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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 month's carers bulletin. Slightly early as we wanted to raise awareness of our first Preparing for Adulthood event that will be happening on Wednesday 30 April, we've arranged this event as we heard from families wanting to find out more about what services and support are available when a young person turns 18 or leaves school or college. We know this can be both an exciting and daunting time so it will be good opportunity to have a friendly chat with different services and support.
We also have a range of workshops coming up towards the end of May for people with lived experience or caring coming up. More information below. We hope you find this bulletin informative, enjoy reading!
Adult Social Care are hosting a "Preparing for Adulthood" event for young people and their families/carers to find out more about the services and support available to young people once then leave school/college or turn 18.
The following teams will attend the event:
- Adult Social Care – Transitions Team
- Promoting Independence – Adult Social Care
- Financial Assessments Team
- Community Learning Disabilities Team
- Maurice Edelman Respite
- Ellys Road Respite
- Grapevine
- Direct Payments
- Penderels
- Carers Trust Heart of England
- SEND – EHCP team
- Internal Day Opportunities
When: Wednesday 30 April 2025
Time: 4pm - 6.30pm
Where: Cheylesmore Community Centre, CV3 5JX.
Just turn up no need to book, we look forward to meeting you.
Find out more about Direct Payments and different services and support available in the local community with Penderels hosting a fantastic event to find out more. The following services will be there:
- Carers Trust
- Mark Bates Insurance
- Age UK
- Healthwatch
- Citizens Advice
- Coventry City Council Independent Living Team
- Coventry City Council Children's Disability Team
- Social Prescribers
- Representatives from Penderels Trust.
Where: Cheylesmore Community Centre, 111 Arundel Road, Coventry, CV3 5JL
When: Wednesday 21 May 1pm-3pm.
The Council will be running four workshops where people with lived experience will be able to contribute to the design of new services to support people in Coventry. Each session will last for around 90 minutes and will involve group discussions and activities to understand the type of support you would like to see.
The aim of these sessions will to be to co-design with Coventry citizens future services and support that will be delivered across the city.
You are welcome to bring a friend, family member or carer with you. Sessions will be held at the Coventry Dementia Hub. If you are interested in attending, please email getinvolvedasc@coventry.gov.uk for further details and to sign up.
If you require any support to attend the session please let us know:
- 20 May 2pm-4pm for people with personal experience of mental ill health or hoarding
- 22 May 10am-12noon for people over 65 with limited support networks or with personal experience of dementia
- 22 May 2pm-4pm for people with personal experience of learning disabilities, autism or ADHD
- 27 May 2pm-4pm for people with personal experience of hearing or sight loss or an experience of living with a physical disability
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Carers in Coventry will now benefit from a ground breaking initiative. Mytime has launched in the city as this innovative programme, developed by the charity Local Solutions, has received funding from Coventry City Council. Mytime works with local businesses and organisations offering complimentary leisure, cultural, sporting and educational experiences to provide much-needed breaks for carers.
Mytime aims to offer carers vital break opportunities to recharge and connect. Whether it’s a relaxing meal, a trip to the cinema or an overnight stay, these experiences can make a life-changing difference to carers, helping them regain energy and confidence to continue in their roles. Through Mytime, carers will have access to experiences that many take for granted - whether it’s enjoying a coffee, taking in a film or simply having time to relax. These breaks not only improve carers’ mental health and reduce stress but also help them return to their roles with renewed energy and confidence.
To find out more about My Time you can have a look at their website.
Alternatively drop us an email or call 07411 111651…the team are looking forward to hearing from you!
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From 7 April 2025 the earnings limit for Carers Allowance changed from £151 to £196 per week. This means that more people are likely to be eligible for Carers Allowance and those already claiming Carers Allowance have more scope to earn. To find out more about Carers Allowance visit the government website.
Bridgit Care recognises the complex challenges that unpaid carers face and their online platform is specifically designed to support carers throughout their caring journey, offering resources for personal well-being, employment, and financial guidance. Bridgit also connects carers with local support networks, services, and events, ensuring that they always have a community to rely on, which is why Coventry City Council have commissioned Bridgit Care to support carers in the city.
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As part of our continued efforts to improve access to University Hospital Coventry for patients, visitors and staff, a new traffic flow trial will be taking place from Monday 28 April to Friday 9 May.
This two-week trial, based on feedback by site users, is designed to ease congestion during peak weekday hours, specifically between 3.30pm and 6.30pm (excluding the bank holiday on Monday 5 May).
More details: Temporary traffic lights to be trialled at University Hospital Coventry - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
From the start of April, visitors to UHCW sites will need to register their Blue Badge ahead of their visit. This can be done by calling 01493 738281 (manned by a person and normal call charges) and registering with the details on your badge. This only needs to be done if you have never registered a blue badge before with security. If you are already registered you do not need to do anything as your details will be carried over to the new system.
If you aren’t able to register your details before visiting, for example, if your visit isn’t planned - you can do this when you arrive. There will be a signage explaining how to register and you can also use Whatsapp.
The new changes are being implemented to help reduce the amount of time queuing at the security office to register blue badges.
They are also introducing a new payment app that allows you to pay for parking up to 24 hours after leaving the site. Payment machines will still remain on site for those who prefer this option.
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Meeting
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Date
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Time
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Carers Social Group
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Thursday 1 May
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12.30pm-2pm - Canal Basin, Playwrights
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Working Carers Support Group
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Thursday 1 May
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5.30pm-6.30pm
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Mental Health Care & Share
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Tuesday 6 May
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10.30am-12.30pm - City Centre
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Carers Book Club
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Tuesday 13 May
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10am -11.30am - Central Library
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Beyond Limits - Carers Group (People caring for someone with a learning disability)
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Tuesday 13 May
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12noon-1.30pm - City Centre
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Walking Group
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Wednesday 14 May
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1pm-2pm - Allesley Park
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Milan Carers Group (South Asian Carers)
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Thursday 22 May
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10.30am-12noon - Central Methodist Hall
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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 024 7663 2972 option 1
Carers' Trust Heart of England are inviting you to attend their walking group being held on Wednesday 14 May from 1pm - 2pm at Allesley Park, Allesley Hall Drive, Coventry CV5 9AD
Meeting Point: Entrance to car park
Stay active, enjoy a gentle stroll and meet new friends at our friendly walking group!
For more information please contact us via email or call us on 024 7663 2972, option 1.
A safe space for carers who support an adult with a learning disability, to come together and enjoy a cuppa, a chat, advice and support.
It takes place on the first Tuesday of every month at Central Library, Smithford Way, Coventry CV1 1FY.
The next one takes place on Tuesday 6 May from 12noon until 1.30pm.
For more information please contact us via email or call 024 7663 2972, option 1.
 Coventry Memory Singers - Brand New!
Singing has been proven to help people living with Dementia to unlock memories and re-establish cognitive pathways. Our sessions are led by specially trained musicians and bring people together in a fun, friendly and safe environment. Starting with relaxed refreshments, followed by fun warmups, activity songs a wide variety of familiar tunes., the sessions can help build new friendships and boost confidence, helping people to feel more positive and supported. They are open to anyone living with dementia or other neurological conditions, but participants need to be accompanied by a carer.
Suggested donation £5 per week or whatever you can afford, carer go free.
They meet Bi-weekly on a Thursday from 10:30am to 12noon at Bond’s Hospital, Hill Street, Coventry, CV1 4AX
The next sessions will be taking place on:
- Thursday 1 May 2025
- Thursday 15 May 2025
- Thursday 12 June 2025
- Thursday 19 June 2025
- Thursday 3 July 2025
- Thursday 17 July 2025
To book a place or for further information please contact Sarah Riddell on 07722 632242 or drop her an email.
Let’s talk about memory concerns.
Are you or a loved one/person you care for experiencing memory issues? Do you have concerns about cognitive health? Join our ASSIST online support sessions. (Alzheimer society service, information and support together)
These sessions offer a reassuring, confidential and safe place to talk to others about how memory issues affect your life and how we can support you, either with memory concerns or while you are waiting for a memory assessment.
The sessions take place every second Wednesday of every month. The next session is taking place on:
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Wednesday 14 May from 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Location: Online (Zoom link will be provided upon registration) Please contact your local office for more information and to book a place by calling 024 7665 2602 or sending them an email.
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There are many ways in which you can get in touch with us to discuss your adult social care needs. Our main point of contact during normal working hours is Adult Social Care.
Adult Social Care Direct
Speech impairment, deaf or hard of hearing?
You can call using Next Generation Text (also known as Text Relay and TypeTalk): Call 18001 024 7683 3003
Address: Coventry City Council, PO Box 7097, Coventry, CV6 9SL
Telephone: 024 7683 3003
Or send us an email.
Emergency Duty Team
For emergency situations outside our standard line hours, you can contact our Emergency Duty Team. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, report crimes to West Midlands Police by calling 101. For emergencies after 5pm Monday - Thursday and after 4.30pm on a Friday and over the weekend Address: Coventry Central Police Station, Little Park Street, Coventry CV1 2JX Telephone: 024 7683 2222
Report abuse or neglect
If you have concerns about abuse or neglect.
Mental Health Support
If you need some help because of mental health issues you should contact the Mental Health Access Hub run by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT). Tel: 080 8196 6798
Complete a self-assessment
If you think you need help or you care for someone who needs support. By answering some quick questions about your current situation, we can direct you towards information, advice and services that could help you to live independently and improve your wellbeing. We can also tell you how likely you are to be eligible for care and support and whether or not you would have to pay for some or all of the support you may receive.
Act on Energy, an energy advice charity working in partnership with Coventry City Council to help provide impartial and confidential energy advice. We now have further funding to help with heating issues and providing home insulation for vulnerable residents on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits. Don't delay as this funding is limited. Contact us on 0800 988 2881, or check our website for further details and to check eligibility.
Funding is available for the following:
- Broken boilers/radiators/storage heaters
- Inefficient heating systems
- Loft insulation
- Cavity/external wall insulation
- Heating controls
We also offer home visits from our community outreach team to help with energy billing issues, energy debt and arranging benefits checks. They can also advise on how to save energy in the home and avoid issues such as damp and mould.
What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First has been in operation since 31 January 2024. The idea behind Pharmacy First is that it would take some of the pressure away from GP's by allowing pharmacies to deliver services and medication to patients with minor ailments. The aim is to reduce the number of patients requiring GP services for certain ailments.
Pharmacy First covers:
- Sinusitis (for patients aged 12 years and over only)
- Sore throat (aged 5+)
- Earache (aged 1 year-17)
- Infected insect bite (aged 1 year+)
- Impetigo (aged 18 years+)
- Shingles (aged 18 years+)
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64)
You can find out more about Pharmacy First by reading our Advice Article.
Share your experience with us
We want to hear what people’s experiences are of Pharmacy First, to identify any positives and negatives to inform the service providers. We would like to feedback this information back to them to improve services for everyone.
We would really value your time and feedback. Even if you haven’t used the Pharmacy First service but would like to share your pharmacy experience with us, you can still do so.
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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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