Sharing experiences of health and illness

Healthtalkonline is an award winning charity website that lets you share in other people's experiences of health and illness. You can watch or listen to videos of the interviews, read about people's experiences and find reliable information about conditions, treatment choices and support. Why would you want to do that? Well, often people find a great deal of comfort in finding out that their own experieinces are shared by others; it often helps to know that others felt the way you feel now or have stories which might help prepare you for a future event. You might find a story about an aspect of your treatment that you hadn't expected to affect you the way it does and in the carer section you will find many stories of people affected by their carng role.
If you have a story you would like to share with us here at Fife Carers Centre to be included on our website please contact Lesley on 01592 642999 or lesley@fifecarers.co.uk

For all parents and carers of disabled children and young people

Is your short break service delivering all that you and your child need?

Are you starting to worry about what happens when your child leaves school?
Is school life the same for your child as everyone else's?
Would going out to work be an option if you could find the right childcare?

The fSDC liaison project was set up to bridge the gap between the good intentions of government policy and legislation and the services and support families with a disabled child receive - but they need to know more about families' experience - and importantly they need to hear parents' views on what should change and what support you would like that would make a
difference in your family's lives.

They are hosting a series of events to find out parents' views and experiences starts in Inverness on 24th March and then in Edinburgh on 31st March. More details about both events and how to register are given below. If you would like them to run a similar workshop at a carers or parents' group that you attend please get in touch. Distance no object!

Event in Inverness - Wednesday 24 March 10.15am to 1pm followed by lunch - Waterside Hotel, 19 Ness Bank, Inverness
Event in Edinburgh - Wednesday 31 March 10.15am to 1pm followed by lunch - McDonald rooms conference centre, McDonald Road, Edinburgh

Free to attend!

Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Expenses for childcare and travel expenses will be reimbursed. For more information and to book a place contact Donna Tomlin donna.tomlin@cafamily.org.uk or tel: 0131 659 2939

Office of the Public Guardian - Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000

On Thursday 18th March Fife Carers Centre are hosting briefing sessions on aspects of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 (such as Guardianship and Power of Attorney) as overseen by the Office of the Public Guardian Scotland. There are two discreet sessions, one starting at 10 am and concluding at about 12 noon and one beginning at 1pm and concluding at about 3 pm. Please call Lesley on 01592 642999 to book a place. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Caring with Confidence Workhop - Living with Mental Illness

Fife Carers Centre and Fife Families Support Project are hosting a "Caring with Confidence for those living with Mental Illness". The workshop will take place at Fife Carers Centre on the evening of Tuesday 16th March 2010 between 6 pm and 8.30pm.

The workshop includes information about caring for someone living with a mental illness and the support available. It will also cover the rights and benefits that carers are entitled to.

There is help available on the night for those who find transport to and from the event a problem and soup and sandwiches will be provided free of charge on the evening.
If you would like more information or to book a place please call either Mary Stewart at Fife Carers Centre on 01592 642999 or Colin Orr at Fife Families Support Project on 01592 641401.

Taster Holistic Therapy Sessions

During the morning of Tuesday 23rd March 2010 we are having taster therapy sessions for carers. These will be conducted by 2nd year students of Holistic Therapies at Adam Smith College. You will be offered a choice of Hand Reflexology or an Indian Head Massage. The sessions will take place at Fife Carers Centre in Kirkcaldy.

The time slots available are as follows:

Arrive 9.30 for a session between 9.45 and 10 am.

Arrive 10 am for a session between 10.15 and 10.30 am

Arrive 10.30 am for a session between 10.45 and 11 am

Arrive 11 am for a session between 11.15 and 11.30 am

After your session we invite you to stay at the centre for tea/coffee and nibbles. This will give you an opportunity to chat with other carers who are also attending for a therapy session. If you would like to book one of these slots please contact us bere at Fife Carers Centre on 01592 642999. Places are limited so if you are interested please phone as soon as possible.