You’re invited to our Find out about Listening Together our new event ‘Sitting Service’ 2
Bolton Carers Support Contents Bolton Carers Support, a registered charity (no 1082166), News Items Pages provides information and support Notice-board 4/5 to carers aged 18+. Time For You Project 8 What we do
Volunteering at BCS 9 Helpline BCS service news 10
Sitting service Listening Together 11 - 13
Money Matters 20
Breaks & Courses Zoe - Outreach Worker 21
Benefits advice Health Matters
Your Health 6/7 Volunteering Real Life How to contact us Fundraising Development Write to us at Bolton Carers 14 Officer Support, FREEPOST RSJT-KAJH- URRR, Thicketford Centre, Friends of Bolton Carers 23 Thicketford Road, Bolton, Support BL2 2LW (no stamp required) Outings & Courses .. Give us a call 01204 363056 Breaks for Carers 15/16
Visit our website Carer and Cared For event 17
www.boltoncarers.org.uk Carers Learning Days 18 or email us [email protected] Other Carers Activity Groups 19
Carers Helpline - 24/7 Local Services Call 9am - 5pm weekdays for Trust Music 10 any caring related query or to Bolton Dementia Support talk to someone in confidence. 22 Call evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays if an emergency. 01204 363056 3
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our March issue of ‘Carers Contact’. We hope that you’ve kept warm and safe over the winter months, and can soon start to feel the benefits of the lighter evenings creeping in.
It has been busy as usual at Bolton Carers Support, enjoying Georgette Kay the festive season with our events, but also planning for our Chief Officer future development as a service. We are very pleased to welcome Alison, our new Fundraising Development Officer to the team – Alison introduces herself on page 14. Alison will be key in helping us to identify the funding we need this year to continue to offer the support and activities we know you as carers greatly value.
You may have already been involved in our work to discuss the level of impact that our work has on maintaining and improving (where possible) your health and wellbeing. Look out for more opportunities to have an input in this information gathering. Turn to the centre pages to see the fantastic art work produced by CommunicArt at our evaluation event in November.
Our volunteers are vital in helping us to support our increasing numbers of carers. We are developing the support and training we offer to those who volunteer with us. There are a number of volunteering opportunities available with Bolton Carers Support (see page 9). Please contact us if you feel you have some time to spare– we are extremely grateful to all who volunteer with us. Best wishes, Georgette
We’re on Social Media!
Search on Twitter and Facebook @Boltoncarers and follow Bolton Carers Support
www.boltoncarers.org.uk 4
Notice-board
SSAFA – Armed Forces Charity - works nationally and internationally to support people in need who are serving, or who have served, in the British armed forces. Help is also extended to their families. SSAFA is a welfare charity, helping to relieve the need and distress amongst those eligible for their help since 1885. For assistance to be provided, a SSAFA caseworker will visit the applicant to confirm the financial situation and to establish exactly what assistance is needed and complete the necessary paperwork.
If you think you or a family member is eligible for this confidential support, please contact Bolton Carers Support on 01204 363056 for more information, or visit www.ssafa.org.uk
The Bolton Guild of Help
The Bolton Guild of Help provide grants to assist people living in Bolton who are struggling financially. For more information please contact [email protected] or telephone 01204 524858 (opening times 9am – 3pm, Monday to Wednesday). 5
Notice-board
Henshaws is here in Bolton; supporting those living with sight loss and their families. They offer various courses to help come to terms with sight loss, friendship groups, technology courses and demonstrations, tai chi, Counselling and information, advice and guidance.
Contact them on 0300 222 5555 for more information. The Sensory Centre, 336 Ainsworth Lane, Bolton. www.henshaws.org.uk
Precious Memories A relaxed informal setting with information, support, friendship and laughter.
For those living with anxiety, depression and memory loss, their family, carers and friends.
Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month 12 - 2pm at Christ Church, Little Lever, Bolton BL3 1JE
Contact for more information 07963500069 or email [email protected] 6
Bolton GP Federation Wilfred Geere Dementia Respite Beds Enhanced Care for patients and carers Melissa Taylor Health Linkworker The Enhanced Respite Service commenced in December 2017, with the aim of increasing quality of life and wellbeing in those people living with dementia and their carers.
Two coordinators facilitate the service, one from the GP Federation and one from Age UK Bolton. The coordinators visit the service user and their carer at home prior to admission to learn more about the individual and their family. This enables them to be supported in their journey through respite and back home.
During respite in Wilfred Geere the person receives a medical assessment by a GP, medication review and is cared for in a specialist environment designed for those living with dementia. They can engage with many activities supported by staff and volunteers including crafts, musical performance, holistic therapy and chair-based exercise.
After discharge, supported by the service coordinators, they can be linked in with voluntary services and social care to provide meaningful activity and much needed carer support at home.
The service has shown to be popular with service users and carers, and is increasing their ability to manage at home longer term. ______
Extended access to a GP Evening appointments
Bolton GP Federation provides evening appointments on behalf of GP practices across Bolton.
You can book appointments in one of our 3 sites (see opposite) from 6.30pm until 9.30pm Monday to Friday by contacting your own GP practice. 7
Weekend appointments Patients registered with a GP in Bolton can now book appointments to see a doctor or nurse at weekends. Appointments are available: Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 9am to 1pm and are available at: • Urgent Treatment Centre, (Royal Bolton Hospital site) Minerva Road, Farnworth BL4 0JR • Waters Meeting Health Centre, 95 Waters Meeting Road, BL1 8TT • Winifred Kettle, Washacre Lane, Westhoughton, BL5 2NG
If you wish to cancel your appointment, please contact your GP practice to allow this appointment to be used by another patient. If your GP practice is closed please telephone Out of Hours on 0161 763 8941.
For more information about the service visit https://www.boltongpfederation.co.uk/
Community Asset Navigator Programme
The Community Asset Navigator programme (CANS) is about connecting people to the voluntary and community sector in Bolton to improve their wellbeing.
Through knowing what is available locally, the CANS team aim to support individuals to involve themselves in groups either by joining or maybe becoming volunteers themselves. This in turn will help them to become less isolated and gain a wider friendship and support network, helping them to have some time for themselves.
You can self-refer into the Community Asset Navigator programme by going to https://www.boltoncvs.org.uk/can-referral
For more information call 01204 546048.
Melissa Taylor, Health Linkworker post funded by: Bolton Carers Support/NHS Bolton CCG Email: [email protected] Tel: 01204 363056/462157 www.boltoncarers.org.uk 8
Time for You Sitting Service Project ▪ Do you live with and care for someone? ▪ Do you find it difficult to do the things that you need to do? ▪ Do you find it hard to get out of the house? ▪ Do you need someone to talk things through with? ▪ Could you sometimes just do with another pair of hands, a friendly face and a listening ear? Laurent - Then Bolton Carers Support “Time for You” Sitting Service Time For You may well be of help to you. Project Worker
How does the service work? ‘Time for You’ sitting service is a new service which, with the help of volunteers, provides practical and emotional help for carers in Bolton; enabling carers to have a break from their caring role.
You may choose to spend time alone at home, attend an appointment, take up an activity or meet with friends or family. The choice and time are yours.
The scheme offers companionship and support to you or the person you care for. It is a great way to reduce isolation and loneliness. As well as giving you time to take a break, the person you care for can benefit from spending time with another individual.
We will also seek to ensure that you are offered an up to date Carer’s Assessment to look at all your caring needs.
How do I access the service? You could be referred by a healthcare professional or you can contact Bolton Carers Support to register and refer yourself - 01204 363056.
When is the service available? The service is available regularly or occasionally, for anything from one to three hours, between 9am in the morning and 5 pm in the afternoon during the week. It may be once a week or once a fortnight.
How soon will I receive support? We will contact you soon after your referral has been made to arrange a home visit. We will come to discuss the service and your expectations. Then as we recruit more volunteers you will be matched with a suitable person.
9
Volunteering at Bolton Carers Support
The Bolton Volunteer Charter is a pledge to uphold good practice around volunteer management and development presented by Bolton CVS. Bolton Carers Support have signed up to the charter to show our commitment and support to our volunteers. Our involvement in the charter will support us in offering a great volunteer experience and in valuing the contribution and experience that our volunteers bring to our service. We have also agreed to invest in an annual recognition award for volunteers, in memory of Angela Halliwell, former carer and Trustee, to further pledge our commitment to you our volunteers. Volunteering at Bolton Carers Support Here at Bolton Carers Support we have a mission - that mission is to support you as carers. “We may not be able to fix everything but we do want to help to make it easier”. We need your help to support us to fulfil our mission.
How can you support us to support you? - by being one of our Carers Contacts in your community.
We will be holding a new Carers Contact and Volunteer event on
Monday 4th March 1pm to 3pm at Thicketford Centre
Come and join us for a pasty and peas lunch, meet our staff, other Carers Contacts and volunteers, and find out how you can support us in your community - bring a friend with you too!
If you would like to register or find out more about our
Carers Contact and Volunteer Open Afternoon,
please contact us on (01204) 363056
or email: [email protected] 10
Friendship Group for Former Carers The next Former Carers meeting will be held at: HuddleUp Café, All Souls, Astley St, Bolton BL1 8EY Thursday 28th February at 1pm This group is open to any former carer who is registered with Bolton Carers Support. Please contact Zoe to confirm your attendance 01204 363056.
Telephone Befriending Service ▪ Do you sometimes feel you have no one to talk to?
▪ Would you benefit from a weekly or fortnightly call from one of our telephone befrienders, someone who understands about caring?
The telephone befriending service is like having a supportive friend at the end of the phone. Would you like to volunteer as a telephone befriender? We are currently recruiting volunteers to support the telephone befriending service, could this be you? If you would like to find out more, please contact Zoe for a chat 01204 363056 or see page 9 about the Volunteer event.
Trust Music
Trust Music is an inspiring charity that is inclusive and unique, supporting education and opportunity; music is at the heart of what we do. The charity runs its own weekly music programme for adults, focusing on health and well-being. We have adult group music sessions on Guitars, Ukuleles, Ladies a Capella, Keyboards and a Rock of Ages Group.
We have a session ‘Magic Moments’, for people who have memory loss and their carer to take part in together, singing familiar and well known songs, and having time to socialise and have fun. Sessions are aimed at the wellbeing of both the carer and the person with memory loss, as music stimulates parts of the brain, and singing improves our mood and reduces stress. Magic Moments, Wednesdays 1.45 – 3.15pm at Trust Music Studio in the Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton, price is £5 (carer attends free of charge), refreshments are provided.
For more information call in to see us, or email [email protected] or phone 01204 333533 11
“Following our really insightful workshop last November in the Holiday Inn, we are progressing the project of understanding and identifying the things that we do best and that make the most difference to you. The project; which we are calling ‘Listening Together, will enable us towards the end of the year, to write our first set of ‘social accounts’, These accounts will tell all of us (including present and future funders) the effectiveness of our work and what we can improve in the future. There is a saying; “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted” and so we are going to need your help throughout this project to make sure that we get it as right as we can”
Adrian Nottingham, Group Quality and Impact Officer, Bolton CVS
‘Listening Together – The next step’ Monday 18th March 10.30am to 12.30pm at Thicketford Centre
Following on from the ‘Listening Together’ impact and evaluation session in November, we are holding another event to help shape the direction of the support offered to carers in the future.
We need your help to build on the themes highlighted at the last meeting (see next page for a diagram of the issues discussed), appreciate your needs and set the priorities for carers, in the future.
Please ring the helpline, 01204 363056, to register if you can come along, and we’ll give you a free lunch, as well! Places are limited. 12 13 14
Hello! I joined Bolton Carers Support as Fundraising Development Officer at the beginning of December. I am no stranger to the challenges or, indeed, rewards of caring as, for the past six years, I have been a full- time carer for my disabled daughter and also involved with the care of other family members. Previously I have worked with a variety of charitable organisations in their quest for funding, helping them to continue delivering their activities and services.
My introduction to the role was at the Carers Rights Day event held at the Holiday Inn on November 29th, which gave me a great overview of the genuine difference Bolton Carers Support makes to so many people’s lives, both carers and those they care for. Subsequently, it has been a pleasure meeting some of you at the Christmas meals that have taken place. Without you telling us what you need, and helping to shape what we do, my job would be much more difficult!
So, what am I here to do? Despite challenging times there are still pots of money available to support the delivery of the services we offer, and it is my job to find those pots, match them with the things we offer to our carers and then ‘sell’ what we do to the funder. Funders come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from well-known organisations such as the National Lottery or Local Government to varying size Trusts or Foundations down to local companies or organisations that are able to help with small contributions of either money, time or products. Accessing their support may involve filling out forms of varying lengths, writing a letter, making a telephone call or having a meeting.
Although there are no guarantees of being successful with any funding application, I feel confident and motivated that what we do, and the way we do it, makes such a difference to Bolton Carers.
I will always be happy to hear from anyone that may want to share any ideas they have for fundraising or any contacts they think may be useful for me. Feel free to either telephone on 01204 363056 or email me direct at [email protected].
I look forward to being able to update you in future editions of our newsletter. Alison 15
Bookings
Please note that we will Clitheroe Town and Market ONLY take bookings from 9am on Tuesday 5th March Weds 20th February 9.30am to 3.30pm
01204 363056 Join us as we visit the ancient market Bookings must be made town of Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley, by phone (no emails, which is well known for its plethora messages or visits accepted). While we of specialist shops, its castle and advise you to book early museum, and outdoor market.
to avoid disappointment We will leave by coach from STAND you don’t need to ring at 9am prompt - places are G, at the new Bolton Bus Station at generally available for a 9.30 am PROMPT returning to Bolton few days, depending on by around 3.30 pm (traffic the popularity of the permitting). outing or course.
All events PLEASE NOTE NEW PICK UP POINT
You can book any of the events on pages 15 to 19 subject to availability.
All events MUST be pre-booked and priority is given to carers who pay at the
time of booking.
Only one booking per household and former carers of up to 12 months can book places. Cost £7.50 per carer 16
Halle Orchestra at the Bridgewater Hall
Wednesday 10th April
12.45pm to 5.30/6pm
Join us once again for an afternoon of musical entertainment featuring Beethoven’s- Overture: Leonora No.3, Mozart’s- Piano Concerto No.17 in G, Wagner’s Souvenir and Scherzo, and Symphony No.5 by Sibelius.
We will leave by coach from STAND G, at the new Bolton Bus Station at 12.45 pm PROMPT returning to Bolton by around 5.30 / 6pm (traffic permitting). Cost £7.50 PLEASE NOTE NEW PICK UP POINT
‘Ladies in Lavender’ at Bolton Little Theatre Hanover Street, Bolton BL1 4TG Monday 13th May 7pm for 7.30pm start until 10pm
Come with us to Bolton Little Theatre to see their version of a 2004 film starring Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith.
Two elderly spinster sisters befriend a handsome young Polish-Jewish violinist who washes up on the beach of their 1930's close-knit Cornish seaside village. They take him under their wing and the stage is set for jealous rivalries, dark political paranoia and ultimately Cost £7.50 crushing heartbreak. 17
This is a Carer and Cared - For event Spring Lunch Wednesday 17th April 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Join us at the Holiday Inn, Bolton, for a tasty lunch in good company.
MENU Starter: Spring Vegetable Soup served with bread roll and butter
Main: Roast Chicken breast with apricot and sage centre wrapped with streaky bacon and roast gravy
OR Vegetable Skewer with satay crust, pilau rice and sweet chilli and tomato dressing (V) both served with Roast Potatoes and a selection of vegetables (vegetarian option must pre-ordered asap)
Dessert: Marbled Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream
Entertainment will be provided by DJ Charlie - music and games, with prizes.
Please note there is limited parking at this venue. 18
First Aid Training Mondays 4th and 11th March 10am to 12noon at Thicketford Centre We are pleased to offer a two session course, which will cover the essentials of First Aid, without getting bogged down with the technical details. The course is being run by trainers from the British Red Cross. Refreshments will be provided. Make sure to book your place!
Planning for the Future - Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney and Appointeeship Monday 25th March
10am to 12 noon at Thicketford Centre
Judith Bromley, who is registered with Solicitors for the Elderly, is returning to give impartial advice and will pass on her extensive expert knowledge to give an interesting, interactive presentation to help you plan for the future. This presentation focuses on Wills, LPA’s and DWP Appointeeships. Make sure to book your place!
Planning for the Future - Asset Preservation, Paying for Care and NHS Continuing Care Funding Monday 1st April 10am to 12noon at Thicketford Centre
A second presentation from Judith Bromley from Russell and Russell Solicitors, giving you the knowledge to help you plan for the future. This presentation deals with issues surrounding asset preservation, paying for care and NHS Continuing Care funding. Make sure to book your place! 19
Are you a Male Carer? Want to meet other men in a similar situation to your own in an informal setting?
Join us at our monthly meetings, held over a pint or a coffee at the Elephant and Castle, Deansgate, Bolton from 12noon on the last Tuesday of every month. Ring Peter for a chat about the group (01204) 363056.
Carer’s Choir We are investigating the feasibility of forming a Carer’s Choir in the near future. Initially, we will be meeting at the Thicketford Centre, during the evening, mid-week (free use of rooms and free refreshments), but we will consider a more central location subject to numbers involved and demand. In this case, there may be a small charge.
So if you are a budding chorister, or just want to have fun, give it a go and meet up with other like minded people, then please let us know… and don’t worry if you’ve only sung in the shower, before….you won’t be alone!!
Interested? Give Peter a ring to chat further on 01204 363056 20
We are now four years into the Welfare Benefit Project and I thought it would be good timing for an update.
The past year has seen demands for the service continue Elaine Holt to grow which highlights the increasing need for both Benefits Advice home visits and office appointments. Working closely Worker with carers has certainly demonstrated the importance of being a carer and how this impacts significantly on: health and wellbeing, finances, work and life in general.
Throughout the past year, the following service has been provided for carers: ▪ 64 new home visits ▪ 33 repeat home visits ▪ 45 new office appointments ▪ 6 repeat office appointments ▪ 12 telephone appointments
A further 27 people have received benefit advice through attendance at workshops and GP events.
Benefit gain throughout the past year has amounted to £166,286.97 bringing the total for the past three years to £641,855.11
Achieving substantial benefit gains has certainly contributed significantly to improving the lives of carers and the people they care for. Here are two of the comments from carers who have benefited from the service:
“The additional income is very welcome and makes life a lot easier”
“Thankyou so much for alleviating some of the pressure from us, the extra income will help us stay warm in the winter without the worry of additional heating costs”
Call the Carers Helpline 01204 363056 for an appointment with our Benefits Advice Worker - Elaine Holt. 21
If you are a carer and need to talk to somebody about your caring role or if you would like to meet people over a coffee, please come along to one of our Information Points or Coffee Mornings. ALL WELCOME! (including the person you care for). Information Points St James’ Parish Centre, Roscow Avenue Breightmet BL2 6HU - second Wednesday of the month 2-3pm.
Westhoughton Senior Solutions Information Point – Sacred Heart Church, Lord Street, BL5 3SE - second Tuesday of the month 1.45pm – 3.15pm. Coffee Morning Information Points All Souls - Huddle Up Café, Astley Street, Bolton, BL1 8EY - on the third Wednesday of the month 1.30 - 3pm.
Kearsley Mount Methodist Church, Manchester Road, Kearsley, BL4 8QL - third Tuesday of the month 10am to 12 noon.
Costa Coffee @ Waterstones, Bolton Town Centre on the first Tuesday of the month 11am to 12 noon.
Tonge Moor – UCAN Centre, Tonge Moor Road, BL2 2LE - Coffee Morning Information Point, every Monday 10am-11am.
Little Lever- Christ Church, Mytham Road, Little Lever, BL3 1JE - Coffee Morning Information Point, this coffee morning runs weekly but on the third Wednesday of the month, from 10am – 12 noon, a member of Bolton Carers Support will be present.
Monthly Carers Cafes Westhoughton Carers Cafe - Wetherspoons (the Robert Shaw) – third Monday of the month 11am - 12noon.
If you would like any more information regarding the Information Points, Coffee Mornings, or Carers Cafes, please contact: Zoe Hill, Outreach Worker on 01204 368042 or email [email protected] 22
A charity supporting people living with dementia and their carers/family.
We hold three memory cafes each week;
▪ Monday 2-4pm Victoria Hall, Knowsley St, Bolton
▪ Tuesday 2-4pm RMI Club, Chorley New Rd, Horwich
• Wednesday 2-4pm Bar Lane Bowling Club, Ivy Bank Rd, Astley Bridge.
We hold a carers support group each Tuesday morning from 10.30am - 12pm at the Thicketford Centre, Thicketford Rd, Tonge Moor, Bolton. Carers can gain information, advice and support and have the opportunity to meet other carers whilst the person they care for gets involved in a reminiscence based activity session.
On the last Thursday of each month from March - October, we hold an evening social at St Gregory’s Social Club, Church St, Farnworth 7-9pm. Why not join us for an evening of entertainment and refreshments.
We are always looking for volunteers to help out at our cafes and groups - if you can spare a few hors per week, then please get in touch 01204 386696.
Our Community Outreach worker can support the person living with Dementia and their carer. It is an open-referral service where 6 - 8 support sessions can be offered with a program to suit the needs of both parties.
We have a Charity Shop at 329 Bury Road, Bolton, BL2 6BB. We need Volunteers, so if you can help us, please ring the shop 01204 773435 or contact us as below. If you have any donations to help us, please take them to the shop during opening hours (10-4 Monday to Friday and 10-3 Saturday).
Please contact Alison Lowe, Chief Officer on 01204 386696 to chat about any of our activities or look on our website: www.allcommunity.co.uk/dementiasupportgroup or visit our Facebook page: Bolton Dementia Support 23
Creative Crafters Group Do you need time out just for you and to relax?
Then why not join us on Tuesdays from 10am until 2pm at the Thicketford Centre (except the first Tuesday of the month): ▪ learn something new ▪ learn crafts/techniques ▪ meet other carers ▪ share your skills with us
If interested in attending the group, please ring Bolton Carers Support on 01204 363056 so we can let our crafters know to expect you!
Ayleen runs the group and is a carer herself so understands how necessary it is to switch off from caring for a brief time. That’s why the craft sessions always involve time for a chat over coffee. Making something ‘crafty’ is very therapeutic.
“We have improved the group and now offer more structured activities. Each week we make craft items that we can sell to raise funds for Bolton Carers Support – but you also have the opportunity to buy what you’ve made. It’s a really nice group and we would love to welcome new crafters.”
Over the festive period, Ayleen and volunteers took their crafts on the road to various sales including the Mayor of Bolton's Christmas Fair and also orders that were placed direct with Ayleen. They raised a fantastic £631 for Bolton Carers Support during this time.
Well done and thanks to Ayleen and all who helped achieve this! 24
FREE FACTSHEETS - Bolton Carers Support has 45 information fact-sheets available for you to download from our website. Alternatively, ring us and we will post you copies - just let us know which number fact-sheets you want.
Bolton Carers Support 01204 363056 www.boltoncarers.org.uk 1. New to caring 24. Wheelchairs 2. Carers assessments 25. Technology to help you care 3. Financial help and support 26. Wills and Trusts 4. Hospital discharge 27. Falls 5. Working and caring 28. Get active 6. Transport 29. Look after your heart 7. Emotional support 30. Dealing with debt 8. Education and leisure 31. Multiple Sclerosis 9. Bereavement - when caring ends 32. Raising funds for Bolton Carers Support
10. How to complain 33. Visual impairment 11. Emergencies 34. Mindfulness
12. Meals 35. Managing continence 13. DIY/gardening/practical support 36. Medicine tips 14. Stroke 37. Safeguarding 15. Parkinson’s Disease 38. Managing stress
16. Dementia 39. National carers organisations 17. Luncheon clubs and community cafe’s 40. Drug and alcohol misuse 18. Aids, adaptations and equipment 41. Diabetes 19. Finding and paying for care through a 42. Charitable Trust grants private agency 20. Caring for a child with a disability 43. Volunteering
21. Watch your back 44. Fire safety in the home 22. Getting the most from your GP 45. Keep warm in Winter 23. Cancer