Carers News
Your quarterly Aberdeen Carers Newsletter
March 2014 - May 2014
Self-Directed Support — Claire’s Story
When Claire was preparing to go back to her teaching job after the birth of her first child, her father became ill
and was in hospital for some time. Upon his discharge, the family had to decide how to care for him at home.
Claire and her mother took on the main caring roles and after several months, this began to have an impact
on their lives as a feeling of “cabin fever” crept in.
Claire’s mother spoke to a friend who mentioned ‘Direct Payments’ as a care option that could be
implemented by the local council. Both Claire and her mother decided to find out some more information and
they spoke about it with her dad’s Social Worker. Claire read through all the paperwork about what care
options were available and what was involved, before completing application forms with the help of support
workers. Claire’s father was allocated a number of caring hours and the council provided suggestions for
payroll companies that would meet their needs. HMRC documentation was provided to establish that Claire’s
father was her employer and payroll provided Claire with a timesheet that her dad signs, along with herself.
Claire has said that SDS has provided opportunities for her mum to go out with friends and keep up her
hobbies. Claire is happy to be her dad’s carer as she can spend time with her young child and her father,
whilst also being in paid employment. Her dad is happy as he can stay at home, which is where he wants to
be.
What is Self-Directed Support?
Find out more and apply.
Self-directed support can allow individuals with
Social Care needs to take more control of their care
services. It is possible to get money known as
direct payments to pay for community care/social
care needs, instead of receiving services arranged
by the local authority.
If you or the person you care for is assessed as
needing community care services, direct payments
could work for you. Please ask your support worker
or care manager for more information.
Contact VSA Carers Services on 01224 212021
Do you provide unpaid care to a family member,
partner or friend who couldn’t manage without
your help? Do you need some time to yourself,
or time with the person you care for?
If so, Creative Breaks funding could be for you.
The funding is fairly flexible and aims to:
• Provide a break from day-to-day routines.
• Give carers (and if appropriate, the cared-for
person) the chance to try new things.
• Allow carers time to rest and “recharge their
batteries”.
• Provide space for social activities.
What would a break look like for you? A short holiday? Relaxation sessions? Driving Lessons? You can
make it happen with the Creative Breaks Funding for Carers.
Applicants must be a carer aged 18 and over (please note there is no upper age limit) or a young carer aged
5 to 18, who provides care to a family member, partner, relative or friend who needs help to manage a long
term condition, disability, physical or mental health problem or addiction. (Parent Carers caring for a child
under the age of 20 should apply through the Family Fund) To find out more about the
Creative Breaks Fund, have an application form sent out to you or to see if you might be
eligible, please contact: [email protected] or Andrea Fraser on 01224 551578
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Hair & Beauty @ In:tuition
With North East College Scotland
(formerly Aberdeen College)
Are you a Carer?
Would you like a complimentary hair or nail appointment on us?
VSA Carer Services and North East College Scotland hair & beauty department have organised
pampering sessions through Creative Breaks Funding for Carers living in Aberdeen City. Available
therapies and beauty treatments offered in February 2014 are:
Hair
Nails
Complimentary Treatments
Please call in:tuition on 01224 612178 to enquire about available treatments, then call VSA Carers
Services on 01224 679026/212021 to speak to a support worker to discuss making an appointment.
Are you a Carer? Do you need financial
assistance to purchase an essential
service or household equipment?
“The Crafty Carers”
New Crafts Group
The Moulton-Barrett Carers’ Crisis Fund may be
able to help you pay for:
“The Crafty Carers” new craft
group will be starting on Tuesday
22nd April from 11am till 1pm in the Chill Out Zone at
VSA, 38 Castle Street. The group will meet once a
fortnight, initially for 6 sessions, and will start with
jewellery-making though there will be opportunities
to try lots of different crafts. Places are limited and
those interested should contact Arlene Malcolm.
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One piece of household equipment e.g. washing
machine, fridge freezer
Transport to hospital visits or essential taxi
journeys
Laundry service
Call support systems
Please contact VSA Carers Services on 01224
212021 for more information or to speak with a
support worker. The fund is open to carers aged 18
and above.
Tel: 01224 557 868 / Mob: 07894 614871
Email: [email protected]
Connections, Choices and Changes
VSA Carers Services is offering an exciting opportunity for
Carers.
This 6-week course will allow you to focus on what is
important to you, think about your choices and be inspired to
make helpful changes.
Starts: 23rd April 2014
Running for 6 consecutive weeks
Venue: Chill Out Zone
38 Castle Street , Aberdeen, AB11 5YU
Time: 10am till 2pm
Carers on this course will explore how to:
• Reflect on what you can control, influence and accept.
For further details or to book your place
on the course contact :
• Look after yourself - physically, mentally and emotionally
• Communicate with others for understanding, co-operation
and support.
• Notice what works for you and what makes a difference in
Arlene Malcolm
Tel: 01224 557868 / Mob:07894 614871
Email: [email protected]
your life!
Council Tax and Carers
Before your next council tax bill arrives we thought it would be a good time to remind you that carers
and the people you care for can sometimes be eligible for a council tax reduction. Our local leaflet
“Carers and Council Tax” outlines the criteria for council tax reduction.
Please contact us if you would like a copy.
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Caring About Sensory Loss
As someone who is living with a sight loss or a hearing loss, you will have access to lots of information and
support either through NESS, the NHS, other care services or families and friends who help you on a day-today basis. Family members and friends sometimes don’t get the opportunity to ask questions or to get
information and advice about how to help, support or care for you.
Therefore, NESS and the Carer’s Centre are planning an information event to provide the opportunity for your
family members and friends to ask questions about sight loss and/or hearing loss and to get some
information about living with a sensory loss.
The event will look at where you get help, advice and support if you are concerned that someone might have
a sight loss or a hearing loss, or if they have a diagnosed sight loss or hearing loss, and would like some
more information or advice about coping on a daily basis. There will also be an opportunity for family and
friends to share their experiences of what helps and what doesn’t, and how they cope with different situations
in their everyday lives.
The event will take place on Wednesday 30th April 2014 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Credo Centre, (upstairs
meeting room) at 14 - 20 John Street, Aberdeen AB25 1BT (across from NESS).
If any of your family members or friends would like the opportunity to find out a bit more about living with a
sensory loss and would like to come to the event, they should contact:
Chris Sojka at the Carer’s Centre, 38 Castle Street, Aberdeen AB11 5YU, telephone 01224 212021/358579,
email [email protected] or
Libby Hillhouse at NESS Tel: 0845 271 2345 email
[email protected]
Aberdeen Music Hall
Spring Concert
Grampian Safe Moving &
Handling for Carers Project
The Grampian Safe Moving and Handling for Carers
Project uses a partnership approach between NHS
Grampian and voluntary organisations to offer
carers information on moving and handling in a
range of different ways with the aim of addressing
individual needs. All the information is designed and
delivered by a fully qualified, accredited moving and
handling specialist employed by NHS Grampian.
Aberdeen Music Hall
Senior Concert
Saturday 22nd 1pm & 7pm
Sunday 23rd 3pm
VSA would like to invite you and a guest to come
along to the Senior Concert on the 22nd or the 23rd of
March (time to be confirmed) courtesy of VSA
Carers Services. If you would be interested in
coming along then please contact Tracey on 01224
679026 / 212021 before Friday 14th March. Your
name will be added to a list and the tickets and invite
will be posted out to you. Please take the ticket to
the Aberdeen Music Hall on the day.
The project resources and training are free to carers
and are tailored to suit their needs. The project
uses a three tier approach:
•
Providing moving and handling advice to
carers
•
Tailored generic workshop training to meet
the needs of the individual
•
A home-based service which includes
assessment training, review of that training
and additional support as required.
Carers are required to complete a training needs
assessment to identify the most appropriate support
for them. Assistance can be given with this.
If you would be interested in receiving moving and
handling training to help with your caring duties,
please contact Moira Hogg, Safe Moving and
Handling Facilitator at ARI, on 01224 556027.
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VSA Carers Services now have an additional drop-in location at the Healthpoint/Carerspoint, situated on the
ground floor of the Aberdeen Community Health and Care Village at Fredrick Street. A member of VSA staff
will be available to offer you advice, information and support on a wide range of topics during the following
times:
Why not drop in for a chat?
No appointment necessary.
Monday 1pm – 4.30pm
Tuesday 9am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 9am – 12.30pm
Thursday 1pm – 4.30pm
WANTED
CRAFT DONATIONS
Introducing Ann Brodie...
My name is Ann and I am one of the new City
Carers Support and Development Workers. I
only started in November so I am still feeling
very new and well-supported by my colleagues. I
am learning a lot from the carers that I have met
so far, from their experiences in their caring
roles and in their everyday lives. Although we
group the people we meet as ‘carers’ who need
to access our services for various areas of
support, I have already learned that each carer
has an individual experience and life as a carer.
We are looking for any donations of craft supplies
that we could use in our new “Crafty Carers” group.
Beads, jewellery making tools & fittings, fabric, craft
paints, artists pens & pencils, craft books, paper etc.
Please hand donations into VSA Carers Services,
38 Castle Street, Aberdeen.
Within VSA we have a wide range of services
that try to meet carers’ needs in a holistic way.
My colleagues have a wealth of experience and
specialised skills to offer carers’ support and to
provide respite using complimentary therapies,
and counselling and support groups to introduce
new ideas. I can see that over the next few
months we will be establishing more groups as a
team and developing different areas of support.
Carers News Subscriptions and
Home Delivery
If you receive this newsletter by post and are no
longer a carer or no longer wish to receive it, please
let us know and we can remove your details from
our mailing list.
Are you a carer and would like to receive the VSA
Carers News on a regular basis? Please contact us
and we can add your name to our mailing list to
receive our quarterly newsletter by post or by email.
My background knowledge and skills come from
my previous work roles in substance misuse
services. I supported children and their families
that were affected by a family member’s
substance misuse, albeit my knowledge base is
alcohol misuse. If anyone needs advice in
supporting a family member or a friend with an
alcohol problem please contact me at VSA
Carers Services - see contact details opposite.
Contact Details for VSA Carers
Services in Aberdeen City
VSA Carers Services
38 Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5YU
Tel: 01224 212021(ask for Carers Services)
Email: [email protected]
Ann Brodie,
Carers Support and Development Worker,
City Carers Services.
Email: [email protected]
Carers News Editor: Anna Garden
Email : [email protected]
Visit our website at: www.vsa.org.uk
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