Visual Awareness Training for Fife Carers of People with a Learning Disability

The RNIB Pathway ViiTAL project is delivering training courses and events to parents/carers in Fife to raise awareness of the link between visual impairment and learning disability to help enable them to support people with sight difficulties safely and effectively.

Visual Awareness and Learning Disability Training provides participants with an introduction to sight loss issues for people with a learning disability. It highlights that at least 1 in 3 people with a learning disability will also have a visual impairment. Training focuses on raising awareness of the inequality in access to eye health care for this group, the prevalence of eye conditions related to specific learning disabilities, and strategies to employ in the development of person centred support and care plans.

This includes information on practical ideas such as: environmental considerations, lighting issues, sighted guiding and mobility issues, adapting activities and the way we work, resources and equipment. Carers will have information about how and where to access relevant services and resources within Fife.

The courses are free, lunch is provided, and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed to parents and carers. Participants receive an information pack and Certificate of Attendance.
All courses are held at Fife Sensory Impairment Centre, Wilson Avenue, Kirkcaldy, from 9.30am until 2.30pm.
The course dates are as follows:

Tuesday 12 January 2010
Thursday 28 January 2010 - course full
Tuesday 9 February 2010
Thursday 25 February 2010
Tuesday 9 March 2010
Tuesday 23 March 2010

There is a programme of dates running from now until the end of March 2010. If you would like more information, or to reserve a place please contact:

Janice Bain - janice.bain@rnib.org.uk
Linda Gray - linda.gray@rnib.org.uk
Tel - 08451 555555 extn 474131

Friday Carer Lunch Talks

We have the last carer lunch for 2009 on Friday 27th November. As usual it will start at 12 noon and go on til 2pm. The speaker will be Sarah Bromley from The Energy Assistance Package. The Energy Assistance Package provides advice and support to enable you to maximise your income, reduce your fuel bills and make your home warmer and more comfortable. It offers a range of measures to help improve the energy efficiency of your home. Sarah will be talking about the package and how it may apply and will be available to answer your questions. We'll also have our usual lunch of sandwiches, cakes and cuppas plus our fabulous brain stretching prize winning quiz.

There will be no carer lunch in December and so the next one will be on the 29th of January 2010. The Speaker at the January lunch will be Iain McGarry from Fife Fire and Rescue Service (yes! a fireman -control yourself ladies!!)

University of Dundee, Department of Social Work

Would you like to influence the social workers of the future?

Would you be willing to share your knowledge and experience with a social work student to help them understand what caring is about?
The University of Dundee trains social works students. Part of the course is called ‘Making Sense of the Experience of Caring’. It is a new style of learning, done mostly outside the classroom. Each student is linked with a family and spends periods of time directed by the family in their own home.
An introductory day will take place on Monday 7 December 2009. Between December and April 2010, the student will spend between 15 hours and 24 hours with the family and others closely involved in the care. This could include several periods with the family at different times of the day, an introductory meeting and time in a weekly activity with the person cared for. Suitable arrangements will be agreed between students and families.

Students will do written work and presentations to show their understanding, based on their research and their time with families. Students will also look at issues which families themselves want to find out about. In this way, families will hopefully benefit from this experience too.

PAMIS, Fife, Angus, Dundee and Perth Carers Centres are working in partnership with the University of Dundee to develop this training module and will be there to support the families. Two family carers are also on the steering group.

There are 25 students to link with families! If you are interested or have questions, please contact:

Sheila McCallum
School of Education, Social Work and Community Education
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
Telephone – 01382 381441 or s.z.mccallum@dundee.ac.uk

PAMIS on 01382 385154

Your local Carers Centre: Fife – 01592 642999, Angus – 01241 439157, Dundee – 01382 400222, Perth – 01738 567076

Avoiding SCAMS!

I caught up yesterday with Janice Russell from Trading Standards who spoke to us earlier in the year about trying to protect the people we care for from falling for Scams. Janice was telling me that she had been at a conference that changed the way she thought about why people fall for Scams and the psychological pressure that is put upon us by very cynically manipulative con artists. She pointed me towards an excellent website which was set up to bring the problem to the attention of the public and highlight how easily people can become sucked in to the Scam. The website is called http://www.thinkjessica.com/. If you care for someone and are worried that they have been the victim of a scam or think that perhaps you have been "suckered" you can contact Consumer Direct on Telephone: 08454 04 05 06 or Website: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/. They can also give you advice on how to avoid Scams as well as things like "How to find a reputable tradesman" and "What to do when a company goes into Administration" etc.

Partners in Care Workshops

Our Partners in Care Workshops for Health and Social care workers have been underway during October and November and our feedback from those attending has been very positive. Without fail the part that the delegates say has been the most use to them has been the time they spend listening to carers talking about their own experiences as carers. We would not be able to run these workshops as effectively without the help of the carers who volunteer to take part so thank you very much for all your help this year to Nancy, Bill, Mike , Hugh, Cath, Dave and Grant.

We have more of these workshops coming up next year and will be looking for more carers to talk about their experiences - if you feel this is something that you could do and would like to take part please give us a call!

Kirkcaldy District Stroke Club

The Kirkcaldy and District Stroke club was set up October 1999. It is an independent club run by a small committee of members and volunteers. The club is affiliated to Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland. The club organises activities to reflect the wishes and interests of its members and also organise occasional outings. Membership is open to people who have had a stroke. The club aims to offer friendship and support in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Carers are also welcome to attend the club or carers can take the opportunity to have a short break. Volunteers are essential to the running of the club. Volunteers can help with club activities, fund-raising, seriving refreshments and chatting to club members. No special qualifications are required apart from lots of enthusiasm, a sense of humour and a genuine interest in people. Volunteer drivers are needed who are willing to use their own car to transport people to and from the centre are also needed. They would be delighted to hear from you if you would like to join their small and friendly team of volunteers. They meet fortnightly on Thurdays between 2pm and 4pm in the Templehall Community Centre in Beauly Place in Kirkcaldy. For further information please contact the Stroke Club on 01592 583363.

Head Injury in Children - Open Forum Meeting

The Scottish Head Injury Forum will be holding an open forum meeting on the topic of Head Injury in Children on Friday 30 October 2009 between 10 a.m. - 3.30 p.m at the Apex European Hotel, 90 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh. There is a charge of £30 for non-members.

Speakers and workshops include:
Dr Tom Beattie, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Edinburgh:
Acute medical care of the head injured child
Dr Alex Baxter, Consultant in Paediatric Neuro-rehabilitation, Edinburgh:
Rehabilitation of the head injured child: physical and cognitive problems
Dr Beth Wicks, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Nottingham:
How does ABI affect educational progress?
The Child Brain Injury Trust: Supporting the child and family after ABI
Relatives of children who have survived a brain injury: Living with the effects of brain injury in a child.

If you would like to attend please contact Fiona Maxwell SHIF Aministrator on 01382 423196.

National Austistic Society - Information Survey

Its been a very busy time in the world of Autism with lots of people trying to make a difference.

The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS Scotland)is working with other autism organisations to get the best services and support for people with autism spectrum disorder, including Asperger syndrome, across Scotland.

An Autism Bill is currently being debated at Westminster but it will only apply to England.

To find out if there is a need for a Scottish Autism Bill NAS Scotland are asking people to fill out this survey and to tell them about their experiences of living with autism and using services.

The survey focuses on services provided by councils and the NHS but can also include things like housing, criminal justice or universities.

If NAS Scotland get enough evidence they will work with other autism organisations to camapign to get the Scottish Parliament to act. If you wish to become involved then remember to enter your email details on the survey.

This survey will run until 4 November 2009, please encourage others to complete it. Thank you for your help!

To get to the survey click here

Meeting Point Lunch Speakers for 2010

Our speakers at the meeting point lunches over the last year have been very interesting. We've heard from Samaritans, Cancer Network Fife, Fife Trading Standards, Telecare, Fife Cares Home Safety, Long Term Conditions Team and Deaf Action amongst others. We are now looking at who we can invite to speak at the meetings in 2010. Who would you like to hear from? The speaker should be talking about a subject which has a broad appeal to carers and be able to present their topic in around half an hour. If you have any ideas for speakers please let us know - you can call us on 01592 642999 or leave a comment here.

Electric Blanket Testing 2009

Have you got an electric blanket to keep you cosy through the long winter nights? If you're anything like me you might have had it for a while. You can make sure it's still safe to use by taking it along to one of these testing centres on the dates shown to have it given a good going over. You don't need to make an appointment, you just turn up!

On Monday 19th October
between 10.00 – 13.00 and then 14.00 – 16.00
at

Lomond Centre, Woodside Way
Glenrothes, KY7 5RA
On Tuesday 20th October
between 10.00 & 13.00 then 14.00 & 16.00
at

Corn Exchange
St Catherine Street
Cupar, KY15 4BT

On Wednesday 21st October
between 10.00 & 13.00 then 14.00 & 16.00
at

Victory Memorial Hall
St Marys PlaceSt Andrews, KY16 9TA

On Thursday 22nd October
btween 10.00 & 13.00 then 14.00 & 16.00
at Parkgate Centre
Parkgate, Rosyth, KY11 2JW

On Friday 23rd October
between 10.00 & 13.00 then 14.00 & 16.00
at

Templehall Community Centre
Templehall Avenue
Kirkcaldy, KY2 6EB

Workshops for Carers

We have LOADS of workshops for carers coming up in the next few months. We have some which are all about keeping you the carer in good health and we have some about helping you understand the condition affecting the person you're caring for and how you can help them stay as healthy as possible. They are free to attend and you can book a place on any of them by calling Fife Carers Centre on 01592 642999.

RELAXATION & STRESS MANAGEMENT
Tower House Centre, Commercial School Lane, Dunfermline, KY12 7JT
20th & 27th Nov 10:30-12.00
Fife Sensory Impairment Centre Wilson Avenue KIRKCALDY Fife KY2 5EF
9th Nov & 17th Nov 10:30-12.00
Victory Memorial Hall St Marys Place, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9UY
10th Nov & 23rd Nov 10:30-12.00

GENTLE EXERCISE
Tower House Centre, Commercial School Lane, Dunfermline, KY12 7JT
6th & 13th Nov 1:00-2.30
Fife Sensory Impairment Centre Wilson Avenue KIRKCALDY Fife KY2 5EF
23rd & 30th Nov 1.00-2.30
Victory Memorial Hall St Marys Place, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9UY
28th Oct & 4th Nov 1.00-2.30

HEALTHY EATING
Tower House Centre, Commercial School Lane, Dunfermline, KY12 7JT
17th & 24th Nov 10.30 -12.30
Fife Sensory Impairment Centre Wilson Avenue KIRKCALDY Fife KY2 5EF
3rd & 10th Nov 10.30-12.30
Victory Memorial Hall. St Marys Place, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9UY
19th & 26th Oct 10.30-12.30

Caring with Confidence

One of the things that carers often tell us is that they welcome the chance to learn more about how to deal with the illness or disability of the person they care for. With this in mind, last year we ran a pilot series of workshops in West Fife and are now ready to run more courses across Fife. All of the workshops begin at 10 am and finish at around 2.30pm with a light lunch included. The workshops are free for carers to attend and to book your place you simply need to call Fife Carers Centre on 01592 642999.

The courses in Dunfermline and the West CHP Area will all be held at the City Hotel in Dunfermline, the topics and dates are:
Caring for someone with Diabetes – 4th November 2009
Caring for someone with Heart Disease – 2nd December 2009
Caring for someone who has had a Stroke – 4th December 2009

The courses in Glenrothes and North East Fife CHP area will be held in the Rathcluan Country House Hotel in Cupar, the topics and the dates are
Caring for someone with Respiriatory Conditions - 28th October 2009
Caring for someone with Vascular Conditions - 9th November 2009
Caring for someone with ME - 3rd December 2009

Fife Carers Centre will be the location for the courses in Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth CHP and the topics and dates are:
Caring for someone with COPD - 2nd November2009
Caring for someone with Coronary Heart Disease - 30th November 2009

Stroke Care Study Day

Lesley recently took part in a study day for stroke health care staff organised by Joanne Graham, NHS Fife’s stroke training coordinator. The day was entitled “Caring for Carers” and focussed on the experiences of carers of people affected by a stroke with the intention that health care staff would understand the carers role and how they can help to make a difference. Lesley made a series of presentations to the delegates along with psychologists Emma Hickabottom & Kim Kemp covering topics such as Who is a carer?, How to support a Carer and Legislation and Policies. The thing that made the most impact on the delegates though was the session on A Carers Perspective. Five carers of people who have had a stroke came along and spoke about their experiences, the things they found easy and the things they found tough, how they felt at different stages of the journey and the things that had changed in their lives forever. The carers were Nancy Beveridge, Alex Birt, Josephine Munro, Kerry Brown and Moira Williams. They told us that they found being asked to talk about themselves an unusual and sometimes emotional experience but hearing the responses from the delegates made it feel very worthwhile. When the delegates were asked what they had found useful about the day the session with the carers was top of their list – many of them said that it had changed the way they think about carers and their role in helping their patient’s condition improve. Fife Carers Centre would like to say a BIG THANK YOU!! to Nancy, Alex, Josephine, Kerry and Moira for making such a difference to the day and the way carers are perceived.
We are always looking for carers to take part in similar activities - it is usually for about an hour and involves simply talking about your own experiences as a carer. If you would like to take part at some time in the future please give Lesley a call on 01592 642999.

Meeting Point Lunch Friday 25th September 2009

Our speakers at the meeting point lunch this month were from Kirkcaldy and District Samaritans. Linda and Eric gave a brief history of Samaritans starting with how the founder Chad Varah began the organisation and explaining how Samartians still aim to achieve their vision of a society where fewer people die by suicide. Samaritans do this by offering confidential emotional support service for anyone in the UK and Ireland. The service is available 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Carers asked Linda and Eric a lot of questions about topics such as how they remained emotionally healthy when they spend so much time listening to people with sadnesses in their lives. It was interesting to hear that they received comprehensive and obviously effective training to help them to do so. We also learnt that each of the branches of Samaritans is a charity in their own right and that Kirkcaldy and District Samaritans need to raise £30,000 each year to keep going. As with all volunteer organisations Samaritans are interested in recruiting volunteers to help in various roles such as fundraising, publicity and administration as well as being a listening volunteer. We also found out that you can contact Samaritans in a number of different ways now - Samaritan volunteers offer support by responding to phone calls, emails and letters. Alternatively people can drop in to a branch to have a face to face meeting.
Across the UK you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 for the price of a local call. In the Republic of Ireland call 1850 60 90 90. You can also email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92.

Looking after the interests of an adult with incapacity

Carers can often find themselves caring for someone who is no longer able to manage their own affairs, like finances, business or property or make decisions about their own care, for example, medical treatment. So that it can be done by the carer, or perhaps someone else who can be trusted to do the job, certain legal steps must be taken. It’s a good idea to seek advice if you are not sure what you will be required to do if you are the person who will be taking on one of these roles.

We ran a workshop on Tuesday 22nd September with the help of Amanda Kerr and Stuart Fowler from the Office of the Public Guardian and Sue Williams, a solicitor with Baird & Co. Carers attending found out about the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and how it affects their ability to act on behalf of the person they care for. All those who attended said they found it very interesting and useful and for some it cleared up particular questions they had about their individual circumstances. The main lesson that seemed to come from the day was that each person's circumstances are different and that they should be looked at individually. It was also apparent that putting in place a "Power of Attorney" is a useful thing to do for all of us - it is a safeguard so that if the situation arises where someone is not able to make decisions for themselves then another individual is able to act on their behalf with the proper authority.

Acting on behalf of Adults with Incapacity – what do the terms mean?

Appointees

Someone can be made an appointee for benefits, where the other person is unable to manage their own benefits. This is arranged through the Department of Work and Pensions, and applies only to state benefits.
In the first instance contact the office that deals with the benefit involved.

Power of Attorney

Someone can arrange for their welfare to be safeguarded and their affairs to be managed in the future, should they become unable to do this for themselves. They can do this by giving another person (someone they trust) power of attorney to look after some or all of their property and financial affairs and/or to make decisions about their personal welfare, including medical treatment.

The person giving power of attorney has to be able to understand what they are agreeing to when they give consent.

Power of attorney is a legal document, drawn up by a Solicitor, and has to be registered (since 02/04/01) with the Office of the Public Guardian for it to be effective. Power of attorney does not come in to effect unless the person granting it becomes ill and is unable to manage their own affairs.

Guardianship

If someone is incapable of making decisions, and there is no power of attorney, someone can apply to the Sheriff Court for an Intervention order or a Guardianship order.
An Intervention order is for a one off decision or short-term help e.g. selling property, or signing a document.
A Guardianship order is where continuous management of affairs or safeguarding of welfare is required.

Local Authorities or any person claiming an interest in the person’s affairs may make an application.

Access with funds

Individuals can also apply to the Office of the Public Guardian to gain access to the funds of an adult incapable of managing those funds for example a bank account in the sole name of the adult.

Intervention orders

An intervention order allows another person to make a single, one-off decision for
someone if they are unable to do so themselves (for example: this could be to consent to a having a particular medical procedure). Intervention orders are applied for through the Sheriff’s Court.

Contact Details

For further information from the Office of the Public Guardian you can contact them at:

Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)
Hadrian House
Callendar Business Park
Callendar Road
Falkirk
FK1 1XR

Telephone number 01324 678300
Email opg@scotcourts.gov.uk.

Photos from the Royal Visit to Fife Carers Centre

Here are some of the photos taken during our recent visit by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal Princess Anne. The photos were taken by photographer Barry Moir , of Barry Moir Photography, who really kindly donated his time and skill for free. Barry is normally a wedding and portrait photographer based in Kirkcaldy so being a royal paparazzi for the morning was a departure from his normal routine! Not being allowed to ask the Princess to pose meant that Barry had to capture the moment quickly. I think it has resulted in some lovely natural smiley faces being caught in the picture. What do you think?

Important news for Myfife C+1 card holders

If you hold a “myfife” card with the C+1 element of concessionary travel (that’s the card that allows you to travel by bus and rail with a companion for example a carer) then you should note that the qualifying criteria has changed. When it is time to renew your card you will need to meet with one of the following new criteria if you are to continue to receive these concessionary travel services:




Qualifying Criteria

“C+1” card
Disability Living Allowance, middle or higher rate of care component
Attendance Allowance
In residential care

“Ceye+1” card
Registered Blind

If you do not meet with one of the above criteria then you may be still eligible to hold a “C” card. This card offers free bus travel and discounted rail travel.

Should you need further information please contact Fife Council’s Concessionary Travel Team on 01592 583370.

Royal Visit to Fife Carers Centre

We were honoured today with a visit from our patron Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal Princess Anne. Along with invited guests who included carers, representatives from NHS Fife and Fife Council were people who have helped us out over the years. After talking to carers, staff and visitors in the centre Princess Anne joined more carers in the Path Head Hall where she was presented with a framed copy of the poem "Carers - the UK's Secret Service" written for the Carers Week by Kerry Black. It was a really enjoyable morning with everyone commenting on how interested and knowledgeable Princess Anne was about carers issues.

Meeting Point Lunch Speaker - Janice Russell

We had a very interesting talk on Friday 28th August at the Meeting Point Lunch. The speaker was Janice Russell from Trading Standards. We learnt a lot (and not just about Janice's fine appreciation of a man in uniform!!). The subject under discussion was avoiding Scams. She told us about some Scams that had come to the attention of the Trading Standards inFife and how utterly ruthless the scammers are in taking away the last penny from those they are scamming. We also learnt about phishing scams on the internet and only today I received one from the HM Revenue and Customs purporting to tell me I had a tax refund coming and could I just confirm my bank details? HA!! No chance! I followed Janice's advice and forwarded it to Trading Standards and to the HM Revenue and Customs so they could see what was being done in their name.

The maxim that Janice said we should stick to is "If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is!"

ILA Scotland - it pays to learn

Lots of carers would like to be able to do something enjoyable and constructive with the limited free time that they have. With the local colleges and community schools class programmes beginning soon it's worth thinking about applying for an Independent Learning account. ILA Scotland is a Scottish Government scheme that helps you pay for learning that you can do at a time, place, pace and in a way to suit you. It’s for people who have an income of £22,000 a year or less, or who are on benefits.
If you are 16 or over and living in Scotland, you could get up to £500 towards the cost of learning with a learner account from ILA Scotland.
There are two types of account available:

£200 accounts – If you are interested in learning something new or brushing up your skills. There is a wide range of courses available so why not have a look at our Course Search to get an idea of what’s available in your area. To find out more click here.

£500 accounts – If you are studying a part-time higher education or professional qualification course such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or a Degree. You must be studying 40 Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) credits or more an academic year. To find out more click here.

You can only have one type of account open at any time so it’s important that you choose carefully. If you need any further information to help you decide on the right account for you just call our friendly helpline advisers on 0808 100 1090.

If you already know what you want to do, simply click Apply now to request your application pack.

This information is taken from the ILA Scotland website which can be found here.

Poem - From Where I’m Standing

At the Carers Meeting Point Lunch at the end of July the speaker, Karen Gibb, read a poem for us that had been written by Elspeth Murray for the "Beyond The Tipping Point" conference of the Long Term Condition “Collaborative 14th May 2009. The Poem was inspired by C.S. Lewis's observation of a sunbeam "Looking along the beam and looking at the beam are very different experiences”. She uses her poem to point out the difference it can make to people if they are included and involved in the treatment and management of their condition.

Carers attending the meeting asked if they could have a copy of the poem so here it is.

From Where I’m Standing

In emergency admissions
In the outpatient department
At the here-we-go-again clinic
In yet another waiting room…
From where I’m standing
There’s nothing worse than being treated as an illness
From where I’m standing
There’s nothing worse than being shunted around
From where I’m standing
There’s nothing worse than it all flaring up again
From where I’m standing
There’s nothing worse than not knowing whether to laugh or to cry
Except dealing with people who
Act like they never laugh or cry.

A man walks into a toolshed,
Shuts the door. Sees a sunbeam.
Dust floats in the brightness –
Eddies into the darkness.

He observes the sunbeam.
Shape, density, intensity.
Contemplates it objectively,
dispassionately...

But as he takes a step forward
Into that sunbeam,
Inhales the sunlit tool shed smell,
And feels the warmth on his face,
He sees something else,
Not the beam, not the darkness, not the tools
But, framed in the odd-shaped gap above the door,
Green leaves on the branches of a tree
And, millions of miles beyond them, the sun.

Looking at the beam and
Looking along the beam are
Very different experiences.

Before you take the speck out of your brother’s eye
Let the beam shine into your own eye.


From where I’m lying
It’s good to be listened to
From where I’m sitting
It’s good to be in control
From where I’m standing
It’s good to be given a choice

When I’m shaking
It’s good to be sharing stories
When I’m hurting
It’s good to get more of what I need
When I’m weeping
It’s good to speak on the phone
To the one I call my guardian angel
When I’m dying
It’s good to be with the ones who care the most.

From where I’m standing,
Here in the beam
It all seems perfectly clear.

Elspeth Murray

Thanks to Karen Gibb for bringing the Poem to our attention.

Breast Cancer - Sticking with the Treatment

Unfortunately, breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK and almost 46,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. The good news is that due to improved detection and new treatments, the number of women beating breast cancer is increasing each year. However, breast cancer patients often have to take anti-cancer drugs for up to five years. Research at the Univesity of Dundee has been undertaken to shed light on the reason for taking these drugs for so long. You can find out more about this from local scientist Colin McCowan in a free public lecture to be held at the Sensation science centre in Dundee. It promises to be an informative talk that will provoke lots questions from the audience!

Everyone is welcome to this free event at the Sensation’s award-winning Infusion Cafe, Greenmarket, Dundee for a 6pm start on Wednesday September 9th 2009.

Doors open at 5:30pm, so get there early in order to get yourself a seat and a nice cup of hot tea or coffee and a snack.

Calling Fife Social Work Department!

WE’RE LOOKING OUT FOR CARERS ARE YOU LOOKING OUT FOR THEM TOO?

In Social care you encounter carers every day in the work you do. If you would like to
· develop your awareness of the issues that carers face and have the opportunity to hear about some of these issues first hand from carers.
· increase your knowledge and understanding of policy (local and national) and legislation relating to carers.
· develop your knowledge of support organizations available to carers.
You can do so by attending a “Partners in Care” workshop at Fife Carers Centre. Workshops are available on:
(Times include Lunch)
Friday 6 November 2009 10.00 am – 1.30pm
Thursday 12 November 2009 12.30pm – 4pm
Tuesday 17 November 2009 10.00 am – 1.30pm
Tuesday 16 February 2010 12.30pm – 4pm
Friday 19 February 2010 10.00 am – 1.30pm
Tuesday 23 February 2010 12.30pm – 4pm
If you work for Fife Council Social Work department or in some way that brings you into contact with unpaid carers you can book a place at one of the workshops by contacting:

Lesley or Irene at Fife Carers Centre
On 01592 642999
Or
lesley@fifecarers.co.uk

No one expects to become a carer - but 3 in 5 of us will be one at sometime in our lives.
There are around 42,000 people who are carers in Fife - and most of them don’t know there is help available for them.

Meeting Point Lunch

It was a nice meeting point lunch today with a presentation from Karen Gibb from the Long Term Conditions team for the Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth CHP talking about Self Management. It was very interesting to hear about how carers are now more often acknowledged as a vital part of the process in maintaining or improving the health of someone affected by a longterm condition.
Thanks very much to Karen.
The quiz this month was (vaguely) themed around the idea of holidays and was won by Tom and Rena McCulloch who scored a magnificent 19 out of 20... all those months of trying have paid off in the end!!
Our next meeting point lunch will take place on Friday 28th August and will include a presentation from Trading Standards who will amongst other things be talking about protecting the people you care for from scams and conmen.

SAGA Respite for Carers Trust

Are you over 50 and been a carer for longer than a year? You are almost certainly eligible to apply for a respite short break from the SAGA Respite for Carers Trust. There are a limited number of places available and competition for them is likely to be keen but it's always worth a go! You can read more about it on the SAGA website. Good Luck! There are also a lot of very informative and interesting articles on the website - so it's worth a browse through.

Ditch your junk and donate to charity all in one go!

Do you ever look round your attic or garage and think "Right, that's it! I'm going to have a good clear out!". It's easy to part with the stuff that's real rubbish but getting rid of things that feel too good to throw away can sometimes be a bit more difficult.

If you have access to the internet there are a few novel approaches to the problem you might want to try. They enable you to get rid of the item and the opportunity to feel good about raising funds for your favourite charity (Fife Carers Centre obviously!!):

Ebay - you can sell your item and donate all or part of your sale price to the charity of your choice. It's great fun to do and fairly straightforward (just try not to go and buy a whole load of new junk to replace the stuff you've just got rid of!!).

JumbleAid - a good old fashioned jumble sale with a new twist - an on line jumble sale, avoids the rough and tumble and sharp elbows of fellow jumblers. The money given for the item can go to your favourite charity (yup! That's us!)

Freecycle - give it away! One man's rubbish is another man's treasure. You can advertise your item for pick up only so that there's no postage, or you can ask for the delivery charge to be paid.

Then having cleared your junk you can sit back and enjoy the glow gained from a job well done!

BIG Cancer Conversation - event in Stirling

The BIG Cancer Conversation is a Scottish Government event

Join the BIG Cancer Conversation!

• Living with cancer?
• Got an opinion, an experience or an idea about cancer?
• Do you want to help improve cancer services in Scotland?
....... then we’d like you to join us

on Thursday 20 August from 10am to 4pm at
The Albert Halls, Stirling for the BIG Cancer Conversation.

The BIG Cancer conversation is an informal event that gives you the opportunity to have your say. It’s a great way to share your experiences and for us to hear from a whole range of people who are living with and beyond cancer and their carers.
Not only will your experiences help us to improve the quality of services for people living with cancer, they will also help to inform the Scottish Government and NHS Scotland in their efforts to improve the quality of health services for all patients and their carers. The event is free but places are limited so timely registration is advisable to avoid disappointment! To register, please e-mail jennifer.smith@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or call 0131 244 5179 or with the following information by 31 July 2009:
• Your name
• Your contact details – email, telephone, address
• Your main interest in attending, eg. Are you a cancer patient, a carer, from the voluntary sector,
a health professional or ‘other’?
• Any special access or dietary requirements
• Any other requirements e.g. let us know if you anticipate difficulties in paying for or arranging travel to and from the event as assistance or advice might be available.
Depending on numbers we will confirm your place by 12 August 2009 and provide full details of the event and joining instructions.

Partners in Care Training

Carers often come into contact with Health Care professionals who are involved in the treatment of the person who they care for. We run workshops as part of the NHS Fife Carer Information Strategy to help Health Care professionals understand the difficulties that carers may face in all aspects of their lives and the legislation and policies in place to help carers sustain their role.

The Workshop is aimed at: Health Professionals and Medical Centre staff in contact with people who require ongoing care and their carers.

Workshop Location: Fife Carers Centre, Meeting Room and Soft Room
Workshop Duration: 3 ½ hours including lunch
Dates and Times: Times includes lunch

PIC1 Thursday 10 September 2009 - 12.30 pm – 4pm
PIC2 Tuesday 15 September 2009 - 10 am – 1.30pm
PIC3 Thursday 24 September 2009 - 12.30 pm – 4pm
PIC4 Thursday 8 October 2009 -12.30 pm – 4pm
PIC5 Thursday 5 November 2009 -12.30 pm – 4pm
PIC6 Thursday 21 January 2010 - 12.30 pm – 4pm
PIC7 Tuesday 26 January 2010 - 10 am – 1.30pm
PIC8 Thursday 4 February 2010 - 12.30 pm – 4pm
PIC9 Tuesday 9 February 2010 - 10 am – 1.30pm
PIC10 Thursday 11 February 2010 - 12.30 pm – 4pm
PIC11 Tuesday 2 March 2010 - 10 am – 1.30pm
PIC12 Tuesday 9 March 2010 - 10 am – 1.30pm

Course numbers: Minimum 6 - maximum 15 Delegates

Course Aims

To foster relationships between healthcare professionals and carers based on an understanding of carers as “key partners in care”.

Course Objectives

To develop an understanding and appreciation of the contribution that carers make to health and social care provision.
To develop the means of identifying carers.
To develop an awareness of the issues that carers face and to have the opportunity to hear about some of these issues first hand from carers.
To increase knowledge and understanding of policy (local and national) and legislation relating to carers.
To develop knowledge of support organizations available to carers.

If you are a Health Professional in Fife and would like to attend one of the workshops please make your booking through the NHS Fife Training and Ongoing Development Team.

Fife Outdoor Access Festival 2009

With the effects of the credit crunch on our spending the idea of "staycations" is a big new trend this year - instead of going away on holiday more people are spending their holiday time at home and going for days out. Trying to find things to do for a whole summer holiday can be hard going so you might be interested to hear about the Fife Outdoor Access Festival taking place this year between Saturday 1st August and Sunday 9th August. 2009. It is a varied programme of events designed to make the most of the lovely Fife countryside. There will be planned and supervised walks, cycles and horse rides, water sports, disabled rambles and family fun days. There is something to suit all ages and abilities and most of the events are free of charge. If you want to know more go and have a look at http://www.fifeoutdooraccessfestival.co.uk/ .

The National Autistic Society - One Day HELP! Programme

The National Autistic Society will be running a one day help! support and information day for parents/carers of children diagnosed with and autism spectrum disorder in the past two years or so. The programme sessions cover:

• An overview of ASDs.
• Communicating with your child.
• Education.
• Legislation and benefits.
• What's available from the NAS locally and nationally.
• Benefits and your rights.
• Question time.

The programme is presented by Barrie Cooper help! manager Scotland and other staff from NAS Scotland.

The session takes place on Wednesday 9th September 2009 between 9.30 and 3pm in the Best Western Queens Hotel, 160 Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4DU. A sandwich lunch, tea and coffee are provided and two members per family may attend. If you would like to book a place on the session please phone Lauren Jarvis on 0141 285 7114.

CARERS -THE UK’S SECRET SERVICE!

This poem was written by Fife carer Kerry Black as a way of celebrating carers' contribution to society and to celebrate Carers Week.

Kerry reading her poem to an appreciative audience at the

Fife Carers Week 2009 event.

CARERS -THE UK’S SECRET SERVICE!

Nobody sees a carer, nobody sees a spy,
We’re an invisible band of workers-have you ever asked yourself why?
While James Bond struts about the place in a dashing dinner suit,
Most carers struggle to recollect the last day that they had oot!
He’s fortified by gadgets supplied by the amazing Q,
We’re lonely and under-funded, always needing an extra (Money)penny or two!
We’re always on the go, we rarely get time to relax,
If we were like James Bond, we could escape on big jet packs!
His life is full of glamour. He loves to sip on champers.
Our lives are filled with duty and dirty laundry hampers!
We have no job description, we have no stated hours,
Oh! to be a spy and have some super powers,
To flee our caring duties, to go out and meet a pal.
I’d settle for a cafe - I don’t need Casino Royale!
Though we all love our families and live to show our care,
Sometimes it would be nice if someone else was there.
To give a little hand, to provide some great respite.
James Bond doesn’t need a befriender to let him out at night!
We’re standing in the shadows, we don’t wear any disguise.
We’re the UK’s REAL Secret Service!
We’re the carers, NOT the spies!

KERRY BLACK - 12TH MAY, 2009

Travelling Abroad

If you’re planning to get away and go abroad this year you might find this website useful - http://www.doctorbabel.com/.
DoctorBabel allows you to create and maintain an online medical record that can be translated into multiple languages at the click of a button. The website features an emergency medical information card. Basic membership is FREE and includes web-space for your medical record, the facility to print an emergency card at home for free and some free translation facilities. The translation facility is especially important for safe travel. Having your medical details available in an accurate,organised and easily understood format helps medical professionals to make better decisions. You print your medical record at home and carry it with you whenever you travel.

Energy Assistance Package

Are you finding that your home is cold, damp, draughty or generally hard to heat? Are you worried about your fuel bills? If you answer yes to any of these questions the Energy Assistance Package may be able to help you.

What is the Energy Assistance Package?

The Energy Assistance Package provides advice and support to enable you to maximise your income, reduce your fuel bills and make your home warmer and more comfortable. It offers a range of measures to help improve the energy efficiency of your home.

The new scheme is funded by the Scottish Government and is being delivered by the Energy Saving Scotland advice network in partnership with energy companies and other organisations.

To access all parts of the Energy Assistance Package, call the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre free of charge on 0800 512 012.

When you call the advice centre, a trained advisor will take you through a series of questions about your home, including your current heating system. The questions will help the advisor give you the best energy advice possible and could lead to other forms of support including:
Referral for tax credit/benefit checks
Signposting to energy providers for social tariffs if eligible
Loft and cavity wall insulation for those eligible
Other measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes such as a new central heating system if eligible

To find out how you can benefit from the Energy Assistance Package contact us on freephone 0800 512 012 or visit http://www.energyassistancepackage.com/

Thank you to Sarah for contributing this information - you can hear more from Sarah at the Meeting point lunch on 27 November when she will be the speaker.

Caring for someone living with Dementia

We have some new dates for the "Caring for someone living with Dementia" one day workshops for carers. The workshops, which are free, are run in conjunction with Alzheimer Scotland and take place in the Fife Carers Centre in Kirkcaldy. The content of the workshop is designed to help carers better understand what is happening to the brain of someone affected by Dementia, what kind of problems that individual might encounter as well as tips for dealing with some of the behaviours that can be difficult to cope with. In addition carers meet with a group of people experiencing the same kind of thing in their own lives and learn what additional help and support there is for them in and around Fife.
The dates for the upcoming workshops are 17th September 2009, 29th October 2009, 28th January 2010 and 11th March 2010. If you are caring for someone affected by dementia and would like to attend one of these workshops you can sign up for one by telephoning Fife Carers Centre on 01592 642999 or email centre@fifecarers.co.uk