Issue 106 March 2019

The newsletter of Carers’ Resource 01274 449660 Skipton 0C1756 700888hHarro ga te 0 1423 50i0555 cRipoen 01765 690s 222

Bradford adult carers’ contract stays with us We have been contracted to continue to over the past few months that has involved enabling provide services for adult unpaid carers in the some workers to get to know local communities in Bradford district for at least three more years. greater detail. Chief executive Chris Whiley says: “We have been “For example, Kay Nichols has been focussing on delivering support services for carers for several years central . She has got to know the local area and we are delighted that funders have continuing well and carers contacting the organisation from that faith in our ability to deliver high-quality services.” area have been allocated solely to Kay. We found out just weeks ago we will also run the “Her knowledge of the local area and the links she district’s young carer services from April, enabling has made ensure that she can offer the best possible services to be offered to whole families. See page 2 support and advice to carers, and local drop-ins mean for more on this. that carers can see a friendly face on a regular basis. Chris adds: “It is exciting that we will soon be “Kay is also better placed to reach the diverse providing services to all carers across the district, no communities across her geographical spread, and matter how old they are. Delivering both these she is more knowledgeable about community groups contracts brings many opportunities for us and the and courses that are close to carers’ homes.” people we support.” The planned changes were presented to staff at a Carers’ Resource supports 16,000 unpaid carers in team away day in January. the Bradford district, and the Harrogate and Skipton l Read more about Kay and the pilot in Keighley on p5 . areas through one-to-one support, information, Carers’ Resource will present its planned new ways support groups, form-filling, employment and of working to carers and professional partners at an training advice, planning for emergencies, and event in the Ernest Saville Room at Hall, maintaining wellbeing. Bradford, on Thursday March 21, 1.30-3.30pm. We plan to change some of our working practices Anyone who is interested to know more and give when the new contracts come into force. Chris adds: their feedback is welcome to attend. “We have been piloting a different way of working

Fiesta time as Easter chicks Team leaders offer I’m not Sorry my mum unveiled, Page 9 wellbeing tip, Page 9 moved in, Page 12

Email [email protected] Web carersresource.org facebook.com/carersresource @CarersResource Children tell their stories for Young Carers Awareness Day Several young carers we work with spoke about their caring She is also a master negotiator experiences in the press, a national magazine and on the radio to mark and turns Joe around from saying Young Carers Awareness Day at the end of January. a flat “No”, to coaxing him to do Jess Whitaker, 17, of Sutton-in- something that has been asked of , featured in the Craven him – a skill their parents Sarah Herald and Keighley News; Maddie and Dave appreciate. Shaw, 11, of Harrogate, was in the Although she feels “amazing” Yorkshire Post; Jacob Heagney, 16, of when she is able to support Joe, Ripon, was on Stray FM; and Benjy Maddie often has to consider her Collins, eight, of Harrogate, was with brother’s needs ahead of her own. his mum Lizzie in Bella magazine. She says: “He gets things that I All the young people were don’t sometimes and I feel a bit excited to share their stories and left out. But I understand that he’s spoke eloquently about the ups autistic and he needs that.” and downs of their lives. Both the girls have been supported A-level student Jess was 12 Jess and Judith by Carers’ Resource’s young carer teams. Jess has had one-to-one when her mum Judith, now 45, After school Jess carries out was diagnosed with multiple support with a worker and they both other jobs then prepares the attend our youth clubs. sclerosis and myelitis, which can evening meal and waits until her cause issues with vision, They both felt it was important to dad is home to cook it with him. speak up about their experiences, movement, sensation and balance. She adds: “Sometimes I break off She says: “I get up at 6.30am to as did Jacob, who says: “I am very to do the dishwasher, or I go happy to see Carers’ Resource help Mum get dressed and sort her upstairs to get things for Mum. lunch. She goes to work and Dad working with Stray FM - not only “I have to help her with her to offer opportunities to young goes 10 minutes later, and I am left tablets because she can’t press to take care of my brother Jack carers like myself, but also to get them out of the packets. It’s a bit the good publicity our cause can and get us to school. Sometimes full-on sometimes.” we have the odd thing to do like use to further spread awareness of One in 12 children is thought to who we are.” the washing-up before school.” give some sort of care to a parent or sibling with a physical or mental illness, a disability, or an addiction to drugs or alcohol – which works out at 85,000 young carers in Yorkshire and the Humber. Maddie helps to look after her elder brother Joe, 13, who has autism. She supports him by helping him zip up his coat, caring for their animals, ensuring he is up for school and encouraging him to The Shaw family eat healthily. Jacob with Stray FM journalist Lisa Darvill We will deliver Bradford young carers services from April Carers’ Resource will run services for young carers in We currently support 395 young carers across the Bradford district for at least two years from April. Harrogate and Craven through trips, holiday activities, We are delighted to be able to offer services to youth clubs and by our staff going into schools to young carers in this area for the first time, building meet young carers and give specialist support. on the expertise that we have gained working with Chief executive Chris Whiley says: “Young carers young people in the Harrogate and Skipton districts. can feel isolated from peers, face bullying and find it Carers’ Resource has been supporting young carers difficult to take part in out-of-school activities. across Harrogate and Craven for 23 years and “With support, they can be given coping strategies continues to receive no funding from the local authority and breaks from caring. We are delighted to be able in those areas to do so. This has meant the services to offer carer services and support for young people. have been run in recent years entirely on donations and We plan to run clubs, trips, and send staff into schools grants. This will not change in the near future. to meet young carers and give specialist support.”

Page 2 Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Carers tell professionals It’s your how their lives really are Forty carers attended Choices our three Carers Rights By Carers’ Resource Day events in chief executive Chris Whiley. November. The new year A hundred has brought professionals from excellent news health, social care and for all of us at charities heard from Carers’ carers about how Resource. We listening and working heard just before together could improve Christmas that carers’ lives. we had been The carers, aged from successful in being contracted to Sallie Turner, of Bradford District Care NHS Foundation in their teens to their Trust, our Bradford locality manager Jan Burrows, deliver services for young carers and carer Satveer Sahota sixties, spoke about the across Bradford district. issues they face Then, in the middle of January, including their struggles to get the correct paid-for care, wrong we heard that we will be assumptions people make about carers, and difficulties looking after continuing to deliver services for their own wellbeing. The sessions were held simultaneously at Margaret adults across Bradford and Craven McMillan Tower, in Bradford city centre, the Friends Meeting House, in for another three years. This Harrogate, and our office in Skipton. means that we can build on, and Satveer Sahota, of Thornbury, told professionals: “I care for my mum strengthen, our services to carers. 24 hours of the day and people assume that I am strong and can cope. In order to do this, over the next I am mentally tired. Buying in care might sound simple but it’s a headache. few months we will be tweaking It can cause more harm than good sometimes. I hope that this is the start some of the ways we work. of change and I am pleased that the professionals reacted positively.” The biggest change is that Carol Beardmore, chief executive of charity SNOOP, cares for her workers will be allocated to defined daughter, 33, who has Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, a heart geographical areas and will work condition and early onset dementia. with all carers in that area. Staff will She told the audience: “Please keep in the forefront of your mind to get to know communities better listen to us, value us, talk to us, build a relationship with us. Your time and will be able to signpost and allocation in my life may have to come to an end due to your role but support people to access a wider you can say goodbye and close a door. I can’t. So please open your door range of services. when my next crisis happens.” We will also be focussing on We worked for several weeks with carers from our forums, and other offering a broader range of breaks carers and professional partners, to plan the sessions. for carers, including a greater range Our Carers Rights Day event in 2017 featured professionals explaining of groups and one-off information what help carers could access from health and social care services. sessions on important topics. Alison Straw, locality manager of the Harrogate office, said: “Carers felt We are all very excited about the they were being told everything was rosy in the garden, so this time they future and look forward to working wanted to explain how their lives really are. with many of you in 2019. “Some of the subjects carers spoke about were really emotive and Best wishes, tough to talk about. They made themselves vulnerable but in doing so they will hopefully help other carers.” Ci KEY ISSUES FROM THE SESSIONS l The carer and cared-for person l The cared-for person can have equal importance and their sometimes have unreasonable needs should be met separately. expectations of the carer, whether l Carers don’t get enough sleep this is deliberate or not. and need respite, but accessing l Transport availability and paid-for care can be tough, travel times to services are issues expensive and time-consuming. in rural communities. l Professionals don’t always l If different professionals are consider the input of carers, who involved there can be challenges are experts by experience. around continuity of services and l The carer’s life on show is not information sharing. always the life they live. The Harrogate event

Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Page 3 Caseworkers tell of pilot success Four caseworkers have spent six months piloting working across postcodes rather than the whole of the Bradford district. The project will be rolled out to all areas soon. Here, two of the caseworkers explain why it’s been a success… Kay Nichols , BD21, Keighley Carers’ Resource is an independent Our operations in Keighley are and nationally recognised Yorkshire relatively well established, so my charity which gives tailored role has been to extend relationships information and support to carers, those in need of care and support, with professional partners and make and the professionals who work it easier for carers to access our with them. Our services support services in their own area. people to remain independent, and When carers first contacted us have choice and control to improve before, they would explain why they their lives or situations. were calling, then they might speak Carers’ Resource is a company to someone else and have to explain limited by guarantee. again. Now, initially we take very Reg charity number 1049278. basic information, and any carers in EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS BD21 are passed to me. I call carers Contributions (300 words max) are back within a couple of days. There welcomed but may be edited. may be something important that’s The views expressed do not necessarily reflect policy of Carers’ been worrying them that I can sort Resource. Reference to any service over the phone, and I might arrange does not imply recommendation. to see them once or multiple times Julie outside Mechanics The submissions deadline for the depending on what they need. Institute. Inset: Kay next issue is 1 May, 2019. I sometimes meet carers at cafes so they can get out of the house and Send copy to the editor talk openly. I hold appointments at the Oaks adult social services centre Caroline Firth by emailing and other caseworkers meet carers at GP surgeries and Dementia Friendly [email protected] , or post submissions to the Bradford office Keighley. Another colleague runs a coffee morning on the first Friday of (address below). the month (see p6-7 ). Knowing Keighley much better means I can also point carers to groups or support in their area that aren’t run by us. CONTACT US Harrogate Julie Peacock , BD13 11 North Park Road, Carers’ Resource hasn’t had many established links with professional Harrogate, HG1 5PD. partners, businesses or community centres in this postcode until now, Tel: 01423 500555 as it’s quite rural. Skipton Ronaldsway House, 36 Brook Street, I’ve been making new contacts, such as with Denholme Mechanics Skipton, BD23 1PP. Institute and Queensbury Shared Church. I’ve been to their groups to Tel: 01756 700888 give people information about us. I’ve also met GPs who have let me Bradford meet carers at their surgeries. There are loads of community groups and 15 Park View Court, St Paul’s Road, I’ve become a walking what’s-on guide! I encourage carers to go along to Shipley, BD18 3DZ. something and we’re even looking at starting up our own support group. Tel: 01274 449660 Prior to the pilot I was sent all over Bradford to meet carers and I had Fax: 01274 449673 scant knowledge of the places they lived in. I’ve enjoyed really getting to Ripon know communities and the people in them. It’s made me better able to Community House, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon HG4 1LE. target support to carers’ needs. I have also gained time as I spend my days Tel: 01765 690222 in one area rather than having to travel around the district to meet carers. Email [email protected] Short breaks scheme becomes a charity Web A project we supported that raised £13,000 and encouraged www.carersresource.org enables families of people with a cottage owners to donate short Facebook terminal illness to access holidays stays. We oversaw the www.facebook.com/carersresource for free in underused holiday management of the fund – which Twitter cottages has become an pays for overhead costs, such as @CarersResource independent charity. cleaning – and A Bit of a Break’s Choices is produced by Carers’ A Bit of a Break was inspired by committee linked families with Resource and designed and printed Angela Sturgeon, who was accommodation. by Avenue Printing House, diagnosed with ovarian cancer in The committee has now become 42-44 Avenue, 2011. She cherished holidays with fully independent but will retain a Harrogate, HG2 0AU. her loved ones and wanted to help strong bond with us. For more Telephone 01423 562924. others in a similar situation. information see www.avenueprintinghouse.co.uk Angela, her family and friends www.abitofabreak.com

Page 4 Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Fiesta time as carnival chicks are unveiled Peck out this year’s carnival-themed design for our 2018, which raised £2,256. Events and fundraising co- knitted Easter chicks. ordinator Anne Wells says: “I am delighted to report A 30-strong team of volunteer knitters is already this figure is a record for our Christmas decorations. working away on the new pattern ahead of the chicks “A lot of work goes into making and selling the going on sale this month at our offices and other outlets. Easter chicks and knitted Christmas decorations, and It is the 12th year we have sold the Crème Egg- we’d like to thank everyone who helps to make the stuffed chicks, which sell at £2 each to raise money for idea such a success.” us as a local charity, and to l If you would like to knit, decorate or sell chicks or increase our profile across Christmas decorations, contact Anne Wells on 01423 the areas we cover. 500555 or email [email protected] Chief chick co-ordinator Angela Lloyd-Roberts has recently stepped down as an admin volunteer on reception at our Harrogate office but has decided to stay on as a volunteer at our craft group. Angela and fellow volunteer Lucy Tiffany knit and decorate scores of Easter chicks and Christmas Where you can buy our chicks: decorations l Our offices in Shipley, Skipton, Harrogate every year and Ripon and help to l Feastfield Medical Centre, Pateley Bridge get the rest of l The Grange Medical Centre, Dacre Banks them ready l Noir hair salon, Otley Road, Harrogate to go on Harrogate Health and Beauty, Westmoreland sale. Keeping l Street, Harrogate Angela in this role is a coup! l David Lloyd gym, Oakdale Place, Harrogate Our band of l Spring Gables Surgery, Birstwith knitters made l Kathryn Elliott Osteopath, Knaresborough more than l Pro HQ salon, Skipton 1,000 l Helene’s Tea Room, Skipton Anne with the 2018 Christmas decorations Christmas l Utopia cafe, Broughton Park, Skipton and 2019 Easter chicks decorations in l The Little Stationery Shop, Shipley Learn how to lobby at free campaigning workshop Come to a free campaigning workshop for carers campaigns officer at Carers Trust, which will pay for on Tuesday, March 12, 10.30am-2.30pm, at reasonable expenses – ie transport and paid-for care Keighley College. so carers can attend. Drinks and lunch will also be If you attend the workshop you will gain a basic provided. Keighley College, which is beside Keighley understanding of: how to get your point across; railway station, is fully accessible. which decision makers to target; how to go about Please book your place, detailing any reasonable implementing a campaign plan; understanding of expenses requirements, by emailing communications your rights under the Care Act; an understanding officer Caroline Firth at [email protected] or of how to use the media and social media; how to call 01274 449660. Anyone who provisionally booked set up a meeting with decision makers, and other before the venue was announced is already on the ways to engage with them. attendance list – there is no need to contact us again The session will be run by the policy and unless you are unable to attend.

Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Page 5 Carers’ groups and activities: Airedale, Bradford,

All carers are welcome at all events. You are welcome to bring the person you BRADFORD: Unit 15, Park View Court, St Paul’s Road, Shipley, care for if this is stated in the group description. Sessions are free unless a BD18 3DZ, 01274 449660. cost is stated. Groups with a grey background are not run by Carers’ Resource and will not have one of our staff members or volunteers present. HARROGATE: 11 North Park Road, HG1 5PD, 01423 500555. Some events are in our Skipton, Bradford or Harrogate offices. SKIPTON: Ronaldsway House, 36 Brook Street, Skipton, The addresses and phone numbers are: BD23 1PP, 01756 700888. BRADFORD DISTRICT dips; mixed sizzler platter starter; a Where: Interlude Tea Room and Café, Contact: Alison Webb, 01756 700888, selection of mains for the table, pilau 27 Westgate, BD18 3QX. [email protected] Cost: Price of your own drink. rice and naan bread. Vegetarian SETTLE Drop-in option available. Please mention any Contact: Kathryn Leakey, 01274 Dates: 1st Wednesday of the month dietary requirements when booking. 449660, [email protected] Lunch Group (6 Mar, 3 Apr, 1 May). Spaces are limited, so first come first Knit Together Dates: 2nd Monday of the month Time: 10.30am-noon. served. The person you care for is Dates: Every Thursday. (11 Mar, 8 Apr, 13 May). Where: The Coffee Lounge, also welcome. Time: 2pm-4pm. Time: Noon. Queen Street, BD16 2JS. Cost: £10 per person, plus drinks. Where: Carers' Resource office. Where: The Lion Hotel, Duke St, Contact: Sarah Wademan, Contact: Book by contacting All welcome. BD24 9DU. 01274 449660, Caroline Firth, 01274 449660, Contact: Jan Burrows, 01274 449660, Carers, cared for and former carers. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Contact: Anne Brennand, 01756 700888, BRADFORD CITY CLAYTON Live Well, Care Well [email protected] CENTRE Men’s Group SKIPTON Dates: Every Friday. Pay-as-you-feel lunch Airedale and Skipton group (formerly Time: 1.30pm-3.30pm. Where : Clayton Village Hall, Supper Club afternoon tea) Reva Syke Road, BD14 6QN. Dates: Approximately every six Date: 20 Mar, 22 May. Dominoes, cards, pool table and weeks. Time: 1pm. more. £1 for refreshments. Time: Early evening. Where: The Storehouse, 116 Transport can be arranged. Where: Various venues across Caledonia Street, Bradford, BD4 7BQ. Contact: Michael Firth, 07734 513652. Skipton and Airedale. Inn Churches hosts a series of Carers, cared for and former carers – afternoon tea sessions for carers and ECCLESHILL early evening meal out in various their cared for. 15 people max per Ataxia Self-help Group venues in Airedale and Skipton. session. Strictly on a first come, first Dates: 16 March, 27 April. Contact: Tracey Howes, 07725111798. Dates: 2nd Tuesday of the month served basis. Entry to the building is Time: Noon-4pm. (12 Mar, 9 Apr, 14 May). Carer forum via a stairwell. Unfortunately, the Where: Charnwood Centre, building does not have lift access. Time: 6.15pm-7.30pm. Date: Fri 3 May. Charnwood Road, off Harrogate Where: Carers’ Resource office. Time: 10am-noon. Cost: Voluntary £2 donation. Road, BD2 3EE. Contact: Caroline Firth, Wellbeing group. Learn how to Where: Carers’ Resource office. For people with ataxia and carers. manage and understand stress, and An opportunity for carers to meet one 01274 449660, Contact: Dennis, 07305 179438, or [email protected] try relaxation techniques, hand another and discuss the issues they Lynn, 07305 174924. face. People who come along also Carers’ Resource ‘new massage and meditation with life KEIGHLEY coach Jenny Cooper. learn more about the services Carers’ way of working’ launch Cost: £2 to cover refreshments and Resource offers and feed back about Date: Thu 21 March. Campaigning workshop materials. how we can improve. Just turn up. Time: 1.30pm-3.30pm. Date: Tue 12 March. Contact: Kay Nichols, 01274 449660, Contact: Sally Skipper, 01756 700888, Where: Saville Room, City Hall, Time: 10.30am-2.30pm. [email protected] [email protected] Bradford. Carers’ Resource chief Where: Keighley College. This free Just Sing! Skipton executive Chris Whiley will present workshop for carers will be led by the Lunch Group Dates: 3rd Wednesday of the month Dates: Alternate Tuesdays, the organisation’s new model of policy and campaigns officer from September to July, with breaks at working for the Bradford and Craven national charity Carers Trust. Carers (20 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May). Time: 12pm. Christmas and Easter. Please contact areas. Come to hear about the vision who attend the workshop will gain a Sue for full details. of the charity, how we will be basic understanding of their rights, Where: The Noble Comb, Road, Quayside, BD18 3ST. Time: 1.45pm-3.30pm. working with young carers too, and how to develop a campaign, which Where: Skipton Baptist Church Hall, the positive changes we’re planning decision makers they can target, and Carers, cared for and former carers. Contact: Carers’ Resource, Otley St, Skipton, BD23 1ET. to make by having staff covering how to go about implementing a Learn new songs and sing old specific postcodes so carers have one campaign plan. Lunch will be 01274 449660. Contact: Kathryn Leakey, 01274 favourites, some in easy harmony. All consistent point of contact. included and Carers Trust will pay for 449660, [email protected] songs are taught by ear. All welcome, Contact: Caroline Firth, reasonable expenses – ie transport although the group is not suitable for 01274 449660, and paid-for care so carers can people with memory problems. [email protected] attend. Booking is essential via Cost: £2 per session, which includes a Caroline Firth for catering purposes. Chatterbox Carer forum Dates: 1st Thursday of the month drink and biscuits. Contact: Caroline Firth, 01274 449660, Date: Thu 21 Mar. (7 Mar, 4 Apr, 2 May). Contact: Sue Jackson, 01756 796967, [email protected] Time: 1.30pm-3.30pm. Time: 10am-11.30am. [email protected] Where: Saville Room, City Hall, Coffee Morning Where: Silsden Methodist Church, Lunch Group Bradford. This quarter’s forum is Dates: 1st Friday of the month Kirkgate, BD20 0PA. Dates: 1st Wednesday of the month combined with the launch of our new (1 Mar, 5 Apr, 3 May). Carers and cared for welcome. (6 Mar, 3 Apr, 1 May). contract and way of working across Time: 10am-11.30am. Contact: Sarah Wademan, Time: Noon. the district. It will be an opportunity Where: Café Central, Central Hall, 01274 449660, Where: Bay Horse, Snaygill, BD20 9HB. for carers to meet one another and Alice Street, Keighley, BD21 3JD. [email protected] Carers, cared for and former carers. hear about Carers’ Resource’s plans Carers, cared for and former carers. Contact: Vanessa Rayner, 01756 for a different way of delivering Contact: Rachel Waddington, SKIPTON DISTRICT 700888, [email protected] services in Bradford and Craven. 01756 700888, Making Art with Dementia You can raise the issues you face and [email protected] BENTHAM Dates: 4, 11, 18, 25 Mar. 1, 8, 29 Apr. feed in your ideas about the plans. Lunch Group 13, 20 May. Contact: Caroline Firth, SHIPLEY Carer forum Dates: Last* Monday/Tuesday Time: 10.15am-12.15pm. 01274 449660, (varies) of the month (Mon 25 Mar, Where: At both Carers’ Resource Change of venue for this quarter. [email protected] Tue 30 Apr, Mon 20 May* – moved office and Pioneer Projects, Looking See ‘Bradford city centre’. Curry Club forward due to bank holiday). Well Studios, King Street, Bentham, Date: 26 Apr. Interlude Café Carers Time: Noon. LA2 7HG simultaneously. Time: 6pm. Group Where: Bentham Golf Club, Robin These popular creative sessions are Where: Omar Khan’s, 30 Dates: 2nd Wednesday of the month Lane, High Bentham, Nr Lancaster, safe, fun and full of care. They are led Ln, Bradford BD5 0AL. (13 Mar, 10 Apr, 8 May). LA2 7AG. by an artist with trained volunteers in Enjoy a banquet of poppadoms and Time: 10.30am-noon. Carers, cared for and former carers. support. Carers are welcome to take

Page 6 Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Craven, Harrogate, Ripon and districts

part or come along to the linked HARROGATE DISTRICT Contact: Carol Lancaster, MASHAM monthly carers group (info below). 01423 500555, Being involved in the sessions builds BLUBBERHOUSES [email protected] Carers Group confidence and friendships. Dates: 3rd Wednesday of the month Lunch Group New Beginnings (20 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May). Cost: Sessions are charged in blocks. Dates: 2nd Wednesday of the month Between £10 and £20 depending on Dates: Every Wednesday. Times: 2pm-3pm. (13 Mar, 10 Apr, 8 May). Time: 10am-noon. Where: Masham Methodist Church, circumstances. Times: 1pm. Contact: Please book by contacting Where: Elim Church Hall, Park View, Park Street, HG4 4HN. A chance to Where: Hopper Lane pub and HG1 5LZ. meet and chat with other carers and Pioneer Projects on 01524 262672 or restaurant, Skipton Rd, [email protected] Peer support group for carers who have a free cup of tea and cake. Blubberhouses, Otley, LS21 2NZ. have lost a loved one or have a loved Contact: Isobel Holmes, 01423 Making Art with Carers and cared for. Lunch and one in care as a result of Alzheimer’s 500555, [email protected] Dementia: Carers Group social get-together for a chat. or dementia. To share experiences Dates: 11 Mar, 8 Apr, 13 May. Cost: Own food and drink. and offer friendship. Cost: £3 to cover PATELEY BRIDGE Time: 10.15am-12.15pm. Contact: Carol Lancaster, room hire and refreshments. Where: At both Carers’ Resource 01423 500555, Craft Group Contact: Lynda Oliver, 07817 820965, Dates: 3rd Wednesday of the month office and Pioneer Projects, Looking [email protected] [email protected] Well Studios, King Street, Bentham, (20 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May). LA2 7HG simultaneously. BOROUGHBRIDGE Harrogate Outings Group Times: 2pm-3.30pm. This free group is designed to link in Carer’s Group Dates: Various Wednesdays Cost: £5. with the Pioneer Projects art group Dates: 19 Mar, 23 Apr, 21 May. (27 Mar, 24 Apr, 22 May). Where: Nidderdale Plus, Waterside that will be running at the same time, Time: 10am-noon. Time: 2pm. Station Square, King Street, HG3 5AT. so it’s a chance for the carers of those Location: BEAN Café, St James Where: Venue changes. Learn a different craft each month people to stay and meet up. Other Square, Boroughbridge, YO51 9BA Social get together – the venue and make something to take home. carers for people with dementia are Meet for a chat with cake and coffee. changes each meeting and is decided Contact: Carol Lancaster, welcome. No booking required. by the group. 01423 500555, Contact: Vanessa Rayner, 01756 Cost: Cost of your own drink. Cost: Own drink and food. [email protected] 700888, [email protected] Contact: Alyson Hill, 01423 500555, Contact: Christine Marshall, Lunch Group Parent Carer Coffee and [email protected] 01423 500555, Dates: 1st Friday of the month [email protected] Cake Drop-in DARLEY (1 Mar, 5 Apr, 3 May). Dates: 14 Mar 9.30am-11am, 11 Apr Parent Carer Times: 1pm. 1.15-2.45pm, 16 May 9.30am-11am. Dales Diners Lunch – Coffee and Cake Cost: £6.50. Time: Varies. See above Dates: 1st Thursday of the month Dates: 1st Wednesday of the month Where: The Crown, 19 High Street, Where: Carers’ Resource office. (7 Mar, 4 Apr, 2 May). (6 Mar, 3 Apr, 1 May). Pateley Bridge, HG3 5AP. Times: 1pm. A drop-in session for parents who Time: 10.30am-12.30pm. Carers and former carers. Lunch and Where: Christ Church Hall, Main live in Craven and are caring for a Where: Carers’ Resource office. social together. Booking required. Street, HG3 2QF. child/children under the age of 18. Join other parents of children with Contact: Carol Lancaster, Carers and cared for with memory Pop in for a cuppa and to meet other additional needs for a cuppa and a 01423 500555, problems. Lunch and social. parent carers in the area. Get support chat to gain knowledge and support. [email protected] Cost: £5 for two courses. Booking and information from parent carer Term time only. required in advance please. caseworker Natalie Baxter. Contact: Rebecca Scurr, 01423 RIPON Contact: Carol Lancaster, 01423 Contact: Natalie Baxter, 01756 500555, [email protected] Carers’ Drop-in 700888, [email protected] 500555, [email protected] Pins N Needles Dates: Every Thursday. Singing for Fun Time: 10am-1pm. Dancing for Wellbeing Dates: 1st Tuesday of the month Dates: Alternate Tuesdays September (5 Mar, 2 Apr, 7 May). Where: Carers’ Resource Ripon office, Dates: 3rd Thursday of the month to July, with breaks at Christmas and Time: 10.30am-12.30pm. Community House, Sharow View, Easter. Please contact Sue for full (21 Mar, 18 Apr, 16 May). Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LE. Times: 2pm-3pm (please arrive by Where: Carers’ Resource office. details. A staffed session for carers wishing 1.45pm). Carers and former carers. Come Time: 1.45pm-3.30pm. along for a coffee and chat with your to have a short consultation or to Where: Skipton Baptist Church Hall, Where: Christ Church Hall, Main make an appointment for a later time. Street, HG3 2QF. own crafts, or support our Otley St, Skipton, BD23 1ET. fundraising current craft ideas. Report to reception in Community Exercise class to suit your ability, A small, relaxed group for people Contact: Jean Eames, 01423 500555, House and they will show you living with Parkinson’s or dementia. sitting or standing. Gentle, safe and through to the office. fun – followed by afternoon tea. [email protected] Gentle physical and vocal warm-ups Contact: Carers’ Resource Harrogate Please book in advance. are followed by well-known songs Mindfulness Relaxation office, 01423 500555. with piano accompaniment. The Cost: £5. Dates: 13 Mar, 10 Apr, 8 May. group is supported by Skipton and Contact: Carol Lancaster, Time: 2pm. Ripon Carers Teas District Branch Parkinson’s UK. 01423 500555, Where: Yorkshire Care Equipment Dates: 12 Mar, 9 Apr, 14 May. Cost: £1 per session, which includes a [email protected] (shop), Forest Lane Head, (opposite Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm. Where: Ripon Community House, drink and homemade baking. HARROGATE the Harrogate Golf Club), HG2 7TE. Contact: Sue Jackson, 01756 796967, A professionally led session of Sharrow View, Allhallowgate, [email protected] Carer forum relaxation in cosy surroundings. HG4 1LE. Utopia Group Date: Wed 3 Apr. Followed by refreshments (included) Support group. Confirmation of Time: 2pm-4pm. and social time. Please email/call to attendance required one week ahead Dates: 2nd Tuesday of the month book. of the date. (12 Mar, 9 Apr, 14 May). Where: Carers’ Resource office. Cost: £5. Cost: £3 for tea meetings. Time: 10am-11.30am. An opportunity for carers to meet one another and discuss the issues they Contact: Jean Eames, 01423 500555, Where: Utopia, Broughton Hall Contact: Christine Marshall, face. People who come along also [email protected] Business Park, BD23 3AN. 01423 500555, learn more about the services Carers’ [email protected] Coffee morning for carers, cared for, Resource offers and feed back about WETHERBY former carers and vulnerable people. Supper Club how we can improve. Just turn up. Contact: Alex Roberts, 01756 700888, Dates : Every 4-6 weeks Afternoon Tea/Coffee Contact: Alison Straw, 01423 500555, [email protected] (27 Mar, 24 Apr, 22 May). Dates: 3rd Monday of the month [email protected] Time: 6.15pm. (18 Mar, 15 Apr, 20 May). THRESHFIELD Cedar Court Coffee Where: Various venues in Harrogate Time: 2pm. Lunch Group Morning area. Where: Sant’ Angelo Restaurant, Dates: 3rd Friday of the month Dates: 3rd Wednesday of the month Carers, former carers, cared for. High Street, LS22 6LT. (15 Mar, 19 Apr, 17 May). (20 Mar, 17 Apr, 15 May). An opportunity to socialise. Carers and former carers. Drink and Time: Noon. Time: 11am. Cost: Variable but we try to take a chat in friendly environment with Where: Gamekeeper’s Inn, Long Cost: Cost of your drink. advantage of early bird and special cakes. Ashes Park, BD23 5PN. Where: Cedar Court Hotel, offers. Cost: Cost of own food and drink. Carers, cared for and former carers. Park Parade, HG1 5AH. Contact: Sheila Constable, Contact: Carol Lancaster, Contact: Helen King, 01756 700888, Carers and former carers. 01423 500555, 01423 500555, [email protected] Meet for a drink and a chat. [email protected] [email protected]

Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Page 7 Meet the new chair of trustees Liz Jones became our new chair of to hand over to somebody else to trustees in September 2018, taking work with Chris on the new direction over from David Harbourne, who of the charity.” left the board to move away. Liz is supporting Chris to move the Before stepping up to the leading organisation to a new way of working role, Liz was a trustee for two years. (see p1 and p5 ). She adds: “We’ve She says: “I retired in 2015 from invested in a volunteer co-ordinator, being deputy chief executive of North we’ve invested some money already East Lincolnshire Council. into young carers and we’re looking “In my council role I worked with into investing a lot of money into IT. children with special educational “I’m trying to move the needs. Seeing what parents and Chief executive Chris Whiley, left, and organisation on, so that we can be carers had to experience, trying to trustee chair Liz Jones more effective in working with support them in the education process, made me carers and make everybody’s quality of life better. interested in what Carers’ Resource was doing.” Caring is such a demanding thing to do at times and if “After retiring, I came to Harrogate and wanted to we can help people along the way that is really do some charity work. A friend recommended me to important, and exciting as well.” David, so we talked about it and agreed I would join l We are always happy to take constructive criticism of the trustees.” any part of our service and encourage people to David was chair for eight years and appointed chief complain to us if they are unhappy, so that we are able executive Chris Whiley when former director Anne to put things right. As well as contacting staff, you can Smyth retired. Liz says: “I think David saw appointing also contact the board of trustees by emailing Liz at Chris as a milestone and from that point he was looking [email protected] KEEPING YOUR DATA Easter Mike O’Leary – April 2012 For data protection purposes we accessible only to authorised Bede, an English Christian scholar need to regularly tell you that we staff and volunteers, or to a third In his treatise, ‘De Temporum Ratione’* keep your data, including your party with your agreement. Said that ‘Easter’ derived from Eostre address, phone number and Information will be stored only Earth Mother, Pagan Goddess of the North email address. for as long as it is needed or for Spring, did lambs bring to existence Keeping this information up to as long as our governance Gambol turned to gamble, sacrifice date is important so we can guidelines state. If the time Blood, once spilled upon the altar provide you with the best comes when we need to dispose No longer need be, to alter your life possible service, so please let us of it, we will do so appropriately. Death, rebirth and renewal know if it changes. We will never sell your data. Final sacrifice, atonement, redeemed We will store information and If you have any concerns, please The route offered, back to Eden Clean slate, cleansed heart, new life records securely. They will be contact us. *The Reckoning of Time –The Venerable Bede

Charity offers transport and day trips for £10 a year membership It is hard enough to get around in appointments, the hairdresser, Friday, where we take groups of rural areas, but when people have shopping, or to visit family or people to local pubs for lunch out.” additional needs it can be a struggle friends. Dial a Ride has to be The charity also hires out an to access suitable transport. booked up to 48 hours in advance. accessible canal boat to groups That’s why Skipton & Craven SCAD chief executive Stephanie (including families). It hires out Action for Disability (SCAD) Wheelhouse says: “We run around wheelchairs and members can provides efficient, safe and 60 day trips and excursions to the access weekly swimming and affordable wheelchair-accessible seaside, museums and gardening indoor bowls sessions. transport. The service is available centres. New for 2019 is Pub Membership is £10 a year, for SCAD members in and around renewed each January. Skipton and Craven who have A newsletter and trip list is sent reduced mobility. out quarterly. Members who need With a Dial a Ride journey, to be accompanied by a carer can SCAD’s minibuses or volunteer car take the carer for half price and drivers collect carers and the the carer need not be a member. people they care for from their Email [email protected] or call doors to take them to health 01756 701005 to join.

Page 8 Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale TEAM LEADERS OFFER WELLBEING TIPS Our staff see first-hand what can make carers thrive or struggle. Team leaders have built on this experience to give you their tips about how to stay healthy and well. Hannah Crabtree , Jenny Sengel , CReate Worth Connecting project Our team helps carers balance caring with hobbies, It can be easy work, finding work, or courses. to put pressure Being a carer can be tough and it can be hard to on yourself to feel positive at the end of a stressful day. We are do more and naturally inclined to focus on difficult or stressful more. moments to protect ourselves from danger. Social media To counteract this, sit down at the same time each can make it day and think of three good things that have seem like happened to you that day. Remember the little things everyone else that gave you a moment’s happiness, such as a is having it all – neighbour stopping for a chat. learning a Jot your good things down in a diary for at least two weeks – it can language, getting out for a run, and have a long-term effect on boosting your mood. baking fresh bread every day, on top of managing a house or working. Shelley Marshall, Home from Hospital, Bradford You might have a long list of My team helps people remain as independent as “should dos” which you’d enjoy, possible after they have been discharged from or benefit from, but which you hospital by ordering shopping, liaising with never get round to starting. professionals, and organising appointments. If you haven’t prioritised them, that We advise people with a small appetite to add might be because they really aren’t cream and butter to their food to get more protein. that important to you, deep down. For older people this is especially important, and for Your spare time is precious, so work once all the healthy options can be ignored while out what is really going to benefit they rebuild their strength! you. If sitting in the garden with a If you are not able to move around much, make a cup of tea gives you the peace and flask with a warm drink in the morning, which you can use throughout time out you are craving, it’s OK to the day. Keep a jug of water or juice nearby to keep hydrated. do that, even though you won’t get a Move around regularly to build muscle strength and have walking aids certificate at the end of it! to hand, if needed.

Casework team leaders manage staff who give carers advice, information and one-to-one support Carolyn Eastwood , Airedale Catherine Thompson , Harrogate Rifat Parveen , Bradford It is very Some carers I have met easy to lose find their many carers touch with mental health who will do friends when is challenged anything apart your focus is as they from allow on caring for struggle to themselves to someone else. cope with life’s experience But social demands. their emotions. contact is one We all need a Why? It of the most break from hurts. We end important routine and up burying, things for keeping well. Not being something to look forward to. projecting, denying, drinking away, able to share your worries can lead As a carer, these pleasures have medicating, sleeping, overeating to feelings of anxiety and isolation. often disappeared and our world or just sweeping under the carpet Try to make time to keep up with becomes smaller, and we focus on our anger, fear and sadness. your most important friendships – someone else’s needs before our Permit yourself permission to feel set some time aside for a phone call own. your emotions rather than spending if you can’t manage to get together. Plan small treats away from energy on avoiding them. Let your Let your friends know what is caring – something that makes you guard down to be in a better place happening if you feel able to. laugh and lifts you. mentally to tackle a situation. People worry about interfering, I can recommend chair Zumba. Write about your negative but are often happy to be asked for I have two left feet. But who cares? emotions, as this can reduce a bit of support. You’re sitting down! feelings of low mood.

Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Page 9 private pensions, benefits such as Attendance Allowance, and any other money they have coming in. It also looks at their support. If they have more than Paying £14,250 in savings, they will have to contribute something toward their own care. The more they have over this amount, the more they will contribute. If they have more than £23,250, they will pay all the cost of their own care. This is called self-funding. for care How will paying for their care affect me? Trying to understand how to access paid-for care If you have joint savings or other assets, those for someone you love can be difficult. It’s something assets are split down the middle and the cared-for we’re asked about often, so here’s the lowdown person is assessed on only their half. on the process… If you share a home with the person you care for, you would usually be able to stay, but this would be Get an assessment for them discussed at the assessment. If you think the person you support may be eligible for care funding from the council, the first step is to Who do I contact? ask the council’s social care department for an Call social care on 01274 435400 in the Bradford district assessment of needs. The department looks at what or 01609 780780 in North Yorkshire to discuss these help or care someone needs to stay independent. The matters further. The department’s staff will be happy to council might suggest the person you care for has explain everything and arrange an assessment. home care, for example, or they might decide residential care would provide the best support for them. There are many support options available. Get an assessment for you You can also ask for a carer’s assessment, which gives you a chance to talk about your situation as a carer, including your health, how you are coping and what help you think you might need in the future. Who pays? The council will also carry out a financial assessment, which looks at the cared-for person’s ability to pay for the care the council thinks they need. The financial assessment looks at their income, such as State and Young carers have to grow up quickly Emma Clayton is the Leisure and group support, information, employment and and Lifestyle Editor of the training advice, emergency planning and advice on Telegraph & Argus, Bradford’s wellbeing, the charity plans to run clubs and trips, daily newspaper. giving young carers the social life they may be Anyone who has been a lacking. There are also plans to send staff into schools carer will know of the toll it to meet young carers and provide specialist support. can take on your own health. The T&A recently featured a young carer, Kayley Exhaustion, frustration, Gregory, who was seven when her mum was despair and loneliness will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Now 22, Kayley familiar to those who spend says being a carer was a positive experience – and much of their lives looking after a loved one. So inspired her to pursue a career in caring. imagine coping with all this as a child or teenager, Training to become a mental health nurse has alongside all the other challenges at that age? given Kayley more understanding of her mum’s According to the Children’s Society, there are condition – and a passion to help others. Now she 166,000 young carers (under 18) in the UK. Young has been promoted to an assistant ward manager at carers have to grow up quickly; carrying out tasks Bradford’s Lynfield Mount Hospital. such as cooking, housework, shopping and looking “I feel that this job was what I was meant to do,” after siblings. They can feel isolated from peers and said Kayley. “I see people in similar situations to my often fall victim to bullying. But with the right support, mum, and carers in similar situations to what I was these youngsters can develop coping strategies and in, and I can say to carers: ‘I have been in a similar enjoy some respite. situation, I know what it’s like’. Carers Resource, which already supports 16,000 “Speaking to someone else can make all the unpaid carers in the Bradford district, is now also difference. Knowing you’re not alone is sometimes helping young carers. As well as providing one-to-one all you need.”

Page 10 Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Care@ Carers’ Resource wins regional award Our not-for-profit care provider edge of health and social care.” Care@ has won a Best Innovator The Best Innovator award was award for its work with our also a nod to the provider’s Home from Hospital discharge Individual Service Funds pilot support team. project, which it is carrying out Home from Hospital discharge with Bradford Council. The project support worker Nafees Nazir works involves Care@ looking after a out of A&E departments at person’s care provision budget on Airedale and BRI hospitals to help their behalf and helping them to them avoid admissions. He takes source appropriate support. patients home, gives them a basic Care@ was also shortlisted in food hamper, and helps them in two other categories – Best the short term to set up support Newcomer, for a member of staff, such as cleaners so they can cope, Sam and Brett at the regional final in York and Best Home Care Team. build their confidence and stay out Home from Hospital project to work As a regional winner, Care@ has of hospital. with a care provider, which is why been automatically shortlisted for Home from Hospital set up an we were nominated for the award.” the national agreement with Care@ so the Sam was at the regional final in final in provider’s staff could support York with her husband Brett at the Birmingham, Nafees’s clients with any personal end of last year to receive the trophy. which was care needs, such as showering. She adds: “I am delighted we won, being held Care@ head of care Sam Dawson as it shows we are an innovative as we went says: “It is quite unusual for a organisation working at the cutting to press. Libraries becoming autism friendly Ask to use loos discreetly North Yorkshire County Council’s libraries service with Just Can’t Wait card aims to make all 42 libraries in the county autism friendly by 2020. Do you or the person you care for have a bladder Skipton library is already autism friendly after or bowel condition? If so, you’re not alone – 6.5 receiving advice from charity SELFA and support million people across the nation are affected by group Sparkles, which are based in the town, and some form of bowel problem and 14 million people national not-for-profit Dimensions. are living with a bladder issue. A survey by Dimensions – which supports people Anyone going through this will know it is with learning disabilities and autism to have a voice, becoming increasingly difficult to find a public choice and control in their lives – found 90% of toilet, especially in a rush. So it’s great news that respondents would be more likely to visit their local online group Bladder & Bowel Community Support library if some changes were made. Staff training, Network has come up with the plastic credit-card tolerance of noise, and understanding from the public sized Just Can’t Wait card. were deemed to be the most important adjustments. The card is a discrete One aspect of making somewhere autism friendly is way of asking to use the to reduce the uncertainty someone with the condition nearest loo – whether it be may feel about visiting, so the Skipton library team in a community centre, produced a site plan for the ground and first floor and supermarket or pub. a “social story” to explain what happens when Showing the card doesn’t guarantee access to a someone visits the library. Autism awareness training toilet but it is widely recognised and uses universal is also offered to all staff and volunteers. WC symbols, so showing it could help you to The library service also has the Fresh Perspectives quickly avoid embarrassing situations. collection – 27 books about autism including novels The best bit? The card and delivery are free for UK and memoirs focusing on characters with the residents. Order yours at www.bladderandbowel.org/ condition. The collection is available at Skipton and help-information/just-cant-wait-card/ and it will get to Harrogate libraries and can be reserved through any you within five working days. If you don’t have the North Yorkshire library. internet, give us a call and we can help you fill out Bradford Libraries are also looking at making their the form. The website also has information about libraries autism friendly for children, and recently held bladder and bowel conditions, and it has an online a story collage workshop especially for children with support community. autism and their families. It was so well received that Tech-savvy people with an iOS device can Bradford Libraries are now considering offering download the free Just Can’t Wait phone app, further workshops as well as looking at small practical which stores a digital version of the card and has a considerations that can make the difference, and a map showing you the nearest toilets. What are you visit to the library more enjoyable for a child with waiting for? autism and their families.

Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale Page 11 I’m not Sorry that my Mum moved in with us The Daily Star’s chief crime correspondent Jerry Lawton, 51, lives in Harrogate with his wife and daughter, and they all help to care for his 91-year-old mum Shirley – a singer who once won TV’s Opportunity Knocks. Here, Jerry tells the story of how they all came to live together... I used to watch Ronnie Corbett playing hapless Timothy Lumsden – a middle-aged man still living with his mum – in 80s TV comedy Sorry! and laugh wholeheartedly. “What a sad git,” I thought. “Why doesn’t he get a life?” Never in a million years did I imagine I would become him – but it’s happened. And due to Britain’s ageing population, moving in with elderly parents is becoming a reality for more and more of us. It hit me last year when my mum Shirley – a staunchly independent 90-year-old – suffered a fall at her flat half a mile from our home. Though I was nearby I realised it was not close enough and mum needed more care. If I found the prospect of her moving to either sheltered accommodation or a nursing home unattractive, she was horrified. So I was left with Plan B – becoming Timothy. Luckily I have a very understanding and caring wife and a 14-year-old daughter who – like most her age – appears to live on an entirely different planet. We had a family conference and all agreed to go ahead. Mum moved into what was our flat – the dining room became her bedroom – and she had her own living room, kitchen and bathroom. We moved into a separate two-bedroom apartment we own in the same converted Victorian terrace which we had planned to rent. And so Timothy was born. I would like to say it was easy and we all get on like a house on fire. But I can’t. It’s tough. There is no getting away from it. Mum had lived alone for 20 years since we lost Dad and was firmly set in her ways. I am a journalist who frequently works away. My loo and non-slip floor. Mum can safely negotiate the wife works full time too. We have beyond-busy lives. few steps outside with a secure rail. And thanks to Our daughter insisted on keeping her bedroom in their Care@ team of respite carers we were able to Mum’s flat. My office is there too, so we spend days take a much-needed holiday stress-free knowing drifting from one apartment to another. We have a mum was in the safest of hands. Dogue de Bordeaux. Mum brought her cat! Tense is She is flourishing. Her GP has reduced her daily not the word. tablet intake since she moved in. When my wife and I do manage a whispered full The dog is thriving too. She has realised she can and frank exchange of views, it usually includes at pinch Mum’s toast before Mum can stop her. Even the least one of the phrases “she has the best rooms in cat is blossoming now we have managed to stop the our house”, “I didn’t sign up for this”, or “nowhere dog trying to eat her. feels like home”. And we are surviving. Without the priceless support of Carers’ Resource I We had a great family Christmas. Mum achieved a fear our battles would have escalated into full-scale world record rotten score in the Pointless board war. Put simply – they understand. Everything. game, to much hilarity all round. The peace of mind They offer essential advice on all entitlements for she is safe and in a – generally – happy, loving people in our position. environment really matters. Thanks to them we were able to get our old Don’t be frightened of becoming a Timothy. But do bathroom adapted with a walk-in shower, high-level let Carers’ Resource guide you through it.

Page 12 Choices: Carers’ Resource – Harrogate | Craven | Bradford | Airedale