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Welcome to this month's Carers' Bulletin. There have been lots of contributions from our partners this month so we hope that you find it helpful.
You'll see that the Carers Trust Heart of England have a range of virtual sessions that they are providing, ranging from Parent Peer Support, a virtual cuppa and even yoga! So please feel free to join them, they'd love to see you.
From recent Government guidance we know how important the wearing of face masks are when we are out in the community, however, for some this is not possible, so we have included some useful information regarding face mask exemption cards.
The Government have also provided up-to-date guidance for young carers and young adult carers.
Independent Age has also published guidance on how to take care of yourself as a carer.
I think if anyone had predicted what 2020 would be like, I would never have guessed it would turn out like this. To be honest though I think Carers Trust Heart of England and the carers we support have shown such resilience and adapted well to how our services are now delivered. Carers have shown real strength in being able adapt to severe changes in their daily life and how they continue to provide care for someone.
The biggest change for many of the staff at Carers Trust has been working from home whilst maintaining contact with carers. The digital age is upon us. This is not a new concept but Covid-19 has given us the opportunity to look at how we deliver our support to carers and how to modify the way we offer support and offer alternatives to face to face contact with carers.
We have become acquainted with Zoom and Discord in order to set up Virtual Chat sessions, support groups and activities for Carers. It has also given us an alternative option for offering carer contacts on an individual basis using a variety of digital connections and not just by telephone.
This bulletin brings you up to date with a lot of the online sessions we are hosting and have been hosting during the lockdown. Please see information and click on the links to join any of the sessions.
Also please remember our Wellbeing Advisers are still working should you need to contact them for support or advice. Please telephone 024 7663 2972 Option 1 for Coventry and Option 2 for Warwickshire.
Digital Sessions
Zoom Chat with Mike and Sue at 3pm and 7pm on a Wednesday.
Come and join our informal online Zoom chat with people who care and recognise what an amazing role you play in looking after someone. This is a great chance to catch up with our friendly support team, ask questions, gain advice and chat with other local carers.
The only request is that you bring your own cuppa. We offer two sessions every Wednesday. The first at 3pm and another at 7pm. You are welcome to join both.
Join Tea@3 on a Wednesday via the zoom link at 3pm.
Join the Evening Chat at 7pm on a Wednesday, via the zoom link at 7pm.
Online Yoga with Varsha – Every Wednesday at 11am
These sessions are open to all carers and those that are cared for. Sessions take place on Zoom and will cover breathing exercises with some light physical movements to relax joints and muscles whilst sitting on your chair.
Join this session on zoom at 11am.
Milan Asian Carers’ Support Group
Milan Asian Carers Support Group is for Asian Carers to get together and get involved in consultations with Health and Social Care professionals. It also offers training to provide skills & techniques to better support carers in their caring role. We also celebrate various religious festivals throughout the year.
If you require further details please contact Varsha Thakrar on 02476632972 - option 1 or email Varsha.thakrar@carerstrsuthofe.org.uk
The following meetings are planned and sessions are booked:
- Friday 7 August 2020 11am –12.30pm Session on claiming Carers Allowance and other relevant benefits
- Friday 21 August 2020 11am – 12.30pm Session on Healthy Diet by Ground work West Midland
Free online course for parent carers of a child with Autism
Are you a parent or caregiver of a child with autism? Would you like to cope better, feel more in control of your emotions and be more resilient?
Carers Trust Heart of England are working in partnership with HOPE 4 The Community - UK to offer a FREE 6-week online self-management programme for parents and caregivers of children with autism to help them cope with life during lockdown. The course can be completed at your own pace.
The course was co-created with parents and with researchers at Coventry University to make sure it is rooted in science.
The next session is available on 24 August.
Parent peer support group - every Monday and Thursday
If you live in Coventry or Warwickshire and are a parent carer or a parent of a young carer please do join our weekly virtual chats via Discord.
The weekly catch up is a great chance to chat with our friendly team, gain advice and build a support network with people that understand what you are going through. Sessions are relaxed, informal, and are held every Monday afternoon at 4.30pm and every Thursday evening at 8.30pm.
For more information, and to request the access information for Discord, please email:
mark.graham@carerstrusthofe.org.uk or susan.murray@carerstrusthofe.org.uk
If you are new to using Discord, our team will be happy to help.
Mental Health Hubs Care and Share – Coventry and Warwickshire
The Care and Share group is now being offered to carers in both Coventry and Warwickshire who care for someone with a Mental Health condition. This group runs the 1st Thursday of every month and starts on 6 August 2020 at 10:30 – 12:30pm.
Join us.
LD/ASC Carers Support Group
This is a new combined group that supports carers who care for Adults and Children with a Learning Disability or an Autistic Spectrum Condition. The group runs every fortnight on a Wednesday at 10am. The next date is 5 August 2020. Join us via this zoom link.
The Young Carers' Service is offering online sessions. If you would like to attend these or for more information please see the contact details below:
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New Buddy Service – Coventry and Warwickshire
Are you a Coventry or Warwickshire carer who is currently feeling anxious or lonely?
If so, why not join our new 'buddy service' and have a friendly and informal chat with one of our volunteers?
We know our carers maybe feeling lonely and isolated, so we are offering this free service to provide support over the phone.
Our new 'buddy service' can offer:
- a friendly listening ear,
- the chance to sit down with a cuppa and our volunteer will call you for a chat,
- some dedicated time for you.
This is a FREE service, available now and the contact can be as regular or last as long as you would like it to.
If you would like to register for our new 'buddy service', please contact the Well-being Service on 024 7663 2972 (option 1 for Coventry and option 2 for Warwickshire)
Please read our leaflet to find out more.
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The use of face coverings is very important to help control the spread of coronavirus, however, you do not need to wear one in shops or on public transport if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes not being able to wear a face covering due to:
✅ disability, learning disability or if you are autistic
✅ lung and breathing conditions
✅ physical or mental illness
✅ severe distress
✅ supporting someone who uses lip reading
✅ escaping harm or injury
✅ needing to eat, drink or take medication
You can get an exemption card, including versions to save to your phone at www.keepsafe.org.uk/card - this might help you, or the person you are caring for if you are asked to explain why a face covering is not being used.
Library Service Update
Libraries are welcoming back readers with the introduction of a ‘Click and Collect’ service from Stoke, Foleshill or Tile Hill Libraries. Everyone is welcome to order a bundle of books using the online form or by telephoning 024 7683 2314.
The library will contact you with your appointment time
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Love Poetry
Have you been missing someone during lockdown or are you wanting to thank someone for their kindness? Why not have a poem written for you or someone in your life?
Popular poets from the West Midlands are offering to write you a personalised poem free of charge. All you need to do is send some information about yourself or your loved one by email to brenda@brendareadbrown.co.uk . This promotion is in partnership with Poetry on Loan, commissioning work with poets and libraries in the West Midlands
Read more...
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Summer Reading Challenge
The ‘Silly Squad’ Summer Reading Challenge is going digital this year and you can sign-up for free at www.sillysquad.org.uk but you will need adult approval (via email).
- Create your account
- Set your own reading goals but try to read at least 6 books over the summer holidays.
- You can review and rate books, see what others recommend.
- Download treats, do quizzes and watch videos from authors as well as lots more
If you don’t want to take the challenge, there are still lots of exciting things to do on the website. www.sillysquad.org.uk
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Remember Coventry Libraries have a brilliant selection of free e-books an e-audio books to choose from at www.coventry.gov.uk/ebooks
Comics
Don’t forget comics count towards the Summer Reading Challenge and you can download the free app from RBdigital.
Inspiration to help children keep reading over the summer
If you've read all the books by your favourite author - 'Who Next' lists other authors you might like to try: www.coventry.gov.uk/eresources
So, if you've read all the Harry Potter series, you could try Pseudonymous Bosch next, available on Borrowbox: www.coventry.gov.uk/ebooks
Dementia talking Point is a new online community where people can share stories, receive advice from others and simply support others in similar situations to themselves – any time day or night.
Get more information or sign up.
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Have you or someone you care for been in hospital recently? Tell Healthwatch Coventry your views
During the coronavirus pandemic the usual processes hospitals follow to discharge people from their care changed to help free up beds. While these changes have successfully got people out of hospital and helped the NHS manage the demand created by coronavirus, we want to know what this has meant for you.
To find out more about people’s experiences of health and care during COVID-19, we recently launched our campaign #BecauseWeAllCare to encourage people to share their experiences of health and social care services in Coventry.
Healthwatch is the independent local champion for people who use NHS and care services. By telling us about your experiences of leaving hospital we can help services in Coventry improve the care they provide now, and in the future.
Share your experiences of hospital discharge since Covid-19 today.
You can also tell us your experience of other services through the Healthwatch Coventry website.
Please share this with friends, family members or anyone in any networks.
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It’s simple! Just add your email address in the top right hand corner and click GO!
You can also sign up or view previous bulletins from our Carers' website.
If you have any comments or wish to contribute something to the next bulletin, please let us know by contacting us at carers@coventry.gov.uk.
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