Latest News
Interactive theatre workshops for carers
The GMC is developing new online learning materials for doctors providing case study examples of best practice. To assist in the development of the guidance, two interactive theatre workshops, called Wood for the Trees, are being held on 5th October in the Simulation and Interactive Learning Centre at St Thomas’ Hospital, and 6th October in the Robens Suite at Guy’s Hospital (both starting at 5.30pm) in partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
Wood for the Trees is about a young woman with a learning disability and her experience of accessing healthcare. During the performance the audience of doctors, GP trainers and students, people with learning disabilities and their carers, will be encouraged to direct the actions of the health professionals to improve the outcome for the patient.
The Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals performances of Wood for the Trees, which are free, will launch a national tour of the play allowing doctors from across the country to contribute towards the guidance materials, which will address issues such as communication, dignity, consent, confidentiality and clinical issues, such as palliative care.
If you would like to attend, please call Bimpe Ajala on 020 7189 5314 or email events@gmc-uk.org.
Although this training tool is aimed at doctors (both hospital and primary care), we would particularly welcome local people with learning disabilities and their supporters/carers (reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed) , as well as people working in other roles within local health and social care services.
Met Police – Southwark Safer Neighbourhood Teams
Safer Neighbourhoods teams spend most of their time out on patrol in your neighbourhood, meeting the community and identifying and dealing with those crimes and issues you have told us cause you most concern. Therefore, your team adjusts its shift pattern to address these priority issues.
Your Safer Neighbourhoods team wants to hear from you. If your call is not answered, please do leave a message on the answerphone or send them an email. A member of the team will get back to you.
Safer Neighbourhoods teams are not there to provide a 24-hour response, this is the role of response team officers. Response team officers do pass on information to Safer Neighbourhoods teams as appropriate.
A full list of contacts are detailed below, if you are unsure which area you fall into please visit http://www.met.police.uk/teams/southwarkThe website has an interactive mapping feature which will let you know the correct person to contact.
- Brunswick Park 020 7232 6318 BrunswickParks.snt@met.police.uk
- Camberwell Green 020 8649 3587 CamberwellGreen.snt@met.police.uk
- Cathedrals 020 8721 2801 Cathedrals.snt@met.police.uk
- Chaucer 020 8721 2441 Chaucer.snt@met.pnn.police.uk
- College 020 8721 2442 College.snt@met.police.uk
- East Dulwich 020 8721 2447 EastDulwich.snt@met.police.uk
- East Walworth 020 7232 6258 EastWalworth.snt@met.police.uk
- Faraday 020 7232 6262 Faraday.snt@met.police.uk
- Grange 020 8721 2439 Grange.snt@met.police.uk
- Livesey 020 8721 2436 Livesey.snt@met.police.uk
- Newington 020 8721 2437 Newington.snt@met.police.uk
- Nunhead 020 8721 2445 Nunhead.snt@met.police.uk
- Peckham 020 8721 2728 Peckham.snt@met.police.uk
- Peckham Rye 020 8721 2443 PeckhamRye.snt@met.police.uk
- Riverside 020 8721 2440 Riverside.snt@met.police.uk
- Rotherhithe 020 8721 2435 Rotherhithe.snt@met.police.uk
- South Bermondsey 020 8721 2802 SouthBermondsey.snt@met.police.uk
- South Camberwell 020 8721 2448 SouthCamberwell.snt@met.police.uk
- Surrey Docks 020 8649 3588 SurreyDocks.snt@met.police.uk
- The Lane 020 8721 2769 TheLane.snt@met.police.uk
- Village 020 8721 2446 Village.snt@met.police.uk
Broke and broken: carers battle poverty and depression
Over one in three (37%) carers do not want to wake up in the morning because of dire financial circumstances and are calling on the government for greater support, reveals new research launched today (Thursday 23rd September) by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
The survey of 800, who care unpaid for a sick and disabled family member, found that over half (53%) of all carers who work earn less than £10,000 a year, with three-fifths (60%) having to spend all of their savings to support the person they care for. 89% say that they are financially worse off as a result of caring and, consequently, almost two-fifths (39%) fear they will lose their home.
To cover basic living needs, one in ten (10%) carers questioned have borrowed exceptionally high-interest loans (41% plus APR), while three-fifths (62%) have had to borrow money off family and friends.
The added financial pressures are causing nearly half (45%) carers to want to run away from their caring role, while 15% are turning to alcohol or drugs to cope. Unsurprisingly, over one in three (37%) carers surveyed are fearful of the future.
Karen, 42, is one example of a carer battling poverty and depression. Karen became a carer for her husband when he was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis and chronic arthritis. She told The Trust: “Since Mark became ill we have cascaded into poverty. I was declared bankrupt; I have lost a well-paid job, our house and the future we thought we’d have – all as a result of my caring role. I was so desperate I even borrowed from a loan shark to cover an electric bill and was charged 47 per cent interest per day.
“The stress of caring and the financial worries we’ve had to endure, led me to have a nervous breakdown a few years ago. I am better, but, some days I feel on my own, fraught with worry and at breaking point.
“I never thought we’d be a couple who depended on the state for help. We can just about cover the bills, but we still struggle to pay for food and cover our rent. I feel I have been penalised by the government for caring for my husband.”
To address these issues, one in two (49%) carers surveyed is calling on the new coalition government to increase the Carer’s Allowance and one in three (29%) want greater support to make it easier for them to combine caring and paid work.
Carole Cochrane, Chief Executive at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers says: “The new coalition government has an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of carers. As part of their welfare reform they must ensure greater financial support for carers, and the Comprehensive Spending Review must deliver the improved community support for carers to combine work and care, as pledged already by the government in June. Six million carers will judge the government by the decisions they make in the next two months.”
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has launched a new advice guide for carers 10 things every carer should know. Carers can also get help by visiting their local Trust Carers’ Centre.
Global dementia costs hit £388bn
Social care, unpaid care and medical costs total more than 1% of GDP and are likely to rise by 85% by 2030, report says
The global cost of dementia this year will be £388bn – more than 1% of GDP – and governments are unprepared to meet the challenge, according to a report released today.
The cost of social care, unpaid care by relatives and the medical bills for treating dementia was calculated in the World Alzheimer’s Report 2010. Experts from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and King’s College London examined the cost of dementia care and found that, if it was a country, it would be the world’s 18th biggest economy.
If it was a company, it would be the world’s biggest by annual revenue, higher than Wal-Mart (£265.6bn) and Exxon Mobil (£200bn).
Campaigners have already warned that the costs of caring for people with dementia are on the rise, mostly due to people living longer. The number of people with dementia, currently 35.6 million, will almost double by 2030 to 65.7 million, and more than triple by 2050, when it is estimated there will be 115.4 million people with the disease.
The study said the costs will rise even faster than the prevalence of dementia – there could be an 85% increase in worldwide costs by 2030. In the UK, the Alzheimer’s Society estimated dementia currently costs the country £20bn a year.
The report was issued to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day and was commissioned by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).
Dr Daisy Acosta, chair of ADI, said: “This is a wake-up call that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are the single most significant health and social crisis of the 21st century. World governments are woefully unprepared for the social and economic disruptions this disease will cause.”
Professor Martin Prince, from the institute of psychiatry at King’s College London, co-authored the report. He said: “The care of people with dementia is not just a health issue – it is a massive social issue. This is particularly true in low- and middle-income countries which lack adequate systems of formal care. Governments must show greater leadership, working with all stakeholders, to drive solutions to the long-term care issue.”
The study recommends that all governments formulate long-term plans for dealing with dementia, and praises work already being done in France, Australia and England.
It said research into the disease must also be properly funded – currently it lags far behind other conditions like heart disease and cancer.
Ruth Sutherland, interim chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, said the shocking statistics in the report show the global dementia crisis cannot be ignored.
“These sky-high figures represent not only a huge economic burden but also reflect the immeasurable impact dementia has on the lives of millions of people across the world.
“There are 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this number is set to reach a million within a generation.
“If we are to transform lives and reduce costs, we need to act now. The government must lead the way in ensuring national dementia strategies are fully implemented and dementia research is given the funding it so desperately needs.”
Active Citizens of the year 2010!
Nominate now!
Active Citizen Awards 2010 recognise commitment and excellence in different areas of Active Citizenship.
Does your friend, family member, neighbour or colleague deserve recognition for making a difference in Southwark in one of these six categories?
Keib Thomas Community Activist Award (for making a difference in Southwark)
Community Group Member of the Year
Rising Star
Citizen Governor
Good Neighbour of the year
Citizen View-Giver of the year
The Active Citizens Awards will take place at the Amigo Hall next to St George’s Cathedral on Friday 29th October 2010.
Nominate online at: www.volunteercentres.org.uk
or call FREEPHONE 0800 0185 692
or e-mail getactive@volunteercentres.org.uk
Drama and storytelling workshops for carers
Rosetta Life is offering carers in Lambeth and Southwark the chance to participate in a series of four storytelling workshops.
Rosetta Life is an organisation of professional artists that enables people with life-threatening illnesses and their families to explore experiences of significance through video, photography, drama, music, poetry, dance and fiction.
The workshops are part of a creative process leading to a theatre performance that will raise awareness of the issues and challenges faced by carers living and working in Lambeth and Southwark. The storytelling workshops will enable people to share stories in a supportive group and will give people access to professional creative writing and drama skills.
Four workshops will take place at Roots and Shoots (www.rootsandshoots.org.uk) a venue in central Lambeth in September on Wednesday mornings from 11.00 – 12.30. Lunch will be provided afterwards. Workshops are open to all carers working and living in Lambeth and Southwark and are free of charge but participants must register in order to receive a free place. For more information about the workshops please contact Lucinda Jarrett at the Rosetta Life office. Email: Lucinda.Jarrett@rosettalife.org or telephone Lucinda Jarrett at the office on 01608 676 662
This innovative arts project has been conceived in partnership with The Modernisation Initiative End of Life Care Programme. The aim of the project is to work with people across the community, to raise awareness about death, and to create opportunities to discuss how we could deliver exceptional end of life care.
The End of Life Care Programme is committed to improving services in Lambeth and Southwark so more people have a good experience of care while living with serious illnesses. The Modernisation Initiative is a partnership with patients, local residents, acute and primary health and social care, voluntary and independent sector organisations. This programme is funded by Guys and St Thomas’ Charity, with support from Kings’ College Hospital Charity and South London and the Maudsley Hospital Charitable Trustees. For detail visit: www.gsttcharity.org.uk/projects/eolc.html
EMS Research – Paid Alzheimer’s Study – £100
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to you on behalf of EMS Research. We are currently conducting a study into Alzheimer’s disease. This study consists of a 90 minute focus group session at our facility in Chiswick, West London, for which we are offering an incentive of £100 for your time
We have two sessions on Wednesday 22nd September, the first between 3:00 and 4:30 for Carers for Mild Alzheimer patients, and the second between 5:30 and 7:00 pm for people who are at risk of getting Alzheimer’s in the future (namely relatives of current sufferers)
The aim of this study is to find out what is missing in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, what treatments people would like to see in the future, and to give an opportunity for participants to voice their opinions and give general feedback on the disease
We do apologise for the short notice on this study. Any help that you can give us in locating appropriate people will be invaluable to our study.
I would like to assure you that there is no product marketing, promotion or sales involved in the research. As a member of ESOMAR, the market research regulatory authority, we are bound by its strict code of conduct. As such we never pass on contact details to third parties and any information we gather is aggregated in such a way as to ensure patient anonymity
If you are interested in taking part in this interview, please feel free to get in contact either by email or on the telephone number below to find out more details.
Once again, your participation would be greatly appreciated. If you can forward this letter to as many people as possible it would enable us to offer the chance to participate in this study to as many people as possible. I have also attached a flyer that you can pass around or put on your notice board, if you wish. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any more information.
Thank you in advance,
Kind Regards,
Vincent Wills
Database Manager
Phone: +44 (0) 20 8747 3620
Mobile: +44 (0) 78 8966 9865
Vincent.wills@ems.eu.com
Camberwell Community Council, Wednesday 22 September
The next meeting of Camberwell Community Council on Wednesday 22 September, in Southwark Town Hall. This is your chance to meet your councillors, find out what is happening in your area and to have your say about local issues. You can also meet other people from your area, council officers and service providers.
The theme of the meeting will be “old age in an age of cuts” and will include:
a talk on the theme from Brenda Bond of Age Concern Lewisham and Southwark as well as presentations and discussions on:
- Southwark’s street leaders
- an update on the budget consultation
- transport in Camberwell
- Camberwell leisure centre update and
- the revitalisation of Burgess Park.
In addition if you want to hear The Welcome Singers perform then come along from 17:45.
Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Venue: Southwark town hall, Peckham Road, SE5 8UB on the ground floor
Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The dates of future meetings are:
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Wednesday, 2 March 2011 and
Wednesday, 20 April 2011.
Do you care for someone with cognitive impairment problems
Helping your patients to manage their cognitive function 15th September, Cardiff
Special Offer for Carer’s – Delegate places at £75 We have a limited number of places available for carers at the special price of £75. Please quote ‘Carer75′ in the discount code box when completing your online registration to ensure you receive the £75 delegate place.
This workshop is ideal for any health or social care professional wishing to learn how they can support people with cognitive impairment problems.
It is particularly relevant to those professionals caring for people who have had a TBI, Stroke, have early stage dementia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or Epilepsy.
Run by Dr Anita Rose, Clinical Psychologist, from the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery you will learn about:
- Brain function and cognition
- Factors that impact on cognition e.g. fatigue, sleep, pain and emotions
- Strategies for coping
- Explaining cognition to patients
Here are just a few comments from the previous workshop:
“Having a course constructed and delivered by a cognitive expert was a rare treat”
I enjoyed the day and gained lots from it”
To book your place go to http://guest.cvent.com/d/vdqlcl or go to www.communitytherapy.org.uk/events.html is the link does not open.
All delegates will also receive a free copy of the new handy sized booklet written by Dr Rose called, ‘MS and Cognitive Function – Top tips for promoting self care’, details of which can be found at http://guest.cvent.com/d/pdqpc9
New online soap launches today
The series has been designed to engage young people with relevant social and ethical issues. One of the key themes in the series is Young Carers, with one of the main characters caring for his father. The series is accompanied by a blog and a discussion forum to inspire debate regarding the topics highlighted in the shows.
Being Victor has the potential to make a strong impact amongst teenagers and improve understanding of the daily challenges that face young people acting as primary carers for a member of their family. As well as being watched by young people for entertainment, each episode can be used by youth groups and teachers wishing to engage with the topics covered. For more information, and to watch the series from 11.30 today, please follow the link below: