Hello Everyone – Don’t forget to check out the Carers Wellbeing Academy Page 

Lots to tell you today about my weekend caring for my parents.

I picked up Dad from home to take him to see Mum at the nursing home.  The house was a mess and this inspired me to find a cleaner for Dad, who will come weekly and do the deep cleaning, as you know my Nephew is helping maintain some of the cleaning, as well as my sister and I doing what we can when visiting. Paying for the cleaning to be done is all thanks to Abdul (our benefit manager) helping me secure Attendance Allowance for both my parents. My parents are forever grateful and always ask me to send their love to him.  So if you need a benefit check to see if you as a carer are on the right benefits then make an appointment so see him or Ruhela.

Another wonderful thing happened this weekend when I visited Mum was that her memory was the best it had been for many, many months.  We had fun, a laugh and for a moment everything seemed lie it used to be.  It did lift my spirits and helped my wellbeing, specially after last weekend when I visited for Mother’s day and I had a slight wobble, thinking I wanted my Mum back.  I understand that people suffering from Dementia have good and bad days and of course I am grateful for the good days.

Don’t forget we have a excellent monthly Dementia Peer Support Group, which takes place via Zoom, so if you want to join just email tony@ccth.org.uk to reserve your place.

So rounding up today, be grateful for the good days, get support for the bad days and most importantly talk to friends and family, make sure you connect with others and when possible do things to put a smile on your face.

 

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Ramadan Timetable [London]

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Get involved with Carers Active April – kicking off today!

 

Spring is here and so is Carers Active April!   Kicking off today, we are excited to be running the first ever Carers Active April campaign to raise awareness about the importance of physical activity and highlight the benefits to carers of moving more. Our recent research found that unpaid carers over the age of 55 face significant challenges in being physically active and report barriers such as not having the time to take part in physical activity. All carers, including those juggling work and care, should be able to take part in physical activity that is achievable, accessible and affordable.   If you or any carers in your workplace would like to sign up for Carers Active April and receive a postal pack to get started, access free online sessions and take part in our Healthathon event at the end of April, as well as get useful tips and ideas throughout the month, please click here.   We have also launched the Carers Active April supporters area where you can find out how to support the campaign, download resources to promote it and add your own activities. To help spread the word about the campaign we’ve put together a handy social media toolkit with all the wording you need to promote Carers Active April across your channels. We’d love it if you could post a tweet in April promoting the campaign.   If you’d like to hear first-hand how physical activity has had a hugely beneficial health and wellbeing impact on an unpaid carer, read Hayley’s story here.

 

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Carers Mental Health Programme with Talking Therapies   –  Monday 11^th April @1.30 to 2.30pm 

Goal setting and sticking to your guns.  This workshop will help you plan your life with goals including your caring role.

Coaching for Carers – Via Zoom  – Tuesday 26^th April @ 11am to 1pm

This workshop enables you as a carer to assertively give to others, yourself and learn when to say no.  the skills will help when dealing with various aspects of the caring role

In the meantime here are some tips to keep you going …..

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Get ready for the 5 May elections

Keep up to date with the forthcoming 5 May Council and Executive Mayor elections by visiting our dedicated webpage where the official Notice of Elections were published this week.

Did you know it only takes 5 minutes to register to vote? Being able to vote gives you the opportunity to have your say on local issues that matter to you. But to vote, you must be registered by 14 April. Make sure your voice is heard – don’t lose your right to vote.

Register today >

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Free Easter Eggs-travaganza

School Easter holidays are almost here and we have loads of ‘eggs-citing’ free activities lined up for children and families to enjoy.

Try smoothie making, join in adventure play sessions, get busy outdoors with gardening in Mile End Park, go on an Easter egg hunt, meet the Easter Bunny and much more.

Join in the Easter fun >

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This Week’s Activities

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Petition to Increase Carer’s Allowance to equal 35 hours at the National Living Wage

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A healthy Ramadan

Check out the link below for a guide on being healthy, eating well and maintaining a good wellbeing during Ramadan.

https://www.nutrition.org.uk/putting-it-into-practice/food-seasons-and-celebrations/a-healthy-ramadan/#:~:text=When%20you%20can%20eat%20and,for%20a%20walk%20after%20iftar.

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Extended leisure centre opening times during Ramadan

Mile End Park Leisure Centre and Stadium will operate extended opening times, to give visitors who are observing Ramadan an opportunity to keep up with fitness routines safely during the Ramadan period.

From 4 April until 28 April, visitors can access the main gym, women only gym and virtual studio from Monday – Thursday right up until 2am.

Info and advice >

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Be Ramadan ready

Ahead of the start of the holy month of Ramadan on the evening of Saturday 2 April, we’re urging our Muslim community to protect themselves and take up the Covid-19 vaccine if they’re due a dose (first, second or booster). There are still many clinics in Tower Hamlets offering vaccination, including the East London Mosque which runs a clinic every Monday and Tuesday.

We’re also reminding Muslims that Ramadan is considered an ideal time to quit smoking. Local stop smoking advisors, Quit Right Tower Hamlets, will be at the East London Mosque from 11am to 2pm on Friday 25 March to launch the Quit Smoking for Ramadan campaign.

Get ready >

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RAMADAN AT HOME: TAKE CARE OF YOUR MENTAL WELLBEING

Ramadan is an important time to strengthen our relationship with God. For many of us it is also a time to connect with our families, friends and neighbours as we come together to break bread at iftar and pray tarawih in the mosque. However, managing our responsibilities with less energy and usually less sleep can be challenging for many, particularly for those already struggling after a difficult few years through the Covid-19 pandemic. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and it’s important to take care of your mental wellbeing in order to fully benefit from the blessed month.

click here for advice and information – https://www.islamic-relief.org/ramadan-at-home-2021mental-wellbeing/

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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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