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Welcome to this month's carers' bulletin. November marks two special events, the first being Carers Rights Day and the second being Diwali.
The 26 November marked Carers' Rights Day. This event highlighted the rights of carers, where you can get help and support and also raise awareness of the amazing role that carers do! Carers Trust Heart of England celebrated by holding a Big Zoom, more information can be found below.
We would also like to wish everyone a very Happy Diwali and although celebrations may have been a bit different this year we hope you were able to enjoy yourselves.
As Coventry enters into Tier 3 COVID-19 restrictions at the start of December, it brings new guidance and rules that we must follow. To keep safe and well this winter, we have included guidance about when and where to get a COVID-19 test in the city, information about flu jabs and the importance of accessing this, support around diabetes and also bowel health awareness.
Thank you for taking the time to read this bulletin. Please take care and look after yourselves and your loved ones. Stay safe!
To support Carers Rights Day, Carers Trust held the Big Zoom event on 26 November.
This involved different professionals being available in virtual breakout rooms and carers could join the meeting and then decide who they would like to speak to. Some of the organisations involved were The Law Centre, VoiceAbility and the DWP.
Feedback from carers have highlighted that they liked the way the event was organised and that they could "drop in" to the session at a time that suited to them and that it felt more personal. With different organisations being involved this has meant that more joined up working and sharing of ideas can take place which will benefit carers going forward.
Thank you to all who participated.
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For carers who support people with learning disabilities
This is a great opportunity for carers who support individuals with a learning disability to expand their knowledge and understanding about the importance of healthy bowel management and the effects that poor bowel management can have on an individual.
The session will cover:
- Healthy diet
- Identifying and preventing constipation
- The impact of medication(s)
- Bowel cancer screening
- Q&A session
The course will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams
Tuesday 1 December 2020, 10am -12pm, via Microsoft Teams
The course is fully funded. There will be no charge to attend.
If you would like to reserve a place on the course, please email Lynn Bassett - stating the following details:
- Full Name
- Role: Family Carer, Support worker etc
- Place of work
- Email Address
- Telephone Number
- Date you would like to attend the training.
Reminder that this course will be delivered online through teams to ensure staff are safe during this challenging times.
The team will confirm your booking and send you the joining instructions for the event.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lynn Bassett by email or telephone: 07979 658876.
We are delighted to offer a new free online course for Coventry carers to help you cope with life in ‘lockdown’. Places are limited! The next one starts 11 January 2021.
Carers Trust Heart of England have partnered with Hope For The Community CIC to offer an online Hope Programme to carers in Coventry. This free, six-week online course will help you to cope better, feel more in control and more resilient.
The course starts on 11 January 2021 and you can complete it at your own pace, with support from trained facilitators. Later dates will be available in 2021.
Find out more about the online course or sign up
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This course will be facilitated by Dr Liz Sparkes and supports grieving to explore difficult emotions cultivating self- compassion and includes support materials. This will take place via Zoom. We are now taking bookings for the next block of workshops starting 27 January 2021.
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The Carers Trust Virtual Day Centre will be facilitated by Social Development Workers who will support the cared for, supporting them in how to use technology (a tablet) and to connect with other people safely.
The programme will take place in the home of the cared for with a worker on a 1-2-1 basis, developing skills in using a range of applications to participate in individual and group activities. Project workers will link them with others who are part of the virtual day centre. Sessions will last for two hours, this will provide carers with protected time to take a break, whilst being confident that the person they care for is being supported through online activities. Care and support recipients will be able to loan or purchase the equipment.
Expected benefits:
- Carers will be able to take a break and feel supported to carry on their caring role with an opportunity to also participate in the virtual day centre activities, connecting with other carers and reducing social isolation.
- Mutual benefits in the moving on phase, carers and care recipients will understand changes when engaging in activities in the local community as shielding is paused.
If the person you care for is no longer attending a day centre due to COVID-19, as they have done previously, please contact Adult Social Care directly to find out more information on 024 7683 3003.
Even during the current lockdown, it’s still really important to get a test if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild. There are plenty of tests available at our five testing sites across Coventry. These include drive-in, mobile and walk-in test centres. Testing is cost free, quick and not painful. Before you visit you must book a test online
Test Sites
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Location
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Type
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Hours
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Whitefriars Car Park
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Walk -in
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8am to 8pm everyday
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Moat Street Car Park
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Drive-through
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8am to 8pm everyday
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Ricoh Arena, Judds Lane
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Drive-through
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10:30am to 3.30pm everyday
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Broad Street (next to Broad St Surgery)
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Walk-in
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8am to 8pm everyday
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Westwood, University of Warwick, Westwood Games Hall
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Walk-in
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8am to 8pm everyday
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Here’s a map showing where the test sites are.
Even though testing is easy and there are plenty of testing sites around the city, compared to our neighbours very few people in Coventry are getting tested.
We want to understand why people aren't getting tested, so we can help keep the city safe.
We have started a new discussion forum on Let’s Talk Coventry, please let us know why you think people aren’t getting tested.
This year, in particular, it is important to protect yourself against the flu. If you are in receipt of carers allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick, you are entitled to a free flu vaccination. You can access this via your GP surgery or at a local participating pharmacy.
If you employ a personal assistant, they are also entitled to a free flu vaccination. To access this they need to attend their GP surgery or pharmacy and explain they are a personal assistant. You may need to complete a letter of entitlement as proof of employment on their behalf.
Two short films have been produced on flu vaccinations.
The first is for carers of people with a learning disability about the importance of vaccinating themselves and the people they care for.
The second is about vaccinating people with a learning disability and autistic people with certain health conditions.
Both cover why it is important, who is eligible for a free vaccine, where you can get the vaccine and reasonable adjustments.
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New Diabetes website for people in Coventry and Warwickshire
Health and social care partners have launched a new diabetes website for people living in Coventry and Warwickshire, the site will support people who are living with diabetes and to help them manage their long term condition.
The site has been specially designed to be easily read, clear, accessible and offers a number of translated options by selecting a preferred language at the top of the homepage, the aim is to provide information about diabetes care, management and prevention on a centrally shared platform to make it easier for people to find local support services.
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Here at Carers Trust Heart of England we are currently updating the assessments we have completed in the past as part of the CRESS carers emergency service.
If you are already a member and we feel it may be necessary (perhaps the assessment was completed a long time ago), you may be contacted by one of the team over the next couple of months to ask about any significant changes that may have taken place since the original assessment was completed. Please don’t be alarmed, in no way does this affect your membership of the scheme. Alternatively, if you feel there have been significant changes, or if membership of the scheme is no longer relevant to you, you could contact Sarah Simpson on 07522 200144 between the hours of 9.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday to provide us with any relevant information about your loved one.
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The Carers Trust Heart of England Diwali celebration took place virtually this year on Friday 20 November. Forty-one carers attended the celebrations plus their family members and the people they care for. The group members were supported and encouraged by Carers Trust Heart of England Chairperson, Mrs. Janet Jones-Legg, Chief Executive Sonja Woodhouse, board members Councillor Ram Lakha and Mr. Gian Singh Seehra and Natalie Hall - Carers Development and Engagement Officer from Coventry City Council.
Carers entertained themselves from their own homes with their own refreshments and sang Bollywood songs. They also prayed for the good health and happiness for all and are hoping to get together in the near future for a big celebration. Normally, Milan members celebrate all festivals together with 100 people attending including guests and carers. Since the lock down in March, this has not been possible, and all the meetings are taking place virtually twice a month. The number of attendees is increasing each session as carers are learning to use the technology and looking for a new way to meet.
The last meeting for this year will take place on Friday 18 December between 11am – 1pm by Zoom and the members will celebrate Christmas. The programme has also been planned for the virtual meetings for 2021 and it will be sent out in near future. If you required any further details or would like to join the carers' support group please contact Varsha Thakrar.
Here is also the opportunity to watch some colourful virtual Diwali Celebrations from Birmingham University.
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The Experiences of Chinese Caregivers Caring for Chinese People at End of Life.
The aim of this study is to understand the experiences of Chinese caregivers caring for Chinese people at end of life in community settings and explore the ways to improve such experiences.
If you have a Chinese cultural background, aged 18 and over, and live in England. If you are currently caring for an adult at end of life or if you have had experience of caring for an adult at end of life in the last 5 years you may be eligible to take part in this study.
If you would like to know more, please contact the researcher on 07823 362148, email: s.zhao@warwick.ac.uk or WeChat: susan712000
This study is a PhD project sponsored by University of Warwick and approved by Research Ethical Committee (REF No. BSREC 159/19-20)
Cantonese
此研究的主要目的是了解居英華人在社區照顧生命晚期華人的體會和經驗，並探索改善這種經歷的方法。
如果您具有華人文化背景，年齡在18周歲或以上，居住在英格蘭地區
如果您目前正在照顧生命晚期華人
或者
您在5年內有照顧過生命晚期華人的經歷
您可能適合參與這個研究項目
如果您希望了解更多信息，請聯繫科研人員：
手機：07823362148 郵箱: s.zhao@warwick.ac.uk 微信: susan712000
Mandarin
此研究的主要目的是了解居英华人在社区照顾生命晚期华人的体会和经验，并探索改善这种经历的方法。
果您具有华人文化背景，年龄在18周岁或以上，居住在英格兰地区
如果您目前正在照顾生命晚期华人
或者
您在5年内有照顾过生命晚期华人的经历
您可能适合参与这个研究项目
如果您希望了解更多信息，请联系科研人员：
手机：07823362148 邮箱: s.zhao@warwick.ac.uk 微信: susan712000
Click and Collect service
Grab yourself a bundle of books with our Click and Collect service
Appointments to return books can also be made
Book online
Or by phone: 024 7683 2314
Remember a face covering must be worn when visiting a Library.
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The Reading Agency will be holding its Winter Mini Challenge reading programme, which will begin on the 1 December 2020 and run until the 15 January 2021. This year, they are partnering with the brilliant children’s independent publisher Knights Of - and the theme will be Everyone Is A Hero.
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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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