CarersNews The newsletter of Spring/Summer 2018

Young Carers in Schools Award Ceremony Young Carers Bucks was delighted to host the annual ‘Young Carers in Schools Awards’ ceremony on the 25th January 2018. 14

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Supporting carers in Investors in Carers Thank you Bucks Dedicated to supporting carers the hospital setting GP Standard Awards Freemasons! www.carersbucks.org Meet the Foreword by the management team Chief Executive Stephen Archibald Chief Executive

Kirstie O’Sullivan Welcome to the Spring/Summer donations over the past few months. Operations Manager issue of the Carers News. In this This helps us to pay for the Finance, fundraising issue you will find lots of useful invaluable work Carers Bucks does and communications information including our new to support unpaid carers locally support groups, workshops and and allows us to provide services Ann Whiteley training diary. You will also find useful in addition to those which are paid Service Manager information and advice on hydration for by the contracts we have with and urinary tract infections as well as County Council, Adult carers, hospital infection detection. the NHS and other funding bodies. and GP support I am delighted to announce that Save the date! We are holding our Poplar Grove Practice, Haddenham AGM on Friday 11th May from Sally Mansi Medical Centre and John Hampden 10am – 1pm at The Gateway in Service Manager Practice are the first three GP Aylesbury. All carers are welcome to Young carers and practices in Bucks to receive the attend – please make sure you call young adult carers ‘Investors in Carers GP Standard us to book your place. Award’ in recognition of the extra Finally, I would just like to add my support they offer to unpaid carers personal thank you to Sally Mansi registered within the practices. for all the wonderful work she has In honour of ‘Young Carers Awareness done for young carers in Bucks and Day’ in January, we held our annual Milton Keynes over the years. She ‘Young Carers in Schools Awards’ has been a great support to me ceremony and presented seven during that time too and I know I secondary schools with gold awards. speak for everyone when I say that They have shown commitment in she will be greatly missed. supporting and identifying young carers within their schools by raising awareness and running young carers’ Stephen Archibald support groups. Chief Executive Carers Bucks As ever we are very grateful to and Carers MK those who have given us generous [email protected]

Contents

03-04 10 News from Carers Bucks Infection detection

Carers Bucks 04-05 11 Ardenham Court Hospital support Education, health & care plans Oxford Road & GP support 12 Aylesbury 06-07 HP19 8HT Fundraising thank you wall Hydration & urinary T: 0300 777 2722 tract infections 13 Young Adult Carers news E: [email protected] 08-09 Reg Charity No. 1106745 Support group diary & Bucks 14-15 Company Registration No. 4941481 Adult Learning courses Young Carers Bucks news

02 CarersNews – Spring/Summer 2018 My name is News from CarersBucks Rachel and I have just My name is Jayne and I have recently joined Carers Bucks as started a parent carer support worker. working for Young My background is in range of issues affecting Carers Bucks. education, working in the parent carers, support field of special needs during meetings, benefit I have worked with families and young and my role here is advice including people for the past 14 years, in schools to help and support and as a family support worker. At parent carers across DLA and CA (Disability Young Carers Bucks we offer one to the county. Living Allowance and Carers Allowance) as one support, group work and targeted I have recent working well as guidance when activities. We also offer families information and advice, sometimes knowledge of the issues dealing with the local affecting parent carers through signposting to other services authority on important and the concerns that can available in the surrounding areas arise when working with their educational matters. around Buckinghamshire. children’s schools to ensure that I am available to speak to either by appropriate provision is in place. There are a range of activities organised phone on 0300 777 2722, email at through Young Carers, all giving a great I can offer emotional support and a [email protected] opportunity for young people to make listening ear, practical advice on a or here at the office at Carers Bucks. new friends and have fun!

Carers Week 11th-17th June 2018 This year Carers Week is supporting Monday Wednesday carers to stay healthy and connected. The Haddenham support group will Stoke Mandeville Hospital – we will be having a Carers Week treat have an information stand and drop in Have a look at where we will be during this week and take the opportunity to Tuesday Evening Carers Group – join us for come along to meet other carers and ‘Mocktails and Nibbles’ in Aylesbury Open house in Aylesbury the team at Carers Bucks. from 6.30pm Friday Carers Event at King’s Church in Amersham, 11am-2pm We will be sharing more information and details about what is happening as we get nearer to Carers Week.

Thank you to Sally Mansi Thank you so much to the amazing Sally Mansi who we are sad to see leaving us after so many years as our Young Carers Service Manager, overseeing all our young carers and young adult carers projects in Bucks and also at our sister charity Carers MK. Sally, you will be missed AGM by everyone and we wish you well for the future. CARERS BUCKS | 2018

Friday 11th May 2018 | 10am-1pm Carers Bucks AGM is being held on Friday 11th May 2018 at The Oculus (The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8FF) 10am-1pm.

We welcome attendance from carers and professionals. Call us on 0300 777 2722 or email [email protected] to confirm your attendance.

www.carersbucks.org 03 Would you like to be in with a chance of winning a night out at the theatre? Hospital support Occasionally we are ADMISSIONFREE offered tickets by FREE Aylesbury Waterside ADMISSION & GP support to pass onto local carers. If you would like to be on our email list for when these become available just let us know. We will select winners at random and anyone who has previously been lucky will be excluded until all those interested have enjoyed a night out! We would like to take this opportunity to thank Aylesbury Waterside for their support and for valuing the unpaid carers in their community. If you would like to be added to Supporting carers our list for the future please email us at [email protected] in the hospital setting (email requests only please).

Carers Choir hits all Did you know you might find a identifying new carers and referring the right notes Carers Bucks staff member on them to the wider support offered the wards when you’re visiting or by Carers Bucks. We’d love more “Since the choir was set up early in admitted to hospital? volunteers to join the team. 2016 it has become an incredible part of my life. An ability to sing Ruth Marriott joined the team in Would you like to be a is given to everyone although January as our new Stoke Mandeville hospital volunteer? Hospital carers lounge coordinator. some are, naturally, better than If you can offer a couple of hours Her focus is to raise awareness of others, but the essence of the a week or more on a regular basis, Carers Bucks services among carers choir is more than that. It must be call 07496 724637 or email acknowledged that the benefits of and NHS staff in Stoke Mandeville Hospital and offer support and [email protected] singing for health are well known, for more information. helping with breathing and posture advice as needed. We have a and a general sense of wellbeing, dedicated carers’ lounge based on ward 9, 2nd floor, above the main Support given to carers at the but also connecting emotionally hospitals includes: with the lyrics. We sing a wide entrance. Why not call 07496 724637 • Information about care funding range of songs from old to new, (Mon – Wed) to arrange to meet her from musicals to rock and pop. if you would like advice or support • Information about hospital Our musical director, Megan, while you’re in the hospital. discharge is great fun with an infectious We also have another part-time • Carers Bucks counselling service enthusiasm that is truly inspiring. staff member, Jane Hansford, The camaraderie is very strong • Signposting to solicitor for advice working two days per week based in on Lasting Power of Attorney and extends beyond the choir Amersham and Wycombe hospitals. meetings. New members are • One to one emotional support always made particularly welcome These hospital workers seek to and it really doesn’t matter if you identify new carers in the hospital Find out more… think you can’t sing – you might setting and work closely with the Ruth Marriott be better than you thought and social care teams, offering carers Carers’ Lounge Coordinator there is really so much more than face to face emotional support, that to being part of a choir. Gareth information, advice and guidance. Stoke Mandeville Hospital Malone – eat your heart out!” T: 07496 724637 (Mon – Wed) Carers Bucks volunteers are hugely Carers’ Lounge: Ward 9, 2nd Floor valued on the wards too, and they find their role fulfilling and rewarding. Jane Hansford A Carers Bucks volunteer, Alicia Carers and Family Support Worker Farmer, currently visits Amersham Amersham and Wycombe Hospitals Hospital regularly on Mondays, T: 07415 128825 (Thurs – Fri)

04 CarersNews – Spring/Summer 2018 Working with GP practices Patient participation groups Carers Bucks’ work with GP provide an opportunity for carers practices continues in the form of to be added to the carers’ register PPGs are information sessions for carers, at their practice, meaning that generally carer awareness training for the practice is then aware of that made up practice staff, and supporting person’s caring responsibilities and of a group practices to work towards our the challenges that accompany of volunteer ‘Investors in Carers GP Standard that role. patients, Award’. A recent event at the the practice manager and one or Marlow Medical Group, attended In addition, we have held sessions more of the GPs from the practice. by Sally Hearn and Val Dommett for carers at Water Meadow They meet on a regular basis from Carers Bucks and Belinda Practice, Amersham Health Centre, to discuss the services on offer Lotter, patient service manager, Carrington House, Hughenden from the practice, and look how saw 77 carers – 21 of them newly- Valley, Chiltern House Medical improvements can be made for the identified – learn about support Centre, Haddenham Medical benefit of patients/carers at the and information which could help Centre, Highfield Practice, New practice. If you are a member of a them in their caring role, including Practice and Gladstone Practice, PPG at your GP practice and would a demonstration from Telecare covering topics such as emergency like to know more information about expert, David Bone. He showcased planning, oral health, dementia, the work that Carers Bucks are various pieces of equipment early detection of infection and currently doing in some GP practices designed to assist carers and their lasting power of attorney. Future around the county, please contact us loved ones in living more safely events at GP practices include on 0300 777 2722 or email either and independently in their own an evening session at the Priory [email protected] or home. Events at GP practices also Practice, in May. [email protected]

Investors in Carers GP Standard Awards

Three GP practices in Buckinghamshire – Poplar Grove The awards were presented to the practices during a Practice in Aylesbury, Haddenham Medical Centre in celebration event held by Carers Bucks at The Holiday Haddenham and John Hampden Practice in Prestwood Inn in Aylesbury. A panel made up of representatives – have been presented with the Carers Bucks ‘Investors from Carers Bucks, Bucks County Council and the in Carers GP Standard Award’ in recognition of the extra Clinical Commissioning Group had unanimously support they offer to unpaid carers who are registered agreed that these practices had reached the required with their practices. level and were on hand to celebrate the practices’ achievement, along with the local Care Quality In order to receive their awards, the practices needed Commission inspector. to meet certain criteria set by Carers Bucks, which ranged from increasing numbers on the practice’s Pat Randall, a former carer, who sat on the panel carers register, appointing a ‘Carers Champion’ in the on behalf of Carers Bucks, told the award winners practice, ensuring 50% of practice staff had attended that the work they had done to support carers within a carer awareness training session, promoting events their practices was fantastic and she said she hoped for carers and demonstrating an understanding of other practices in Buckinghamshire would now follow the challenges faced by carers, by offering flexible their example so that every carer’s experience could appointments where possible. be improved.

www.carersbucks.org 05 Hydration and urinary tract infections

Hydration Poor hydration Good hydration can help: There may be times when carers or the people they • avoid low blood pressure care for feel unwell and experience a range of the • reduce the risk of kidney stones forming following symptoms: • prevent falls and risk of falls • Dry mouth • Confusion • improve cognitive functions (for example thinking and communication) • Headache • Constipation • wound or pressure sore healing and aid • Falls • Dizziness healthy skin • Not wanting to take • prevent constipation as drinking enough • Tiredness part in activities water and eating fibre rich foods increases stool frequency The cause could be dehydration so check your urine • people with diabetes to against the chart below to find out if you are hydrated replace fluids lost due to or dehydrated. frequent urination Did you know that good hydration for carers and the • prevent urinary tract cared for person could prevent admissions to hospital? infections

How hydrated are you?

1 If urine colour matches 1, 2 or 3 then you or the cared for person are hydrated, carry on drinking fluids as usual. 2 Hydrated

3

4 If urine colour matches 4, 5 or 6 then you or the cared for person needs to drink more. Drink a glass of water now 5 Dehydrated and increase the amount of fluids.

6

7 If urine colour matches 7 or 8, you or the cared for person Severely needs to be re-hydrated urgently. Drink plenty of water at 8 Dehydrated hourly intervals and if there is no improvement call the GP.

06 CarersNews – Spring/Summer 2018 How can you help?

Drink water and fluids 1through the day and at Urinary tract infections mealtimes Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Infections of the kidneys or ureters are common infections that can (tubes connecting the kidneys to affect the bladder, the kidneys the bladder) are known as upper and the tubes connected to them. UTIs. Upper UTIs can be serious Anyone can get them, but they’re if left untreated, as they could particularly common in women. damage the kidneys or spread to Some women experience UTIs the bloodstream. These can cause regularly (called recurrent UTIs). the above symptoms and also: UTIs can be painful and • a high temperature (fever) of 38°C uncomfortable, but usually pass (100.4ºF) or above Always have water within a few days and can be easily • pain in the sides or back treated with antibiotics. However • shivering and chills available to drink and not all infections require antibiotics 2 • feeling and being sick within easy reach as often the infection clears up on its own. The following information • confusion is about UTIs in adults. UTIs in • agitation or restlessness. children may be more serious and medical advice should be sought. When to get medical advice It is a good idea to contact the GP Symptoms of UTIs if you have any of the following: Infections of the bladder • the symptoms of a UTI haven’t (sometimes called cystitis) or the started to improve after a few days urethra (tube that carries urine out of the body) are known as lower • the symptoms of a UTI are severe UTIs. Lower UTIs are common or getting worse In warm weather drink and aren’t usually a cause for • frequent UTIs 3 more water and fluids major concern but can cause the • symptoms of an upper UTI following symptoms: • a need to pass urine more often If a UTI is detected, antibiotics are than usual usually recommended because untreated upper UTIs can • pain or discomfort when potentially cause serious problems passing urine if they’re allowed to spread. • sudden urges to pass urine • feeling as though you’re unable Treatment for UTIs Eat more fruit and to empty your bladder fully UTIs are normally treated with a 4 vegetables which can • pain low down in the stomach short course of antibiotics. The also help with hydration • urine that is cloudy, foul- symptoms will normally pass smelling or contains blood within three to five days of starting treatment. Always complete the • feeling generally unwell, achy whole course of antibiotics even and tired. if you are feeling better. Over- the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with any pain. Drinking plenty of fluids will also help. Return to your GP if the symptoms don’t improve, get worse or come back after treatment. Sucking ice-pops and ice 5 cubes can also help!

If you have found the information helpful in relation to hydration and UTI guidance and are happy to make comments to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), please respond to our survey online via this link bit.ly/2EFLMAE or call Claira from the CCG on 01908 278703 to give feedback over the phone.

www.carersbucks.org 07 Support group diary & Bucks adult learning courses

The carers groups are an opportunity to be supported in your caring role by meeting together to share information, experiences and to support one another. A Support Worker is always present if you wish to discuss your caring role. The groups are free to carers and each group has a programme put together by the carers. Let us know if you would like to be put on a mailing list for updates about your chosen Carers’ Group.

General Carers Groups

Amersham 10am-12pm Amersham Free Church, Woodside Road, Amersham, HP6 6AJ Third Monday of the month

Aylesbury 11am-1pm Carers Bucks’ Office, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8HT Second Tuesday of the month

Beaconsfield 1.30pm-3.30pm The Parish Centre (St Teresa’s Church), 40 Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 2PL First Thursday of the month (Park in Bekonscot Car Park)

Buckingham 10am-12pm Buckingham Community Centre, Cornwalls Meadow, Buckingham, MK18 1RP Second and fourth Wednesday For more information, please contact Ann McGahan on 01280 308398 or Sue Johnston on 01280 815765 of the month

Burnham 12pm-2pm Burnham Youth Centre, Minniecroft Road, Burnham, SL1 7DE Last Friday of the month

Chesham 1.30pm-3.30pm Chesham Town Hall, Off High Street, Chesham, HP5 1DS Third Wednesday of the month

Denham 2pm-4pm St Marks Hall, Green Tiles Lane, Denham Green, UB9 5HT Last Tuesday of the month

Haddenham 1.30pm-3.30pm Haddenham Medical Centre, Stanbridge Road, Haddenham, HP17 8JX Second Monday of the month

Iver Heath 10.30am-12.30pm Iver Heath Bowls Club, Recreation Ground, Church Road, Iver Heath, SL0 0RW Fourth Wednesday of the month

Marlow 10am-12pm The Community Lounge, Brooke Furmston Place, Little Marlow Road, Marlow, SL7 1GN Second Tuesday of the month

Stokenchurch 1.30pm-3.30pm Stokenchurch Medical Centre, Oxford Road, Stokenchurch, HP14 3SX Last Wednesday of the month

Wendover 1pm-3pm Wendover Library, High Street, Wendover, HP22 6DU Second Thursday of the month

Wycombe 10am-12pm Butterfly House, South Bucks Hospice Day Care, Kingswood Park Fourth Friday of the month (Off Totteridge Drive), High Wycombe, HP13 6GR

Black and Minority Ethnic Carers (BAME)

Aylesbury Contact Carers Bucks for Please contact Carers Bucks for more information. dates and details of the group

Wycombe 10.30am-12.30pm Carers Bucks’ Office, 39 Queens Road, High Wycombe, HP13 6AQ Thursdays monthly Please contact Rahat Butt via email on [email protected] or call 0300 777 2722 for dates and details of this group. Carers of Adults with Learning Disabilities

Aylesbury 10.30am-12.30pm Carers Bucks’ Office, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8HT First Thursday of the month

08 CarersNews – Spring/Summer 2018 For further information Support group & Bucks adult about the programmes, diary learning courses please contact Carers Bucks on 0300 777 2722 or email us at [email protected]

Carers Mental Health Support Groups

Aylesbury 6pm-8pm Carers Bucks’ Office, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8HT Last Monday of the month

Wycombe 12pm-2pm Wycombe Mind Office, 16-18 Easton Street, High Wycombe, HP11 1NR Third Tuesday of the month Specific Carers Groups

Creative Writers 10am-12pm This is a support group for carers who enjoy writing poetry or essays. Second Friday of the month Carers Bucks’ Office, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8HT

Male Carers 10am (approx) Monthly get-together and trips. Usually last Tuesday of the month Please contact Carers Bucks for more information.

Evening Group 7pm-9pm This is a support group for working carers and carers who cannot attend daytime groups. Second Wednesday of the month Carers Bucks’ Office, Ardenham Court, Oxford Road, Aylesbury, HP19 8HT

Hazlemere Young Onset Dementia Group 10.30am-12pm Jackson Court, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, HP15 7TZ Second Tuesday of the month

Making the most of your time away from your caring role When was the last time you had a go at something new or spent some time on your own interests? We are working with Bucks Adult Learning again to offer some courses where you can learn something new or enjoy your time out from caring doing something you are interested in. To book on to any of these sessions contact Bucks Adult Learning on 01296 382403 and give the course code advertised. All the courses are for the carers and are free to carers registered with Carers Bucks. Booking is essential for these courses.

Practical Gardening Cookery Creative Writing Hughenden Manor Amersham High Wycombe 12.15pm-1.15pm (6 x 1 hour sessions) 7pm-9pm 10am-12pm (4 x 2 hour sessions) (3 x 2 hour sessions) Wednesdays from 18th April- 23rd May Wednesdays from 25th April- Wednesdays from 6th-20th June (Course code: B3GA48NAO) 23rd May (Course code: JCEC303NAO) (Course code: F1FD07NAO) Wednesdays from 8th August- Putting your life stories and 12th September This course aims to help carers experiences into words. On this (Course code: B3GA49NAO) prepare simple and nutritious meals enjoyable short course you will get This course is for anyone with an for the people they are looking after, to share and record your memories interest in garden design and garden without spending all day in the and life experiences through writing. plants who would like to improve kitchen! It is for any discerning cook An experienced writing tutor will be their skills. This course aims to who would like to broaden their skills on hand to help you to unlock and introduce you to garden design skills and make good food at an affordable develop your creativity. This course using plants to design your own cost. During the course you will learn welcomes anyone, young or old, planting schemes. We also cover to safely prepare, cook and serve who wants to explore ,writing about soil preparation, pruning and feeding all types of meals. After the course their lives. For beginners and more plants in gardens. During the course you will take away a comprehensive experienced writers – just bring we will cover the basics of garden folder of recipes to use and an idea along your stories and experiences planning and practical horticulture. of what to look for in the future. and get writing.

www.carersbucks.org 09 INFECTION DETECTION

We have delivered several Carers Information Hubs in GP What are some of the symptoms practices, where we have looked at the important issue of an infection? of early detection of infections, most recently at Priory Practice in High Wycombe and at the Medical Centre in • Feeling dizzy or faint • Falls/loss of balance Haddenham. The notes below are intended as an aid to • Drowsiness • Loss of appetite, feeling help you spot the signs of infection in yourself and the nauseous, being sick person that you care for. Any medical concerns should, • Diarrhoea • Chest infections of course, be raised with your GP. • Slurred speech cough, shortness of Why is it important to identify & treat • Muscle pains breath, increased effort needed to breathe an infection early? • Breathlessness • Urine infections Infections in people with long term conditions are very • Less urine production needing to go to the common and can have a major effect on health and than normal toilet more than usual, independence. for example, not pain when passing urinating for a day There can be an increased risk of infection in the elderly water and feeling like and in people with a compromised immune system. • Cold, clammy and pale you haven’t emptied The most common infections are urine and chest or mottled skin your bladder, pain low infections. Classic symptoms like fever and cough • Raised temperature down in the tummy, in are less commonly found in the elderly, who often your sides or your back, Altered behaviour/ have symptoms like weakness, confusion, or delirium. • blood in the urine (any altered mental state, Furthermore, loss of appetite, functional decline, falls, blood in the urine should confusion, agitation, weight loss or a slight increase in respiratory rate may be always be checked out restlessness, the only signs indicating an infection in older patients. by the GP) hallucinations • Skin infection If identified early enough, infections can often be simply • Deterioration of redness, swelling or treated without the need for hospital admission and can functional ability discharge at wound site, avoid problems such as: • Feeling achy/tired, breakdown of a wound • Increased confusion • Increased disability shivering/chills or a rash and dependency • Changes in behaviour/ increase in agitation • Family distress • Increased risk of falls • Changes in care provision & medication

If symptoms are present it’s time to speak to your GP practice. If an infection is untreated, it may develop into sepsis, a life-threatening condition. You are more at risk of getting an infection if you have a weakened immune system, e.g. other long term medical conditions such as diabetes, COPD, asthma, heart disease, or if you are having chemotherapy, or if you have a catheter. As a carer, you are often the “expert” in your loved one’s condition, and, as such, you’re ideally placed to know what is “normal” for the person and to be able to detect subtle changes. This can help to prevent avoidable life-changing illness or hospital admission, which can sometimes put you at higher risk of picking up infection. The same can be said for your own health – as a carer you can be aware of your own health changing and be

alert for signs of infection in yourself. with kind permission of The UK Sepsis Trust Image reproduced

10 CarersNews – Spring/Summer 2018 Information for parent carers Education, health and care plan Provision in Schools for Children with SEND

The following guidance is taken from the Gov.uk website Personal budgets under Support for Children with Special Educational You may be able to get a personal budget for your child Needs and Disabilities (SEND). if they have an EHC plan or have been told that they An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children need one. It allows you to have a say in how to spend the and young people aged up to 25 who need more support money on support for your child. than is available through special educational needs support. There are 3 ways you can use your personal budget. EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs You can have: and set out the additional support to meet those needs. • direct payments made into your account – you buy They replace the “Statement” system and allow the and manage services yourself school extra funding to specifically support the child. • an arrangement with your local authority or school where they hold the money for you but Requesting an EHC assessment you still decide how to spend it (sometimes You can ask your local authority to carry out an called ‘notional arrangements’) assessment if you think your child needs an EHC plan. • third-party arrangements – you choose A copy of the request letter is available from the Adult someone else to manage the money for you Carers Support Team. A young person can request an assessment themselves if they’re aged 16 to 25. A You can have a combination of all 3 options. request can also be made by anyone else who thinks an assessment may be necessary, including doctors, health Independent support for children of all ages visitors, teachers, parents and family friends. Independent supporters can help you and your child through the new SEN assessment process, including: If they decide to carry out an assessment you may be asked for: • replacing a statement of special educational needs with a new EHC plan • any reports from your child’s school, nursery or childminder • moving a child from a learning difficulty assessment (LDA) to an EHC plan • doctors’ assessments of your child • a letter from you about your child’s needs Finding local support The local authority will tell you within 16 weeks whether You can find out how to get local support from: an EHC plan is going to be made for your child. Council for Disabled Children www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/ Creating an EHC plan independent-support 1. Your local authority will create a draft EHC plan and send you a copy. Information, Advice and Support Service Network www.councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/ 2. You have 15 days to comment, including if you want to information-advice-and-support-services-network ask that your child goes to a specialist needs school or specialist college. Your local authority website and search for ‘Local Offer’ 3. Your local authority has 20 weeks from the date of the www.gov.uk/find-local-council assessment to give you the final EHC plan. Disagreeing with a decision You can challenge your local authority about: • their decision to not carry out an assessment • their decision to not create an EHC plan • the special educational support in the EHC plan • the school named in the EHC plan If you can’t resolve the problem with your local authority, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal.

www.carersbucks.org 11 Fundraising thank you wall

Young Carers Bucks has received Thank you to Ashfield Healthcare for funding the Bucks £4,000 Railway Trip in October 2017 for Group 1 from both Amersham young carers. Tesco and Aylesbury Tesco in their ‘Bags For Help’ scheme! A huge thank you to Generous George pub in Aylesbury for hosting quiz nights in aid of Carers Bucks. Also thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets. A total of Thank you to Chiltern Song Birds for raising £1,259 an amazing was raised. We would also like to say a special thank you to ‘quizmaster’

£300 Paul for supporting us over for Young the past four months. Carers Bucks.

The Halloween In January 2018 quiz night in aid The Joyful Divas of Carers Bucks raised at The Aristocrat was a success! We had ten teams £150 attend who helped raise a whopping

£200 on the raffle! Thank you to everyone who came and Greig Sneddon and supported our Lynne Dawson raised event. £1,000 Thank you to Pipers Corner School for raising for Young Carers Bucks hosting their £9,700 Burns Night.

Thank you to Notcutts Garden Centre in Booker for raising £1,200

12 CarersNews – Spring/Summer 2018 Young Adult Carers News

The Young Adult Carers project Life skills The YAC project has supported over 100 young people The YAC service offers a life skill session each month. within Bucks since starting two years ago. The majority Each term we offer one session to equip young people of YACs are the primary or main carer, although some in their caring role, such as first aid and manual handling care as part of a wider family. training, and then concentrate on a topic or theme for the remainder of the Over the past few months we have welcomed Majida Bibi to the team as the Aylesbury YAC Support Worker, sessions. and Rebecca Eveleigh on a sessional basis. The CAP money service in Beaconsfield partnered with us Socials and residentials during the autumn Each half term, the YACs meet term, running two together for a social activity – this sessions on budgeting could be anything from bowling to outdoor lasertag and money management. We also (paintballing without the bruises!) For many YACs this is a delivered a leadership skills session, which was very great opportunity to meet up with other young people their positively received by the YACs. Majida ran three sessions own age, which is often an overlooked need once they in emotional resilience to support YACs with their own have left the school or college environment. personal wellbeing. 10 YACs enjoyed a fantastic three days away in the Peak District last summer, doing lots of walking and a day at Alton Towers. A further 12 of them are looking forward to three days in Edinburgh very soon. University support We are delighted that many of our YACs successfully move on to Steering group university. We are currently supporting 11 YACs at university and this year we are supporting a further The YAC project has a thriving steering group to keep nine YACs and their families as they make the decisions us in check and makes sure the service stays relevant of where to attend and how to move into independence to their needs. Recently they have worked with Fixers whilst balancing a caring role. It is an exciting, yet UK to create two very powerful short films about being challenging time. The biggest concern from the YACs a young adult carer, which is an excellent resource we support is, “which call do I come home for?” so we for us to use for promotional purposes. The last film, enable these conversations to happen before the start of ‘Invisible’ was premiered on Young Carers Awareness the academic year and help with emergency planning. Day at Carers Bucks Schools Awards ceremony. We are very excited that John Bercow agreed to meet with our steering group in March to deliver public speaking training, this is an invaluable opportunity and will look Thank you to our funders! great on their CVs. We would like to say an enormous thank you to our We continue to offer one to one support, and smaller funders; The Hobson Charity, Masonic Charitable targeted support groups, such as for carers looking Foundation, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, London after a parent with dementia. The YAC service continues Luton Airport Ltd- Near Neighbours via BLCF and The to remain a vibrant and varied addition to the young ACT Foundation. Without them the ongoing support would carers project. not be available to this amazing group of young people.

Thank you Buckinghamshire Freemasons! Carers Bucks has been awarded a grant of £20,000 by the Buckinghamshire Freemasons to help young adult carers overcome social isolation and improve their wellbeing. The grant will fund the ‘Same Chances’ programme, which supports young people as they transition into adulthood and independence whilst providing unpaid care for an ill or disabled family member. Buckinghamshire Freemason, Mike Clanfield, said “We’re very pleased to support Carers Bucks who do hugely important work with young people who are the primary carers for ill and disabled family members. These young people deserve the same chances as everyone else.”

www.carersbucks.org 13 Young Carers Bucks was delighted to host the annual ‘Young Carers in Schools Awards’ ceremony on the 25th January 2018. The event was a great success with over 100 young carers, school staff and professionals attending to celebrate the event. We were proud to present seven secondary schools with gold awards which is a result of ongoing support to the young carers who attend their schools. Each school has identified a schools champion, delivered assemblies on the impact of caring and run staff awareness raising sessions. They have also formed young carers’ schools groups – an identified time and space where young carers can meet, talk, have fun and have a break from their caring role. The schools presented with awards were: , , , The Grange School, , Sir Thomas Fremantle School and Young Carers in Schools the . The Chair of Aylesbury Vale District Council Sue Renshell and the Deputy Mayor of Awards ceremony Aylesbury Mark Willis kindly attended and presented the awards. Dan Blaze coordinated the event and provided some great entertainment for everyone.

Fused group High Wycombe Ice skating 2017 Towards the end of 2017 we young carers Our annual ice skating trip to ran a small group for some of Oxford is always a popular trip our young carers who care for We have a fun packed year and is spoken about, and looked someone struggling with their ahead and have planned forward to, all year by our young mental health. This was a very some exciting activities carers and this year was no lively and interactive group, during including our annual visit different. 50 young carers from which some strong friendships to Odds Farm for the all over Buckinghamshire had the were established through Group 1s, a super day of opportunity to try their skills on the shared experiences. The group fun arts and crafts activities ice, accompanied by a disco and gained a stronger insight into (donated by local company light show. Grit and determination the challenges their loved ones Zebra Technologies) for was shown by all and everyone face whilst developing coping Group 2 and a new one for had a great time. mechanisms for themselves. us ‘Snow Tubing’ for the Group 3s. Already we have exciting new art projects for the summer booked in and the clay pigeon shoot organised and donated by the Beaconsfield Masons. The annual fun day provided to us by Marlow Rotary Club has thankfully once again been given the go ahead and we hope all the families associated with Young Carers Bucks in High Wycombe will join us for the amazing day. Further small targeted group work is being planned in both Aylesbury and High Wycombe and will take place in the coming months.

14 CarersNews – Spring/Summer 2018 Aylesbury Headstart boys group to health Over the February half-term, the In the spring a small group of young carers boys group had a young carers from High Wycombe day of learning how to make special attended a course run by Charmain effects injury and gore make up. from the company Khepera. This They spent time with Penny Layton provided them with the opportunity of Pen F/X learning the basics to learn cooking skills, improve of make-up design and creation their self-confidence and increase and even had a go at making and their awareness of how important painting their own wounds! food is in relation to their health and wellbeing. After they’d had their lunch, they were joined by Peter Cooper (a first responder) who taught them all about how he would treat the injuries Thank you they had created. He also gave them an in-depth tour of his kit bag, to Liz Ashley taking them through all the amazing All of us at Carers Bucks, especially pieces of life-saving equipment a first our young carers team, want to say responder carries with them! a huge thank you to our volunteer Liz Ashley who is hanging up her boots after 13 years. High Wycombe club nights During that time she has helped us Everyone can come to club nights and have the opportunity support hundreds of our youngest to learn new skills, including the staff and volunteers. carers during club nights and days out. She has always been an absolute star and we all want to wish her the best of luck in whatever she does next.

Follyfoot healing with horses visit Volunteering Quotes

Volunteering with Young Carers Bucks is one of the best things I’ve done! I’ve been involved for around eight years now Buckinghamshire and it’s so flexible to be involved Fire & Rescue which works around my other Hip-hop trip dance classes commitments. It’s always a heart- warming experience to see the positive impact the activities have on the young carers and how much the charity means to them!

I started to volunteer with Young Carers Bucks to build my confidence and develop my Volunteers Our skills working with children. I am achieving those aims but I also Thank you so much to volunteers continue volunteering because everyone that has given up have saved Carers I enjoy it! It is enjoyable and their time and volunteered Bucks an amazing rewarding to help give the young for Carers Bucks, we hope carers opportunities to relax and to see you all at the Annual have fun together. I also appreciate Volunteers Lunch on June 6th. £22,500 how well organised the activities are over the past year! – my roles and responsibilities are always clear, leading to stress-free volunteering.

www.carersbucks.org 15 Dedicated to supporting carers

0300 777 2722 [email protected] Ardenham Court Oxford Road Aylesbury Bucks HP19 8HT Carers Bucks: www.carersbucks.org Young Carers Bucks: www.youngcarersbucks.org

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