Course to help Swanage carers

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/purbeck/display.var.1438537.0.course_to_help_relieve_strains_of_home_carers.php

Course to help relieve strains of home carers

By Andy Davey

A CHARITY is offering a free training course to hundreds of carers living in Swanage, which has been designed to make their lives a little easier.

According to the charity Help and Care there are more than 1,000 people in Swanage voluntarily caring for a friend or loved one.The charity claims this may involve anything from looking after a parent with memory loss to full-time personal care for a child with a disability.

The special seven-session course, which has been funded by Dorset County Council, includes training to cope with memory loss, looking after back problems, first aid skills and stress relief. It also includes information from a local solicitor about the powers of attorney and a talk from a benefits advisor.

Help and Care's carers outreach worker Francoise Griffin said: "Being a carer is potentially lonely and isolating. "This course is a great opportunity for local carers to learn new skills and meet others in the same situation. "It will help them care for their loved ones, but also help them to care for themselves."

Help and Care is an independent charity that has been working with older people, carers and communities in Dorset since 1985.

The course, which was set up with the help of St John's Ambulance, takes place at Swanage Health Centre from Tuesday, June 19, and includes information on local services available to support carers.

Places are limited and carers are advised to book as soon as possible.

For more information and to reserve a place, telephone 08454 500418.

Charter for carers?

see full article at http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/display.var.1429732.0.teenager_calls_for_care_action.php

Teenager calls for care action

By Dan Goater

PLEA FOR HELP: Amy Chick, 16, with her sister Kat

TEENAGER Amy Chick today called for backing for a new charter fighting for carers and disabled children - including her sister Katie. Amy, of Hawkesworth Close in Weymouth, said Dorset County Council could ease the burden on her and her parents by adopting a charter drawn up by the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign.

No one from Dorset County Council was available for comment.

Minutes of Meeting - 15th May 2007

Allsorts
(www.allsortsspecialneeds.blogspot.com)

MINUTES
of Meeting
Tuesday 15th May 2007
Methodist Church Hall

Apologies
Sue & Doug Tina

Minutes of last meeting
Agreed

Talk by ‘Coping with CHAOS’
CHAOS was started 10 years ago to provide help, support, fun and
friendship for families with disabled children. They have offered to help
run some play opportunities in Purbeck, but everyone is also welcome
along to activities that are up and running in their East Dorset area.
More information on their website www.info@copingwithchaos.org
Kelly is our contact once it has been decided what activities/venues
Allsorts would like to run/visit. Suggestions made were North Beach,
Swanage, Durlston Country Park and Putlake Farm. This to be discussed at
the next meeting.

Matters arising:
Election of committee
Carnival - bucket shakers
Any other business
Ran out of time so both postponed until next meeting!


Date of next meeting Tuesday 26th June 2007, 7.30pm, Methodist Hall

Minutes of Meeting - 17th April 2007

Allsorts
(www.allsortsspecialneeds.blogspot.com)

MINUTES
of Meeting
Tuesday 17th April 2007
Methodist Church Hall

Apologies
Elaine Marsh Maria Collins Helen

Minutes of last meeting
Agreed

Talk by Tanya Hamilton-Fletcher & Linda Sandford of Children’s Services
Team re: respite (now called short break care.) Education and social
needs services have now combined into one group with the aim of providing
a more effective service. There is an initial assessment of the child and
there is eligibility criteria. Importantly, you may ask for a separate
carer’s assessment although there is no entitlement to services. Children’s
centres provide ‘Universal Services’ for all children but more needy
cases are handled by ‘Children’s Services’ based at Ferndown.
Direct Payment Scheme: parents receive a cash sum in lieu of a provided
service e.g. this gives parents the flexibility to employ their own carer
but you do have the responsibility of being an employer. Has proved
popular.
Shared Care: approved foster carers provide relief care but if this is
for more than 24 hours the child would be classed as a ‘looked after’ child
which not all parents are happy with.
Residential: this is not considered for under 9s but there are facilities
in Weymouth, Poole and Christchurch on average offering short break
care one weekend per month.

Matters arising:
Scarman Trust funds £2000.00 has been awarded to Allsorts
Coping with CHAOS The founder of this charity will be at the next
meeting where there will be the opportunity to
request the type of activities you would like
to be on offer in the summer holidays. Not to be
missed!

Date of next meeting Tuesday 15th May 2007, 7.30pm, Methodist Hall