Coventry City Council's latest Switch and Save scheme is now open for online registrations.

Switch and Save helps Coventry residents see if they can get a better deal for their energy. Many struggle to afford their gas and electricity bills and this scheme offers a simple way for people to spend less by switching to cheaper tariffs.

The Council has appointed iChoosr to manage the scheme. iChoosr has been operating in the UK since 2012 and the Council has successfully worked with them on all three of its previous schemes.

Switch and Save is open to most energy customers, whether you rent or own your property, as long as your name is on the energy bill, you can take part. Pre-pay meter users also qualify. Even if you have up to £500 energy debt, you can still switch.

Taking part in Switch and Save is free and it’s easy – all you have to do is provide some details and then iChoosr will do the rest.

So how will it work?

There are 4 simple steps to switching to a cheaper tariff with Switch and Save:

• Step 1 - You register your interest online by providing some basic details.
• Step 2 - You'll receive a personal offer from the energy supplier that has given the best deal in the competition run by iChoosr.
• Step 3 - You decide whether you want to switch to the supplier making the offer. There's no obligation to switch if you don't want to.
• Step 4 - iChoosr and the energy supplier will make all of the arrangements for you to switch, and then that's it, you can start paying less for your gas and electricity!

To register visit www.coventry.gov.uk/switch

The Triangle of Care is a national initiative co-ordinated by the Carers Trust.

Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust launched its Triangle of Care pilot in March 2017.

We know it is often carers providing the day to day hands-on support and care when professionals are not available. The Triangle of Care was developed by staff and carers to improve engagement and enable a collaborative partnership between the patient, their carer and staff, to ensure the needs of the patient are met.

The Triangle of Care promotes the beneficial relationship between the patient, their carer and staff. It ensures the carer is a key participant in discussions and decisions alongside the patient and professionals. 

In March, the Trust engagement team began a Triangle of Care pilot in mental health acute and community services, and plan to introduce it in other services in the future

To find out more about Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust visit www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk.

Our Carer Information and Support Programme (CrISP) is a structured four session programme run over four weeks which is an opportunity for carers to learn more about dementia and the practical, legal and financial aspects of supporting someone with a dementia diagnosis.

It also looks at the impact of caring and provides an opportunity for carers to meet and share experiences in a friendly and confidential environment.

CrISP sessions are run throughout the year – with the upcoming programme starting on 3 May 2017 from 5.30pm – 8.00pm at Barras Green. 

This programme (CrISP 1) is particularly useful for carers supporting someone in the early stages of dementia with a recent diagnosis.

Please contact the Coventry office on 024 7665 2602 for more information and to book your place (booking is essential as there are a limited number of spaces)

Please also note that this is a carer specific group and we are unable to offer care for the person you support during the group.

Are you a parent/carer of a child with Special Educational Needs or Disabilties (SEND)?

Do you worry about how your child(s) will manage when you are no longer around?

Come along and find out more at this free session for parents/carers. 

Planning for the Future - Mencap  

 Friday 28 April 2017, 9.30am for Coffee, then start at 10am to finish at 12pm

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service, 

Limbrick Wood Centre, Thomas Naul Croft, Tile Hill, Coventry, CV4 9QX.

Places are limited and must be booked. To book your place please telephone 024 7669 4307 or email: iass@coventry.gov.uk

Carers UK run this national State of Caring survey each year to find out what life is like for people who are caring, and what needs to change to make life better.

In the biggest survey of its kind of carers in the UK, the data we collect paints a real picture of the life carers lead.  

We use the responses to provide evidence to policy makers.

Take part in this year's survey

For more information about Carers UK and the work they do to campaign for carers visit www.carersuk.org.