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

So every Saturday when I take Dad to the nursing home, we have to do a Covid Lateral Flow Test (LRT).  We have to take the test with us and prove we are negative before they let us in.  Personally I think this is a brilliant policy and they are very strict, Dad moans but he is an old grumpy Dad LOL but he understands and as he says ‘I do not want anything to happen to my teenage bride’.  They met when Mum was eighteen and he was Twenty three and have been together ever since.

Did you know we have lots of tests here at the Carers Centre and if any carer needs some just email me to reserve a box tony@ccth.org.uk and you would need to come and collect it.

Of course don’t forget to

After all the Carers Centre via the Wellbeing Academy supports carers to keep healthy, which ultimately helps the people you care for.   Don’t forget regular testing keeps us all safe and informed.


 

Boosters (4th dose) for people with a severely weakened immune system

If you have or had a severely weakened immune system when you had your first 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you may have been offered a 3rd dose of the vaccine.

You can get a booster dose (4th dose) from 3 months after you had your 3rd dose.

A GP or your hospital specialist will invite you for your booster dose when it’s due.

You can also book your appointment online or go to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination for people with a severely weakened immune system

Spring boosters

You will be offered a spring booster if you:

  • are aged 75 and over
  • live in a care home for older people
  • are aged 12 and over and have a weakened immune system

COVID-19 may affect you more seriously if you are in one of these groups. The spring booster is being offered to help reduce your risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

When to get your spring booster

You will be contacted by the NHS when you are due a spring booster. You will usually be offered an appointment around 6 months after your last dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are eligible for a spring booster, but have not had a 1st or 2nd dose of the COVID-19 vaccine yet, you should have them as soon as possible.

If you have a severely weakened immune system you need to get a 3rd dose before you get a booster.

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine for people with a severely weakened immune system

How to get your spring booster

You will be contacted by the NHS and invited to book your spring booster when it’s due.

You may be offered appointment dates from 3 months (91 days) after your last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. But try to book an appointment around 6 months after your last dose to get the best protection from your spring booster.

Book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online for your spring booster if you are:

  • aged 75 and over
  • aged 12 and over and have a weakened immune system

If you live in a care home for older people, contact your care home manager about getting vaccinated.

If you think you are eligible for a spring booster but did not get an invite, contact your GP surgery or hospital specialist.

Find out more about COVID-19 vaccination spring boosters for those aged 75 years and older residents in care homes on GOV.UK

 

COVID-19 booster dose and flu vaccine

Some people who can get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine are also eligible for the annual flu vaccine.

If you are offered both vaccines, it’s safe to have them at the same time.

Find out more about the flu vaccine

More information

 


Age-positive image library: We want to hear from you!

We’re urging the public to use new photos in place of inaccurate images to reduce stigma towards older and Disabled people.

Since launching the image library last year, our photos have been downloaded more than 50,000 times. Despite its success, we’re keen to hear from you on how we can improve the library and your experience of using it.

We’ve created a short survey that takes less than 5 minutes to complete. 

Take the survey

 


Ramadan Timetable [London]

Fast | Day | Date | Month Fast Begins Fast Ends (Iftar)
*1 | Sat, 2 April 4:59 am 7.38 pm
2 | Sun, 3 April 4:57 am 7:40 pm
3 | Mon, 4 April 4:55 am 7:42 pm
4 | Tue, 5 April 4:52 am 7:44 pm
5 | Wed, 6 April 4:50 am 7:45 pm
6 | Thu, 7 April 4:48 am 7:47 pm
7 | Fri, 8 April [Jummah Prayer] 4:46 am 7:49 pm
8 | Sat, 9 April 4:43 am 7:50 pm
9 | Sun, 10 April 4:41 am 7:52 pm
10 | Mon, 11 April 4:39 am 7:54 pm
11 | Tue, 12 April 4:37 am 7:55 pm
12 | Wed, 13 April 4:35 am 7:57 pm
13 | Thu, 14 April 4:32 am 7:59 pm
14 | Fri, 15 April [Jummah Prayer] 4:30 am 8:00 pm
15 | Sat, 16 April 4:28 am 8:02 pm
16 | Sun, 17 April 4:26 am 8:04 pm
17 | Mon, 18 April 4:23 am 8:05 pm
18 | Tue, 19 April 4:21 am 8:07 pm
19 | Wed, 20 April 4:19 am 8:09 pm
20 | Thu, 21 April 4:16 am 8:10 pm
21 | Fri, 22 April [Jummah Prayer] 4:14 am 8:12 pm
22 | Sat, 23 April 4:11 am 8:14 pm
23 | Sun, 24 April 4:08 am 8:15 pm
24 | Mon, 25 April 4:06 am 8:17 pm
25 | Tue, 26 April 4:04 am 8:19 pm
26 | Wed, 27 April 4:01 am 8:20 pm
27 | Thu, 28 April 4:00 am 8:22 pm
28 | Fri, 29 April [Jummah Prayer] 3:58 am 8:24 pm
29 | Sat, 30 April 3:55 am 8:25 pm
30 | Sun, 1 May 3:52 am 8:27 pm

 


 

Carers Mental Health Programme with Talking Therapies   –  Monday 11th 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 26th 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 …..


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 >


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 >


This Week’s Activities


 

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!

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/health-sports-psychology/physical-activity-health-and-wellbeing-the-caring-role/content-section-overview?active-tab=description-tab

 

 

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 >


 

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.


 

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 Wellbeing Academy Manager

 

Get in touch

The Carers Centre
21 Brayford Square
London, E1 0SG

020 7790 1765

enquiries@ccth.org.uk

Opening hours

Monday - Friday – 9.30am – 5pm
Saturday and Sunday – Closed

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