The Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead Carer
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The Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead Carer AUTUMN 2008 Are you caring for a family member aged 18-65 with a long-term neurological condition - and finding life difficult? If your situation is stable, they would be interested to know about • any current problems you have, whether your support needs are being met, and any ideas you may have as to how services could be improved in the future. If you do decide to take part, the team will post you a set of questionnaires to fill in and return. Most questions involve ticking a box, circling a number or writing a short sentence, but there is also space for you to add further information if you wish. Everything you tell them will remain completely confidential. After you have returned the completed questionnaires, they will phone you to help with any questions you were unsure about. This will also provide the opportunity for you to describe any problems that were not covered and to voice your opinions on what changes would make the caring role easier. If you prefer, they can communicate by e-mail. If you would like more detailed information and a form to request questionnaires, you can do one of three things: Phone Diana Jackson or Dee Howley on Tel : 0207-848-5582 or 0207-848-5418 E-mail the LTNC Care Research Team at: [email protected] Write to them at their freepost address (no postage is required): Freepost RRLJ-JXEA-HYAS, LTNC Care Study, Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Weston Education Centre, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ Thank you for any help you can offer If you are not getting the help and support you need, or believe that services could and should be improved, you can make your views known by contributing to a questionnaire study that is investigating this very problem. A team from King’s College London has been commissioned by the Department of Health to carry out this study across the UK as part of the Government's National Service Framework (NSF) for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions. The aim is to gain information that will be used to develop better support services for people who care for adults of working age with acquired neurological conditions. These can include sudden onset conditions, such as head injuries, brain infections or epilepsy as well as progressive conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease or Huntington’s disease. The team expects participants to be spending some time every day on their caring role, and would especially like to hear from people with more than one caring responsibility, for example, who look after children or elderly parents as well as the main adult with a neurological condition. Recruitment for the study will continue for the next three months, with a closing date of 30th November, 2008. There are two ways you can contribute: If the person you look after is becoming increasingly dependent and • things are not going well at home, they would like to hear about these problems now and twice more over the next year. This is so they can better understand your needs and how well you are being supported by health and social services during a time of change.
Transcript of The Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead Carer
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers - Care Matters in Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead 1
The Windsor, Ascot &Maidenhead CarerAUTUMN 2008
Are you caring for a family member aged 18-65 with a long-term neurological condition - and finding life difficult?
If your situation is stable, they would be interested to know about •any current problems you have, whether your support needs are being met, and any ideas you may have as to how services could be improved in the future.
If you do decide to take part, the team will post you a set of questionnaires to fill in and return. Most questions involve ticking a box, circling a number or writing a short sentence, but there is also space for you to add further information if you wish. Everything you tell them will remain completely confidential.
After you have returned the completed questionnaires, they will phone you to help with any questions you were unsure about. This will also provide the opportunity for you to describe any problems that were not covered and to voice your opinions on what changes would make the caring role easier. If you prefer, they can communicate by e-mail.
If you would like more detailed information and a form to request questionnaires, you can do one of three things:
Phone Diana Jackson or Dee Howley on Tel : 0207-848-5582 or 0207-848-5418
E-mail the LTNC Care Research Team at: [email protected]
Write to them at their freepost address (no postage is required):
Freepost RRLJ-JXEA-HYAS, LTNC Care Study, Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, Weston Education Centre, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ
Thank you for any help you can offer
If you are not getting the help and support you need, or believe that services could and should be improved, you can make your views known by contributing to a questionnaire study that is investigating this very problem.
A team from King’s College London has been commissioned by the Department of Health to carry out this study across the UK as part of the Government's National Service Framework (NSF) for Long-term (Neurological) Conditions.
The aim is to gain information that will be used to develop better support services for people who care for adults of working age with acquired neurological conditions. These can include sudden onset conditions, such as head injuries, brain infections or epilepsy as well as progressive conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease or Huntington’s disease.
The team expects participants to be spending some time every day on their caring role, and would especially like to hear from people with more than one caring responsibility, for example, who look after children or elderly parents as well as the main adult with a neurological condition. Recruitment for the study will continue for the next three months, with a closing date of 30th November, 2008.
There are two ways you can contribute:
If the person you look after is becoming increasingly dependent and •things are not going well at home, they would like to hear about these problems now and twice more over the next year. This is so they can better understand your needs and how well you are being supported by health and social services during a time of change.
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Housing and Council Tax Benefit What are these Benefits?
If you pay rent and/or council tax for your home and you live on a low income, you may be eligible for some help by claiming benefit.
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is help towards paying the rent for your home. You can claim housing benefit if you rent from a Housing Association or a private landlord. Housing benefit is means tested, which means it is calculated by taking into account your income, capital and household circumstances.
Council Tax Benefit is help towards paying your annual council tax bill. You can make a claim for council tax benefit if you are the liable person. This is the person who receives the council tax bill. Council tax benefit is means tested, which means it is calculated by taking into account your income, capital and household circumstances.
Second Adult Rebate (SAR) is help towards paying your annual council tax bill. If you don't live with a partner (or your partner is disregarded for council tax purposes) and there are other adults that live with you in your home, you can make a claim for Second Adult Rebate. SAR is based on the income and circumstance of those other adults. It is not possible to receive both council tax benefit and Second Adult Rebate.
If you have any queries regarding any of these benefits, or wish to make a claim, please contact the Benefits Team by either calling on Tel: (01628) 796036, emailing at [email protected], writing to PO BOX 3464, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1XP or by calling into either the Windsor Customer Service Centre at York House, Sheet Street, Windsor, or the Maidenhead Customer Service Centre at Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead.
(See page 5 with details of the reductions you may be able to claim on your Council Tax bill.)
An Eventful Day for Older People“Valuing Age and Ageing” Entertainment, information and stimulation!
Wednesday 1st October 10.00am - 3.00pm, Desborough Suite, Town Hall, Maidenhead
This free event is to celebrate all that the older population in the Borough contribute to the vitality of society. Lunch and refreshments available. If you would like more information, help with transport or to book a place, please call Christine on Tel: (01628) 683709.
Alzheimer’s Society EventsLunch Clubs
Monday lunch club held on the second Monday of each month (at the United Reformed Church, West Street, Maidenhead) and Fish & Chip Lunch (held on the last Tuesday of each month at All Saints Church Maidenhead). Please note that the November Monday lunch will be held on 3rd November instead of the 10th.
Drop-ins
Held every Monday 10.00am - 12.30pm and Thursday 10.00am - 12.00 noon at the Drop - in Centre at the United Reformed Church in West Street, Maidenhead.
In Windsor the Drop-in is held every Wednesday 10.00am -12.00 noon at the United Reformed Church, William Street.
In Slough the Drop-in is on the first Tuesday of each month 10.00am – 12.00 noon at Kingsway United Reform Church, Church Street, Slough.
Social Evenings
Every second Thursday evening there is a social evening at the United Reformed Church, Maidenhead 7.30pm - 9.30pm. Please note the change of venue. Up and coming events include an evening of musical entertainment from Bill Nightingale in September, the Open General Meeting in October and an evening of magic and entertainment in November.
If you would like more information about all of the activities offered by the Alzheimer’s Group, including Singing for the Brain, please contact their office on Tel: (01628) 626331 or email Christine on [email protected] or Terrie on [email protected]
Alzheimer’s Society Memory WalkThe Annual Sponsored Memory Walk will take place in September:
Sunday 14th September at WAMDSAD, Braywick Sports Ground. 10.30am – 1.00pm (Maidenhead & District)
For further information or to receive a sponsorship form contact Christine Price on Tel: (01628) 626331. You can register on line at www.memorywalk.org.uk and click Maidenhead & District.
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Carers Open Evening – Symons Medical Centre, MaidenheadWe are pleased to report on the success of an open evening held on 10th July 2008 at one of the local GP Surgeries. The new Carer Drop-in Information Service was launched in partnership with the Symons Medical Centre in Maidenhead and Berkshire East Primary Care Trust. There were 23 carers attending who gave us their views on how they would like to see the sessions operate. The issues identified as being important were being able to talk to other carers, getting up to date information and having someone there so that they could ask questions.
As a follow up to this event it was planned to hold six drop-ins in the waiting room at the Symons Medical Centre during August and September, open to all carers living in the local area. The last one will be held on:
Wednesday 10th September 9.00am – 11.00am 25 All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead SL6 6EL
The project will be rolled out to other GP Practices around the Royal Borough later in the year. Keep a check in the next edition of Care Matters for more details.
Maidenhead, Slough & District Multiple Sclerosis BranchCarers Group
These friendly meetings are held at St James the Less Church Hall, Stubbings between 2.00pm - 4.00pm on the third Monday of every month.
Future Meetings
Monday 15th September: A private visit to Cliveden.
Monday 20th October: Larry Galliford from Age Concern Windsor will be improving the groups photography skills. Bring your own snaps!
Monday 17th November: From Gardening & Allotments to Windowboxes! Very knowledgeable ladies from South Chilterns Gardening Group will be there to inspire the group.
For more information about the meetings please ring Liz Bisset on Tel: (01628) 631192.
Volunteers!
The MS Branch still needs volunteer drivers for their small vehicle (1 wheelchair, 4 passengers). Contact John Litchfield on Tel: (01628) 637147.
How Telecare can help!News of two new leaflets produced by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead informing you about the kinds of telecare services that are available. ‘Adult Care Service’ and ‘Independent living through telecare solutions’ can be sent out by the Access Team on Tel: (01628) 683744 or the Princess Royal Trust Carers Service on Tel: (01628) 777217.
Telecare is sometimes defined as “The use of information and communication technology (“ICT”) to support independent living for older and frail people”. There are also two very useful guides produced by Tunstall, one of the main suppliers of telecare equipment, that give information about how telecare can be used to support both people who are affected by dementia and their carers.
Dementia Care - Solutions for independent living
Dementia is a major public health problem. This booklet outlines the various Telecare solutions that might be available to help someone affected by dementia to stay at home i.e. property exit sensors, temperature extremes sensors (to control fire hazards), bed occupancy sensors and medication reminders.
Support for Carers Solutions Guide
Telecare can also contribute to the peace of mind of families and friends, offering the security of knowing that when a person experiences difficulties, help will be summoned. It can allow a carer to have a good night’s sleep, safe in the knowledge that should their loved one leave the house, cause a bath to overflow or even leave their bed for a prolonged period of time they will be quickly alerted to the situation. Consider Mr D who has hearing and visual impairments and cares for his wife who has moderate dementia. Mr D was worried about his wife’s tendency to walk about at night, set the microwave going for long periods of time and open the washing machine mid-cycle. A system has been installed to alert Mr & Mrs D’s daughter if Mrs D leaves the house between the hours of 10.00pm and 9.00am. It also monitors for floods, extremes of temperature and gas leaks. Mr D said “It’s given us back part of our lives we wouldn’t have had otherwise”.
For more information contact Tunstall on Tel: (01977) 660479, visit www.tunstall.co.uk or Email: [email protected]
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Berkshire Local Pension ServiceThe Berkshire Local Pension Service provides a free, confidential visiting service for people aged 60 or over to check their benefit entitlements. They can give information on Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carers Allowance, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. They are also able to help to complete benefit application forms.
If you would like a home visit, please call Tel: (01344) 744912.
Last year, in Berkshire the benefit awarded as a result of their work amounted to £5 million.
Welfare Reform ConsultationThe government has issued a consultation document on plans to make some major changes to a number of unemployment and incapacity benefits. The consultation “No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility” can be found at www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform
It proposes that people who are currently receiving Income Support (IS) will be moved to Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and that IS will eventually be abolished. It is suggested that carers may be initially exempt from this transfer, but that where it does happen, this will not affect the amount of money carers get, nor will it affect Carers Allowance.
The reforms would ask job seekers to do more in order to continue to receive JSA, but the government has given assurances that whilst carers will get better access to support to get back to work if they need it, they will be exempt from having to accept work focused interviews, take up offers of employment or the other measures that will be made more stringent for job seekers. Couples will be required to make joint claims for JSA, and it will be harder for one partner to claim where the other is judged to be available to work, but again carers will be exempt from this.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers recognises that the current benefits system does not work for carers and that change is needed. We welcome the government’s clear commitment to ensure that carers do not lose out through the proposed changes and that they are not asked to comply with unreasonable requirements in order to claim benefits. However, we remain very concerned about the thousands of carers who do not meet the Department of Work and Pensions definition of “carer” which is of someone eligible for Carers Allowance, a benefit that excludes most carers of people with mental health and substance misuse problems. The new system must put in place a more intelligent definition of “carer” to avoid continuing this injustice.
The consultation period began on 21 July and runs until 22 October 2008.
Carers Service AGM date announcedThe Princess Royal Trust Carers Service Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 17 October in Newbury. The meeting will start at 11am in The Chamber, Newbury Town Hall. If you need help with transport in order to attend, please contact us in good time and we will do our best to help.
We are looking for new members living in the West Berkshire area. Membership enables you to attend meetings, have a vote and thereby a say in how PRT Carers Service is run. Please call us if you would like to receive the straightforward application form. Professionals who would like to attend the A.G.M. are requested to put the date in their diary.
Formal invitations will be sent nearer the time. The Carers Centre will be closed for the day and the telephone helpline will be unavailable.
For further information, please call us on Tel: (0118) 950 5177.
Email helpline for carersCarers can seek information and support via a new email helpline, which has been set up by The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service.
It is hoped it will particularly benefit carers who are working, who are unable to visit or telephone one of our offices or who would simply prefer to email their enquiry.
The aim is to provide personalised information on all aspects of coping with caring.
The address is [email protected]. We aim to reply within 48 hours.
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Are you entitled to a council tax discount?Many carers are missing out on benefits they may be entitled to. The following is some general guidance about claiming for council tax rebates. However, as individual circumstances affect eligibility it is best to seek advice when making a claim.
There are two schemes for reducing council tax bills that might be relevant to you as a carer.
The Disability Reduction Scheme
you can get a disability reduction if you or any other resident in the house is ‘substantially and permanently disabled’ and one of the following conditions is met: i) have an additional bathroom or kitchen needed by the disabled person; ii) have another room (other than a bathroom, kitchen or toilet) needed by and predominantly used by that person or iii) you have enough space in your dwelling for that person to use a wheelchair inside.
The discount scheme
is applied to dwellings where less than two adults are resident. There are certain people who are disregarded when counting the number of residents in the house. This includes:
People who have a severe mental impairment such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. There must be a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning which appears to be permanent; the person has a certificate from a registered general practitioner confirming this; is entitled to a disability benefit, the list of which includes disability living allowance (DLA), middle or higher rate care component, attendance allowance (AA) and incapacity benefit.
Carers if you provide care for 35 hours a week; are resident in the same building as the cared for person; are not the partner of the cared for person; are not the parent of the cared for person if they are aged under 18 and care for a person who is entitled to the higher rate care component of DLA, higher rate AA or constant attendance allowance.
People in hospital or a care home (people who are resident in hospital are disregarded).
The rules are complicated. If you think any of these discounts might apply to you, please contact your local Council Tax Team.
Contact Numbers:
If you live in Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead, telephone (01628) 796036.•
If you live in Reading, telephone (0118) 939 0656.•
If you live in Wokingham, telephone (0118) 974 6022 or 6597. •
If you live in West Berkshire, telephone (01635) 519520.•
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Hello, my name is Jenny Armstrong and I have recently started working with the Princess Royal Trust Carers Service as the Young Carers Development Co-ordinator.
Since I joined Young Carers there has been a trip to Longridge Activity Centre (sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cookham Bridge) where the young carers took part in some great activities like climbing, leap of faith and going out on the river in a bell boat.
We have had a picnic in Windsor Great Park where we walked about two miles up to the famous Copper Horse and we have had a Maidenhead Young Carers Drop In at the Re:Charge café. Also, thanks to the help of the Rotary Club of Windsor St George, a few of the younger carers went to Legoland for a day out. So you can see things are pretty busy but we also need your help.
We would really like to hear from any Young Carers out there who want to come and join in planning our activities for the future. We will need to think of a name for this group maybe Working Group, Planning Team, Development Forum? We need about five Young Carers to meet every two months and they will make the decisions, together with me and DJ, about how the Young Carers group will work in the future.
We would like to hold the first meeting in October – so please contact me if you want to be involved – it is a very important job but you will be able to use this experience in the future by putting the information into your Records of Achievement and using it in your CV when you leave school.
Future Events
The dates for the next Drop-ins in Windsor at the Charters Youth Club and in Maidenhead at Re:Charge will be confirmed in September.
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Young Carers
Updated copies of Signpost BookletThe updated Signpost guide is now available to point parents and carers of children with additional and special educational needs in the right direction. It contains invaluable information on issues such as Early Years, Children’s Services, Leisure Time, Playschemes and Holidays, Money Matters and Mobility. If you would like a copy please contact:
Children’s Information Service on Tel: (01628) 781430
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Adult and Community Learning (ACL) in RBWM The Borough’s Lifelong Learning service is responsible for managing the delivery of learning opportunities for local adults, funded by the Learning and Skills Council. Classes are generally small, friendly and learning is fun. The Borough is particularly keen to support learning for those who did not achieve well at school and local classes can offer a second chance to improve skills.
The courses that will start to run in September 2008 include:
Using Word/Excel / Powerpoint•
Using the Internet / E-Mail•
Card-making / Flower Arranging•
Painting / Drawing / Glass painting / Silk painting / Arts & Crafts•
Salsa / Yoga•
Skills for Work – Job search / Web Search / CV Writing •
Careers Guidance / Completing Application Forms / •Letters for Employment
Interview Skills / Confidence Building•
Assertiveness / Presenting a Positive Image•
Presentation Skills / Public Speaking•
Computer skills•
If a group of friends or colleagues are interested in taking part in learning opportunities (minimum of 9 people) Lifelong Learning will try and put together a class. Information is also provided on courses available at local colleges and schools. For further information please contact the Lifelong Learning Information Help-line on Tel: (01628) 796584 or e-mail [email protected]
Family Learning courses are offered to increase self-confidence in dealing with life changes and challenges enabling parents, grandparents and carers to help children develop socially and emotionally. Courses to keep parents and carers up to date with ways to support children in school are also available. For further information please contact the Family Learning Co-ordinator on Tel: 0782 462 3592.
Careers and Training Information is available on careers and training services with a link to the Grow Our Own project (providing support, advice, mentoring, guidance and training to those who need to build confidence and skills to get into or return to the local job market). Call Grow Our Own on Tel: (01628) 685661 and find out how you can get ready for work.
Berkshire Autistic SocietyA training day supporting people with autistic spectrum disorders in employment.
Monday 22nd September 2008 at Desborough Suite, Town Hall, Maidenhead
Includes a presentation by The National Autistic Society’s ‘Prospects’ Service. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.
A must for employers, careers advisors in schools, colleges and employment services.
If you’d like to book a place or get more information please contact:
Ann Taylor on Tel: (01753) 857760 or [email protected] or Helen Harris on Tel: (07731) 855 377 or [email protected]
Carers Week 2008 A lot of fun was had during this years Carers Week with 113 carers attending the various events, which included a Chill Out Day, information sessions and carers drop-ins in Windsor, Ascot & Maidenhead.
The best news of all was that 21 of these carers were people who did not know about the support that is available to them here in the Royal Borough.
Our thanks go to the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead & Berkshire East Primary Care Trust for funding the activities and all members of the Steering Group for their hard work in planning and co-ordinating events, making tea and coffee, wrestling with display stands and/or boxes of leaflets and being there when needed.
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NoticeboardCarers GP Drop-in’s at the Symons Medical Centre, All Saint’s Avenue, Maidenhead SL6 1PL Wednesday 10th September 9.00am - 11.00am (see page 3)
Physical Disability & Sensory Impairment Partnership Board Tuesday 16th September 10.00am – 12.00 noon Conference Room, York House, Windsor
Saturday 15th November 10.30am – 12.30pm Ascot/Bray Rooms, Town Hall, Maidenhead Contact Michaela Helman on Tel: (01628) 683547
Carers Partnership Board Friday 19th September 1.00pm – 3.00pm VCO Resource Centre, Alma Road, Windsor
Friday 21st November 1.00-3.00pm WAMDSAD, Maidenhead Contact Christine Perkin on Tel: (01628) 683709
Parents in Partnership Forum Wednesday 22 October 7.00-9.00pm Xtend Children’s Service Centre, Dedworth Schools Site, Smith’s Lane, Windsor Contact Judy Coulson on Tel: (01628) 683182
PRTCS Carers Drop-ins Monday 13th October 10.00am – 1.00pm Spencer Denney Centre, Age Concern Windsor Wednesday 15th October 10.30am – 12.30pm High Street Methodist Church, Maidenhead
Thursday 16th October 10.30am - 12.30pm All Souls Church, Ascot
Young Carers Steering Group Tuesday 21st October 1.30pm – 3.30pm Highview, 6 North Road, Maidenhead Contact Valerie on Tel: (01628) 796478
Free Computer Sessions for the Over 50s
Can you send emails, go shopping online, plan a route, book a holiday, bank online, find out about your family history? Whether you are a complete beginner or a more experienced computer user, you will receive individual tuition from a volunteer. We will teach you what you want to know at your own pace.
Sessions held at:
Cox Green Library Highfield Lane, Cox Green Maidenhead, SL6 3AX
Starts September 2008, To book a place phone Tel: (0118) 959 4242
Run by Age Concern Berkshire and Age Concern Windsor.
Princess Royal Trust Carers Service Drop-ins
Come and join us for another morning’s relaxation, massage therapy and fun on:
Monday 13th October 2008, 10.00am - 1.00pm Spencer Denney Centre, Age Concern Windsor, Park Corner, Windsor SL4 4EB
Wednesday 15th October 2008, 10.30am - 12.30pm High Street Methodist Church, King Street, Maidenhead SL6 1EF
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new drop in for all carers living in the Ascot, Sunninghill, Sunningdale areas.
Thursday 16th October 2008, 10.30am - 12.30pm All Souls Church, Church Road, South Ascot SL5 9ET
Don’t forget to ring us on Tel: (01628) 777217 if you would like to book a place for a hand or Indian head massage.
Looking forward to seeing you.
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If you would like to automatically receive a copy of this newsletter please contact:
The Princess Royal Trust Carers Service Highview, 6 North Road, Maidenhead SL6 1PL or Tel: (01628) 777217.
