Why is The Angel, Brigg coloured purple? ... find out inside this month's AIS Direct

AIS Direct

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.Bookmark and Share


Have you seen the little purple buses zipping around North Lincolnshire? That's the Call Connect bus. The project is proving to be a great success in the short time it has been running. See article inside to see how you can register. 

Self Care Week - 14 November, see how making the right choices can improve your health. 

 Find out about the Safeguarding Adults' Board and what their role is. 

Your feedback on this newsletter would be appreciated. Please email ais@northlincs.gov.uk with your comments or suggestions for future articles. 

Previous copies of the newsletters can be viewed on the North Lincolnshire council website.



November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and North Lincolnshire Council wants to raise awareness of the symptoms and encourage people to talk about cancer. Iconic landmarks across the UK will be lighting up their buildings purple.  Look out for the Angel in Brigg lighting up purple during November.

Pancreatic cancer affects men and women. Each year on average 15 men and 13 women are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in North Lincolnshire.

Pancreatic cancer is more common amongst the older ages; almost half the cases are diagnosed in people aged over 75. It is uncommon in people under 40 years old.

Maggie Watts from Scunthorpe lost her husband to pancreatic cancer in 2009. Read Maggie's story and find out about Maggie’s new campaign #HopeIsContagious which is being launched in November to coincide with Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. The campaign is aimed at getting much needed public awareness of the disease. 

Lots of useful information on the council website and  www.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/ 

Back to top 

 


Self Care Week - 14 - 20 November


Self-care means knowing how to keep healthy and well by making choices that can support you to do so, such as cutting down on sugar,  building some physical activity into your daily life, getting  help to stop smoking,  and eating a healthy diet.   

Making changes to your lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing a long term condition such as heart disease and Diabetes.

Even if you already have a long term condition there are steps you can take yourself to keep as well as possible such as getting a flu jab, these are offered free to people with a serious medical condition who are at risk. Contact your local medical centre for more information. 

      There is useful help online from NHS Choices  as well as the North Lincolnshire Council Health and Healthy Lifestyles webpage.

      For information about keeping your home warm visit the council's saving energy webpage.

      AgeUK is a very useful website and has lots of useful advice to help you keep well during the winter months.

      Back to Top

       



      Carers' Rights Day - 25 November


      North Lincolnshire Council is committed to ensuring carers are supported in their caring role. A carer is someone who helps another person, usually a relative or friend, in their day to day life. 

      The Care Act 2014 ensures that carers have the same legal rights as the person they care for including the right to an assessment regardless of the level of support they provide, their financial means or if the person they care for has had an assessment. The assessment focusses on the carers’ wellbeing and how they can be supported to achieve what they want and need to achieve in their own life. It considers whether the carer is willing and able to care and how they can be supported if they want to work, care for children, study or be able to access their local community.

      The council works with carers to ensure they are involved in developing services for carers.  The council also works with the Carers Advisory Partnership ( a citizen led group who promote carers rights) and Health services to improve services for carers. 

      Throughout the last year carer representatives have worked with the council and with the Carers Support Centre to produce a new Carers Guide, a personal budget information pack and to understand carers’ pathways into services. Carers have also been involved in developing guidance for carers’ needs assessments and in developing an electronic training package for all council staff so that all staff understand the needs and rights of carers and are able to recognise when carers need support and are able to signpost them to the right support. By carers being directly involved we can ensure that carers have more choice and control and are getting the support they need.

      For more information about having a carers needs assessment please contact the Family Carer Team on 01724 298393 or if you want to more about services for carers or the work that the Carers Advisory Partnership do please contact the Carers Support Centre on 01652 650585.

      Back to top


      Big Conversation - Healthwatch


      Healthwatch 2

      Healthwatch monitor improvements at Scunthorpe General Hospital

      Healthwatch North Lincolnshire, as the independent representative of local people’s views on health and social care, recently made unannounced visits to nine wards and the emergency centre at Scunthorpe General Hospital.  Trained volunteers from Healthwatch spoke with patients and carers to hear their experiences of their stay in hospital.

      Healthwatch were interested to hear whether patients knew who was responsible for their care, if sensitive conversations with doctors and nurses were carried out in private wherever possible and how responsive ward staff were to patient’s needs.  The visits were a follow up on previous visits during 2014 and were undertaken to assess progress made on the agreed recommendations.

      The report has now been published and can be found on the Healthwatch website where local people also have the opportunity to tell Healthwatch their story.  

      Back to top   

       


      Call connect


      Call Connect

      Why wait for a bus when it can come to you!


      More than 2,000 people have registered to use the Call Connect flexible bus since it was launched early this year. Popular places people are travelling to include Brigg Garden Centre, tea rooms, social clubs, local events, Waters’ Edge Country Park, Elsham Hall and Normanby Hall.


      More than 6,100 journeys have been made, helping residents get out and about across North Lincolnshire. The bus also connects to other buses and trains so you can go even further, including in some cases, Humberside Airport!

      For more details about the bus, visit the Call Connect page on the council website. 

      If you have used the service and would like to give us your feedback, please complete the contact form

      Back to top

       


      Carers' Support Centre


      Carers' Support Centre

      Will you be looking after a relative or friend this festive period? If you think it could be a difficult time and would like someone to talk to, then ring the Carers’ Helpline on 01652 650585.

      Our Helpline will be open from 10am to 4pm during the festive period (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day). We will listen to you and, if necessary, advise on any support that may be available.

      You could be helping someone with their housework, personal care, medication, cooking, shopping or giving emotional support. You may feel you are just “getting on with it”.

      Caring can be difficult. You may have problems with finances or health, stress, loneliness, or frustration.

      The Carers’ Support Centre is a local organisation that can provide you with FREE information and advice on any aspect of caring, offers useful services and can put you in touch with specialist support to help.

      Call us now on 01652 650585 or email info@carerssupportcentre.com

      Back to top 

       


      Experts by Experience


      Can you help us improve the quality of services to adults?

      We are very keen to hear what people who use Adult Social Care services think about what is provided in North Lincolnshire. We are looking for people to become Quality Ambassador Volunteers. We want people to be involved in looking at how services are delivered and identifying ways in which they could be improved.

      If you know of anyone who is currently using, or has recently used, Adult Social Services and who would like to tell us their thoughts about how we can improve the services please contact:

      By telephone: 01724 296655

      By post: Provider Assurance Team, Experts by Experience Program, Station Road, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 8XJ

      Back to top 

       


      Scunthorpe Diabetes Support Group


      Do you need help and support to manage your pre-diabetes or diabetes?

      Come along to Scunthorpe Diabetes UK Support Group.

      When: Wednesday 16 November 2016 at 7pm

      Where: Scunthorpe Community Wellbeing Hub, Alvingham road, Ashby, DN16 2DP.

      Short talks from healthcare professionals, Diabetes UK representatives and other guest speakers. Information stalls from local health related organisations and an opportunity to meet with other people living with diabetes. 

      Further information about diabetes is available on the Diabetes UK website

      Back to top

       


      Patient Participation Groups (PPG)


      The CCG and Healthwatch North Lincolnshire are hosting a major event for people who are interested in getting more involved with their local GP practice.

      Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) work alongside doctors and other staff to improve services, act as a voice for fellow patients and develop projects to help improve the wellbeing of people who use the practice.

      The PPG Members' Conference takes place in Scunthorpe on Friday 4 November.  The event is being held at The House Conference Centre in Scunthorpe from 10:30 – 15:30 and includes a networking lunch.

      Existing PPG members and people who are interesting in joining their PPG are being encouraged to attend.

      Places are limited so please reserve your place as soon as possible by emailing Nlccg.embrace@nhs.net or by telephoning 0300 3000 567  

      Back to top

       


      Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB)


      The North Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) has to ensure the effective coordination of services to safeguard and promote the welfare of local adults who may be at risk of abuse or harm.

      The purpose of adult safeguarding is -

      •  Stop abuse and neglect wherever possible
      • Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs
      • Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choice and having control over their lives
      • Promote an approach that focuses on improving life for the adults concerned
      • Raising public awareness so that communities as a whole play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse and neglect. 

      Would you like to offer some feedback, thoughts or suggestions on:

      • What does ‘safe’ mean to you?
      • What are the main safeguarding priorities for you?
      • Is there anything you would specifically like to see on the NLSAB website?

      Email any comments or suggestions to – SafeguardingAdultsBoard@northlincs.gov.uk

      We look forward to hearing from you! 

      Back to top

        


      What's On


      What's On

      Do you want to get out and meet people, join a group to improve your fitness or maybe there’s an activity you’ve always wanted to try but never got round to it. Below are some ideas to get you started:

      If you prefer to speak to someone, call your local hub or contact the Adult Information Service (AIS) who can provide you with a list of activities in your area.  Call 01724 296607. Friendly, helpful staff are waiting for your call.

      Community Wellbeing Hubs - great place to meet people and socialise. Wellbeing Hubs contact details.

      Foresight Limited operates to meet the needs and  requirements of disabled people, their families and carers. If you would like to contact them to find our more details visit their website or call 01724 271381.

      Carers' Support Centre,  always lots of groups and activities, information and advice for Carers in North Lincolnshire.

      North Lincolnshire Council – What’s On guide

      Normanby Hall - Visit their website for details of what’s on throughout the year. 

      Sci-Fest lands at The Baths Hall

      This year's Sci-Fest invades Scunthorpe's Baths Hall on Sunday 6 November.

      You can find out more about this year's Sci-Fest and buy your tickets online through the website.

      Back to top

       

       


      Thank you for subscribing


      StayCo

      We don’t want you to miss out. To sign up to receive updates about more of our council services you can do so by visiting our subscription page and updating your preferences. 

      If you know someone who would like to sign up to receive updates they can sign up at www.northlincs.gov.uk/stayconnected 

      Back to top