in the moment.
The Open University announces new national health campaign empowering the UK to Age Well
- The Open University is launching a new UK-wide month-long pledge aimed at people over 50 called – Take Five to Age Well.
- Launching on 1 September, the Take Five to Age Well pledge will build a UK-wide movement of people committed to ageing well behaviours, with a lasting impact on their health and wellbeing.
- TV presenter Kaye Adams, leading healthcare expert Sir Muir Gray, and leading expert on ageing Professor Rose Anne Kenny are all supporting Take Five to Age Well, alongside parts of the NHS.
- By taking part in the pledge people will sign up to a month of healthy habits shaped by leading experts from The Open University that will boost their health and well-being.
- Research shows that 70-80% of your ageing rate is largely determined by environmental factors (non-genetic) and many of these are within our gift; by making small changes in lifestyle we can live longer, healthier lives.
Similar to the tried and tested Dry January and Stoptober models, The Open University’s Take Five to Age Well campaign is encouraging people over 50 to sign up to a month of healthy habits designed by experts from the University.
With an ever-increasing demand on adult social care services and the NHS across the UK, The Open University will help people take proactive care across the month of September in five key areas of their lives.
Take Five to Age Well builds upon the Five Pillars of Ageing Well, devised by Dr. Jitka Vseteckova and is one of The Open University’s Open Societal Challenges which looks to use the power of the University’s research to address complex issues affecting society.
Top tips from Take Five to Age Well include:
- Stand on one leg whilst brushing your teeth – this is great for balance that become more and more important to avoid falls.
- Drink a glass of water before every snack and meal – this will help you stay hydrated (our hirst response weakens with age due to cognitive changes and so you need to proactively drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty).
- Choose a new vegetable you wouldn’t normally buy from the supermarket and look up a recipe that uses it.
- Spend 5 minutes doing something creative: draw a picture, play an instrument, do an origami online tutorial.
- Offer to walk someone’s dog – spending time with animals is calming and walking in nature is good for the body and brain.
- Laugh and have fun – the dose of dopamine from laughing stimulates the synthesis of new proteins in the brain, it also reduces stress and boosts mood. The average four year old laughs 300 times a day, whereas the average 40 year old laughs only four times.
The Carers Centre is a partner of this project and has helped develop it.
We are inviting carers of people with COPD to take part in a research study called:
Identifying the best ways to deliver health care for people from ethnic minority groups living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health conditions.
- Are you a care giving family member or friend to a person with a long-term lung condition (COPD) from an ethnic minority group?
- Have you been involved in a consultation using telephone, mobile phone, apps, video or website either with or on behalf of the person with COPD?
If yes to both questions, we would like to hear your views and experiences in a one-to-one interview.
We hope this study will help us to improve services for you to better support the person you care for with COPD & improve the experience of health care by remote delivery for people with COPD.
If you are interested in taking part in the study, please contact the study researcher:
|
Study researcher: Dr Ratna Sohanpal Contact details: Centre for Primary Care, Queen Mary University of London, 58 Turner Street, London, E1 2AB. ratna.sohanpal@nhs.net, 079 3929 6667 |
Events programme
We have a programme of exciting, free events lined up, which you can book now online. Details below! All events take place in person here at the archives unless otherwise mentioned, and you can book your free place on our Eventbrite.
East End History Club: Voices in the archive!
Nawab Ali: An Extraordinary LifeListening to the Jewish East End: A guided walk Sunday 8 October, 11am-2.00pm Explore London’s Jewish East End with Professor Nadia Valman and Dr Vivi Lachs of Queen Mary, University of London, who present a free guided walk through East London’s Jewish past based on their Arts and Humanities Research Council project on English and Yiddish literature and song of the East End from the 1880s to the 1950s. *RESCHEDULED DATE* Book your place here – Guided Walk Re-sounding the East EndThursday 16 November, 6.30-8pm Join us for a discussion with curators and historians Nadia Valman, Tamsin Bookey, Rehana Ahmed and Alan Dein responding to the three sound art installations that form Everything is different, nothing has changed in the context of the East End’s social and public history. This event is part of the Being Human Festival. |
Mental health crisis support 24/7 via telephone 0800 073 0003 (all ages).
The Together Café for adults in Tower Hamlets who are at risk of developing a mental health crisis can drop into this service out of hours for professional support and group activities. Located at Osmani Trust, Osmani Centre 58 Underwood Road E1 5AW. Open Monday to Friday 5pm-9pm and Saturday to Sunday 12pm-9pm.
Safe Connections Hub: For people aged 18+ who are having thoughts of suicide. Self-referral by email safeconnections@mindthnr.org.uk or telephone 09:30-16:30 0300 561 0115. Flyer attached, which includes information about
Pause with a painting
- Tuesday, 31 October 2023
- Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Seascapes: Ebb and Flow
On the occasion of our Take One Picture exhibition inspired by a seascape, we will take time to pause in Room 31 and absorb the light and colours of Claude’s sunlit seascape.
EMERGENCY CARERS SERVICE
Getting the right and timely 1:1 support for the person you look after should you experience an emergency and / or you need urgent time out from your caring role is very important.
You may be eligible for emergency care for the person you care for – this service is called the Emergency Carers Service.
Carers Centre, Tower Hamlets is pleased to be working in partnership with Excelcare Homecare, the company that delivers this valuable emergency service for carers, in Tower Hamlets.
Criteria
The purpose of the Emergency Carers Service is to enable carers to attend appointments knowing that the person they care for is safe; to support carers who are experiencing a crisis.
The agreed criteria for self-referrals is as below:
- To allow a carer to attend medical appointments such as GP/Hospital.
- In the case that a carer has been admitted to hospital without notice.
- Sudden death of a carer.
- Carer experiencing a breakdown in mental health.
- There is a risk of harm to the carer/cared for person or a risk of domestic violence.
- Breakdown in relationship between the carer/cared for person, including that the carer feels unable to fulfil their responsibilities in their carer role.
- Carer experiencing an emotional breakdown.
- Potential safeguarding risks/concerns.
- Carer entering the criminal justice system.
- The service can only be provided in the case that the carer/cared for is not already in receipt of services through Adult Social Care. However, carers who are in receipt of a carers relief service and are at risk of significant crisis, can be provided with an additional 12 hours of flexible carers relief as a top up.
Support the Emergency Carers Service can offer
- The Emergency Carers Service is able to provide up to a maximum of 24 hours of support within a 12-week period. Where there is a longer-term need, or additional support is required within this period, this will be managed through a Carers Assessment and commissioned package of care. Excelcare Homecare and Carers Centre Tower Hamlets can you help if you need longer term care and support for the person you care for.
If a carer wants to self-refer to the Emergency Carers Service
- Staff at the Carers Centre Tower Hamlets are here to help you if you need this service, do call us if you need assistance. However, all carers can call and self-refer too, over the phone, by calling 020 7780 9484 or by emailing referralsth@excelcareholdings.com
- If you are making an urgent self-referral, to start on the same day, or outside of Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5pm, please ensure that you call and speak with a Care Coordinator at Excelcare Homecare, using the number above.
- For emergency self-referrals, a minimum of 2 hours-notice is required. Emergency self-referrals can be made 7 days per week, please aim to contact our service by 7pm if required to start that evening. If there is a very urgent self-referral that requires immediate start after 7pm, still refer this onto Excelcare Homecare for discussion and assistance.
- For non-urgent self-referrals, please provide 24 hours’ notice where possible.
All Excelcare Homecare team members have a good level of spoken and written English and undergo a nationally recognised Care Certificate that includes important areas such as First Aid, Medication, Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults and Children, the Mental Capacity Act, Health and Safety, Fire Safety, and Infection Control. They also take part in a thorough induction which covers our policies, procedures, expectations, and period of shadowing an experienced carer.
To make sure a loved one is in good hands, Excelcare Homecare draws on a large number of care and support team members from different cultural backgrounds and then strives to match them appropriately with the people we care for. We also endeavour to keep carers as consistent as possible for families. We have a number of care workers who speak Bengali and are able to offer culturally appropriate care.
Excelcare Homecare understand how important it is that their team members have the right skills, personality, and attitude – giving you peace of mind that your loved one is cared for as if they were a member of our own family.
You can find more information about Excelcare Homecare here: www.excelcareholdings.com
Carers of People with Dementia Peer Support Group
Wednesday 27th September @ 10am to 11am – Hybrid via zoom or in person
This monthly peer support group aims to help carers network, support each other, learn caring tips, and share knowledge, it is your group, and you have a say in how is runs.
Bengali Dementia Carers Group
Wednesday 27th September @ 11 to 1pm – at the Carers Centre
This new peer support group has been coproduced and developed with Bengali carers of loved ones with Dementia and will be a monthly group for carers to support each other, learn to manage their caring role, you will be able to bring the person you care for, and activities will include gardening and Islamic Art classes.
Dementia Carers Drop In
Wednesday 27th September @ 12pm to 1.30pm
We have a new drop in with an English-speaking worker also a Chinese speaking Admiral Nurse/Dementia specialist, but the drop in is for all carers of someone with Dementia so come along and you will be able to ask any questions about Dementia, resources, and local support services.
Don’t forget that if anything happens, use the numbers below and if it is an emergency dial 999.
Important Numbers:
Domestic Violence Duty Line: 020 7364 4986 between 9am – 5pm.Victim Support: 020 7364 2448/7957
Tower Hamlets Connect/Adult Social Care : 0300 303 6070
Help for Households Gives clear information about the exceptional payments, energy support and existing support schemes available, so the public know what is available and where they can find help. The homepage brings together over 40 support schemes that the public may be able to access depending on eligibility. Additionally, a range of online tools will help citizens quickly and efficiently check the support they might be eligible for and how to access it.
This is the link to find local councillors. You put you postcode in to find local councillor. They can deal with any housing issue if the carer/cared for is council tenant. They can also help if the carer lives in privately rented property and issue is disrepair.
Food Banks Information
What you need to know
With the cost of living crisis affecting communities nationwide, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets have shared information on accessing your local FOOD Stores and tips on managing your food bills.
Tower Hamlets FOOD Stores
A number of FOOD stores have been set up across the borough, supporting those who are finding it difficult to afford enough food for themselves or their families.
At these FOOD stores, you are able to pick up food valued at £25-£35 in exchange for a £3.50 membership fee. At the same time, support is provided in other areas that you might need help with. This includes help with issues around
- housing
- benefits access
- employment and more.
To find out more or to become a member email thefoodstore@towerhamlets.gov.uk with your name, address, postcode, date of birth and contact number.
Foodbanks
There are a number of food aid organisations available to help you in Tower Hamlets if you are struggling to get food for yourself or your family. Scroll down to see where your closest branch is located. Different food aid services will offer different support.
Types
- Open Access – A food bank that anyone can go to for food.
- Limited Access/referral only – A Food bank that needs someone to refer you into the service. Please contact the organisation for more details.
- School food provision – A food bank or food aid service that specifically works with students and parents who attend the school.
- Hot meals service/Hostel – Provides hot meals or pre-made goods to residents.
Underwood Road Foodbank – (Open Access)
Opening times: Thursday and Friday, 9am – 3pm
St Anne’s Catholic Church, E1 5AW
Contact: 020 7247 7833 or email underwoodroad@rcdow.org.uk from Tuesday to Friday (9am – 3pm)
Ensign Youth Club – (Open Access)
Opening times: Friday 10am – 1pm
Wellclose Sq, E1 8HY
Contact: info@ensign.org.uk
Hague Primary School
Opening times: Monday – Friday 8.40am – 3.40pm
Hague primary school, E2 0BP and E1 5RE
For more information please ask at the school office.
Stewart Headlam Primary School
Opening times: Monday – Friday 8.40am – 3.40pm
Tapp St, London, E1 5RE
For more information please ask at the school office.
Wellington Primary School – Food bank (limited access/by referral only)
School food provision (Pupils and families only)
Opening times: Tuesday 2 – 3pm
Wellington Way, Bow, E3 4NE
Contact: admin@wellington.towerhamlets.sch.uk
St Elizabeth Pop Up Kitchen – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: 3.40 – 5pm
St Elizabeth Primary School, entrance on Waterloo Gardens, E2 9JY
For more information please visit St Elizabeth School website / Caritas Twitter page.
Bygrove School – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Monday – Friday (Term Time Only)
Bygrove street, E14 6DN
For more information please visit the Bygrove School website.
Langdon Park School – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Monday – Friday 8am – 4pm
Bright Street, London, E14 0RZ
For more information please ask at the school office.
Dorset Community Food Hub – (Open Access – Hot meals service)
Opening times: Thursday
Ground floor, former Dorset library, E2 8QX
For more information please visit the Dorset Community website.
Olga Primary School Foodbank – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Friday 3.20 – 3.45pm
Olga Primary School, E3 5DN
Contact: 020 8981 7127
Edward Gibbons House – (Hostel)
Opening times: 24 hours
1 Parmiter St, E2 9NG
For more information please visit Providence Row website.
Globe Primary School – (Open Access)
Opening times: Friday 12 – 3.15pm
Globe Primary School, E2 0JH
For more information please visit Globe Primary School website.
Food for Aldgate – (Limited access/by referral only)
Opening times: Friday 1 – 3pm
Tonybee Hall, 28 Commercial Street, London, E1 6AB
Contact: Paul.wilson@eastendhomes.net or Twitter @FoodForAldgate.
Womens Inclusive Team – (Limited access/by referral only)
Opening times: Appointment provided after referral
Mayfield House 202 Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9LJ
Contact: 07415 372 664 or email shakilaa@wit.org.uk.
William Davis Food Bank – School food provision (pupils and families only)
Opening times: Friday 2 – 3pm
William Davis School, E2 6ET
Contact: 020 7739 1511
Bow Food Bank – (Open Access)
Opening times: Monday 8am – 12.30pm
Bromley by Bow Centre, St Leonard’s Street, E3 3BT
For more information please visit the Bow Food Bank website.
Bethnal Green Foodbank – (Open Access)
Opening times: Wednesday 2 – 7pm
Raines Foundations School, Approach road, E2 9LY
For more information please visit Bow Food Bank website.
Bow Muslim Cultural Centre – (Open Access)
Opening times: Friday 11am – 3pm
246 Bow Road London, E3 3AP
Contact: info@bowcentralmosque.co.uk
SACC Food Bank – (Limited access/by referral only)
Opening times: Thursday and Friday 10am – 3pm
St Anne’s Catholic Church, E1 5AW
Contact: braziliancp@rcdow.org.uk or 020 7247 7833.
Referrals can be discussed by email or contact number.
| Launch of Somali National Helpline 0800 6102020 |
Better Safe Communities are pleased to inform you of the launch of the first historic Somali National Helpline, sponsored by the local businesses up and down the country and in regards to poor service provisions of UK public services for Somali communities nationally.
The Helpline was founded by Khadra Hersi, a student of London Met University. It is aimed at the Somali community, helping with language barriers, immigration, and mental health issues due to war in their country. The Somali National Helpline are a service that uses professionals to support people overcome issues they are facing. They exist to support individuals with language matters, mental health issues, and beneficiaries to solve their problems. They also provide translating and interpreting services. They are here to support and advocate for many problems faced within the Somali community such as young adults suffering from knife crime, and elderly people who feel isolated and lonely due to language barriers.
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
Call us on 0207 790 1765 or email enquiries@ccth.org.uk to find out more about LPA.
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 >
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, 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.
Opening hours
Monday - Friday – 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed
Follow us
