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This newsletter contains the latest news and messages from Coventry City Council and information about local community groups and partners who are offering local support.
In this issue:
Welcome to this special edition of the Carers’ Bulletin, special because it’s our 100th edition. The first edition was published in November 2016 and we’ve been producing a bulletin every month for the last eight years, with some specials along the way. At first, we were worried that we wouldn’t have much to say but in truth the bulletin often writes itself, and that’s thanks to the numerous organisations that contribute every month, showcasing carers support, developments and ways to get involved, we’re never short of content. This really is a team effort across lots of organisations both locally and nationally. During the pandemic the bulletin became an important means to communicate information sometimes at short notice in an ever-changing landscape. The bulletin is now subscribed by over 4,200 people. We wanted to say a massive thank you to those who have contributed over the years and to those who take the time to read and find out about what’s going on - Pete Fahy - Director of Adult Social Care & Housing
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Carer's allowance and the Budget
Following the latest Budget, the Carer's Allowance earnings limit is set to increase by approximately £45 a week. From April 2025 carers can earn more without losing their entitlement to Carer’s Allowance. Currently, you can only claim Carer's Allowance if you earn up to £151.00 or less. The new earnings limit will increase to 16 hours at the National Living Wage so you will be able to earn up to £196 per week without it effecting the benefit. It is suggested that this significant change will allow over 60,000 more carers to be eligible for support. It is unclear what the new earnings limit will be but we will share information as soon as it is announced. Carer's Allowance is a "cliff-edge" benefit, meaning once you earn over the threshold, you are no longer entitled to the benefit. Carer's Allowance is £81.90 a week.
We celebrate Carer Rights Day on 21 November, with the theme "recognise your rights". Continue reading below to find out more.
Also included is important information regarding applying for Pension credit as well as how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe by accessing the Flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. Please do take care of yourself. There are several consultations taking place, we would love to hear your views.
Carers' Trust Heart of England are also holding a Winter Event at Coventry Cathedral, they look forward to welcoming you. They also have their range of activities and drop ins through the month.
Thank you for your ongoing love and support that you provide day in day out to your loved one. You are all amazing! - Carers' Team
This year, Carers' Rights Day is on Thursday 21 November 2024 – and this year’s theme is recognising your rights.
The aim of Carers' Rights Day is to help carers recognise and understand their rights, and to access the support available to them, whenever they need it.
Carers' Trust Heart of England are having a drop-in at Central Library on 21 November from 10.30am - 12.30pm so please do pop along and see them to learn more about your rights as a carer. See below for further details.
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You may have heard on the news that this winter people of pension age will only receive a winter fuel payment if they are in receipt of Pension Credit. It is important you claim Pension Credit before 21 December 2024 in order to be eligible to receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
When you apply for Pension Credit, it's important to ask for this to be backdated in the application – this should help you to receive the Winter Fuel Payment. Claims can be backdated for up to 3 months from application date. Pension Credit also means you may be entitled to full Council Tax Support and Housing Benefit, free dental care, free TV licence over 75 and more. Any questions, or for support applying, you can contact the team.
Applications for Pension Credit can be made on the How to Claim page on GOV.UK or over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm).
Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter when we spend more time together indoors and can cause serious illness. It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or have been ill with flu or COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and these viruses change each year.
If you are vaccinated and catch flu or COVID-19 this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, reducing your risk of being hospitalised. The winter vaccine programme will continue to focus on those at greatest risk of getting seriously ill.
Eligibility
Those eligible for both a flu and COVID-19 vaccine include:
- people with certain long term health conditions
- people aged 65 and over
- pregnant women
How to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines
Online booking
You can book your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations on the NHS App, or book your flu vaccine online as well as your COVID-19 vaccine online . Appointments are available up until the 20th December. If you are unable to book an appointment online, you can call 119.
Pharmacy and walk-in clinics
Find a pharmacy offering flu vaccines (for 18+ only) or book your flu vaccine directly with your GP surgery. You can also find your nearest COVID-19 vaccination walk-in site on our website, you do not need to make an appointment but check which age groups they offer vaccinations to before attending.
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We are currently reviewing and updating our carers information on our website. Importantly we have refreshed the details about taking a break.
Please do take a look as it covers a range of topics such as a one off break, short breaks (respite at home), direct payments and funding.
We appreciate how rewarding yet challenging caring for someone can be and how important it is to take care of yourself. Our carers webpages contain a variety of information that you can turn to for advice and information.
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Act on Energy can help with a one-off £70 payment towards energy costs available to those with no savings and whose total household income falls below £31,000 per year, with the newly launched Cadent Winter Support Scheme . Also available is the provision of various energy saving appliances such air fryers, microwaves, duvets and heated throws to those eligible for the same scheme.
Working in partnership with Coventry City Council there is still funding for broken or old/inefficient heating systems and boilers with the Keeping Coventry Warm Scheme. Residents need to be on means tested benefits/have a low income and have a vulnerability or have young children living with them. We have community outreach officers that can complete the application for this scheme during a home visit, and who may also be able to offer further support with saving energy and billing issues.
Call Act on Energy for more details of these schemes and to check eligibility on our Freephone number 0800 988 2881.
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 Carers Connect Winter Event at Coventry Cathedral
Come and join us for our Carers Connect Event.
Meet and chat with a range of services form across Coventry and Warwickshire that provide support for unpaid carers .
Enjoy a movie theatre experience specially set up for young carers.
Explore the beauty of Coventry Cathedral with mini guided tours.
Indulge in some festive treats, get involved with some craft making and soak up the magical atmosphere of this stunning venue.
This is all taking place on Tuesday 12 November 2024 from 3pm - 7:30pm
You can book a ticket by visiting the Ticketpass website
For more information please email the team or give them a call on 024 7663 2972 option 1.
 A public consultation period is open until Monday 4 November 2024 and everyone who lives, works or studies in Coventry is encouraged to share their views.
The Council wants to provide joined up, accessible services. This includes having a local presence in communities where they can make a real difference to the people who need them. Providing the right support, in the right place, at the right time.
The overall aim of the One Coventry Services proposals is to provide positive and joined-up experiences for people accessing the services they need and to ensure needs and issues can be identified and support provided at the earliest possible stage.
The Council are proposing to do this by bringing services together in shared spaces, reducing the number of buildings being operated from and delivering services in the most effective and efficient way.
During the public consultation people can get involved in a number of ways. Information on proposals as well as how people can input in to the consultation can be found on our website.
We have also developed an additional One Coventry Services survey for young people so they can have their say on our website.
Whether it’s better roads, improvements to parks, support for carers or helping people who become homeless, there are services in Coventry that are more important to different people.
Councils across the country are battling rising prices and increasing demands on their services and Coventry is no different.
This adds to the pressure on the 700 services we deliver every year.
At the same time, as a Council, we know that we cannot do everything we would really like to, but we can make sure that we give everyone the opportunity to have a say in how we build our budget for 2025 and 2026.
That’s why we want to get feedback from you, about where to focus our spending.
We would like to hear your views about the things that concern you and your family; to help us understand where we should focus resources as we work to improve lives across our city.
We have put together a survey to help us understand from Coventry residents your views and ensure they are embedded into our future financial plans.
If you can spend a few minutes to respond to us, we would love to get your thoughts.
The deadline for responses is 6 November 2024.
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This month, we are pleased to support CWPT who are looking to recruit three `Lived Experience Engagement Facilitators’ to work on their inpatient wards. The Recovery and Wellbeing Academy will be delivering two `Introduction to Expert by Experience (EbE) Roles, workshops to support these roles and to raise people’s awareness and understanding of using lived experience in a variety of lived experience roles.
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Vacancy details can be found on the NHS website.
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You can also enrol on the Introduction to Expert by Experience (EbE) Roles workshops being delivered 18th of October and November.
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Carers' Rights Day 2024
Make sure you're fully aware of your rights as a carer this Carers' Rights Day!
Join us for support, advice and information on your rights, from not only our team but also experts from external organisations.
You can meet us on Thursday 21 November from 10:30am - 12:30pm at Central Library, West Orchards Way, Coventry CV1 1FY
For more information please email the team or give them a call on 024 7663 2972 option 1.
Upgrade your Go CV account if you are registered with Carers' Trust Heart of England.
Did you know if you or someone you know is an unpaid carer, you can register for a free Go CV card and be entitled to Go CV+ the highest level of discount for Coventry residents on partner events, activities and attractions?
All you need to do is register with the Carers Trust Heart of England who will provide you with a letter to confirm you are a carer then ensure your Go CV account is upgraded with your status to get Go CV+ level of discount, the highest level of discounts for residents. You can then easily upload a copy of your carer’s letter. More information can be found on the Go CV website.
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We are excited to announce that on 1 October 2024, The Myton Hospices launched a new patient, family and carer telephone support line.
In collaboration with Marie Curie, the Support Line will provide practical or clinical information and/or emotional support for people living with or caring for someone who has a life-limiting illness or is experiencing bereavement.
The service is available to patients, carers and their families who visit our website for advice and support, as well as those that are known to or have been referred by The Myton Hospices.
The service is accessed by a dedicated telephone number 01926351761
- Monday – Friday 8am – 6pm (bank holidays 10am -2pm)
- Saturday 11am – 5pm
Any calls taken out of hours or at the weekends will be picked up again by a trained member of the team on the next working day. During the opening hours, most calls will be returned within the day.
The Support Line team is a multi-disciplinary team of trained information and support officers, registered nurses, bereavement support specialists and trained volunteers.
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Following increasing concerns that a large proportion of carers are being asked to return Carers Allowance overpayments that they have received, it has been announced by the Government that there will be an independent review with the aim to review how and why overpayments were accrued, minimise future overpayments risk and importantly how the DWP can best support those with overpayments. We will keep you up to date with any developments.
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Join Carers' Trust Heart of England for their walking group, which is taking place on Tuesday 19 November 2024 from 12noon - 1pm at War Memorial Park, Kenilworth Road, Coventry CV3 6PT (meeting point: outside the War Memorial Park Visitor Centre)
Stay active, enjoy a gentle stroll and meet new friends at our friendly walking group!
For more information please email the team or give them a call on 024 7663 2972 option 1.
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Meeting
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Date
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Time
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Mental Health Care and Share
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Tuesday 5 November 2024
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10:30am – 12:30pm
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Beyond Limits Carers Group
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Tuesday 5 November 2024
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12noon – 2pm
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Grief, Loss and Change
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Wednesday 6 November 2024
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10am – 12noon
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Social Group
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Thursday 7 November 2024
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12:30pm - 2pm
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Working Carers Group
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Thursday 7 November 2024
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5:30pm – 6:30pm
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Milan Group
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Friday 8 November 2024
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11am – 1pm
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Carers Connect Winter Event (Coventry Cathedral)
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Tuesday 12 November 2024
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3pm – 7:30pm
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Grief, Loss and Change
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Wednesday 13 November 2024
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10am – 12noon
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Flower Arranging
(Brandon Marsh)
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Thursday 14 November 2024
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2pm – 4pm
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Walking Group
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Tuesday19 November 2024
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12noon – 1pm
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Grief, Loss and Change
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Wednesday 20 November 2024
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10am – 12noon
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Carers Rights Day
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Thursday 21 November 2024
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10:30am – 12:30pm
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Grief, Loss and Change
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Wednesday 27 November 2024
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10am – 12noon
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To attend a session, it is important that you are registered with Carers Trust Heart of England. Most of our groups are based in Coventry City Centre and the location will be confirmed when booking.
For more information please email the team, give them a call on 02476 632972 option 1
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Meeting
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Where
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Date
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Time
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Memory Lane Café
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Lawrence Saunders Church
CV6 1HH
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Friday 1 November 2024
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11am – 12noon
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Canley Social Supermarket
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Canley Community Centre
CV4 8FT
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Friday 1 November 2024
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12noon – 1pm
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Henley Green Grub Hub
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Henley Green Community Centre CV2 1HQ
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Wednesday 6 November 2024
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10am – 12 noon
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Caludon Centre
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Walsgrave Health Centre, Clifford Bridge Road
CV2 2TE
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Wednesday 6 November 2024
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4pm – 5pm
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Central Library
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Smithford Way CV1 1FY
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Wednesday 13 November 2024
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10am – 12noon
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Springfield Medical Practice
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Bennetts Road CV6 2FL
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Friday 15 November 2024
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10am – 12noon
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Henley Green Grub Hub
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Henley Green Community Centre CV2 1HQ
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Wednesday 20 November 2024
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10am – 12 noon
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Caludon Centre
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Walsgrave Health Centre, Clifford Bridge Road
CV2 2TE
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Wednesday 20 November 2024
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4pm – 5pm
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Willenhall Primary Care Centre 1
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Remembrance Road
CV3 3DG
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Friday 22 November 2024
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10am – 12noon
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Broad Street Meeting Hall
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126 Broad Street CV6 5BG
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Monday 25 November 2024
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9:30am – 12:30pm
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For more information please email the team, give them a call on 024 7663 2972 option 1
This month has been filled with exciting activities and new programs for our young carers. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:
Wellbeing Wednesday
We’ve been exploring our emotions in a creative way, using colours to express how we feel. Young Carers also made cute Pebble Buddies. This has been a wonderful opportunity for young carers to unwind and connect through art and creativity.
Focus and Flourish
We’re excited to have launched our new TEEN ‘Focus and Flourish’ session! This session provides young carers with a quiet space to catch up on homework and revision, giving them the support they need to balance their education with their caring roles.
Lavender pouches for the Winter Expo
We teamed up with Adele from Cov Cloth to create beautiful scented lavender pouches. These will be featured at our Winter Expo event in November at Coventry Cathedral, and we can’t wait to share them with you all! Book your place.
50th Anniversary Celebration
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our 50th anniversary! It was a fantastic party full of laughter, memories, and recognition of the amazing young carers in our community. We are so proud of all of you!
Movies with Meaning: Hotel Transylvania
As part of our ‘Movies with Meaning’ series, we watched Hotel Transylvania and had a meaningful discussion about “Letting Go of Prejudices.” It was a fun and thoughtful way to reflect on important themes together.
The Pumpkin Place visit
In preparation for the cosy season, we visited The Pumpkin Place with our young carers. We explored the hay bale maze, enjoyed some lunch together and picked pumpkins to take home and carve. It was a fun-filled day with plenty of autumnal joy!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported our young carers this month. Take a look at our November calendar to see what we are up to next month.
 Young Carers - year 9 - year 11
- Thursday 7 November – Pathways Hub “Focus and Flourish” visit from Coventry College (Young Carers only) (5pm – 7pm)
All age activities:
- Wednesday 6 November – Wellbeing Wednesday – Coundon Library (5pm – 6:30pm)
- Monday 11 November – Moat Family Hub – Come along wearing ODD SOCKS for Anti-Bullying Week (4pm – 5:30pm)
- Tuesday 12 November – Winter Expo @ Coventry Cathedral (3pm – 7:30pm) All family welcome
- Thursday 14 November – Pathway Hub “Movies with Meaning” (5pm – 7pm)
- Monday 18 November – Woodside Hub – Pizza Making (4:30pm – 6pm)
- Monday 25 November – Sky Blue Multi Sports – Venue to be confirmed (5pm – 6pm)
- Monday 25 November – Online YC forum (5pm – 5:40pm)
- Thursday 28 November – Sky Blues Multi sports – Venue to be confirmed (5pm – 6pm)
Activities for 9 – 16-year-olds:
- Thursday 21 November – Pathways Hub “Snack, Craft & Socialise” (5pm – 7pm) Carers Rights Day!
To book a place please visit Ticketpass.
Love Lounge Christmas Party
We are excited to inform you that Love4Life is hosting another special Club Night for all adults with learning disabilities and autistic people.
The details are as follows:
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Date: Friday 6 December 2024
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Venue: 147 Nightclub, Coventry (147 Far Gosford St, Coventry CV1 5DY)
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Tickets: £10 for individuals, Free for carers
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Time: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
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Access: 18+ only. No ID. No entry
To book tickets visit Eventbrite.
For more information contact Jenna on 07798 773657 or you can drop her an email.
Monthly Women's Chat Group at Coundon Library, Moseley Avenue, Coventry CV6 1HT
Join us to share the following:
- New health and wellbeing chat
- Mindfulness activities
- Perimenopause/Menopause theme bi-monthly
The next meeting takes place on Thursday 28 November from 5:45pm - 6:45pm no need to book, just come along!
For further information call Coundon Library 024 7678 6969.
The recovery Academy have a Coping with Caring course scheduled for online delivery (via Zoom) on Thursday 28 November from 1pm until 3pm and its open to anyone over the age of 18 living in Coventry and Warwickshire. Enrolment is via our website.
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 This is a ‘face to face’ session for Parents/Carers of Children or Young People with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND).
Get in touch with us if you would like to join our next SENDIASS Coffee Morning.
Meet other parents/carers who may be in a similar situation. Share with others in a friendly, non-judgemental environment, together with a member of staff from SENDIASS.
- Make friends
- A listening ear
- Learn from each other
- Laugh together
Free tea and coffee will be provided
When: Tuesday 26 November 2024, 9:30am – 11.30am
Venue: The Wave, Coffee Tots Community Room, New Union Street, Coventry, CV1 2PS
If you would like to join us, please let us know so we have an idea of numbers. Contact us via email or phone 024 7669 4307.
 In partnership with SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS), Coventry Complex Communication Team (CCT) will be running a FREE ONLINE session for parents/carers on Understanding and supporting your child with behaviours that distress and challenge.
This session aims to:
- Increase your understanding of your child’s behaviours in relation to their Autism, complex communication, and emotional needs
- Explore reasons why behaviours might be challenging and distressing
- Recognise the importance of emotional understanding and regulation
- Share key strategies in behaviour management
For parents/carers of all groups, with or without a diagnosis of Autism.
When: Thursday 14 November 2024, 9.30am-12pm
Where: Online (this session will be delivered ‘live’ online over Microsoft Teams - session links will be sent out via email 2-3 days prior to the date of the session, booking confirmations are sent within 5 days of booking)
To book your place please email or call 024 7669 4307**
*Please quote CCT along with your name and email address when booking your place.
**Please be aware we are currently experiencing some issues with our telephone lines, if you are unable to get through to us via telephone, please send an email with your booking request.
Would you like to know more about adult carers and young carers?
If so we have two courses that are available to help increase your knowledge. Both courses are free and you can access them in your own time. Please take a look and we hope you find them helpful:
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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