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Welcome to September's Carers' Bulletin. Firstly this month's bulletin contains an absolutely amazing story of success from the Young Carers Project in Coventry and you will read about Sharandeep's story as a young carer in Coventry. The Young Carers Project travelled down to London and met the likes of David Beckham, Prince William and Boris Johnson.
As winter looms this bulletin has information about flu jabs and having support to make sure your home is warm over the coming months. Read to the end for an overview of groups happening in the city over October. There's lots going on across the city in October, with some groups face to face but still lots of opportunities to get involved online.
Enjoy!
On Tuesday 14 September, a Carers Trust Heart of England young carer, Sharandeep Sahota, her family and Mark and Rhupinder from the Young Carers team, attended the Sun Newspapers Who Cares Wins awards in London. She was a finalist and ultimately runner up in the ‘Young Hero' category. She was nominated as over lockdown, like many other young carers, she went above and beyond to support those who needed help.
Sharandeep cares for her grandparents and has also dedicated any spare time she has to help feed Coventry’s homeless, using her own money to buy and prepare food and spent her valuable and rare free time, handing out food to the homeless.
Sharandeep, 17, attended a Royal Reception prior to the ceremony where she met The Duke of Cambridge Prince William and Prime Minister Boris Johnson. After the awards, Sharandeep, Mark and Rhupinder had the opportunity to hob nob with stars such as David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Rod Stewart and many many more, posing for photographs, getting autographs and showcasing the amazing work that young carers do.
She was nominated for the Young Hero award by Mark Graham, Young Carers Wellbeing Team Leader who said: “Young carers have huge responsibilities and a lot of them don’t even think about themselves much.
“Sharandeep acts as her grandmother’s eyes and helps her out with so much.
When she started accessing our Young Carer services in 2014, it hadn’t even really occurred to her to think of herself as a young carer.
“She’s brilliant, not only is she incredibly helpful and kind, she’s really generous with the other young people who come along.”
Sharandeep admitted she was shocked to hear about her nomination.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard. Mark is amazing and helps so many young carers. The groups he runs give young people a chance to be themselves for a while and not think about the responsibilities they have at home.
The Young Carers Project managed to get some great messages of support from David Beckham, Gary Lineker & Frank Lampard. You can check them out on their Facebook page - Young Carer Project - Facebook
Find out more about the work of the Carers Trust Heart of England Young Carers team.
The awards ceremony was shown on Channel 4 and is available on All4.
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The Act On Energy service has been commissioned by Coventry City Council to reduce fuel poverty in Coventry and protect those who are most vulnerable to the health effects of living in cold homes. Keeping warm is an important part of keeping well in the winter particularly for the very old or very young, and those with chronic illness affected by the cold, as more people get ill and may need to be admitted to hospital or see their GP. It is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic that we keep our at risk communities safe and well at home.
The service provides:
- A specialist helpline offering support and advice on keeping warm and ways to help reduce your energy bills.
- Heating and insulation measures for the most vulnerable and will include the requirement for individuals to be dependent on benefits or on low incomes and have a health condition and/or disability that is exacerbated by living in a cold home such as boilers and heating system replacements. (these services are subject to eligibility and funding availability).
- Training for front-line health professionals, carers and other professionals to give fuel poverty advice and how to refer vulnerable individuals and families on to the provider as appropriate.
For further information please call Act on Energy on the Free phone Advice Line: 0800 988 2881
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As a carer you are likely to be eligible to receive a free flu jab provided by the NHS.
Flu vaccination is important because:
- more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you're more likely to be seriously ill
- getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
If you've had COVID-19, it's safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu. More information about flu vaccinations.
A new survey is seeking to uncover reasons why many people with mental illness are not taking up the offer of a free annual health check.
Grapevine has been commissioned by NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group to talk to as many people as possible to understand what the barriers may be and how we can find ways to overcome them.
An annual health check with a GP can help identify and treat preventable and potentially serious health conditions.
As well as checking weight, height, blood pressure and other levels, it’s an opportunity to review any medications and have an open discussion about lifestyle, smoking, exercise and alcohol intake. It’s also completely free.
Research has shown that people with mental illness can have a significantly greater chance of developing diabetes and other serious health issues. It’s vital that we understand why so few receive the annual health check they are entitled to so we can create solutions together.
Project worker Alex Rigler said: “I don’t want people to think they aren’t ‘ill’ enough to have a say. If your mental health impacts your day-to-day life, then your views matter.
“It’s worth noting that this impact may be felt more significantly from one day to another – we still want to hear from you.”
Access the survey
You are invited to answer the survey. Names will not be used in the results.
If you need any help, please email Alex at arigler@grapevinecovandwarks.org.
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**New course for carers - starting Wednesday 6 October**
In partnership with HOPE 4 The Community - UK Carers Trust Heart of England are offering a special free six week course to help you look after yourselves, when also caring for a loved one. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet other carers and get useful advice on how to improve your wellbeing and look after your own needs.
The course starts on Wednesday 6 October and will run weekly at The Penny Collard Centre in Coventry city centre. Session times are 10.30am-1pm.
The course will help you to:
 manage fatigue and get better sleep
set boundaries and avoid burnout
build communications and relationships
get active, creative and eat well
use your strengths to make you happier
To find out more, or to book a place, please call 024 7636 0153 or visit Hope For Carers.
Amparo can help you, family members and friends following someone dying from circumstances that may be due to suicide, by offering:
- practical support when dealing with the Police, Coroner or the media
- help with coping with and overcoming feelings of isolation or being alone
- skills to build your confidence and self-esteem
- one-to-one support at a time and pace that suits you, for as long as you need it
- contact with local services that can help
Find out more about the service.
The Recovery Academy are proud to launch the new Academic year prospectus partnered with the Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing, CWPT Rise and many new fantastic VCSE partners who have joined us (inc. Rethink, Hope4, P3, Shaw Trust and Underground Lights).
Now offering well over 80 courses that support our wellbeing and emotional health. - Remember the Academy is open to anyone over the age of 18 years living in Coventry & Warwickshire.
Not sure what courses to go on to best meet your needs?
Our course categories now mirror that of the exciting Dimensions of Health and Wellbeing; which is a free online tool providing self-care information to support people in Coventry and Warwickshire’s health and wellbeing. If you are unsure which courses or areas may benefit you, please use the dimensions tool to create your own well-being report. This may help you decide which courses are good for you.
The Academy are also now linked with the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust Rise service and hosting the fantastic “Courses for Parents or those Caring for Children”. This is a separate section of the prospectus and is supporting parents and carers to be equipped to best understand and support their children.
Titles include:
- Understanding and Supporting Children and Young People with School Refusal
- Understanding and Supporting Children who Self-harm
- Understanding Low Mood in Children and Young People
- …And many more
More information, to enrol or to download the prospectus or this terms timetables.
Kooth, an online emotional wellbeing and mental health support offer, are holding a number of information sessions and live demos for parents and carers and those aged 18 to 25! The sessions will provide information around the Kooth service and how it can support children and young people.
Parent and carer Kooth information session:
- 30 September 2021
- 25 October 2021
- 26 November 2021
Book now
Kooth support for 18 to 25 year olds:
- 26 October 2021
- 23 November 2021
Book now
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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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