Welcome to the new edition of the Unpaid Carers' Newsletter
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older. It isn’t someone who volunteers or is employed to provide support, an unpaid Carer could be in receipt of Carers Allowance or working whilst caring.
Caring for someone you love will not always be easy, but you can be helped by the right support. Here you can find the latest news and useful information to help you to continue to support the people you care for.
There are lots of organisations and activities in Rotherham for carers that provide support and advice on:
• Dementia
• Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Bereavement
• Suicide Prevention and Support
• Community Transport
• Banking support and discount cards
Our Community Connectors Lisa and Tracey have brought their wealth of information together in one handy directory of support. You can download the recently updated directory from our Carer Information page Information for carers – Rotherham Council
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You are eligible if you:
- Have reached your state pension age.
- Are disabled or have a long-term medical condition.
- Are recovering from an injury.
- Have a hearing or sight condition.
- Have a mental health condition.
- Are pregnant or have young children.
- Have extra communication needs (for example, if you don’t speak or read English well).
- Need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply.
- Have poor or no sense of smell.
- Would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency.
- You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation isn’t listed, for example if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.
How to register:
- Contact your gas, electricity and water supplier, they can register you with the utility network supplier as well.
- The help you can get:
- Advanced notice of scheduled power cuts.
- Priority support in an emergency.
- Priority support when calling your network operator.
- Identification and password schemes. This could include arranging a password or agreed picture cards if callers need to contact or visit you – this gives you confidence they are genuine.
- Nominee scheme, someone can receive communications and bills from your supplier for example someone you trust like a family member or a carer.
- Help with prepayment meter access, for example moving a meter if you can't safely get to it to top it up.
- Regular meter reading service.
- Accessible information, for example braille or large print
- Help to reconnect if you need it.
This group, supported by Diabetes UK, is now set to meet regularly following a successful relaunch event held at Rotherham Town Hall. The group will offer the chance for people living with diabetes, their family, friends and carers, the opportunity to come together and share experiences, listen to expert guest speakers and make new friends within a supportive environment.
The group’s next meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 9 April in the community room at Tesco Extra, Drummond Street, Rotherham, S65 1HY from 7pm to 9pm and it is envisaged that all future meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of the month.
Diabetes UK is also offering awareness talks for community groups and training for community facing staff, please contact Hannah.morrow@diabetes.org.uk for more information.
For more information on diabetes visit www.diabetes.org.uk
Volunteers Toby Morgan and Terry Nougher-Fuller pictured with Cllr David Roche, Chair of the peer support group Shirley Sherwood and Hannah Morrow.
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Building work is now complete at the Ship Hill premises, the ground floor has been fully refurbished to improve accessibility. Alterations have been made to the main entrance and the building now has a ramp, a lift and an accessible toilet.
Staff are looking forward to welcoming the carer and family support group back to Rotherham in April. ‘Seeing Changes’ provides support and practical advice around guided sighting.
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Would you like help to learn how to use your phone, tablet, laptop, access apps or digital services? Or want to improve the skills you have?
AbilityNet is a pioneering UK charity. Established more than 25 years ago, we believe the power of digital technology should be available to everyone, regardless of ability or age. We support people of any age, living with any disability or impairment to use technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education.
We do this by providing specialist advice services, free information resources and by helping to build a more accessible digital world.
Our free online resources and a network of over 450 community-based volunteers help individuals with any disability, of any age, to use all kinds of digital technology. Our vision is a digital world accessible to all.
A digital world accessible to all. | AbilityNet
Based at the High Street Centre, Rawmarsh, S62 6LN.
Our carers spend a lot of time caring for others but who cares for them?
Our group aims to ensure these lovely ladies take time out for themselves and give them the opportunity to experience new social opportunities that they didn’t think they could do. We also offer a safe non-judgemental environment where carers can come and share the challenges they face and support one another.
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As part of our self-care journey the ladies spent the day at the spa where they didn’t have to think of anyone but themselves. A lot of our carers have never been to a spa before and really appreciated it. This is one of our many trips with the carers, we have been to the Christmas market, strawberry and pumpkin picking and for lots of mental health walks and lunches.
One thing about our groups is we will always be back for the school run showing our parent carers that they can take time for themselves in-between those school hours before its time to go back to caring.
Jennifer, a parent carer, said: “I never thought in a million years I could go to the spa for the day and be back for the school run. It can be so hard being a parent carer but this group has really showed me how to make time for myself. I feel less anxious and more confident, and I absolutely love my Thursday morning I’ve made so many new friends."
You can contact the group by calling 01709 719177 or emailing activate@hscrawmarsh.org
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Established in 2000, Beacon South Yorkshire provides a range of services supporting carers across South Yorkshire who care for people who substance misuse, have disabilities, mental ill health, dementia, or who are elderly.
Our focus is to support unpaid carers, helping them to cope with the competing demands on their time, as well as managing their own well-being, so they can continue to look after their family member or friend.
Our Carer support drop-in is held every Wednesday from 11am to 1pm and provides counselling support services. On alternate Wednesdays you can also join in with our Reiki sessions
Come join us at Unit 1, Phoenix Riverside, Sheffield Road, Rotherham, S60 1FL.
At other times you can contact us by ringing 01709 285388 or email us at: info@beaconsy.org.uk our opening times are
Monday: 9am – 3pm
Tuesday: 9am – 3pm
Wednesday: 9am – 3pm
Thursday: 9am – 3pm
Friday: By appointment
Visit the website at Beacon South Yorkshire (beaconsy.org.uk)
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Meet the carer – Mrs D who cares for her son
What made you attend Beacon South Yorkshire for support? I wanted to get out and meet people in same situation, get some support in my situation and do something different.
What did you think when you first attended Beacon? I enjoyed it, it was good to hear different experiences from different people but who were all in a similar boat to me. Everyone is nice and we all get on.
How has getting support from Beacon helped you on your journey as an unpaid carer? It brings relief each week when I attend the drop in sessions, we all get on. I also get educated on their services available across Rotherham as Beacon will signpost or give details of other events that are happening that I can access to help my wellbeing.
Tell us in 3 words how you would describe Beacon? Welcoming, fun, supportive.
   
Do you know anyone else who is an unpaid carer that you can share this newsletter with?
Information for carers – Rotherham Council
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