Carers
Courier
Neath Port Talbot Carers Service 21 Alfred Street
Neath SA11 1EF 01639 642277
Registered Company No. 6868025 Registered Charity No. 1130262
NEATH PORT TALBOT
CARERS SERVICE
SAVE THE DATE!!
Friday 24th October 2014
Annual General Meeting
More details will follow
Neath Port Talbot Carers Service
“Support for all Carers”
What’s Been Happening?
On April 25thwe organised a trip to St Fagan's. The
Carers had an enjoyable day walking around the many sights of the Welsh National Museum. The St Fagan's castle which is a 16th century Manor
House and it’s spectacular gardens was also a
favourite. The Carers commented on how much they
enjoyed and value these kinds of trips as they benefit
from these breaks from their caring role.
On May 16thwe arranged a walk up
The Gnoll Country Park. Everybody enjoyed a nice stroll making the most of the glorious sunshine and taking in the seasonal scenery. The Carers also enjoyed a nice cuppa in the Café socialising with other carers who attended.
On May 29th we had a Coffee Morning in Waunceirch Community Centre. A guest speaker from Welfare Rights was present to speak about the services they provide. The Carers commented on how much they enjoyed the morning and the discussions. They found the information given by the speaker very useful and informative.
On June 27thwe held an Arts & Crafts event in
Briton Ferry Community Centre..The aim of the day was to “lose yourself in craft”, decrease stress and have fun! The Carers participated in the different activities ranging from sewing to card making and gardening along with other crafts such as deco patch. There was also an IT (Information Technology) area where the Carers were able to access help with basic IT skills. On the day Carers told us they would like more days like this and some carers commented how they were able to take ideas home with them to work on projects.
On July 18thCarers enjoyed a summer day trip to Tenby. Unfortunately the sun
wasn’t out for that day but it was dry, warm and pleasant. However this didn’t stop everyone from enjoying the day. Carers once again commented on that it is not only a day out but provides a break from their caring role, and how beneficial it is!
“Good company and a boost to morale” “ Really enjoyed the fresh air and nostalgia “ “ Freedom to do my own thing “
“ You’ve given me a break from my caring role “
“ A chance to meet other Carers with similar circumstances “ “ A Break “
CARERS WEEK & 5TH YEAR CELEBRATION
What’s Been Happening?
Mental Health Carers News
The Mental Health Carers Support Group meet once a month at Victoria Gardens Centre in Neath and we offer one to one support if needed.
Next meeting date is September 23rd. 10am – 12pm
On the 10th June we had a day out at Aberglasney Gardens, peace
and tranquillity was the order of the day! Carers had a well deserved break, we all bought some lovely plants and trying to fit them into the mini bus was a challenge but us Carers always come up with a solution!
Future Mental Health Events :
We are putting on a Mental Health Carers Conference and Awareness Raising Event on the 5th September 2014. We are pleased to announce “Working to Recovery”Ron Coleman; Mental Health Trainer & Consultant will be key note speaker at this event. Please note this conference is for Mental Health Carers only.
For more details please telephone or emailLinda at the Carers Service 01639 642277
lindaw@nptcarers.org.uk
DID YOU KNOW …..
Due to a change in Employment law, all Carers now have the right to request flexible working! Prior to the change, only those who have children or caring responsibilities for older or disabled family members had the right to request flexible working – but with this extension, any staff member who has worked with their employer for more than 26 weeks will be able to request flexibility, for any
This year we launched Carers Week which with a celebration event to mark our 5th year of being a charity! The event was held on June 9th at The Centre in Baglan. Lorraine Miles Chair of the Carers Service—chaired the event and we had the pleasure of having various guest speakers with Gwenda Thomas A.M Deputy Minister for Social Services as the key note speaker along with Gaynor Richards MBE, Director Of NPT CVS, Cllr John Rogers and Chantal Patel Carers Champions for the Local Authority and ABM Health Board. The attendees at the event were Carers, Bereaved Carers, Cared For and representatives from various organisations. We created a DVD with Carers who spoke about their caring roles and how beneficial they felt our service was to them. Over the last 5 years the service has gone from strength to strength. We would like to thank all of our partners, colleagues and carers in supporting us along the way!!
News and Information
Young Adult Carers
We have lots of other exciting and interesting activities planned for the forthcoming months. As the group continues to grow in numbers, it is an opportunity to meet other young people and have a break from their caring role for the day. If a group activity isn’t your thing, we also provide one to one support, telephone support, information and signposting as well as accessing all of our core support services such as benefit support and advice! Call Mel on 01639 642277 if you are a young person aged 18 to 25 and would like support.
In May we went to Go Ape! in Margam Park. They had great fun swinging through the trees even though some of the ropes were very high up. It was a beautiful day and they enjoyed a picnic in the park and ice-cream afterwards. The young people who attended commented on how much they appreciate these kinds of breaks from their caring roles.
Oakwood Park was the outing for June! Everyone had a wonderful time. The sun was shining and the carers were very adventurous, going on some of the highest and fastest rides in the park., there were quite a few screams and lots of laughter too!
In July, the Young Adult Carers went to Afan Argoed Country Park. Those who attended enjoyed a long walk and a picnic despite the weather not being very kind. Once again it was day that provided a break for young people caring, provided fun and a chance to meet with others their age!
Please contact us if any of the following apply to you : You are no longer a Carer.
You do no not wish to receive information from us anymore. Your contact details have changed.
Your caring role has changed in any way.
If you could please contact us on 01639 642277 with your name and postcode and we can then apply any changes to your records on our database.
Information !
Useful Contacts
Age Concern 01792 818200
Alzheimer’s Society 01639 633400
Care & Repair 01792 321122
Cruse Bereavement 01792 462845
Dial A Ride 01639 646608
NPT County Borough Council 01639 686868
CISS 01792 655025
SNPT Crossroads 01792 761890
We have a Bereaved Carer Support Group which holds monthly meetings in Victoria Gardens Neath. The meetings provide an opportunity for those who have been and carer and are now bereaved, to socialise and support each other. If you would like to attend these meetings, contact Melanie on 01639 642277.
The Carer’s Service are looking to IT sessions, after the success of the taster sessions held on 27th June at our Arts and Crafts Day. We will be working in conjunction with the Melyn Advice centre to run these, and we may have to run a few depending on the interest we have back, as there is a certain capacity at the venue. If you are interested in attending a session, which will likely run for 2 hours, please contact us so we can contact you with dates of the sessions. Contact Eryl on 01639 642277 or eryld@nptcarers.org.uk
Are you entitled to Carers Allowance?
Are you receiving the benefits you should be?
Have you received a letter about changes to your benefits?
Do you have any concerns or queries about the Benefit Reform and how you may be affected?
For information on benefits you are entitled to contact the Neath Port Talbot Carers Service on 01639 642277
We Can Help !
CALL US!!
Are you aged between 18-25 and care for someone, need some
support or someone to talk to? Call Melanie 01639 642277.
Care for someone with a mental illness or someone with substance
misuse issues, want to talk to someone who understands? Call Linda 01639 642277
Thinking of upgrading the DLA of the person you care for?
Contact us before you do to ensure you have the correct advice! 01639 642277
Carers often feel isolated, depressed anxious and exhausted. Our
activity program has been developed to give carers an opportunity
to have a few hours break and meet with other carers who may
understand how they feel. The activities range from coffee
mornings, walks, and days out to larger events where carers can
have a say in how services are developed etc.If you would like more
information on how you can access the Neath Port Talbot Carers
Do you have mobility equipment or other items that another carer or family may benefit from that you would like to sell or give away?
Manual wheelchair. Never used. Bought £130 new.
Selling for £70 o.n.o .
If you are interested in the above please contact the Carers Service on 01639 642277.
Carers’ Market
Don’t Forget!!!
Tell your GP you are a carer.
As a carer you have rights and there is support available.
Neath Port Talbot Carers Service now has a Facebook and a Twitter page for anyone who has access to the internet. This page will have up to
date information on the service and any activities and events that are happening!!
Thought for the day
“To make a difference in someone’s life. You don’t have to be brilliant,
rich, beautiful or perfect. You just have to CARE ”
THANK YOU !
We would like to thank those who took the time to respond to the recent survey that we sent out regarding Information and services. In our next edition of the Newsletter we will feedback to you of the outcome from the survey. If you notified us that you are no longer a Carer or no longer live at an address. Please could you contact us 01639 642277 to verify that we have amended our records or removed you from our mailing list accordingly.
