Hello Everyone

Firstly, I have had an email stating my complaint is being dealt with, so watch this space for updates, hopefully there will be updates.   So I wanted to talk about what it is like to work and be a carer and how your employer supports you in your caring role.  On Tuesday I had to do a zoom meeting with a Care Coordinator on behalf of my Dad who was in hospital having an Iron transfusion due to being anaemic currently.  It was one of my days in the office/centre and my amazing CEO just let get on with it, in a quiet room and kindly asked if everything was alright after the appointment.

So this got me thinking about carers who are working, caring and parenting and how do you combine all these roles.  Have you considered giving up work, you definitely cannot give parenting LOL .

I also want to explain that I have been working for over four years developing better guides for working carers with the DWP.  We have now come to a crucial point where they, with help from the Carers of Tower Hamlets have developed some resources for new carers who are working, employers etc.

We need carers to feedback on new resources from the DWP – focus group 12:30 – 14:00 on Tuesday the 15th of March.

The Department for Work and Pensions, Policy Lab and a community of carers and stakeholders are exploring potential solutions to enable working people to build knowledge and understanding needed to make timely, informed choices about meeting an adult friend or relative’s care needs?

They are interested in testing prototypes of potential solutions with people who have had to make decisions about work and care. Policy Lab uses prototypes to share ideas in their most basic, earliest form, visually. They are not intended to be the “right” solutions but instead to act as discussion points to learn from your experiences and build up a greater understanding of user needs and challenges. The prototypes look at;

  • engaging people who may not yet identify as carers with important information
  • digital tools to help them navigate and give feedback on the information they need
  • guidance and multimedia tools for having conversations about care options and sharing care activities

They would like to talk with a group of carers who have experience about making decisions about work and care between 12:30 – 14:00 on Tuesday the 15th of March.

If you want to provide feedback on these emerging ideas to inform future government policy and services please email pina.sadar@policylab.gov.uk.

What is Policy Lab?

Policy Lab is a multidisciplinary team working openly and collaboratively across the UK government, bringing expertise in people-centred approaches and experimentation to transform policymaking. They are collaborating with the Behavioural Science Team in the Department for Work and Pensions to build upon their research into the various challenges surrounding the information available to working people making decisions about work and care.

In addition to the Focus Group next week, on Thursday 24th March, we would also be interested in conducting remote 1 on 1 interviews with carers to discuss specifically, experiences of having conversations with employers about combining work and care.

We would be interested in speaking to three carers who fit these criteria as closely as possible:

  • 1 carer who is currently in work and has had a challenging experience whilst dealing with employers
  • 1 carer who is currently in work and has had a more positive experience whilst dealing with employers
  • 1 carer who, after some deliberation, has chosen to leave work

The interviews would last 40 minutes maximum

Did you know?  We have a timely presentation at next week’s Carers Forum….

Wednesday 16th March 11am to 1pm @ Carers Centre or Zoom – email tony@ccth.org.uk for a place

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) are highlighting the importance of providing feedback about your experiences of care in their ‘Because We All Care’ campaign. The campaign encourages people who use or support other people to use health and social care services to provide feedback about their experiences.

The CQC are the independent regulator of health and social care in England. They make sure that health and social care services like hospitals, care homes, GPs etc. provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and encourage services to improve.

The CQC would like to encourage people to give feedback about the care that they receive so that they can better understand people’s experiences and help make care better for everyone.

Whether those experiences are good or bad, it is valuable to the CQC.

CQC use the feedback to keep track of the quality of care services provide. It can help them decide if they need to look more closely at a service or take action.

Everyone has different needs and experiences of care. We must all have our say to make sure that health and social care works for everyone.

There are different ways for you to share your experiences:

Visit CQC’s website and complete the give feedback on care form

If you are unable to complete the online form you can call CQC on 03000 616161 (lines open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm excluding bank holidays)

If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can contact CQC in other ways including British Sign Language (BSL) and text relay. Please visit the CQC website to learn more.

Also talking of feedback, I have been advised by the Carer Wellbeing Champions to send out reminder emails to carer with each blog’s direct link.  If you want this please email and I will add to the list.




Older People & Climate Action

in arts & wellbeing services
Free online workshop
March 30th

Join us for a free online workshop in partnership with the Climate Coalition, exploring older people’s engagement in climate action and environmental practice.

Flourishing Lives and the Age Action Alliance Creative Arts Group invite you to our free online workshop providing practical support for services for older people.

This workshop will focus on supporting older people’s engagement in climate action, and developing environmental practice in older people’s arts & wellbeing services.

We are delighted to be joined by Grace Fisher (Community Organiser/ Mobiliser), Jasmine Vorraso (Campaigns & Communications Assistant) and Hannah McLean-Knight (Coalition Coordinator) from The Climate Coalition, who will co-facilitate the session.

The workshop will be an open discussion, offering older people, creative practitioners, and service providers the opportunity to share ideas and innovations around the following topics:

  • Reflecting on what older people love and want to protect from climate change.
  • Getting involved in the Climate Coalition’s ‘Great Big Green Week’ and ‘Show the Love’ campaigns.
  • Examples of what older people are currently doing to campaign on climate change.
  • Craftivism, Connectivity, and ideas for creative climate action.
  • How older people’s groups can get involved in climate action.

The Climate Coalition is the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change. They are a unique coalition of over 140 organisations – including the National Trust, Women’s Institute, Oxfam, and RSPB  – and 22 million supporters, with distinctive partnerships across all political parties, multi-faith and development organisations, community and sports groups as well as environmental NGOs.

Join us to share ideas, refine your working practices, and meet other progressive people who are striving to innovate and excel in services for older people.

Date:
Wednesday 30th March 2022, 2.30pm – 4pm BST

Register:
Register by following the link
olderpeopleclimateaction.eventbrite.co.uk

We hope that you can join us!


Join us for a free clothes mending workshop

We’re hosting a free clothes mending workshop at the Idea Store Bow with Sunny Jar Eco Hub on 17 March, from 11am-12:30pm.

This interactive workshop is designed to teach you simple hand stitches to repair and extend the life of your clothes. All levels of experience are welcome. Please bring clothes that need mending so we can advise on how best to fix them.

Register and get mending >


Life After Caring – 30th March 2022 @1.30pm to 3pm

So, It is difficult to think that someday your caring role could end with the passing of your loved one.  The question is are you prepared, do you need direction, tips, and awareness on what to put in place before anything happens.  Have you thought of what you want to do when your caring role comes to and end?

If this is something that has crossed your mind then I think that this workshop is for you, we will gently look at our personal wellbeing, practical areas to consider and look at your life beyond caring. Email tony@ccth.org.uk to reserve your place.

 

 


This Weeks Activities


 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 


 

Did you know……

Yoga for Carers – March 23rd 2.30pm to 4pm at London Buddhist Centre

The Academy has commissioned Breathing Space to deliver a much-requested taster session on Yoga for Carers to aid their wellbeing.  It takes place at the Buddhist Centre and did you know that yoga can support your wellbeing in the following ways?

Yoga improves strength, balance, and flexibility. …

Yoga helps with back pain relief. …

Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms. …

Yoga benefits heart health. …

Yoga relaxes you, to help you sleep better.

Learn some basic poses to help the body to stretch and release. Open to all levels of experience, including complete beginners.

We have 12 places, and you can only reserve your place by emailing tony@ccth.org.uk


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.


 

REMINDER TO CARERS

If you still need PPE for you and your loved one then Tower Hamlets are still providing PPE for Carers.

Collection and delivery is on Wednesday only from Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG. Carers can call or email Ayeda directly 0n 07366977103 or ayeda@ccth.org.uk to order.


 

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 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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