Issue 1 of 2019 www.carersinherts.org.uk

A Newsletter for Family Carers and Caring Friends

Find out more about arranging home care and our Care Service – pages 10 – 13.

Also inside: • Updates about our Carers’ Passport and Young Carers Service as well as Dementia services. • Read about our Carers Advocacy Service and whether it could help you. • Our National Lottery grant success and how we in Hertfordshire plan to spend the money. charity registration number 1085491 A warm welcome 3 Contents There has been so much happening since the last issue of Carewaves. Pages 4 – 7 News A wonderful piece of news was that Pages 8 – 10 Spotlight on …our Advocacy Service our bid for continued National Lottery Pages 10 – 13 Home Care and our Care Service funding was successful. It secures Page 14 Carers’ Passport Update our volunteer work, including the Mentoring Service and Carer Support Pages 16 – 18 Young Carers Hubs (story on page 4). Pages 19 – 21 Carers Week 2019 We’ve also held a Young Carers’ Pages 22 – 25 Carers Support Groups and Hubs Conference, attended by almost 100 Pages 28 – 31 Have your say (Involvement) young carers and guests including the 2018/19 Mayor of Welwyn/Hatfield Page 32 Hertfordshire County Council Update Cllr Barbara Fitzsimon (pictured with me above). You can read about the Page 34 Fundraising Conference on page 17. Page 36 Volunteering We successfully tendered for an extended contract with Hertfordshire Page 38 Useful Contacts County Council for our work with young carers and we will develop our Pages 39 & 40 Free courses and workshops offer and be increasing our staffing team accordingly (more on page 6). Two Trustees, Janice Guerra and Lucinda Beesley, have left us and we are recruiting new Trustees. I’d like to thank Janice and Lucinda for their support. About Us Disclaimer Our plans for the year ahead include: Carers in Hertfordshire is the Every effort is made to ensure the leading countywide charity for information in Carewaves is correct • Implementing our extended Young Carers Service as well as a new unpaid carers looking after a at the time of publication. However, Community Fundraising Strategy; and partner, relative, friend or neighbour Carers in Hertfordshire is not liable for • Considering how to mark our 25th anniversary in 2020 or during 2021 as due to illness, frailty, mental health any incorrect information or errors. Carers in Hertfordshire was founded by unpaid carers in November 1995. needs, disability or substance Don’t forget you can receive regular As always we have a range of courses and support groups planned, including misuse. We support all carers, updates via email. Please call children and adults, living, working activities during Carers Week (10th - 16th June 2019). You can learn about 01992 58 69 69 if you would like to them throughout the magazine. We look forward to welcoming you to them. or caring in Hertfordshire. be added to our mailing list. Carers do not have to live with the If you need advice about your caring role or want to get in touch, you can Join the online conversation! write, email or call us (contact details on the back page). person they are looking after to Find us on Facebook and follow us receive help and advice. on Twitter @CarersinHerts Finally, as my role as Interim Chief Executive should have come to an end For more information about our by the next issue of Carewaves, I’d like to thank all Carers in Hertfordshire services or how you can support colleagues for the opportunity to lead the organisation and the support, advice our work, see Contact Us on the and kindness shown to me. I wish you all the best for the future. back page. Front Cover Photo: Care Support Steve Delaney, Interim Chief Executive Worker Ellen from our Crossroads Making Carers Count Care Service on a home visit. 4 News 5 Lottery grant secures future for our carers support groups Jo added: “We really value the and mentoring service contribution of our volunteers as they make a big difference to Thanks to a grant of almost £420,000 from The National Lottery carers and help us make every Community Fund, we can continue providing and developing our carer pound we receive go a long support groups and the mentoring service. way.” The grant, which is being given over three years from April 2019, will also If you are interested in enable us to continue recruiting, training and supporting volunteers. Our volunteering see page 37 to volunteers are vital in helping us to identify unpaid carers in Hertfordshire learn more or contact us on or elsewhere and to provide services to help keep them informed and 01992 58 69 69. healthy. Jo Willis, our Carers Development and Learning Manager, (pictured Carer and volunteer celebrating the grant with volunteers and carers), said: “We’re delighted Marian’s story to have received continued National Lottery funding. It means we can Marian has been a carer for 17 years and supports her husband, who build on the work we did to establish Carer Support Hub groups across has dementia. He went into residential care seven years ago and after Hertfordshire, thanks to a previous National Lottery grant that ended in a couple of years, around 2014, Marian started hearing about Carers in March. This will ensure that carers have access to advice and support Hertfordshire and felt ready to volunteer. close to where they live and have contact with other carers, which they tell us they value.” She said: “I wanted to do something to make sure another unpaid carer never had to feel as lonely and isolated as I had. I signed up for The grant will allow us to: Ambassador training and then attended some GP patient events and • Continue supporting the 16 Carer Support Hubs and other carers’ health and information sessions. They involved telling people about the groups we are involved with; wide range of services and support Carers in Hertfordshire provides.” • Create at least three new interest or topic based groups for carers; When the Hubs started up in Ware and Buntingford, Marian offered to • Recruit and train new mentors to provide regular support to carers, assist the leaders by meeting new carers and making drinks. Marian said: building on the funding we receive for this service from Hertfordshire “I have learnt so much from working alongside other volunteers and County Council. We hope to have at least 12 new mentors by April 2020, have got so much back from the carers by just helping to make a safe, bringing the total to 75. They should support at least 70 carers; and non-judgemental space for them to talk.” • Employ a Volunteer More recently, Marian has trained to be a Mentor and a Carer Trainer Manager so we can and has just finished supporting her first carer. She is also joining us as a expand on our work charity Trustee. with volunteers. Marian said: “Volunteering has given me a focus and I would encourage anyone to think about trying it. The training provided is very detailed and well run and it was fun to learn alongside other carers. You will get back so much by getting involved. I’ve met many remarkable carers and have the privilege of volunteering alongside people who feel as passionately as I do about caring for the carers.” 6 7 New contract secures our work with Hertfordshire’s young carers Carole added: “We will continue working with Hertfordshire County Council Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has awarded us a contract to provide and other partners to ensure young carers and their families have the a comprehensive Young Carers Support Service. This will enable us to information and support they need to reduce age inappropriate caring and continue our vital work identifying and supporting young carers under 18 also have the same education, social and wellbeing opportunities as their and their families in the county. peers.” The contract, which started in April 2019, will last for at least three years. Beyond the contract, subject to us receiving grants and fundraising, we It means that as well as supporting young carers and their families with will continue to provide courses and activities for young carers. a relatively low need, we work with those with a high need or complex Jenny Coles, HCC’s Director of Children’s Services, said: “The Service caring role – previously we would have referred this work to a team in will mean that young carers do not have to shoulder their caring Hertfordshire County Council’s Children’s Services. responsibilities alone. It will ensure they are registered with the right The service aims to ensure that young carers are healthy, safe, ambitious, services that can provide vital support for both themselves and those they independent and happy and that their caring role does not prevent this. care for, from a whole family perspective.” The service has four key areas: If you’re a young carer or know one, or you would like to raise funds Identification of young carers: Ensuring young carers are registered to support our work with young carers, please get in touch. Call us on with services. 01992 58 69 69 or email [email protected] Providing Whole family assessment and support for young carers: personalised support to reduce the negative impact of caring. New service aims to keep frail older people out of hospital Preparation for adulthood and with transitions: By working with A new urgent response service is working to free up ambulances schools, colleges and universities to help carers and also support young and keep frail elderly people in West Hertfordshire from unnecessary carers and their families with transitions between schools, into work, or hospital admissions. into adult services. When someone dials 999 or NHS111 about an elderly patient and call Voice of young carers: To involve young carers in shaping local handlers have determined the person doesn’t require hospital care, a services. (Pictured below is one of our workshops where young carers specialist team can be sent to the person’s home instead. shared their views and experiences with professionals from HCC, health and other organisations in Hertfordshire). The team of a Paramedic or Nurse and an Occupational Therapist (OT) can then provide any treatment needed and arrange further Carole Whittle, who manages the Young Carers Service, said: “We are medical support. The OT can offer safety advice and organise mobility pleased our tender for the contract was successful. It means our Young equipment if required. Carers Service can build on the work we’ve been doing for over 20 years to support young people under 18 who help care for someone.” The service operates between 8am and 7pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays). The team can help following a fall and with conditions such as minor burns. It is funded by Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group and provided by Herts Urgent Care. 8 Spotlight on … our Advocacy Service 9 Helping carers to be heard and have their rights met How can carers receive support? Advocacy is important in ensuring that the views, wishes and feelings of Carers can self-refer via HertsHelp on 0300 1234 044 or email vulnerable individuals, including carers, are heard when decisions are [email protected] made that affect their lives or the lives of the people they care for. Carers can also contact us to discuss their caring role and whether We work in partnership with HertsHelp and POhWER to provide free support from an Advocate is appropriate - call 01992 58 69 69. advocacy support to carers. Health and social care professionals can also refer carers for support. Our Carers Advocacy Worker is Will Davis. He has been in the role since September 2018 and an Advocate since 2012. He is currently supporting around 40 carers. Here he puts a spotlight on the service. Shirley, who cares for her adult son, who has an Autistic Spectrum Condition, was put into contact with Will around October 2018 after How can an Advocate help me? speaking to one of our Carer Support Advisors. An Advocate can help you: She wanted help as she felt her son, who lives in supported housing, • Find relevant information, making you aware of your options so you can was not receiving the care hours he was supposed to for help with make informed decisions; cleaning, cooking, budgeting and other tasks. • Understand your rights and entitlements; • Make telephone calls or write letters such as complaints or applications; She said: “I felt the home and Hertfordshire County Council weren’t listening to me or addressing my • By going to meetings with you - helping you speak out or speaking on your behalf; concerns. I felt overwhelmed, upset and stressed. I spoke to • Access more specialised services. Will about the situation and he Advocates don’t: helped me put together a list of • Give legal advice or represent you at court hearings. We can direct you my concerns, questions and what to organisations that provide funded or paid for legal advice and support I wanted to happen. It helped you at meetings with them; having someone from outside the • Offer benefits advice, but can support you at financial assessment family involved, Will saw things meetings e.g for Direct Payments. We can signpost you to other I didn’t, kept me focused and he services that can offer financial or benefits advice; had the time to make enquiries to • Tell you what to do, we are always led by support me.” the carer; A meeting was arranged between • Go to meetings without you or instead of you. everyone involved and Shirley Support is provided over the phone, via said Will helped her prepare an agenda. With Will’s input a social email, face to face or a mixture of these. worker attended, something Shirley had struggled to get. What happens to the information Shirley said: “Having Will there helped me feel more confident to speak you give us? up and put my points across so I made an impact. We’re still working We believe confidentiality is central to trust and with the council and the supported living provider, but having an we respect the individual’s rights with regards to Advocate has really helped and given me peace of mind.” privacy and confidentiality. We adhere to laws such as the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Continued overleaf 10 Our Advocacy and Care Services Care Service 11 More from our Carers’ Advocacy Worker Will Here we take a closer look at the support available and a family’s “I know carers often find it stressful to explain experience of the service. their wishes and feelings to the organisations What support do we offer? that are providing services and support. We support people aged 18 or over, who wish to remain in their own Understanding information from health or home, but need some additional help with tasks such as personal care. social care professionals and having to make Our Care Support Workers assist people with a range of mental or difficult decisions can be daunting. As an physical health conditions, of different ages and backgrounds. Most visits Advocate I have the time to work with the are during the day, but overnight care can be provided too. Visits can be carer to understand their situation and help changed with notice, for example if you or the person being supported them consider what actions they could take were on holiday or unwell. to get the outcome they want. I am guided by the carer and am never judgemental. The Care Support Workers can: Advocacy support can mean the carer feels - Assist with personal tasks such as washing, dressing and eating; more confident when liaising with professionals - Support with medication; such as social workers. If I can help the carer - Prepare and cook meals; and feel less anxious by empowering them to make informed choices, then I’m satisfied. Sometimes helping a carer find a way forward in a particularly - Help the individual with light domestic tasks such as cleaning and difficult situation can help them to cope and improve their overall wellbeing. laundry. I never stop learning in the role and it’s rewarding helping people overcome During a Carer’s Break care can be provided in or out of the home as the challenging situations life has thrown at them.” the Worker could accompany the individual to a club they attend, on an activity they enjoy, a trip, or shopping. Considering home care for you or someone you care for? The length and frequency of a Carer’s Break is flexible and can be a We can help! one-off, ongoing, or as and when needed. Do you care for a relative or someone who is ill, disabled or elderly A Break is based on the carer’s needs and not finances, although and are worried about leaving them at home alone? there are certain criteria to meet and hours may need to be purchased Do you or the person you care for struggle with personal care such privately. as washing, dressing or activities such as shopping? Jane Brown, our Care Services Manager, Is a care home inappropriate or unwanted, but support is needed? said: “We carry out a home visit and meet the person with care needs and any If the answer to any of these is yes, then the home care services we relative or representative. We discuss their provide may be just what you are looking for. likes and dislikes and what support they Our Crossroads Care Service offers trained Care Support Workers to provide require. We then provide a plan tailored to personal care to people with care needs living in Hertsmere. In Hertsmere, their individual needs and match a Care Three Rivers and Watford, we also have a Carers Breaks Service where a Support Worker or Workers. Continuity of Worker will step in for the person providing care to give them a break. Similar the same Care Support Worker is important services are provided by Crossroads North for the rest of Hertfordshire. to us and the family, as it allows trust and Care can be purchased privately or with support from the local council strong working relationships to develop.” with responsibility for social care. If you are supported by the council, the support you receive from them and what you have to pay for care will depend on your income and savings. Continued overleaf 12 13 How much does it cost? A family’s experience of our Home Care Service At the time of printing, the cost of a one hour visit from a Care Support Amanda, who has been caring Worker would be between £16.03 and £17.23 if funded privately. The for her father-in-law for just amount depends on the day and time of the visit with evenings and over a year as he has vascular weekends charged at a higher rate. You can also discuss shorter or longer dementia, shares her family’s visits. Payment is by invoice. experience of our Care Service. Whether you have to pay and how much will depend on your situation. Amanda explained that her Typically, if you have income and savings over £23,250 you will have to father-in-law, known as Mac, pay for home care. The local council with responsibility for social care also has the lung condition should carry out assessments with the person with care needs and the COPD which affects his carer to determine what support each person is entitled to. breathing. How will I know the person I care for is in safe hands? Amanda said: “My husband and I knew we needed help to look after Mac All of our Care Support Workers have had an interview and Disclosure and as we were struggling to support him, work as teachers and run two homes. Barring Service (DBS) check. They are also fully trained with topcis covered Mac wants to stay at home as long as he can and it’s important to us to help including moving and handling, basic first aid, and health and safety. In him with this. We did some research and asked friends about home care and addition, they receive regular supervision and ongoing regulatory training. found out about the Crossroads Service so we got in touch.” The Care Support Workers’ visits are electronically monitored and details The family met with a member of the Care Service Team. Amanda said: of when they arrive and leave a client’s home are recorded. “They took the time to find out about Mac, his needs, likes and dislikes. Communication is also important to us and clients and relatives can call They listened to us and put together a care plan and Care Support us during office hours or 24/7 in an emergency. We also have a folder Workers to match our preferences.” in the client’s home that the Care Support Worker reviews and updates A Care Support Worker visits Mac each morning and evening. They make each visit and where the person receiving care or their family can leave sure he takes his medication, prepare meals and drinks for him and help responses or messages. with laundry. In the morning they also support him to have a wash or Our Care Service is regulated and monitored by the Care Quality shower as he is anxious about falling. Commission. We received a ‘good’ rating in our last inspection, the highest Retired Computer Engineer Mac said: “The carers are lovely and look we could obtain at the time. after me so I can stay living at home.” How can I get help? Amanda said: “Having the Care Support Workers visit twice a day has For our Crossroads Care Service taken some pressure off us and we feel reassured Mac is safe. The please call 020 8905 1158. biggest thing the carers are doing is making sure Mac is physically well, If you live in Broxbourne, Dacorum, that he takes his medication and eats.” East and North Herts, St Albans, She continued: “The Care Support Workers are professional, friendly, Stevenage or Welwyn/Hatfield, have a sense of humour and treat my father-in-law and us with respect. Crossroads Care Hertfordshire We appreciate having regular Workers as they notice things such as North provides similar services. changes in Mac’s health and communicate well with us. Staff respond Call them on 01462 455578 or visit promptly to requests and offer useful advice. We would recommend the www.crossroadshn.org.uk for more home care service and have noticed an improvement in Mac since the information. carers started supporting him.” 14 Carers’ Passport Update 15

Temporary Carers’ Passport in Hertfordshire health James Holland, Inclusion & Engagement Team Manager at HPFT, said: settings helping to identify, inform and involve carers “We implemented the Carers’ Passport in October as our single referral In a bid to identify, involve and inform carers within hospitals and the route into Carers in Hertfordshire. It has been welcomed by staff as a health care system we have launched a Temporary Carers’ Passport. useful tool to engage carers in the range of support available and the benefits that the Carers’ Passport brings. We have also implemented When carers visit the person they look after at a health setting provided discounts in our café at Kingfisher Court, which in some small way enables by Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT), us to say thank you to carers for the fantastic role they undertake.” West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust or at Lister Hospital in Stevenage – or they take them there - staff can issue a Temporary Carers’ Passport, if they don’t already have a Carers’ Passport. HPFT staff working in the You can apply for a Carers’ Passport and keep updated about new community are also issuing them. offers in the Carers’ Passport section of our website The credit-card sized passport can be worn on a lanyard and means www.carersinherts.org.uk carers will benefit from: New offers and discounts • Immediate access to any savings offered to carers within the health We continue to work with businesses to get them involved and providing facility such as discounts in the restaurant or with parking; savings or offers to unpaid carers with a Carers’ Passport. Some of the • Having our contact details to hand as they are on the card; and companies that we are pleased to have welcomed onto the service are: • Staff knowing they are carers and giving them open visiting hours, if that 20% off at Nando’s restaurants in Borehamwood, is offered, and involving them in conversations about treatment and the Edgware, Hatfield, Stanmore, Stevenage Leisure patient, when appropriate. Park and Stevenage Roaring Meg Retail Park. Staff will complete the Carers’ Passport application and send it to us so we This discount is only available on production of can contact the carer to request a photograph and issue them with a regular a Carers’ Passport Discount Card at the time of Carers’ Passport (photo ID) Discount Card. The card gives access to savings purchase for orders up to £20 and is not valid on and discounts across hundreds of businesses throughout Hertfordshire. online takeaway orders. www.nandos.co.uk Since the Temporary Carers’ Passport started to be rolled out from Free entry on production of a Carers’ Passport September 2018, around 60 carers have received one up to the end of Discount Card to Ventura Wildlife Park at March 2019. Van Hage, Amwell Hill, Ware, SG12 9RP. www.venturawildlifepark.co.uk Karen Denny, our Carers’ Passport Officer, said: “We felt 20% off caving, climbing & bouldering, high that having one identification ropes and the skatepark at the XC, Jarman Park, card across Hertfordshire Hemel Hempstead, HP2 4JS. www.thexc.co.uk health settings would help We regularly update the Offers Book and information on the Carers’ carers be recognised and Passport pages of our website – www.carersinherts.org.uk/carerspassport bring better co-ordination and communication between To learn more about the Passport or discuss how your business can hospital or health staff, carers be involved contact Karen on 01992 58 69 69 or email [email protected] Some HPFT staff with the Temporary and those with care needs.” Carers’ Passports and lanyards. 16 Young Carers 17 Improving support for young carers Beverley Flowers, East and North Herts CCG Chief Executive, said: “We were impressed with the courage our visitors demonstrated, sharing It’s been all go for our Young Carers Service. They’ve supported the their personal experiences and their suggestions about changes which Young Carers’ Council in planning and hosting the annual Young Carers’ could make a big difference to the lives of young carers and their families.” Conference, which you can read about on the next page. They have also secured a contract from Hertfordshire County Council to continue There is plenty for young carers registered with us to look forward to as identifying and supporting young carers and their families (story on we are planning activities for the school holidays including skiing and page 6). bowls. You can keep updated on the website www.ycih.org As part of our work with schools and colleges we’ve been involved “Hear us shout” – Young with the Carers Trust Young Carers in Schools Programme since October 2018. We’ve recruited and trained 14 young carers as carers call to health and Ambassadors and some have helped to give presentations about being a social care professionals young carer and the support available. Some 95 young carers enjoyed We’ve also been working with East and North Herts Clinical a break from caring and the Commissioning Group (CCG) and held an afternoon tea in February that opportunity to talk to 45 health, brought child and adult carers together to share their experiences. The education and care professionals CCG also welcomed eight young carers aged 11 to 17 to a Takeover Day about their experiences and in November 2018 (pictured below). The CCG is keen to involve young needs as carers at our Young carers in the planning of the services they provide. Carers’ Conference. The young carers met with GPs and staff to learn about their roles in The event, organised with our Young Carers’ Council, had the theme the NHS and received support in the development of their project plans. ‘Hear us shout’ as young carers want professionals providing services for They explored developing a Carers’ Passport app featuring information them and those they care for to take their needs into account. and discounts for young carers and training sessions for school teachers, Young carers took part in a workshop – crafts and games for the under health staff and the public. eights, art, creative writing, drama, music and creating a human computer As a result of the game. The workshops explored how caring makes them feel and the day, the young carers issues they face or want addressed. have been invited to Young carers want: continue working with health organisations in • Schools to think about how they identify students with a caring role and Hertfordshire. improve the support they offer; and • GPs and other professionals to treat young carers with respect and share information about the condition of the person they help care for, medication and anything else they need to know to help them in their caring role – with permission from the adult involved. Young carers could put their thoughts on a graffiti wall and comments Rebecca, 13, said: “It was a fun day and we got to share our ideas included: about the support that would help us as young carers. It also helped us understand what adults and professionals have to consider when “Our voices need to be heard!” working with young carers. I worked on the Carers’ Passport app idea. “Please don’t prejudge us and think you know what is best.” We’d like it to include information and offers and more savings for travel as that can be expensive. ” “Don’t feel sorry for us, just understand.” Continued overleaf 18 Carers Week 2019 19 Carole Whittle, who oversees our Young Carers Service, said: “It was Connecting carers to support and services this Carers good to see the young carers learn new skills, grow in confidence Week and beyond during the day and share their experiences and views. We hope the health, education and other professionals they spoke to take the young Many people don’t identify themselves as carers, they’re simply providing carers’ feedback into consideration when reviewing and developing their unpaid care to a parent, child, partner or friend that is ill, disabled, elderly, services.” or who misuses substances. This Carers Week and beyond we aim to reach carers and connect them to vital information and services that can Carole thanked Oaklands help them with their caring role. College in Welwyn Carers Week takes place from 10th – 16th June 2019 and this year is Garden City, for providing the 25th anniversary. Carers Week, overseen by charity Carers UK, is a the venue for free as national week to raise awareness about carers, their lives, the challenges well as BBC Children in they face and the support they need or gaps in services. Need for funding for the conference. She also This year’s theme is Getting Carers Connected and to embrace this thanked the workshop we will have drop-in and bookable events for carers such as pamper leaders, staff and sessions, information activities and talks. volunteers for making the In a bid to reach more male carers and following carer feedback about day a success. courses, we’re piloting a Games Afternoon for Male Carers in Hatfield on Tuesday 11th June (more details overleaf). Young Carers’ Comments We will also have information and fundraising stands in supermarkets and hospitals – so do stop by to say hello or learn more. Jesse said: “It was the first young carers event I had been to and I had Roma Mills, our Policy and Engagement Manager, said: “Carers Week fun. I made some friends and enjoyed trying new instruments in the helps highlight the important role carers play in keeping those they music workshop.” support healthy and safe, often putting their own wellbeing second. It’s also an opportunity to build on our work connecting carers with each other so they don’t feel isolated and to the organisations and Taylor, who took part in the human computer game workshop, said: support available to them.” “I enjoyed decorating the t-shirt and sharing our computer game idea with the professionals. The day gave me a chance to be myself and For GP practices and other have a break from caring and I made friends with other young carers.” organisations holding events or getting involved in the week, we can provide our leaflets and posters. If you are or know a young person aged 18 or under who helps Details of some events are on care for someone and want to learn more about the support we pages 20 & 21. For a full, provide, please get in touch. You can call 01992 58 69 69, updated list visit the Carers Week email [email protected] or visit our young carers 2019 page on our website website www.ycih.org www.carersinherts.org.uk or call One of our Carer Support Advisors 01992 58 69 69. Please also get in Charlotte and a carer help raise touch and tell us about any events awareness about this year’s Carers you are planning. Week. 20 Carers Week 2019 21

Games Afternoon for Male Carers Silkscreen for Ceramics Workshop Venue: Oxlease House, Travellers Lane, Hatfield, Venue: Glazed Creations, 3 Baldock Street, Royston, SG8 5AY. AL10 8TJ. Thursday 13th June 2019, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Tuesday 11th June 2019, 1pm – 3pm. This workshop is for carers registered with us. You will learn how to use Enjoy a variety of board and card games such as silkscreen stencils and the flood painting technique to decorate a plate or bridge, chess and cribbage as well as conversation and a mug. refreshments. Organised following feedback from male carers about the courses and activities they would attend. ROYSTON Family Day Out Carers’ Camera Club Photography Display Paradise Wildlife Park, White LETCHWORTH Venue: Venue: The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, Civic Close, Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA. , AL1 3LD. th St Albans HITCHIN Saturday 15 June 2019, 12pm noon All week (when the venue is open, usually onwards. 10am – 4.30pm Monday to Saturday). STEVENAGE We are inviting families with a child Participants in our Carers’ Camera Club are displaying or young person with severe learning a sample of their photographs – some related to their HERTFORDSHIRE disabilities or complex health needs and reflection of life as a carer and other work showcasing their siblings to join us at Paradise Wildlife their interests, creativity and talents. WELWYN BISHOP’S Park. We will be funding entry (meeting GARDEN CITY STORTFORD at midday), a buffet lunch that will be in WARE the Discovery Centre at 12.30pm, and an Our Carers’ Support Hubs animal meet and greet at 1.30pm.Then Watford: Monday 10th June 2019, HERTFORD you can enjoy the park. Places are limited 10.30am – 12.30pm at The Peace Hospice, BERKHAMSTED HARPENDEN and must be booked by contacting us. Peace Drive, Watford, WD17 3PH. This HATFIELD meeting a Solicitor will visit to talk about HEMEL wills, inheritance tax, Lasting Powers of HEMPSTEAD Attorney and more. Carers’ Information Event ST. ALBANS Birchwood Leisure Centre, Longmead, Hatfield, AL10 0AN. Hemel Hempstead: POTTERS BAR Venue: Wednesday 12th June 2019, Thursday 13th June 2019, 10.30am – 12.30pm or 10.30am – 12pm noon at the South Hill RADLETT 1.30pm – 3.30pm. Centre, Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, WATFORD Carers attending this event will be able to get information about HP1 1JF. There will be a talk about coping local services and support for them as there will be representatives with physical impairments. BUSHEY from a range of organisations in attendance. Organisations include Our Berkhamsted and Borehamwood Hertfordshire County Council and HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors. Hubs are also meeting (details on page 25). Carers can drop in for the session, but to help us plan refreshments and monitor numbers please contact us to book a place for this event. Pampering and Information Event Venue: Niland Conference Centre, 93 Elstree Road, Bushey, WD23 4EE. These are just some of the events planned. A full list of Carers Week events is on our website www.carersinherts.org.uk Friday 14th June 2019, 11am – 3.30pm. Carers registered with us, particularly those in Hertsmere, Three Rivers Unless the event is a drop-in session or contact details have been and Watford, can get information and enjoy some pampering. Book a provided please contact us to book a place, call 01992 58 69 69 or place via Carers in Hertfordshire. email [email protected] 22 Support Groups 23 Support groups help carers feel less isolated unrelenting situation and that it has helped them be more positive about their caring role. Carers say they value meeting with and talking to others with similar experiences and that’s why carer support groups are so important. Dick said: “I enjoy running the group as I feel I’m making a difference. I’m Groups can enable carers to make friends, share experiences, concerns passionate about helping people.” and ideas and get advice from each other in a safe and confidential For the last five years environment. Dick said he has found Carers have set up and run various support groups across Hertfordshire, Carers in Hertfordshire some with assistance from us. Groups include a Carers’ Camera Club a source of support and and a lunch club. Details are on the next few pages. information, particularly the Mental Health Carers’ Here Richard (Dick) Forums. Dick said: “I value Lovelace, talks about the going to the Forums to support group he runs with (both pictured) meet like-minded people friend Terry and exchange views, and others, for people caring particularly with people for someone with a mental providing or planning local health and care services. I’m able to share health condition. what I learn with carers at my support group.” The group – Caring for He added that Carers in Hertfordshire provides a platform to tell carers Carers in Dacorum - meets about national and local consultations relevant to caring and plans on the first Thursday of the to develop or change services and gather collective views. He said: month from 7.45pm – 10pm “Without Carers in Hertfordshire I’m sure carers’ voices locally would not at the Herts Mind Network Wellbeing Centre in Hemel Hempstead. For be heard.” details visit www.caringforcarersindacorum.com Apart from the Caring for Carers in Dacorum Group there are other Former paper merchant Dick, has been a carer for 50 years. He supports support groups, run by carers and organisations we work with – details a family member and also cared for his late son who experienced mental are below. illness and died in 1993 aged 23. Dick and wife Hazel started the group in September 1992 because they Group Name Meeting Details couldn’t find any suitable local support for carers of someone with a North Herts The Mrs Howard Memorial Hall, Norton Way South, mental illness. Mental Health Letchworth, SG6 1NX. Carer Support Third Thursday of the month, Dick said: “The circumstances of mental illness can be bewildering, Group 10am – 12pm noon. isolating, and carry a stigma to the person with the condition and family Stevenage Stevenage Wellbeing Centre, 13 Town Square, members. Our group began to give friendship and respite to those Mental Health Stevenage, SG1 1BP. Cost: £2 per session caring for loved ones with serious and enduring mental illness such as Carers Support Second Tuesday of each month, 6pm – 7.30pm. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or personality disorders.” Group Guideposts Henry Smith House, 3-5 Estcourt Road, About 12-14 carers attend the group each month and there is a Carers Group Watford, WD17 2PT. programme of speakers from HPFT (Hertfordshire Partnership University for Mental Last Monday of every month excluding Bank Holidays, NHS Foundation Trust) and other organisations that advise on matters Health Carers 6.45pm – 9pm. such as benefits and finances and mental health services. Carers’ Camera The Café, Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6BX. Club Second Wednesday of the month, 10am – 12pm noon. The group also holds a summer outing and Christmas dinner and other trips, which carers value. Carers comment that the group is a lifeline in an Continued overleaf 24 25 Group Name Meeting Details Name of Hub Meeting Details St Albans Stitch Waterend Barn Pub, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, AL1 3LE. Berkhamsted Swan Youth Project, 137–139 High Street, Berkhamsted, and Knit Alternate Tuesdays, 10.30am – 12pm noon (call for details). HP4 3HH. Abbots Langley Methodist Church Hall, Langley Road, Abbots Langley, WD5 0EJ. Second Tuesday of the month, 10.30am – 12.15pm. Carers Network Last Wednesday of the month, 10.30am - 12pm noon. Bishop’s Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church, Twyford Road, The Pudding The Emmaus Centre, St James’ Thorley, Stortford Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3LJ. Club Bishop’s Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 4BE. First Wednesday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Stortford Third Monday of the month, 8pm - 9.30pm. Borehamwood Allum Manor House & Hall (Room 3), 2 Allum Lane, Hatfield Evening Tesco Extra (Community Room), Mount Pleasant, Elstree, WD6 3PJ. Group Oldings Corner, Hatfield, AL9 5JY. Second Thursday of the month, 10am – 12pm noon. Second Wednesday evening of each month, 7.30pm - 9pm. Buntingford Buntingford Library, 77 High Street, Buntingford, SG9 9AE. Potters Bar St John House, The Walk, Potters Bar, EN6 0QQ. Last Tuesday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Carers Coffee Meet alternate months first Friday, 10.30am - 12pm noon Chorleywood Christ Church, The Common, Rickmansworth Road, Morning i.e. June, August, October, December 2019. and Chorleywood, WD3 5SG. Radlett Group Radlett Reform Synagogue, 118 Watling Street, Rickmansworth Third Monday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Radlett, WD7 7AA. (Ring the bell for access). Harpenden Batford Memorial Community Hall, 2 – 16 Tallents Crescent, Second Wednesday of each month, Harpenden, AL5 5BS. 1.30pm – 3pm (not October). Third Thursday of the month, 10am – 12pm noon. Dawn to Dusk Charles Morris Hall, Tyttenhanger Green, Hemel South Hill Centre, Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JF. St Albans, AL4 0RN Carers Support Hempstead Second Wednesday of the month, 10.30am – 12pm noon. Group St Albans Thursdays 11am – 1pm. Hoddesdon Baptist Church, Burford Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8HX. Stevenage Bistro, Stevenage Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Last Friday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Carers Lunch Stevenage, SG1 2UA. Second Monday of the month, 12pm noon – 2pm. Letchworth Garden House Hospice, Gillison Close, Letchworth, SG6 1QU. ASDA, Odhams Industrial Estate, St Albans Road, Third Wednesday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Watford Carers (different venue in May, July and October 2019, Group Watford, WD24 7RT. First Thursday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. contact us for details). Potters Bar King Charles the Martyr Church, 368 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 3AS. Following the launch of our Last Wednesday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. Royston Hub in November, Royston Royston Town Hall (Heritage Hall), Melbourn Street, (pictured left) we now have 16 Royston, SG8 7DA. groups. The list of Hubs follows First Thursday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. and is kept updated on the Carers St Albans St Paul’s Church, Blandford Road, St Albans, AL1 4JP Support Hubs page of our website Third Tuesday of the month 10.30am – 12.30pm. www.carersinherts.org.uk Stevenage Stevenage Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ. If you want to go to any of the Last Thursday of the month, 10am – 12pm noon. groups please email Ware Allenbury Sports & Social Club, Harris’s Lane, Ware, SG12 0DJ. [email protected] or Third Friday of the month, 11.15am – 1pm. phone 01992 58 69 69 and let Watford Peace Hospice (Starlight Room), Peace Drive, Watford, us know which one so we can WD17 3PH. confirm meeting details as these Second Monday of the month, 10.30am – 12.30pm. sometimes change. Welwyn Garden United Reformed Church, Church Road, City Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6PS. Third Wednesday of the month, 12pm noon – 2pm. 26 Did you know? 27 Motability Scheme - information for carers Keeping carers safe The Motability Scheme enables disabled people to get out and about by Our State of Caring in Hertfordshire Survey showed that some carers exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car, scooter or powered did not feel safe in their caring role. Only 56% of the 1,434 carers that wheelchair. Here is a reminder about the Scheme. responded to the Survey said they had never felt unsafe due to their As a carer you may be able to apply for the Motability Scheme on behalf caring situation. of someone you support, for example as a parent of a disabled child. The In response to this, carers have been working with us, Hertfordshire person with the mobility need doesn’t have to drive as they can name up County Council and local health services to consider how to make carers to two people on the lease without extra costs. Criteria applies for who feel safer in their caring role. can drive a Motability vehicle. A Keeping Safe Traffic Light has been produced that contains details The person with the disability doesn’t have to be in the vehicle for every about the organisations that provide assistance or support, their contact journey, but the vehicle must be used for their benefit. details and when to contact them. If the person with the mobility need dies someone should contact The Traffic Light has a red level for issues requiring immediate action, the Motability as soon as possible to let them know. People then have up to amber layer is related to concerns and the green level has actions and two weeks before the vehicle should be returned or collected (insurance contact details for organisations to help prevent a crisis. and breakdown cover remain in place until then). Family members can A short version of the Traffic Light is below, we will be adding a request a price to buy the vehicle if they want to. fuller version to our website or you can contact us for a copy on You should also inform Motability if the mobility allowance is stopped 01992 58 69 69 or email [email protected] as the vehicle will have to be returned. To learn more or apply contact Scenario Contact Information Motability on 0300 456 4566 or visit www.motability.co.uk If you or the person – Police 999 for an emergency. Bereavement support you care for feels – Police 101 to report less urgent crime. If the person you cared for has died, you can still access our services for unsafe now. – 0300 123 4042 for Hertfordshire County up to three years following their death. Council’s Adult Care Services and We have a Bereavement Service, run by experienced and trained 0300 123 4043 for Children’s Services. volunteers. They offer telephone support and groups where bereaved carers can meet regularly to share their experiences, come to terms with If you are worried, – Adult Care Services: 0300 123 4042. their grief and find a way to move forward. feeling frustrated or – Carers in Hertfordshire: 01992 58 69 69. There is a drop-in group that feel there will be a – Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline: meets from 10.30am – 12.30pm safety issue in the 08 088 088 088. the last Thursday of each month future. – Samaritans: 116 123. at Asda (Community Room), St Albans Road, Watford – all If you want to build – Carers in Hertfordshire: 01992 58 69 69. are welcome. up resilience and – HertsHelp: 0300 123 4044. find out how to – Relate: 0300 003 2324. A more structured group meets cope with changes – Your GP. in Welwyn Garden City from to your caring role September to June, please and relationships. contact us for details about this or if you’d like support, call 01992 58 69 69. 28 Have your say 29 Carers, if you want to have your say about services in Hertfordshire, join one of our Carer Involvement Networks. This will give you the Moving and Handling Course for Parent Carers chance to meet other carers at our Involvement Forums, to take part in We have organised this session for parent carers of children aged up to consultations, and to support local and national campaigns. For more 19 with a physical disability. It will cover legislation, general back care, information, see the ‘Have your Say’ section on our website or get in moving and handling techniques and equipment. touch using the contact details on the back page. The session will take place in Hemel Hempstead on Friday 28th June 2019 Updates to the Involvement Team from 10am – 1pm. If you would like to attend please contact us to register an interest (contact details on the back page). There have been some changes to our Involvement Team since the last issue of Carewaves. We have said goodbye to Deryn Sparrow, Su Bartlett and Sue Maskell and welcomed three new staff members - Changes and updates to Hertfordshire’s dementia services Rosemarie Muldoon, Nicola Beedell and Karen Malone. Around 13,000 people in Hertfordshire have dementia and the number is Nicola and Rosemarie have joined Sarah Williams to work with carers growing, so health services and Hertfordshire County Council continue to of people with mental health issues and carers of people who misuse review the support provided. drugs, alcohol, or both. Karen is working alongside Maria Kiely and In March 2019, the County Council granted a contract extension to the Sally Stratford to support carers of people with learning and/or physical organisations providing community services for people with dementia and disabilities, autism, dementia and frailty. They will also continue our work their carers. This includes: with parent carers of disabled children and young people. • The team of four Admiral Nurses we host with Dementia UK, who The team is completed by Will Davis (Advocacy), Judith Kitch (Carer support carers of people with dementia who are in crisis or at risk of Trainer Unit) and the manager, Roma Mills. crisis. (One of our Admiral Nurses Lesley Potter pictured with a carer). • The Hertwise partnership, led by Age UK Hertfordshire that works with various organisations including us, Carers in Hertfordshire. The partnership provides information, advice and groups. As part of this we run eight support groups for dementia carers. • Alzheimer’s Society’s community work providing one to one support to people with dementia and their relatives/carers. All the services are accessible via HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044.

Pictured left to right are Rosemarie, Nicola and Sarah.

Continued overleaf 30 Upcoming Involvement Forums 31 We have also been supporting carers of people with dementia to take Mental Health Dementia part in the discussions after Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Thursday 30th May 2019 1pm – 3pm Wednesday 15th May 2019 at Foundation Trust (HPFT) announced plans to close 16 Dementia (sandwich lunch from 12.30pm). Hoddesdon Baptist Church, Assessment and Treatment beds. Tuesday 16th July 2019 7pm – 9pm Burford Street, Hoddesdon, We have supported one carer in speaking to members of Hertfordshire (tea/coffee and cakes from 6.30pm). EN11 8HX. County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee and held two workshops Tuesday 17th September 2019 Wednesday 17th July 2019 at where dementia carers met with representatives of the Trust. 10am – 12.30pm (light sandwich Birchwood Leisure Centre, The 16 beds closed at the end of February 2019. They had been lunch afterwards). Longmead, Hatfield, AL10 0AN. temporarily provided at The Stewarts in Harpenden. The closure is set to Thursday 21st November 2019 Wednesday 11th September 2019 at deliver annual savings in excess of £1 million. Around £500,000 is to be 1pm – 3pm (sandwich lunch from Bishop’s Stortford Baptist Church, invested in new dementia services. These include: 12.30pm). Twyford Road, Bishop’s Stortford, • Two additional Admiral Nurses to join Carers in Hertfordshire’s team; All sessions at Oxlease House, CM23 3LJ. • A Care Home Liaison Team to work with residential and nursing homes Travellers Lane, Hatfield, AL10 8TJ. Wednesday 20th November 2019 to support their care of people with dementia and reduce hospital at The Stanborough Centre, admissions; and Family Carer (Drug and Alcohol) 609 St Albans Road, Watford, • A team to carry out NHS Continuing Healthcare Assessments in a timely Tuesdays 7th May, 2nd July, 3rd WD25 9JL. manner. September and 3rd December 2019. All meetings 10.30am – 12.30pm with a light sandwich lunch afterwards. HPFT’s inpatient provision for people with dementia now consists of: At Oxlease House, Hatfield, and • 32 Assessment and Treatment beds with 16 at Seward Lodge in from 10am – 1pm, a light lunch is served at 12.30pm. Young Onset Dementia Carers’ Hertford and 16 at Logandene in Hemel Hempstead. Forum – For carers of someone diagnosed with Dementia • 48 Continuing Healthcare beds with 24 at Lambourne Grove in Learning Disabilities St Albans and 24 at Victoria Court in Stevenage. th th before the age of 65. Meeting Tuesdays 4 June, 6 August, th st rd on Wednesdays 12 June and Sally Stratford, one of our Involvement and Development Workers, said: 1 October and 3 December 2019. th “It’s vital that carers are involved in the development and re-modelling of 16 October 2019 at Birchwood All held from 10am – 12.30pm Leisure Centre, Hatfield. services. They know what works well and can identify gaps in provision. We at Birchwood Leisure Centre, will continue to find ways to bring carers together with representatives from All 10.30am – 12.30pm (light lunch Longmead, Hatfield, AL10 0AN after). HPFT and the County Council to make sure that their voices are heard.” (except the August 2019 meeting that is at Howe Dell Community Centre, If you wish to attend a Forum As part of Hertfordshire's new All Age Drug The Runway, Hatfield, AL10 9AH.) please book a place by and Alcohol Service that started in contacting us (details on the April 2019, there is now a single contact C4A (Carers of adults with back page). to use to reach Change, Grow, Live Asperger Syndrome/High (Spectrum), which is providing treatment Functioning Autism) services to under 18s and adults and Mondays – 13th May, support for carers and families. 1st July, 2nd September and Phone: 0800 652 3169. 4th November 2019. Web: www.changegrowlive.org/ All held from 7.30pm – 9.30pm at spectrumdrug-alcohol-recovery-service- Oxlease House, Travellers Lane, hertfordshire Hatfield, AL10 8TJ. 32 From Hertfordshire County Council 33 Representing Hertfordshire in the social care provision But of course we know that we can’t change the system without more and funding debate money – to have better schemes for family carers, pay our care workers a better wage – and have more care and support available to people. As you may have read in the newspapers or seen on TV, the Government has been promising a Green Paper about the future of adult social care. It’s not clear how much extra money the Government wants to raise. At A Green Paper is a formal consultation document from the Government the moment, about £14 billion is spent on adult social care by councils in on changes they want to make to legislation or the guidance they send to England every year. We know this needs to increase by about £1 billion local councils. every year just to keep pace with the population getting older. But we’d It will give everyone a chance to read the proposals and make their views all like to see a pay rise for the care known. However, when the Green Paper is published, it usually takes one workers who earn the least in our to two years before any changes are enacted in law and people see a system; providing them with the same difference. pay rise as NHS workers would cost Iain MacBeath, Hertfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult around £3 billion nationally. Care Services and also Resources Policy Lead for the Association The Government could also choose to of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) recently addressed implement ‘care caps’ again, possibly the Lords Economic Affairs Committee on the funding challenges at £100,000 – to make sure people for social care. don’t pay huge care costs over their Here Iain (pictured talking to some carers), shares some thoughts lives. Economists think this would cost about what he would like to see included in the Green Paper and the around £2 billion. funding needed. These are all big sums of money and the longer things are left, the more “I hope the Green Paper will contain some new legislation to help family money this will be. carers. In a speech last May, the Secretary of State recognised the huge But the Government wants to see reform of adult social care too. We all role that family carers play, the sacrifices they make and talked about know the system is not perfect and any way we can simplify things, have changing the law to support carers who want to continue to work but find smoother interfaces with the NHS, support family carers more and reward themselves torn between caring for a loved one and working, even part- our care workforce has to be the right thing. The Green Paper is likely to time. There was also talk of more prioritised support from the NHS. I will suggest changes to these areas. be lobbying the Government for these things to go into the Green Paper. My commitment to you is that when the Green Paper is published, I’ll make sure Hertfordshire County Council, people who live in Hertfordshire and our care workforce, have their say and feedback to the Government what we all think. This is a once in a generation chance to gets things on the right footing and we need to grasp it.” If you want to get in touch with Hertfordshire County Council please call 0300 123 4040 for general enquiries and 0300 123 4044 for HertsHelp, which provides free and confidential information about organisations providing services to help with your health, finances or other issues. Alternatively, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk 34 Fundraising Thank you 35 We are currently developing a fresh Fundraising Strategy and are looking Thank you to all the individuals, businesses and organisations that have to create some new ways of raising money. If you have any ideas please been supporting us generously through fundraising. We depend on your share them with us (contact details below). support to help fund the free advice and services we provide to carers. Here are some of the changes to how you can help us with fundraising if Here are some of the ways you have been supporting us: you wish. Young swimmers aged Alternative way to make a donation nine to 17 from Verulam online Amateur Swimming Club BT is due to close its fundraising platform MyDonate on (ASC) took part in a Sunday 30th June 2019 and as we have been using the facility for people sponsored swim based to make donations to support us we are exploring an easy, cost-effective on the number of lengths alternative way for people to give online. they completed. Some 69 members took part At the moment, we are directing people to our Localgiving page, which we have had for several years. You can make a donation via completing 7,410 25m www.localgiving.org/charity/carersinherts. We will update our website by lengths – the equivalent of the end of June. just over four marathons - and have raised an Alternatively, you can send a cheque made payable to Carers in amazing £1,500. Hertfordshire to Carers in Hertfordshire, The Red House, 119 Fore Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1AX. We’d also like to thank Sports Studies students at the University of Hertfordshire for organising a charity football match and raising around Your Co-op shop could help boost our funds £150 on a cold, windy day, and Fortem for donating £3,700, raised We can benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund and could receive through a two-year Charity of the Year partnership. free donations when Co-op members shop at Co-op stores until the end of October 2019. The Rotary Club of Harpenden has chosen us It’s easy for members to support us, simply visit the webpage as one of the charities to https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/29798 benefit from their Classics Alternatively, if the address linked to your Co-op membership is within 15 on the Common car show. miles of our Hertford office (SG14 1AX), you should be able to choose The event takes place on Carers in Hertfordshire as the charity to benefit from the Fund. Wednesday 24th July 2019 Then whenever you buy Co-op branded products and services, 1% of from 11.30am to dusk what you spend is given as a donation to our project. Donations are also at Harpenden Common, received for other Co-op services such as Co-op Funeralcare. Harpenden, AL5 1DT Don’t forget the tried and tested ways to get involved and is free for spectators • When shopping online. If you shop via www.easyfundraising.org.uk (donations welcome). There and choose Carers in Hertfordshire as your charity, we can receive will be hundreds of classic donations at no cost to you! cars, motorbikes and scooters on show. For more information visit www.classicsonthecommon.com • Asking your contacts in businesses, clubs or schools to display our collection tins or to support us as Charity of the Year. You can keep updated about upcoming fundraising events being If you want to support us we can help you, please contact us on held to support us and the community activities we are involved 01992 58 69 69 or email [email protected] with on our website www.carersinherts.org.uk 36 Volunteering 37 Since the last issue of Carewaves in November 2018 we have held our Other three word comments from second Volunteer Conference. We’ve also welcomed 36 volunteers (up to volunteers to sum up the day were: the end of March 2019). Interesting, helpful, fun. Julie Hayes, Volunteer Coordinator, said: “I’d like to thank our wonderful I felt valued. new and existing volunteers for the valuable help you give us by providing Entertaining, educational, social. your time and skills. You help us ensure carers are identified or have Julie said: “It was great to see so access to information and services to support them with their caring role.” many volunteers at the Conference. 2019 has already been good to us because at the end of January we There was plenty of laughter and celebrated news that The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded us conversations. The yoga session a grant for our work with volunteers. The grant secures the future for all our after lunch was popular and certainly helped the volunteers relax.” volunteer work, including the Mentoring Service, our Bereavement Support, We plan to hold another Volunteer Conference in early 2020 and will keep and the Carer Support Hubs. You can learn more on page 4. you updated about this in the usual ways. Volunteer Conference Review Volunteer Vacancies – do you know someone who can help? Our second Volunteer Conference proved a hit with more volunteers We are always pleased to hear from people interested in volunteering attending this time – up from 30 to 42 volunteers. with us either regularly or occasionally. The roles we are hoping to fill at The Conference brought our volunteers together so they could socialise, the moment are: increase knowledge, share ideas and be thanked for their contribution to • Additional Leaders to help run our Carer Support Hub groups, ideally the charity. those in Letchworth, Royston and Watford as well as more people to Volunteers who attended took part in workshops – one focused on what help at any of our groups by making tea or coffee and greeting carers or we do and our services, one looked at being more resilient and another speakers. The more the merrier! about keeping safe. • Carers’ Passport Service support – this involves issuing new and We also presented the findings from our Volunteer Impact Survey, which renewed Carers’ Passport Discount Cards. we carried out in September 2018. The Survey asked volunteers what • Ambassadors and fundraising/event support – this could involve holding they got out of helping us and many reported the following: a collection tin, being on a fundraising stand or talking to carers and • An improved confidence in their abilities; handing out information about how we support them. • Better physical or mental wellbeing; We are also looking for passionate and committed people to join us as • An improved sense of self-esteem; and Trustees. Our Trustees are responsible for ensuring the charity is doing • Enhanced literacy, numeracy and technical skills. what it was set up to do and make decisions about how it is run and Robert, who has been a future developments. bereavement volunteer for over six We’re particularly looking for people aged 18 and over, with management years, said: “I valued learning about experience in law, property or asset management, public relations and the range of support Carers in communications, or human resources. Hertfordshire offers, meeting other volunteers and finding out that five As with our volunteer roles, training and reasonable expenses are provided. people who have benefited from To learn more or to apply for the Trustee role contact Laura McGrath, PA to our bereavement groups now feel the Chief Executive and Chair, call 01992 58 69 69. strong enough to volunteer.” If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Julie Hayes, our Volunteer Co-ordinator, on 01992 58 69 69 or email [email protected] Useful contacts for carers Free Courses and Workshops Age UK Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Independent 01707 323272 or 0300 345 3446 Living Service (HILS) COURSE DATE(S) VENUE www.ageuk.org,uk/hertfordshire 0330 2000 103 Green Bowling Every Thursday Hertford Bowls Club, Advice, information and practical www.hertsindependentliving.org A chance to enjoy this sport 10am – 12pm noon Wallfields, support for older people and their Provides the county’s meals on while meeting up with other Just turn up or get Pegs Lane, carers. wheels service and more. carers. It’s a fun and informal in touch with us Hertford, SG13 8EQ. session, whatever your if you want more Carers UK Kids Hub experience. information. East Herts: 01992 504013 0808 808 7777 th www.carersuk.org West Herts: 01923 676549 Chair Yoga Workshop Wednesday 15 Mill End Community National organisation providing www.kids.org.uk/hub Yoga can help improve your May 2019 Centre, advice and support to carers. Providing information and support for flexibility and energy levels as 10.30am – 12pm Church Lane, parents and carers of disabled young well as calm your mind. This noon Mill End, Carers Trust people aged 0 –19 in Hertfordshire. session will involve gentle Rickmansworth, 0300 772 9600 stretching, breathing and WD3 8HD. Mind in Mid Herts www.carers.org relaxation techniques and is Hertford: 01992 584387, Works nationally to improve support suitable for beginners. services and recognition for carers. St Albans: 01727 865070, Stevenage: 01438 369216, Everyday First Aid Workshop Thursday 16th May Ware Priory, Hertfordshire Citizens Advice Welwyn Garden City: Learn how to help someone 2019 High Street, Bureau (CAB) 01707 326065 in an emergency. You will be 10.30am – 12.30pm Ware, 03444 111 444 www.mindinmidherts.org.uk taught 5 – 7 skills such as care SG12 9AL. www.hcas.org.uk Supports people aged 16+ with for burns and cuts. The CAB provides free, confidential mental health issues and their Gentle Fitness Class Tuesday 28th The Manor House & Hall, advice on a range of issues such as families/carers. employment, housing, human rights A light exercise class combining May 2019 2 Allum Lane, and welfare benefits. Samaritans gentle stretching with movements 2pm – 3pm Elstree, WD6 3PJ. Freecall number: 116 123 from yoga and pilates. HertsHelp www.samaritans.org Writing for Pleasure and Profit Tuesdays 4th, 11th, Rhodes Art Complex, 0300 123 4044 Provides confidential 24/7 Course 18th & 25th June 1-3 South Road, www.hertshelp.net emotional support. This course will be run by a and 2nd July 2019 Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire County Council Wellbeing Team at Hertfordshire published author over five weeks. 1pm to 3pm CM23 3JG. service helping you find the right Partnership University NHS You will learn how to make money support or group near you. Foundation Trust (HPFT) from writing, tips to increase your Hertfordshire Action on 0300 777 0707 chances of having your work Disability (HAD) www.hpft.nhs.uk/wellbeing-service published and about gathering 01707 324581 Free and confidential support ideas and the use of photographs. www.hadnet.org.uk for Hertfordshire residents Silkscreen for Ceramics Thursday 13th Glazed Creations, Helping older and disabled people experiencing mental health Workshop June 2019 3 Baldock Street, stay independent. problems. You will be shown how to use 10.30am – 12.30pm Royston, silkscreen stencils and the flood SG8 5AY. We have a lot of other information about local organisations, so if painting technique to decorate what you are looking for is not here, please call 01992 58 69 69 and a plate or a mug, which will be

speak to a Carer Support Advisor. cut out and keep guide Your dishwasher safe. Free Courses and Workshops Legal Planning Workshop Wednesday 19th Royston Town Hall, Would you like to know about June 2019 Melbourn Street, wills, trusts, probate and power 10.30am – Royston, of attorney? Get your questions 12.30pm SG8 7DA. answered by a solicitor. Caring with Confidence Wednesdays Asda, St Albans Road, Carers can learn skills to make a 19th June to Watford, WD24 7RT. positive difference to their lives. 17th July 2019 Course runs over five weeks. 6.30pm – 9pm Royston, venue TBC. September 2019 Contact us to register an Daytime, details TBC interest. Practical Caring Workshop Thursday 27th The Hospice of This is ideal for carers who June 2019 St Francis, support someone with their 10am – 1pm Spring Garden Lane, personal care. It will include tips Berkhamsted, to look after your back and more. HP4 3GW. Beginners Skiing Course Wednesdays The Snow Centre, You can learn to ski on this 6-week 24th & 31st July St Albans Hill, course. All equipment is provided. and 7th – 28th Hemel Hempstead, Individual lessons are available, August 2019 HP3 9NH. please contact us for details. 11am to 1pm Falls Intervention Workshop Tuesday 13th Hertfordshire Care Learn what to do if you or the August 2019 Providers Association, person you care for has a fall. 10am – 1pm Mundells, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1FT. Stress and Worry Workshop Friday 6th Harebreaks Mental health charity Mind is September 2019 Community Hub, running this workshop. 11am – 12pm noon 81 The Harebreaks, Watford, WD24 6NJ. To book a place or register an interest in any of our courses visit the Events section of our website www.carersinherts.org.uk – we are always adding to the list and you can keep updated via the website or the communications we send you. Email [email protected] or call 01992 58 69 69. Contact us Write to: The Red House, 119 Fore Street, Hertford, Herts, SG14 1AX Email: [email protected] Tel: 01992 58 69 69

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