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Welcome to January's bulletin, I'd like to start by wishing you a Happy New Year. Although 2021 has not started off quite as we had imagined or hoped for, with facing another national lockdown and all that this brings, I hope this bulletin finds you well.
With another lockdown comes further guidance on restrictions, which we appreciate will have an impact on you as a carer as well as the loved ones you care for. So within this bulletin there is information on the latest guidance for carers', where you can get a COVID-19 test if you are showing no symptoms, virtual sessions that offer support and activities for all ages, a workshop for those that care for someone with Autism or are awaiting an assessment and information regarding energy.
I'd just like to say thank you and reiterate what an amazing job you are doing in such difficult times. Please take care and stay safe.
The Joint Committee for Vaccination Immunisation (JCV1) has stipulated that priority group six includes unpaid carers. The JVCI advises UK health departments on immunisation and makes recommendations on vaccination schedules and vaccine safety.
Work is in progress to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guidance for the roll out vaccinations to unpaid carers.
Many unpaid carers will receive early vaccination due to their own age, or clinical need as defined in JCVI groups 1-5 (see guidance in the links below).
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is working with the vaccination programme and key stakeholders, including ADASS, the LGA and carers organisations with the aim of this SOP being launched at the end of January 2021.
Like other SOPs, this will include clarity on definitions, eligibility and the process for unpaid carers to access vaccination as a guide to support local implementation.
For further information please visit the guidance website the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation: advice on priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination, 30 December 2020 (update 6 January 2021) and the NHS vaccination website.
Can the carer stay at another person’s home for respite while the cared for has care at home?
Yes, they can, however, only in certain circumstances. The new lockdown guidance sets out what are reasonable grounds for staying overnight away from home.
An example of when this would be permitted is if you look after someone with a disability or care for a child under five who has a disability. You can form a “support bubble” or “linked household” with another family or a friend and you can stay over at each other’s houses overnight. This means that carers who meet these criteria can have a break by staying overnight in the linked household, whilst a family member or friend from the linked household provides support to the cared for in their absence.
Can several people from same household provide support?
The guidance on support bubbles shows that in the circumstances above you can make a support bubble with one household of any size as long as you meet one of the criteria, which includes being the only adult who does not need continuous care in your own household. As such several people from the same household could provide support.
You can choose to change your linked household but you must end being linked with another household and there must be a period of 10 days wait before you take steps to link to a new household.
The only exception to the rule of not being linked to any other household is for informal childcare.
So, it is possible to be linked to one household who could provide respite but also linked to another household for informal childcare.
Please take every precaution possible, such as wearing a face covering and using stringent hygiene measures. We recommend that you have regular lateral flow tests, which will highlight if you or anyone in your bubble, have COVID-19 even if you are showing no symptoms. There are several sites across the city that are providing these tests.
We also appreciate that the pandemic can impact in people’s mental health and wellbeing. With this in mind here are some services that you may find helpful for you as a carer but also for the person you care for:
Carers Trust Heart of England are offering numerous groups and session, please contact 024 7663 2972 or email.
Coventry Safe Haven. Provide support for people 18+ who feel distressed and overwhelmed, Monday – Sunday 6pm – 11pm contact 07921 876 065 or email. They also offer one to one as well as group support.
The Recovery and Wellbeing Academy offer a wide range of free courses and workshops aimed to support people in recognising their skills, abilities, develop confidence and ways of managing difficult periods.
The COVID-19 community testing site (Lateral flow tests) in the city centre is now located at the Transport Museum, a short walk from city centre car parks and Pool Meadow bus station.
On the 18 January two additional sites were opened at the Indian Community Centre in Foleshill and the Moat House Leisure and neighbourhood Centre in Henley. They will give thousands of people easy access to the Lateral Flow Tests that are a key weapon in slowing the spread of the virus. Further sites will be opening across the city.
This procedure involves a Lateral Flow Test where people who attend are guided through a process to take swabs from inside the nose and the back of the throat. People carry out their own swabs and results are usually back in under an hour. Key workers and those who cannot work from home are being urged to take regular tests to make sure they are not passing the virus on to colleagues, members of the public and loved ones. There is a video that guides you through the process and more information on the test sites can be found on the council website.
People arriving will be asked for a form of ID, and a socially distanced queueing system will be in place. The facilities are open 8am to 6.30pm on weekdays and 10am to 3pm at weekends.
Anyone with any of the main COVID symptoms should seek a test in the normal way – by dialling 119 or by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Find out more about testing, coronavirus or local restrictions and support.
Please be aware that when you are called for your vaccine you will not asked for payment or your bank details. The NHS never ask for these details, and most importantly, you do not have to pay for the vaccine through the NHS. If you are asked for this information, it is a scam.
The advice is to delete these text messages and block them, and hang up if you get cold calls asking to pay for the vaccine.
Under no circumstances click on any links contained within the text message.
Please also report suspicious messages to Action Fraud using their online reporting tool as this provides intelligence and assists authorities in combating scams.
You can also make a report by phone by calling 0300 123 2040 Monday to Friday between 8am – 8pm.
Pottery isn't for just anyone, you've got to ‘urn’ it – just kidding! If you’re feeling creative, up for a chat, and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, then join us for the first-ever Creative Carer Collection Workshop!
Our first Creative Carer Collective session is a two-part Pinch Pottery Online Workshop! Taking place over two sessions, be sure you’re available to attend both.
Sign up to our free online workshops, where expressing your creativity through therapeutic and relaxing artistic activities can help open up the mind and relieve you of outside worries and release stress.
- Thursday 18 February, 3pm – 4:30pm: Pottery creation
- Thursday 25 February, 3pm – 4:30pm: Paint and decorate
Spaces are limited.
The workshop is free and materials will be posted once your place is confirmed.
To book on to this workshop, please email or call 024 7663 2972 option 1 for more details. You will be provided with the Zoom link, once your booking is confirmed.
As spaces are limited, If you are unable to attend, please let us know so we can offer your place to another carer.
As always, if you are new to using Zoom, our team will be happy to help.
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If you are interested in joining any of the groups below and would like to be added to a particular group, please contact them on 024 7663 2972 or drop them an email. Once you have registered your interest you will then receive a reminder email when the group is running. Should you experience difficulty joining a group please email Michael Howard and he will be only too happy to assist you with joining a Zoom session.
Virtual Activities
Carers Tea @ 3
Every Wednesday at 3pm – 4pm via Zoom. Next session - 27/01/2021
Join the Zoom Meeting
Yoga
Every Wednesday at 11:30am – 12:30pm via Zoom. Next session - 03/02/2021
Join the Zoom Meeting
LD/ASC Group
Every second Wednesday monthly at 10am – 11:30am via Zoom. Next session - 10/02/2021
Join Zoom Meeting
MILAN (South Asian Carers Support Group)
Every fortnight Friday 11am – 12:30pm via Zoom. Next session - 19/02/2021
Join Zoom Meeting
Care and Share (Mental Health Support)
Every first Thursday monthly 10:30am – 12:00pm via Zoom. Next session - 04/02/2021
Join Zoom Meeting
They look forward to seeing you!
Carers Trust Heart of England have got a new website which is easier to navigate and has lots of useful information about their services and support available.
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We are offering new free live events for anyone to join in with via Microsoft Teams.
Tuesdays – Book Chat
Wednesday – Rhymetime
Thursday – Step Back in Time
Friday – Conversation Café
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Find our free online resources to help
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Autism Awareness Workshops for parents of autistic children and young people, residing in Coventry and Warwickshire. This is for parents of children and young people awaiting a diagnosis as well as those who have a diagnosis but need some additional support.
Due to the limited number of spaces available bookings will be on a 'first come first served' basis. For further details or to book a place please contact Julie Hampton
The Voice of Learning Disability have produced an easy read guide about the Coronavirus vaccine.
Good Neighbours Coventry is currently offering telephone, email and pen pal befriending to over 50s who are feeling isolated. Matches are made by the volunteers' and the older people's interests and hobbies. To be matched to a vetted befriender, email or leave a message on 07563 902 904.
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Fuel Bills Rising?
If you haven’t changed your energy provider for a few years you will be paying a higher price for your energy and you could save £££’s per year even by switching to a different tariff with the same provider. Switching is a simple process and doesn’t long time to do - Act on Energy can help you with this. Act on Energy is a charity which provides free energy advice and support including obtaining grants for heating and insulation. We work with Coventry City Council and anyone living in Coventry can access the service.
Please contact us on our freephone number: 0800 988 2881 or email. Or you can visit our website.
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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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