News

Carers Northumberland need your views.

We would like to invite you to join us at 3 events we are holding across the county, to introduce our two new projects and give you the chance to influence how they are delivered in the coming months. It is also an opportunity for you to get together with other carers and share your views and experiences. You are welcome to come along to whichever day is most convenient for you, just let us know. 

All events run from 1pm to 3pm

Thursday 1st March: Red Cross Centre, Hexham

Friday 2nd March: Bedlington Salvation Army

Tuesday 6th March: Bell View, Belford

For more information download the flyer here

Carewell - A new website for carers

Carewell is a comprehensive online resource containing information and support for carers including guidance on how to manage stress levels, getting a better quality night’s sleep, eating healthily and how to increase physical activity on a busy schedule. Plus, there's a forum to discuss, comment, contribute ideas and share top tips with other carers , for more information visit the Carewell website here

Welfare changes

A carer has shared with us an e-petition currently underway to attempt to force the government to slow down and consider the impact of proposed welfare changes on disabled people, their carers and families.  If you'd like to sign the e-petition, find out more here.

Carers Health Check - Reviews

Many Northumberland carers over the last 18 months received a health check from their district nurse as part of a pilot project focussing on the health needs of carers.  Although the pilot has finished, District Nurse Annette Pike has been recruited for a year to offer reviews to carers who received a health check, this is in response to feedback from carers who expressed disappointment that the pilot was ending before promised reviews had taken place.  The pilot was a success and is leading to the development of a more sustainable and accessible wellbeing check for carers that Annette will also be helping with. The new check will be able to be used by many professionals, including Carers Northumberland support staff and will be rolled out gradually with an initial focus on older carers of people with a learning disability and of people with dementia.

If you were involved in the carer health check pilot, have not had a review and feel you need one then contact Carers Northumberland.

Mencap Planning for the Future seminars

The Planning for the Future events are free seminars, aimed at families and carers who are wishing to leave money to benefit their child or relative with a learning disability. They will be able to find out more from a legal professional about writing their will and setting up a trust. For more information download the flyer here or download a booking form here.

Fulfilling Potential: Community Discussion Events

The Government wants to make sure that disabled people have the right support to achieve their aspirations in education, work and independent living in the future. They are asking people for their ideas and views to make sure that everyone’s views are heard and are included in the new Disability Strategy. Inclusion North is holding an event in 4 different places to help you give your views. For more information download the flyer here.

In it Together annual Conference - Wednesday 14th March 2012

In It Together will be holding it’s Annual Conference at Alnwick Gardens, It is for Parents and Carers of Children and Young People up to 25 years of age with a Disability or Additional Need who live in Northumberland. For more information download the flyer here.

Autism Friendly Film Screening

There will be an Austim friendly screening of The Muppets at the Metrocentre ODEON at 11:30am on Sunday 19th February. This will be followed by John Carter on Sunday 11th March

• The lights will be on low
• The volume will be turned down
• There will be no trailers at the beginning of the film
• You'll be able to take your own food and drinks
• You'll be able to move around the cinema if you like.
• CEA Cinema cards can be used.

Parent Carers of disabled children - In It Together

A parent led group who work closely with service providers to develop and maintain accessible, high quality services for all children and young people with additional needs and disabilities up to the age of 25, working towards a positive future for all. They are looking to expand their group members throughout the County to ensure as many families as possible can be represented in shaping the future and the services children and families recieve. It's a great way to make new friends and share experiences with people who understand.  For more information contact Elizabeth Richardson on 07739830110.

Help inform Public Sector equality objectives in Northumberland

Northumberland LINk is hosting a number of consultation meetings across the County to help vulnerable people and communities influence the practice of Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Health Care NHS Foundation Trust when developing and delivering services. All meetings are 11am until 1pm with coffee and lunch provided. Further information click here and download the booking form here.

Have your say at Parliament - Join in lobbying MP's about Social Care

Carers Northumberland are supporting the Care and Support Alliance attempts to convince MP's to reform Social Care. You can get involved. Visit http://carelobby2012.org.uk/

Northumberland County Council - Equalities Survey

The County Council are seeking to improve equality in the county and are conducting a survey into people's experiences of accessing Council services.  The survey is available online until 10 February and all information gathered will help inform how the Council addresses equality issues in the next few years.

To contribute to the survey, follow this link:  rendersurvey

Social Care and Health Information Points

A new facility called Social Care and Health Information Points are now available in libraries in Amble, Berwick, Haltwhislte, Morpeth and the information centre in Cramlington.

The five information points have been developed as part of a pilot through a partnership of Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The information points aim to help residents with health problems or disabilities remain living independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

A broad range of information is available, including details of support groups in the area, information about how social services and other organisations can help you, and advice on addressing common issues associated with disability or long-term illness.

The information points are open during normal library opening times and NHS support planners will be on hand two days per week. For more information visit infopoint.mylibrary.co.uk or drop in or call to book an appointment on 01670 536 400 or email: socialcare@nct.nhs.uk

Text Giving

Text CARE16 £5 to 70070 to donate to Carers Northumberland and make a difference today.

1 in 6 People will be a carer within their lifetime. Donate to our CARE16 campaign and improve the lives of carers in Northumberland.

JustTextGiving by Vodafone.

If you require more information about Textgiving please follow this link:

http://www.vodafone.co.uk/vodafone-uk/about-us/just-text-giving/just-text-giving-for-donors/index.htm

Are you juggling work with care?

Being a carer and holding down a job can mean that you have little or no time for yourself let alone find out about rights and support so that you can continue to work and care.

Carers Northumberland offers an evening information line on the first and third Tuesday of the month until 7.30pm so that you can access support and information outside normal working hours.

Call 0844 800 7354 to find out what support is available for you.

Are you a Young Carer and would like some money to do something for you?

The Young Carers Opportunities Fund enables young carers to access up to £100 to pay for an activity that will give you a break from your caring responsibilities, for example sports clubs, equipment, transport costs or concert tickets...

You or an adult on your behalf can call 0844 800 7354 to ask for an application form today!

Carers Northumberland Newsletters

Carers Northumberland keeps carers informed of local and national issues and activities that might affect them. These are distributed quarterly, for the latest newsletter please click on the link below:

Latest Newsletter

Earlier editions:

April 2009
June 2009
September 2009
December 2009
March 2010

June 2010

September 2010

Summer 2011

September 2011