Summer Issue Inside this issue Carers Assessments Notes from

Summer 2008 Issue 11 Inside this issue: ∗ Carers’ Assessments ∗ Notes from the Chairman of the Carers’ Forum ∗ Stitch Shop ∗ Dental Services ∗ National Carers’ Strategy ∗ Bedfordshire Carers’ Summit ∗ Signpost Volunteers ∗ Carers in Bedfordshire ∗ Voices for All ∗ Disability Resource Centre ∗ LINks Launch ∗ Autism Bedfordshire ∗ Carer Support Groups ∗ Moving Forward Training ∗ Benefits Fair ∗ Carers’ Consultation ∗ Person Centred Charter ∗ Valuing People Support Team Newsletter ∗ Carers’ Forum Carers’ Newsletter Are you a family carer? It may be that the person you care for lives somewhere else for all, or most of the time. You are STILL a carer, and your views matter. Welcome to the eleventh edition of the Carers’ Newsletter from the Bedfordshire Carers’ Forum for carers of adults with a learning disability. Bedfordshire Carers’ Forum is a platform for carers to share their perspective with other family carers and with representatives from Bedfordshire County Council. The Carers’ Forum feeds back to Bedfordshire County Council’s Learning Disability Partnership Board. At July’s meeting, the Carers’ Forum was provided with an overview of the ‘Paying for Care’ process. Liz Morgan provided information about the range of services and equipment available at the Disability Resource Centre in Dunstable. For further information please see page 7. Those of you who receive this newsletter by post will also have received the latest Bedford Mencap Newsletter with this edition. Bedford Mencap have requested that their publication is distributed with the Carers’ Newsletter so that information can be shared with greater numbers of family carers. (See page 2). A big thank you to those of you who took part in the Carers’ Forum Newsletter survey during May and June. Generally, the feedback received about the newsletter was very positive. A more detailed breakdown of your feedback will be available in the next edition, due out Autumn 2008. The next Carers’ Forum will be held on Tuesday 14th October 2008 (please note the change of date) at the Rufus Centre, Flitwick. All family carers are welcome. For further details, please contact Marie Cleary on 01234 276108. Carers Assessments Do you care for an adult with a learning disability? If the person you care for is eligible for help from Adult Services, and if you provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis, then you are entitled to a Carers’ Assessment. A Carers’ Assessment is a way of working out what help you may need with caring, to maintain your own health, and to balance caring with other aspects of your life, for example work and leisure. To request a Carers’ Assessment, or to find out more, please contact the Adult Learning Disability Duty Teams on 01234 276762. Page 2 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Chairman’s Notes It is a measure of the success of our Carers’ Newsletter that Bedford Mencap have requested that their quarterly publication be distributed with ours. The circulation of our Newsletter has increased dramatically over the past year and the quality of the publication is recognised throughout the county. Bedford Mencap have agreed to time their print run to coincide with ours and in future, the two will be posted together. As a result, having addressed the Data Protection issues, Bedford Mencap can take advantage of our mailing list, and in return, they will share their mailing list with us. This is an important example of people working together for the benefit of those with disabilities and their carers. I reported on the success of the PIP Bedfordshire pilot in the last Newsletter. Now that we have achieved funding for both Bedfordshire and Luton, we can continue to run PIP workshops for people with learning difficulties for the next three years. The first of these took place at the end of August in Bedford under the direction of Tony King, the new PIP Bedfordshire facilitator. The long-awaited National Strategy for Carers was published on 10th June 2008, signed by seven Government departments. In total the Strategy commits £255 million to create additional support for carers. It also sets out medium and long-term plans aimed at transforming the way that society treats carers. In the vision statement it says: ‘By 2018: • Carers will be respected as expert care partners and will have access to the integrated and personalised services they need to support them in their caring role; Carers will be able to have a life of their own alongside their caring role; Carers will be supported so that they are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role Carers will be supported to stay mentally and physically well and treated with dignity; and Children and young people will be protected from inappropriate caring and have the support they need to learn, develop and thrive, to enjoy positive childhoods and to achieve against all the Every Child Matters outcomes.’ • • • • As carers we were consulted on what was important to us. Now as carers we must ensure that these promises are kept, and that the changes are implemented. Dinah Berry Chairman Page 3 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter The Stitch Shop Something Original for You! The Stitch Shop in Stotfold is a venue for people with learning difficulties who have an interest in sewing and craft activities. The Stitch Address and opening hours: Shop takes part in local craft markets all year round. The Stitch Shop, Hallworth Drive, Stotfold, SG5 4HR Those involved take part in all aspects of running a workshop, ranging from the purchase Tuesday 10am – 3pm of materials to the design, production and Wednesday 10am – 3pm promotion and sale of goods. Thursday 10am – 3pm Friday 10am – 12pm Income generated helps raise funds for the further development of the project. For further information please contact: The Stitch Shop produces original designs for handbags and shoulder bags, children’s play mats and dolls, curtains and cushions, hats, and also takes on alterations and repairs. Michela Fanara (Project Worker) on 07795257423 Come and visit our next door coffee shop “The Bistro” and taste homemade cakes and freshly made lunches! Email: michela.fanara@bedscc.gov.uk Dental Service for People who have a Learning Disability – Bedfordshire Primary Care Trust This service provides dental care for people with learning disabilities, particularly those whose special needs make it difficult to obtain routine dental care. The service offers an understanding, patient approach, and is able to communicate with many varied client groups. The service provides: • Routine dental care for people with special needs (in mobile surgeries and at home when appropriate) Treatment under sedation and under general anaesthetic in hospital Oral health training programmes for carers Wheelchair access as well as a wheelchair recliner • • • For further information please contact Tel: 01234 310339 By post: Assistant Clinical Director Special Care, Kempston Dental Clinic, Halsey Road, Kempston, MK42 8AU Page 4 Carers’ orum Newsletter Carers’ FForumNewsletter An update on the National Carers’ Strategy and Local Developments for Bedfordshire Carers James Robinson Morley (Carers’ Development Manager with Bedfordshire County Council) has provided the following update: In June 2008, the Government set out their 10 year plan for carers in the new National Carers’ Strategy, ‘Carers at the heart of 21st century families and communities'. The new strategy responds to consultation with carers and includes £255 million to provide additional support for carers. The values of the strategy are that: • carers will be given dignity and respect as expert care partners carers will have access to the services they need to support them in their caring role carers will be able to have a life of their own carers will not be made to face financial hardship by their caring role carers will have support to stay mentally and physically well children and young people will be kept safe from inappropriate caring roles • An increase of £150 million through the NHS to be spent using new plans for carer breaks New training for Local Authority staff to help them understand and support carers Better information sharing between social services, NHS and charities Discounts for carers on Local Authority leisure and transport Pilot annual health checks for carers and training for GP’s in some Primary Care Trusts • • • • For employment there will be: • • Better support from JobCentre Plus More awareness of the right to request flexible working • In terms of information there will be: • New funding for information about local services in different languages linking to a National Carers Helpline • • For young carers there will be: • • A further £6 million to support young carers • New information about carers: • The question about carers will remain in the Census The National Strategy also includes a set of commitments to carers. In health and social care there will be: Page 5 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter In Bedfordshire we are currently working in ways that support the National Strategy. For example: • There is a 24 hour single point of contact for carers for information, advice, guidance, support and help in a crisis • The Bedfordshire Carers Joint Commissioning Group has representatives from the current and new Local Authorities, Primary Care Trust and JobCentre Plus and are currently looking at new plans to support carers with employment Tel 0300 0123435 Email carers@bedscc.gov.uk www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/carers • The Local Authority and Primary Care Trust are already working together to deliver annual health checks and information in GP surgeries For further information, please contact James Robinson Morley on Tel: 01234 276790 Email james.robinson-morley@bedscc.gov.uk Web: www.bedfordshire.gov.uk For more information about the National Carers Strategy, please visit www.carersuk.org.uk Bedfordshire Carers’ Summit Bedfordshire County Council with Carers in Bedfordshire You have the opportunity to have your say and plan the future for Bedfordshire carers at this special event in October Learn about the National Carers Strategy Hear about what’s happening locally Discuss and plan what needs to happen Thursday 9th October 2008 9.30am-1.30pm with refreshments and food Maulden Village Hall Featuring Tony Robinson (from TV’s Time Team and Blackadder) Carers UK; Princess Royal Trust for Carers; Local organisations To book your place, please contact Anna Wolczenko Tel 01234 276397 Email anna.wolczenko@bedscc.gov.uk Page 6 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter To all people with learning disabilities aged 0-90, their families, and carers… You are invited to an information morning on: Friday 10th October, between 10.30 – 12.00 at Bedford Central Library (3rd Floor), Harpur Street, Bedford Do you want to find out what is out there? Meet with other parents? Then come along on 10th October 2008 Signpost Volunteers can give you information and support Free coffee and biscuits available An information morning will also be held on Friday 14th November Organised and financed by Bedford Mencap An Update from Carers in Bedfordshire New Carers Support Groups in South Bedfordshire Carers in Bedfordshire run a number of carer support groups across the county that are open to all carers. There are monthly support groups at Bedford, Shefford, Biggleswade and Ampthill. Two new monthly support groups have also been introduced in South Bedfordshire. Dunstable Carer Support Group Last Tuesday in the month, 1.30pm to 3.30pm The Methodist Church, The Square, Dunstable Leighton Buzzard Carer Support Group Last Wednesday in the month, 10.30am to 12.30pm Venue to be confirmed For further information, please contact Carers in Bedfordshire: Tel 01234 214914 Email contact@carersinbeds.co.uk Page 7 CCarers’FForumNewsletter arers’ orum Newsletter Voices For All – A New Independent Advocacy Service for People Living in Bedfordshire Voices for All provide a one to one advocacy service, helping individuals to have a direct say in issues that affect their lives. Voices for All offer independent support to all people regardless of status or ability. The service is hosted by the Bedfordshire charity Advocacy Alliance. Can Voices for All help you? You may sometimes have difficulty speaking up for yourself or having your views heard in decisions that affect you. An advocate can work in partnership with you to empower you to make your own choices and have your voice heard. You may need support when attending a meeting, talking to health or social care services, claiming benefits or just filling in a form. If so, you may benefit from the support of a skilled advocate. To find out more about advocacy, or to make an appointment please contact: Voices for All Tel 01234 328028 Email enquiries@voicesforall.co.uk Update from the Disability Resource Centre The Disability Resource Centre has an Equipment Display Area which can be accessed by disabled people of all ages, their families, carers, friends and associated support organisations. The Equipment Display Area has a full range of items to help with everyday living. This service includes offering people individual appointments to see and try out a sample of products, to find those most suited to their needs. The Equipment Display Area has a weekly Wednesday ‘Drop-in’ which provides the opportunity to browse and obtain independent advice without prior appointment. For further information, please contact the Disability Resource Centre Equipment Manager on 01582 470900 Email information@drcbeds.org.uk Web www.drcbeds.co.uk Page 8 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter You are invited to one of launch events of the Bedfordshire Local Involvement Network (LINk) “The LINk is a network of individuals, groups and communities, who want to work together to improve local health and social care services” There will be speakers from health and social care, and an overview of the progress of Local Involvement Networks around the country will be provided. This event provides an opportunity for you to join the Bedfordshire LINk and talk to those members who have been supporting the interim arrangements. There are two events scheduled for Friday 26th September 2008 9.30am – 12pm at the Shortstown Village Hall, nr Greycote Road, Shortstown OR 5.30pm – 7.30pm in the Davis Suite, Rufus Centre, Flitwick If you would like to attend either of the events, please contact: Charlotte Bonser Bedfordshire Local Involvement Network (LINk), Voluntary Action Luton, FREEPOST ANG 7874 Luton, LU1 1BR Tel 01582 733418 Autism Bedfordshire Autism Bedfordshire is a registered charity providing support services for people with autistic spectrum disorders throughout Bedfordshire and Luton. For further information please contact Autism Bedfordshire on 01234 350704 Email enquiries@autismbeds.org Page 9 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter Information and support groups for carers of an adult with a learning disability Why not come along to one of the family carer groups and… Meet with other family carers in a relaxed and friendly environment Share experiences, information and support Listen to guest speakers of your choosing Share your views about the services available South Beds Older Family Carers Group The Methodist Church, The Square, Dunstable, LU6 3SN Every third Friday in the month 10.30am – 12.30pm North Beds Older Family Carers Group Project 229, 229 Bedford Road, Kempston, MK42 8DA Every second Thursday in the month 10.45am – 12.45pm Refreshments will be provided If you would like further details, or are in need of support to attend, please contact Marie Cleary (Carers’ Development Worker) on 01234 276108 or email marie.cleary@bedscc.gov.uk Moving Forward – Free Training Programme for Family Carers of an Adult with a Learning Disability Caring for somebody with a learning disability is usually a lifelong commitment, and family carers face many transitions in the caring relationship. Facing the transition of the person you care for moving away from the family home can be challenging. In response to requests from family carers for training and support in this area, a free training programme is being organised for January 2009. The six week programme (one three hour session per week for six weeks) is a new approach to enable family carers to understand and explore further how to move forward at the pace that is right for their individual family. The programme will be group based so that family carers can work alongside others facing similar challenges. Refreshments and lunch will be provided as part of the course, and support with transport can be provided where needed. For further information, or to register your interest, please contact Marie Cleary on 01234 276108, or email marie.cleary@bedscc.gov.uk Page 10 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter ‘Benefits For All’ ADVICE FAIR 1st October 2008 10am - 3pm Harpur Suite, Bedford Advice on a wide range of issues, including Benefits! Free Refreshments For further details please telephone 01234 221668 Page 11 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter Consulting Carers – Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger Syndrome Bedfordshire County Council is currently looking at ways to improve the lives and services available to local people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Asperger Syndrome. We would like to hear about the views, ideas and experiences of people who care for a friend or relative with ASD to help us understand how we can develop and design current and future services to meet local need. The consultation will start on 2nd September and finish on 31st October 2008 and the information received will form a central part of how we plan and develop local services. If you would like more information, or are able to spare a few minutes to complete a short questionnaire, we would love to hear from you. For further information please contact : Barbara Wonford on 01234 228 247 email Barbara.wonford@bedscc.gov.uk or Vivienne Payne on 01234 279 739, email Vivienne.Payne@bedscc.gov.uk A Person Centred Charter to Help All I’m often asked ‘How many person centred plans do we have in Bedfordshire?’ This can be a difficult question to answer as person centred plans or PCP means different things to different people. Some people talk about circles of support and others mention person centred approaches. Carers’ views of person centred plans may be different to those of services. Over the last few months Bedfordshire’s Person Centred Community of Practice have been developing a Person Centred Charter that aims to describe what PCP means to the individual, family and friends, paid supporters and organisations. Our aim is that all will ‘sign up’ to the charter as an agreed framework for person centred planning. If you would like to know more about the charter contact Jonathan on 01582 818077 or email jonathan.ralphs@bedscc.gov.uk Valuing People Support Team Newsletter for Family Carers The Valuing People Support Team produced a newsletter earlier this year which focuses on families and ‘self directed support’ or ‘Personalisation’. The newsletter provides information through stories from families who are already ‘doing’ self directed support. If you would like a copy of the newsletter, please go to: www.valuingpeople.gov.uk or contact Marie Cleary on 01234 276108. Page 12 Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Newsletter Carers’ Forum Tel: 01234 363222 Bedford Adult Learning Disability Team County Hall Cauldwell Street Bedford MK42 9AP Heartlands Adult Learning Disability Team The Rufus Centre 1st Floor, Room 6 Steppingley Road Flitwick MK45 1AH DUTY Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm Tel: 01234 276762 Bedford: Option 2 Heartlands: Option 1 Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team 0870 238 5465 Safeguarding Adults Helpline: 01582 818085 Fax: 01582 818031 Email: adult.protection@bedscc.gov.uk The next Carer’s Forum will be held at the Rufus Centre, Flitwick, between 10.00am and 1.00pm on: Tuesday 14th October 2008 (please note change of date) Guest Speaker: Anthea Slark (Community Library Services) The Carers’ Forum is a platform for carers to share their perspective. As a carer, your presence and contribution would be greatly valued. Lunch is provided, and we can help you with transport if needed. If you would like further information about the Carers’ Forum, or would like to share your views about the newsletter, please contact Marie Cleary, Carers’ Development Worker on 01234 276108. Alternatively, you can write to: Adult Learning Disability Team, County Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP Email marie.cleary@bedscc.gov.uk Previous editions of the Carers’ Newsletter can be accessed at www.bedfordshire.gov.uk Out of hours (emergencies only) 0870 2385465