“Generally useful things for unpaid/family carers to know and do.”

If you look after someone who can’t manage their life without your help because of illness or disability then you’re probably a carer!

Fife Carers Centre is offering carers this excellent free workshop that will help you find out who can help you, what kind of help you might be able to get & how to get it! and giving away the REALLY USEFUL Carers Toolkit.

These workshops are all run in the evening or at weekends and in various locations in Fife to make it easier for carers who also work to come along - the dates and times are:

Thursday 15 December 2011 in Kirkcaldy at 6.30pm - 9.30pm.

Saturday 21 January 2012 in Kirkcaldy at 10 am - 1pm.

Thursday 9 February 2012 in Dunfermline at 6.30pm - 9.30pm.

Saturday 25 February 2012 in Cupar at 10 am - 1pm.

Saturday 10 March 2012 in Levenmouth area at 10 am - 1pm.

Saturday 17 March 2012 in Glenrothes at 10 am - 1pm.

Places are limited to a maximum of 15 at a session so book your place now by calling Fife Carers Centre on 01592 642999 or email lesley@fifecarers.co.uk

Stroke Care Information and Awareness session for carers

Stroke is very common and more and more frequently people are surviving and going on to regain a great deal of their independence and good health.  There is no doubt that the carer plays a huge roll in helping the person they care for become as well as possible for as long as possible.  In partnership with Chest, Heart and Stroke Training Coordinator Joanne Graham Fife Carers Centre is offering  free to attend information sessions for carers. This session gives carers information about a Stroke and how it may affect someone, some of the problems you may encounter in your caring role and how you can help the person you care for as well as possible for as long as possible.  It also gives carers the opportunity to learn from each other as they swap hints and tips learnt from their own experiences.
These sessions will take place as follows:
Wednesday 17 August 2011 6.30pm - 9.30pm at the City Hotel in Dunfermline. 
Thursday 15 September 2011 1pm - 4pm in the Boardroom at Cameron Hospital.
There are still places available for both sessions so call now to book your place on 01592 642999.

Goodbye to Mary! - A fond farewell.

After 15 years in the hot seat as Fife Carers Centre Manager,  Mary Stewart  has decided the time is right  to retire and she will be finishing work at the end of September.  As is often the case choosing the right time to retire has not been an easy decision to make and it has prompted a fair amount of consideration and reflection on her time with us.  Whilst she was in reflective mood we asked her a few questions. We asked her about her start with the Centre – not everything went quite according to plan! “I started with the Fife Carers Centre in October 1996 and promptly broke my foot and spent the first few weeks with my foot in plaster. The next year I broke my wrist and the year after that I broke my elbow ice-skating with young carers! Mhairi and Cindy used to joke about my annual break but fortunately it seems to have stopped now!”.   

How have things changed for carers during your time with Fife Carers Centre? 

When we started everyone thought that we were a Careers Centre and phoned us looking for jobs. No one knew what we were talking about when we spoke about carers. Now everyone acknowledges how important carers are and what huge contribution carers make to our society. We still need to get across to carers themselves that they are making this contribution and deserve support.

Are there things that particularly stand out in your memory?

Mary and Princess Anne share a moment

“I have so many vivid memories of my time at the Fife Carers Centre, happy and sad. I remember the carers, such as John Brady our former Vice Convenor, who was so much a part of developing the Centre in the early days. John sadly died but whilst he was a member of our Board.  John used to go around browbeating any carer he met into taking one of our cards and to get in touch – which many of them then did. The two visits that Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal made to the Centre obviously stand out as great honours as well as great fun and getting the news that we had won the two grants from the Big Lottery Fund were fantastic moments. I was very proud when we moved across the road and in to the new Centre in 2007.  We were able to build up such a great team and take on so many new pieces of work. I am always “ a wee chuffette” (as my son used to say) when people say they have heard about the Centre and the good work that we do.”

What will you miss about working with Fife Carers Centre?

“I am going to miss all the people. I‘ll miss the carers and the people in other organisations that we work with and I’ll really miss the team in the Centre. They give me a hard time and frequently tease me but they are great and work so hard for the Centre and carers across Fife. The members of the Board of Directors are part of that team and I have been very grateful for their support too.

”What are you looking forward to in your retirement?

“I am a bit apprehensive about who I will be when I am not Mary Stewart of Fife Carers Centre but I think that my husband is even more apprehensive about me being around and disturbing his routines! I’m really looking forward to jaunts out and about with him and making the most of our bus passes! I’m also looking forward to having time to go for walks, go swimming, reading all the books that I have been meaning to read and spending more time with my young granddaughter and her older sister. I’ll be keeping up my involvement with carers through the Coalition of Carers in Scotland and perhaps in time I will find other ways of being involved. I’ve been so lucky for the past fifteen years to have had a great job that allowed me to feel that I was making even a little bit of difference to the lives of carers.”

Sunday Funday Barbecue - Sunday 24th July

Fife Volunteers Social Group is hosting a great day out for members and their families.

Event:            Barbecue, with music, quiz and raffle (group perfoming is Civil Folk)

To held on:     Sunday 24 July.

Venue:           Strathearn Hotel, 2 Wishart Place, Kirkcaldy, KY1 2AS. 

Time:             3.00pm - 8.00pm + guests can stay on later if they wish.

Cost:             £4.00 for Fife Volunteers' Social Group registered members and £5.00 for guests and non-members.

Conditions:    Admission by ticket only.

This event is for volunteers, carers and their family and friends.

Please contact me for further information or any questions.

Polly Wilson

Chairperson

Fife Volunteers' Social Group

Tel: 01333 352684

e-mail: snpywils@blueyonder.co.uk

102 Leven Road Kennoway KY8 5JB

Wanted!! Part-time administrative assistant/receptionist

The Princess Royal Trust Fife Carers Centre 

Registered Scottish Charity No. SC029466

 Part-time administrative assistant/receptionist

10 Hours per week

General Grade 2 pt 10-12;  £4,295-£4,506 pa

This is a part time post funded until 31^st March 2016 by a grant from the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund. . Working within school hours, in the Centre in Kirkcaldy, the post holder will be part of a small team that supports unpaid carers across Fife.   They will be responsible for general administrative duties and dealing with incoming calls and visitors to the Centre. For application pack or further information please contact the Centre on 01592 642999.

Closing date for applications : 4^th July 2011

Good News for Fife Carers

Enjoying a quiz and lunch at Fife Carers Centre

Caring with confidence for someone living with Daibetes Information session led by Tessa Kidd

Male Carers conference in Dunfermline

We are thrilled to tell you that we have been successful in our grant bid to The Big Lottery Fund! They have agreed to give us money over the next 5 years that will pay for 1 full time and 2 part time staff plus a range of activities, information sessions and workshops for carers. The funding makes up a third of our essential funding with the remaining coming from NHS Fife and Fife Council. In addition to these funding sources we have continuing generous support from individuals and from various fundraising events that we use to pay for therapies offered to carers around Fife. We are really grateful to all our funders and are looking forward to being able to build on our successes of the past.
What kind of things will we be doing? We’re developing a training and information schedule that will look at many aspects of carers lives and help them be better able to deal with problems from practical things like dealing with financial crisis to personal skills development such as confidence building.
We think we’re on the right track with our plans as we have based them on feedback from carers during the past three years but it would be a tremendous help if you would let us know if there is anything you think we could be looking at as a topic for carers to learn more about.  Just drop us an email to lesley@fifecarers.co.uk or by telephone on 01592 642999.

Disabled Persons Housing Service Fife

Disabled Persons Housing Service Fife are interested in hearing what you think about the delivery of the Scheme of Assistance in Fife.  To facilitate this Fife Council are holding an event at the Dean Park Hotel in Kirkcaldy on Thusday 7th April between 10.30 am and 1.30pm and which you can attend.  To register for a place please contact DPHS (F) on 01592 223905 or email to enquiires@dphsfife.org.uk

Red Hat Events - the social organisation for people who enjoy SKI-ing*

We know how isolating being a carer can be - it can be very difficult to build a social life and to maintain it.  There is mounting scientific evidence showing that positive lifestyle choices made by people especially those in their 50’s including maintaining levels of physical activity and social interaction can reduce the risk of dementia, depression and stress related illnesses. Thanks to a £3658 award from the Social Entrepreneurs Fund Fife social entrepreneur Naomi Anderson has set up Red Hat Events which delivers a varied programme of events specifically tailored to the over 50’s.
Across Fife people have the chance to take part in anything from wine tasting, yoga, visits to museums and art galleries to Tai Chi and coastal walks. It helps to bring people together who share similar interests and can be especially important to this age group when affected by retirement, divorce or children leaving home and moving away.
Naomi explained that many people feel their life would be enhanced by the opportunity to try new activities and meet new people but can fall into the trap of doing more of the same. For others cost plays a major factor particularly in the current economic climate. Membership of Red Hat Events costs less than £2 per week and there are a number of free networking events every month. The costs of workshops and events vary and are kept to a minimum for members.
For more information on Red Hat Events contact Naomi Anderson on 07816821179/01592260933 or email her at naomi@redhatevents.co.uk or have a look at the website on www.redhatevents.co.uk.
*Spending the Kids Inheritance!

Holidays for carers

Dallmellington House

 This boutique hotel situating is East Ayrshire has undergone extensive refurbishment which was completed in 2009 to return the house to its former glory.  It was officially opened by HRH the Princess Royal in 2009.
Costs for day trips, outings, activities, beauty therapies, complementary therapies and transport available on request.
Tariff:-
1 night B&Bpp is £30
1 night DB&Bpp is £50
(prices based on two people sharing.)

Carlogie House Hotel

This Mansion House Hotel is situated in the historic golf town of Carnoustie and is a magnificent dwelling boasting large stately public rooms, conservatory and individually styled bedrooms.
Tariff:-
1 night B&Bpp is £35
1 night DB&B pp is £55
(prices based on 2 people sharing)
Single rooms available at
B&B - £45
DB&B -£65

To book rooms at either location telephone 01292 550717

Burntisland Prospects Group

Linda Sharp from the Prospects group asked us to tell you more about how the Prospects group in Burntisland works.

Getting creative keeps everyone busy at Prospects

Ann and Fiona enjoy their time at Prospects

"Prospects meetings for adults with learning disabilities and their friends are held every month in Solid Rock, the High Street, Burntisland. 
We meet on the second Saturday of the month, 10.30-12.30 in Solid Rock. Our next meetings are 12 March, 9 April, 14 May, 11 June.
Friendship, fun, celebration, support and sharing the good news of God’s love are what we are about.  We recognise each other’s gifts and celebrate the fact that everyone has something to contribute when we get together.  We’d love some new members so please spread the news about the group.
Over a cup of tea or coffee we catch up with each others’ news. Everyone joins in the singing, playing instruments, waving flags and using signs and symbols.  After a short talk we get crafty – we’ve made lots of different things, some more successful than others!
Here’s what some folks say about our meetings:
"The soup is really good!" (Jamie)
"I love the music and meeting friends." (Fiona)
"I’ve made new friends." (Laura)
"I like playing the musical instruments."  (Stuart)
"I’ve learned some new songs and signs." (Moira)
"I like drama and the biscuits." (David)"

If you'd like to know more about how you and the person you care for can join in the call Linda Sharp on 01592 874303.

Have Your Say!

Every day approx 6000 Fifers receive help in their own homes from Fife Council’s team of Homecarers. To ensure that people are cared for in a caring, safe and professional way, the Homecarers are trained in the skills required by a small but dedicated team of trainers. Could you help the team by advising them if they are on the right track? What do YOU think the Homecarers need to do to improve standards?
Over the Summer the Fife Council’s team of Homecarers are planning to hold meetings to discuss the courses with family carers and people who receive care services. Are you interested? Come and meet them for a tea and a chat!
For more information phone Jim or Krysia on 08451 555555x 470687

Tom McCulloch

Tom McCulloch in characteristic good humour 

Those of you who frequented the Carers Friday lunches will be saddened to hear of the death of Tom McCulloch. Tom was a very competitive quiz doer and joined in enthusiastically with conferences and meetings. He was always very warm and welcoming with less confident or new carers helping them to join in and passing on helpful advice.
Tom had not been in the best of health recently but his death was unexpected. He died in early January and his funeral took place on Monday 17th. Fife Carers Centre and carers from Fife were represented at the ceremony by Centre Manager Mary Stewart and Carer Support Worker Grant Kidd. A collection was taken up at the end of the ceremony and Tom's family have very generously split the money taken between Fife Carers Centre and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland. We thank them for the donation and will use it to good purpose, continuing to offer support to other carers in Fife.

Challenging Behaviour Management for Parents and Carers

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME

Provides techniques to the carer to use ensuring the best care, safety, and security for the person they care for even in violent moments. This programme has been designed to provide the same care, safety and security to the carer as they learn the techniques and skills taught during the training, and develop an emergency response plan if appropriate. The principles and techniques taught in the challenging behaviour training have repeatedly been proven effective in resolving potentially violent situations. By participating in this programme carers will gain more confidence necessary to handle crisis situations with minimal anxiety and maximum security. The training will help carers intervene more safely when behaviour becomes dangerous and most importantly maintain the bond between the carer and the individual they care for.

BACKGROUND:

Since 1980 more than 5 million professionals worldwide have been trained using the Non-violent Crisis intervention programme in order to help them provide the very best Care, Welfare, Safety and Security of everyone involved in a crisis situation.  Participants include professionals from a variety of specialist services including healthcare, education, social services, residential services, police, security and prisons.

The principles and techniques taught in the Non-violent Crisis Intervention programme have repeatedly proven effective in resolving potentially violent situations.  By participating in this programme, individuals gain confidence to handle crisis situations with minimal anxiety and maximum security.  The training will help individuals recognise behaviour triggers and assist with early intervention de-escalating techniques, or to intervene more safely when behaviour becomes dangerous.

ENABLE Scotland have a bank of certified instructors registered with the Crisis Prevention Institute and have undertaken an extensive training programme within the organisation to provide staff with the techniques required to manage challenging behaviour.  During the delivery of these programme it was recognised that Parents/Carers  should be included in this programme as we are all aware it is the parents and carers who are the experts with regard to supporting their own child.  ENABLE Scotland discussed at length with the Crisis Prevention Institute the benefits of delivering this programme to Parents/Carers.  The outcome of the discussion was that provided ENABLE Scotland had the appropriate insurance and were committed to provide refresher training to Parents/Carers there was no reason why this programme should not be delivered.  To this end ENABLE Scotland submitted a funding application to NHS Fife Carer Information Strategy funding to which we were successful in securing, which has enabled us to provide two training programmes to Parents/Carers in Fife.

In order to access this training Parents/Carers will be required to join ENABLE Scotland as a member and commit to attend refresher training every year.

Two one-day training courses are available on

 Thursday 10th of March at 9.15am – 3.30pm and Saturday 12th of March at 9.30am – 3.30pm
Venue:  Rothes Halls, Glenrothes.
Refreshments will be provided
For further details or to book a place, please contact:

Naheed Akhtar

Tel:01592 659295