Hello Everyone – Is it an advantage as a carer to learn about the condition of your cared for?
I often wondered if it is a curse or a positive to know, learn about the conditions that a loved one may have when caring for them. What do you think? Have you gone out of your way to learn about things, has it helped you with your caring role, knowing what to expect and be proactive or have you thought I would rather not know and I will deal with things as they happen?
I am asking for a couple of reasons ..
- I flip from not wanting to know to I am glad I know what was coming with my Mum and Dads conditions, Ignorance can be bliss but I do not think it is helpful as a carer. There have been several times that knowing issues, progression has helped advocate for them when dealing with reluctant professionals and getting what I feel they deserve. I know what is coming but it still stops me in my tracks sometimes when I visit Mum and I notice her Dementia is getting worse and I am losing the Mum I have always had, with Dad it has been helpful to learn, specially about hear failure and ways to slow the progression. So, What do you think? I would love to hear from carers about your thoughts and examples either way, so if you are happy to email me that would be great and I will not use your name if that suits you – email tony@ccth,org.uk
- My other reason is to ask carers if there are conditions that you would like to organise someone to do a workshop for future timetables at the Wellbeing Academy. We have had in the past Diabetes, Bi-Polar and many more so if you want to know more about your loved ones condition email me.
Another thought I had is learning is seen as a positive way to enhance your overall wellbeing so this could be a good way to think about learning insights to various health conditions – just a thought …
Peer support group for carers of someone with Autism, Learning Disability, Physical Disability and/or behaviours that challenge will be taking place on Wednesday 8th at 1.30pm not 11am and we have someone coming to talk about Positive Behaviour
Or
Don’t forget..
Creative Writing as Therapy – Tuesday 7th March 1.30pm to 3pm – This workshop is for carers to look at creative writing as form of therapy and how it can help you explore your feelings and help you feel more positive about you and your caring role. James our facilitator is from Marie Curie and is an accomplish writer.
Open University Study Group (great to see new carers joining) – do you want to learn something new, start a new hobby or just be in a learning group. You can take your time, fit it around your caring role and have fun.
Bereavement & Grief Peer Support Group (Tuesday 7th March 5pm to 6.15pm) – our monthly group is here to help with grief, bereavement and celebration of loved ones and learn methods to cope with your grief in your own time
African Dance & Drumming Class 15th March – last session for now – come and learn a new skill and exercise at the same time and why not join the last session and have a ball
Day Retreat at London Buddhist Centre – 7th March – email tony@ccth.org.uk to book your place – don’t forget
Carers Trust – Chinese Chamber of Commerce Event – We would really love you to come join us, you can bring your loved ones
Thursday 9th March @ 11.15am to 12.15pm
The China Chamber of Commerce is visiting The Tower Hamlets Carers Centre to present a generous cheque to support unpaid carers around London and the UK.
At 11:15 am on Thursday 9th March, the China Chamber of Commerce will be visiting our centre. They will be taking a walk around the space and meeting with our staff and carers to learn all about the important work we do. They will then present a cheque to Kirsty McHugh, CEO of Carers Trust, to be used to fund respite breaks for unpaid carers around the UK.
Please note there will be a photographer taking pictures and we would love as many staff and carers to take part in the photographs. Please note this event is taking place in conjunction with Arts, Crafts & Conversation
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.
Next Week’s Activities – check out the https://ccth.org.uk/new/calendar/
ReThink has been consulting with Carers from the centre and the team to look at Mental Illness and sport/physical activity as a means to help with wellbeing and they would like you to take part in their survey.
This is the link to the survey questionnaire for Tower Hamlets https://forms.office.com/e/BCR4WBW5Td
New Town Hall opens in Whitechapel
The historic Grade II listed old Royal London Hospital building in Whitechapel has reopened today as Tower Hamlets Council’s new Town Hall.
The old hospital building, which was built in the mid-eighteenth century, closed in 2013 when the hospital moved into a new, modern building just nextdoor.
Tower Hamlets Council bought the old hospital building for £9m and began a multi-million-pound project to restore, renovate and extend the iconic building – which will now continue its role of serving the local community.
As well as preserving the Grade II listed building, the move to Whitechapel Road provides local people with a permanent and now more accessible town hall building, while also saving the council £5m each year in rent for Mulberry Place – it’s Poplar-based former town hall building for more than 30 years.
Read more >
Pause with a painting
- Tuesday, 28 March 2023 – FULLY BOOKED
- Tuesday, 25 April 2023
- Tuesday, 23 May 2023
About
How can one painting be used as a focus for mindfulness practice?
Find out with mindfulness and wellbeing practitioner Karly Allen in these free sessions, looking at one painting each time.
Immerse yourself in the calming environment of the Gallery’s quieter rooms, and take time to reflect, restore and feel the creative and wellbeing benefits of mindfulness.
No experience necessary, all welcome.
Immerse yourself in Aelbert Cuyp’s peaceful Dutch landscape.
This session focuses on the floral still life of Juan de Zurbarán’s ‘Lemons in a Wicker Basket’.
Your tutor
Karly Allen is a drawing practitioner and lecturer in art history. Using drawing as a tool for looking, she has lectured widely for London art collections and cultural organisations. Karly complements her teaching with her training as a mindfulness teacher. Co-director of Limina Collective, she is passionate about the potential for mindfulness techniques to enhance our experience of engaging with art.
Extra funding to support food banks
As part of our Cost of Living Help campaign – an extra £190,000 is being invested to provide essential supplies to food banks across the borough.
The money will go to the Food Hub based in Bethnal Green. The hub remains a key part of the food support network in the borough and supports more than 60 organisations as well as providing volunteering opportunities for residents who benefit from soft skills on the path to employment.
Find out more >
Cost of Living help – cheaper mobile/broadband package
If you’re a low income resident you may be able to get a cheaper rate on your mobile or broadband package from your current supplier. Many broadband and mobile operators are increasing their bills by more than 13.4% in line with the RPI index – but many low income residents will be eligible for social tariffs.
Reduce my bills >
Six new FOOD Stores to tackle poverty
Six new food pantries are being launched by Tower Hamlets Council to tackle poverty and support residents through the cost of living crisis.
In partnership with national charity Family Action, the FOOD Store project aims to provide affordable quality food.
Find out more >
| 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
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