A carer is someone who looks after a relative or friend who is frail, disabled or ill
Southwark Carers
Cambridge House
131 Camberwell Rd
London
SE5 0HF
T: 020 7708 4497
News archive - January / February 2006
The following stories are taken from our bi-monthly newsletter, which is sent to all our members. Contact us for your copy and to join our mailing list.
Click here for previous editions.
A helping hand from Social Services in 2006
You should not be expected to take on the whole burden of caring without support.
Southwark Council can organise community care services for the person you care for and services for you as a carer. They will do this through a Community Care Assessment for the person you care for and a Carers Assessment for you - have you requested yours?
Following a community care assessment the person you care for will receive an individually-tailored Care Plan. This will detail which services could be provided, when the services can start, who they could be provided by, what it will cost the person cared for and when the plan will be reviewed. It should also explain any services that couldn’t be provided and say why. This Care Plan should be reviewed regularly by Social Services, and you can request a review if you feel it is needed.
The services offered to you after your Carers Assessment will be non-intrusive to the person you care for, for example counselling or training. It is up to you which, if any, of the services offered to you that you want to accept. If your circumstances change you can request another assessment. For more details on Carers Assessments please click here.
Community Care Assessments and Carer Assessments are free, however some of the services then offered will not be. If you or the person you care for choose to accept any of the services you may be asked financial questions about your income, benefits and savings. It will then be decided how much you need to contribute. Most people contribute nothing at all. You do not have to answer these questions, but if you don’t it may be assumed that you can pay the full cost.
Instead of using the services the council offers you, you may be able to use Direct Payments to purchase services from other agencies. This scheme means accepting cash payments from social services to buy any services or equipment that your Care Plan has agreed that you need. Some disabled people also choose to arrange and manage their own home care independently.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of Social and Health Services with a member of Southwark Carers staff please contact us on 020 7708 4497.
NEWS - click for full story
Community Heart Garden - Working together in Chumleigh Gardens for better health
Launch of Wah Sum helpline - New mental health help line for the Chinese community
Emergency mobile phone contacts - Scheme that could help you in an emergency
The Community Film Club - Free cinema screenings at Tate Modern
"Councils should support carers more" - Report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)
Brain Tumour UK helps carers - Information, advice and telephone support line
Walking in Southwark - Light exercise to help you relax and feel good
Southwark Carers AGM - Our annual general meeting and Xmas party
Carers Rights Day - A busy day advising many carers
ARTICLES - click for full story
Have you had a Carers' Assessment?
Developments for carers - 2005 and beyond - The focus on carers within Sououthwark Council Health and Social Care
Have you ever been to a carers' support group?
Emergency Social Work Team - Contacting Social Services out of hours
Welcome to the January / February edition of Southwark Carers News.
In this issue we are looking at Social and Health services. This is also the theme of our next information day on Thursday 16th February, where you can drop-in throughout the day to meet people from a range of services.
The next issue will be looking at transport issues. If you have any questions or comments on these please contact us at the address below. You are also very welcome to contact us at any time with articles, stories, poems or news on any topic relating to caring - this is your newsletter, so please do contribute.
Southwark Carers News,
Freepost (LON 1017), London, SE5 0BR
newsletter@southwarkcarers.org.uk
COMMUNITY HEART GARDEN
Working together in Chumleigh Gardens for better healthArt in the Park is a not-for-profit trust devoted to making art with people for city parks and gardens. It is their aim to encourage many different communities to participate in Burgess Park’s development by kindling their interest in the natural environment.
They run an action-packed Community project, for elders and people with life threatening disease, centred on the Heart Garden in Chumleigh Community Gardens. The Garden was designed and built as part of an Arts in Health initiative in 2000 and now yields home-grown produce.
Christened the Heart Garden, it doubles as a Child's garden, designed with low walls, broad oak seats, stepping stones and a sandpit to encourage the littlest visitors to spend time out in the open air and get a taste for gardening. It is a kitchen garden with vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers that look great in salads.
All the vegetables are grown from organic seed and cultivated without pesticides. From June 2000 they started harvesting their own produce and eating lunches and picnics together. This led to the idea of producing a Heart Garden Cook Book, writing, testing and illustrating the recipes in the winter months.
In the first year, twenty one patients between the ages of 34 and 76 were referred by local doctors and practice nurses to their eight-week Heart Garden programme. Five have opted to become mentors and permanent team members. They now hold regular Open Mornings on the first Friday of every month. For more details please call: 020 7277 4297.
LAUNCH OF WAH SUM HELPLINE
New mental health help line for the Chinese communityThe Chinese Mental Health Association has launched the first ever mental health helpline to serve the Chinese community in the UK. It provides a confidential service offering information, advice, service referral, signposting and emotional support. It is open to Chinese people suffering from mental health problems, and their carers.
The telephone number for Wah Sum is 0845 122 8660 and it is open Monday to Friday 10am to 8pm. You can also visit www.cmha.org.uk for further information.
EMERGENCY MOBILE PHONE CONTACTS
Scheme that could help you in an emergencyA popular new initiative is being taken up by many mobile phone users, to help them and their families in case of emergency.
If you have a mobile phone you can save the telephone numbers of people to contact in an emergency under the initials ICE (which stands for in case of emergency). This will allow emergency services, or whoever is with you, to use your telephone to contact the people you need them to, in case of any accident. You can save numerous people under ICE1, ICE2, etc.
THE COMMUNITY FILM CLUB
Free cinema screenings at Tate ModernThe Community Film Club was set up in July 2005 at the Tate Modern, and offers free membership to see a different classic London film every month.
The aim of the film club is to screen films that are evocative of London and capture the spirit of living in the city. It grew out of the Bankside Residents Association, and began by concentrating on films located in this area. Films shown in the past 6 months have included Passport to Pimlico and Scrooge.
It also provides local people with the opportunity to come together whilst enjoying some refreshments in the comfortable surroundings of the Star Auditorium at Tate Modern.
Membership is free and members are entitled to entry to all film club screenings, regular mailings and programme notes.
For more details and a membership application form please email communityfilmclub@tate.org.uk or telephone the Assistant Curator for Community Programmes on 020 7401 5176.
HAVE YOU HAD A CARERS’ ASSESSMENT?
Carers who provide 'regular and substantial' care have the legal right to an assessment for themselves. This means that Social Services will look at your own needs and what services can be provided to help you.
What is a carer's assessment?
The assessment involves discussing your ability and willingness to continue caring with a social worker, or other health professional. It considers your health, well-being, needs and interests separately from the person you care for.You can request an assessment even if the person you care for receives no help from social services or refuses their own assessment. You can also request an assessment before you start looking after someone.
After the assessment a range of services may be offered to you to help meet your needs.
Why should I have a carer's assessment?
In a Southwark Carers survey, 80% of carers that have had an assessment said that it was useful.How do I get the most out of the assessment?
Take some time to make a list of everything you do for the person you care for, and any that problems you have. Also consider what would make things easier for you, including regular breaks, emotional support, changes to your home or advice on employment options. It may help to discuss these with a friend, or somebody at Southwark Carers.What happens during the assessment?
The assessment should take place somewhere convenient for you. The person that you care for does not need to be present.You can provide a copy of your prepared list to the social or health worker carrying out the assessment and they will discuss this with you. They should not assume that you wish to continue providing your current level of care and should discuss each of the services available.
What happens after the assessment?
After the assessment you may be offered a number of services or Direct Payments to purchase services. Some of these services will be free, and others may charge. You can decide which (if any) of the services you want to accept. If your circumstances change you can request a re-assessment.Keep a copy of any letters that you send for yourself. If you receive no reply within two weeks contact them again with a follow-up letter. It is also useful to keep a record of the name and job title of any person that you speak to on the telephone.
If you would like any further advice or information on Carers’ Assessments, please contact us on 020 7708 4497 or come along to our information day on Thursday 16th February.
To request a Carers’ Assessment contact Social Services:
If you care for someone aged 65+, contact:
North Southwark:
3rd floor, Woodmill Building, 19 Spa Road, Neckinger, SE16 3QN
Phone: 020 7525 3241South Southwark:
4 Heaton Road, SE15 3TH
Phone: 020 7525 4612If you care for someone under 18, contact:
Children’s Direct Services Team, 47b East Dulwich Road, SE22 9BZ
Phone: 020 7525 4406If you care for someone with a physical or learning disability, contact:
Lyon House, 160-166 Borough High Street, SE1 1LB
Phone: 020 7525 2149If you care for someone with a mental health problem, contact your care coordinator within the following teams:
North East Southwark Team:
The Chaucer Resource Centre, 13 Ann Moss Way, Lower Road, SE16 2TH
Phone: 020 7231 4578North West Southwark Team:
27-29 Camberwell Road, SE5 OEZ
Phone: 020 7525 2751South Southwark Team:
20 – 22 Lordship Lane, SE22 8HN
Phone: 020 7525 6100 / 6101“COUNCILS SHOULD SUPPORT CARERS MORE”
Report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI)A new report from the CSCI (‘The state of social care in England 2004-2005’) has once again highlighted the vital role that unpaid carers play in the social care system.
The report describes Councils that fail to support carers adequately as ‘short-sighted’ and emphasies that if the current level of informal care was fully funded it would cost the same as a second NHS.
The CSCI began in 2004 and replaces the Social Services Inspectorate and National Care Standards Commission. They intend for this report to be produced again next year and for it to promote change amongst national and local decision-makers.
A full copy of the report can be found in our Carers Resource Centre and on the CSCI website: www.csci.org.uk
DEVELOPMENTS FOR CARERS - 2005 AND BEYOND
The focus on carers within Southwark Council Health and Social Care2005 has been a year of much change and a more strategic and planned vision for carers’ services in Southwark.
2005 has seen the development of the Carers Strategy Forum (CSF). The CSF is a cross-cutting forum within the Health & Social Care Partnership structure in Southwark. The purpose of the group has been to set the strategic direction for carers services in Southwark and also to decide the spend of the Carers’ Grant in Southwark.
The last year has also seen the development of an over-arching Carers Strategy for Southwark which outlines the priorities for Carers Services from 2005-2008. The accompanying Action Plan sets out the proposed timeframe for achieving each action point.
Projects and organisations funded via the Carers Grant now have more stringent guidelines as to the type of service and outcomes expected from each project.
2006 will see the development of a Carers Reference Group for carers of people with a variety of needs. The Carers Reference Group will give carers a stronger voice in the strategic development and planning of carers’ services in Southwark. Such a group will also be vital in the evaluation of services already in place and any further consultation exercises.
For more information about the Carers Strategy for Southwark or Carers Services generally in Southwark please call the Carers Helpline Southwark on 0800 389 5339.
Article by: Joanne Koen, Carers Service Development Worker, Southwark Social Services
BRAIN TUMOUR UK HELPS CARERS
Information, advice and telephone support lineEvery year over 18,000 men, women and children in the UK are diagnosed with brain tumours.
The impact of a brain tumour – whether benign or malignant – can be dramatic. It can cause personality changes, mood swings, intellectual impairment, epilepsy, as well as problems with speech, sight, movement and balance. The effect on the patient, their carers, family and friends, is profound.
Brain Tumour UK is working steadfastly to defeat brain tumours through information, education, research and support. We offer carers and patients a range of booklets and leaflets on the types of tumour and treatments, we have a website, a quarterly newsletter, and we provide information on coping with the disease.
In addition, Brain Tumour UK offers a novel service called Phone Pals, for anyone affected by brain tumours. This free service provides a way for carers, patients, families or friends to share support and experiences through teleconferencing. Phone Pals is a way of linking people by phone from the comfort of their own home so it is particularly useful for carers who cannot leave their loved ones.
If you are looking after someone affected by a brain tumour and wish to join Brain Tumour UK’s mailing list or to enquire about our information or services, please contact Anne Smith on 0845 4500 386, write to Freepost RRAT-GBTJ-TRKG, Brain Tumour UK, PO Box 27108, Edinburgh EH10 7WS, email enquiries@braintumouruk.org.uk, or see our website www.braintumouruk.org.uk
WALKING IN SOUTHWARK
Light exercise to help you relax and feel goodDo you feel stuck inside? Don’t let the Winter get you down! There are free walking groups taking place every week across the borough.
Research shows that physical activity makes people feel happier and more satisfied with life, and being in nature makes us feel less stressed. Walking is a great way to get some light exercise and fresh air, plus meet new people.
The walks are led by trained walk leaders, and last about 30 minutes. They also end with a warm cup of tea whenever possible. You can walk at a pace that suits you and no special equipment is needed. The following walks regularly take place in Southwark:
Bankside, Wednesdays
Meet at 11am at the London Aquarium next to the London Eye on the South Bank of the Thames by Westminster Bridge.Dulwich Park, Wednesdays
Meet at 10am just inside the College Gate entrancePeckham Square, Tuesdays
Meet at 2.30pm at the Pulse Cafe (corner of Peckham Hill St and Peckham High St).Peckham Rye Park, Mondays
Meet at 11am at the Homestall Road entrace, opposite Waverley School.Russia Dock Woodland, Tuesdays
Meet at 11am at Salter Road, Onega Way bus stop, Rotherhithe.Southwark Park, Thursdays
Meet at 11am at the Visitors' Centre, Southwark ParkFor more information please contact: Hazel Wright on 020 7525 1073 or email southwarkwalks@southwark.gov.uk.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO A CARERS’ SUPPORT GROUP?
I’m Lucy, the new Health Services Liaison Worker for Southwark Carers, and one of the main aims of my project is to set up Carer Support Groups all over Southwark.
I recently started 2 brand new groups in Princess Street Group Practices and the Gardens Surgery in East Dulwich, and soon I am hoping to re-start a group at Darwin Court in Walworth. I will also be assisting in the running of St Jude’s Community Centre’s Carers Group, which is due to begin in February.
My key aim is to set up groups in GP surgeries, which should help in raising awareness of carer issues to those people working in local primary care services.
Joining a Carers Group can help you to:
- meet other carers that may be in a similar situation
- access information
- gain support from others – other carers as well as professionals
- learn about local health services
- meet professional speakers, such as staff from hospitals, Social Services, local voluntary organisations and more
- meet experts in reflexology, homeopathy, volunteering, adult education, occupational therapy and more
- Relax! We can offer massage, positive thinking classes and teach you about relaxation techiques
- make new friends
I am hoping that in the future volunteers will help me run the groups, ideally carers, or ex-carers, whose valuable experience would be of benefit to the group. If this is something you may be interested in, please call me on 020 7708 4830 for an informal chat. Full training and support will be given and no previous experience is necessary.
If you hear about a group local to you and are unable to attend, but would like to receive information relating to the topics covered in the group, please do not hesitate to contact me.
For a full list of groups that are currently running in Southwark, the times and days they meet please see below. Contact details for some groups are provided, otherwise please give me a call on: 020 7708 4830.
Article by: Lucy Daniels, Health Services Liaison Worker
There are also a number of groups aimed specifically at carers from ethnic minority backgrounds. An interpreter may be present at some of these groups to help you.
An African-Caribbean carers group and an Asian carers group are facilitated by Pamela Lord. For more information on these please contact 020 7708 5095.
There is also a Bengali carers group, a Chinese carers group a French-speaking African carers group and a Spanish-speaking African carers group run by Taifa. For more information on these please contact Stella Aber on 020 7708 5142.
Carer Support Groups
African-Caribbean Carers Group
First Tuesday of the month
Please contact Pamela Lord on 020 7708 5095Asian Carers Group
Once a month at South Asian Centre
Please contact Pamela Lord on 020 7708 5095Bengali Carers Group
Please contact Stella Aber on 020 7708 5142Beormund Centre
Every Thursday 12:30pm - 2:30pmBermundsey Health Centre
Last Tuesday of the month, 1.30pm - 3pmCarers of Dementia Sufferers
Holmhurst Day Centre
1st Wednesday of the month, 2pm - 4pmEvelyn Coyle
3rd Thursday of the month, 2pm - 3.30pmChinese Carers Group
Please contact Stella Aber on 020 7708 5142Elm Lodge Surgery
3rd Thursday of the month, 2pm - 3.30pmFrench-speaking African Carers Group
Please contact Stella Aber on 020 7708 5142Gardens Surgery
1st Friday of the month, 2.30pm - 4pmCarers of adults with Learning Disabilities
Please contact Denise George 020 7525 2155Carers of people with Mental Illness
Cambridge House
Last Thursday of the month, 6.30pm - 8.30pmChaucer Resource Centre
1st Thursday of the month, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Please contact Dan Casey 020 7708 5598Nunhead Grove Surgery
2nd Tuesday of the month 4pm - 5:30pmPaxton Green
3rd Friday of the month 11am - 1pmPrincess Street
3rd Thursday of the month 11am - 12:30pmSouthwark Community centre
Starting again soon!Spanish-speaking African Carers Group
Please contact Stella Aber on 020 7708 5142Carers of children with Special Needs
A range of groups are run by Contact a Family
Please contact 020 7277 4436St Jude’s Community centre
First meeting 9 February at 2pm
Please contact Vi on 020 7928 9840SOUTHWARK CARERS AGM
Our annual general meeting and Xmas partyAt the end of December we held our annual general meeting, where our new board were elected:
Chair: David LeBon
Treasurer: Hussein Malik
Board members:
Ivy Douglas
June Hollands
David LeBon
Hussein Malik
Carol VincentOur annual report for 2004/2005 was also available at the meeting. If you would like a copy please contact us on 020 7708 4497 or drop in to the Rainbow Room any Thursday between 2pm and 4pm.
After the meeting and a festive buffet lunch our guests had a presentation from Dianne Stewart on relaxing and reducing stress levels. The group then divided into two - one group learned how to give hand massages with Dianne, and the others took part in a quiz with prizes including yoga classes, TV show tickets and trips to exhibitions at the Tate Modern.
The groups then got back together for entertainment from the magician James Fortune. He provided plenty of tricks and laughs, culminating in the sawing in half of our chief officer!
After the show we had the raffle draw with carers winning a theatre and dinner trip, a day pass for a health club and high street vouchers. Finally we had a visit from Father Christmas who provided all our guests with a small present each.
We hope you all had a wonderful day!
CARERS RIGHTS DAY
A busy day advising many carersOn Friday 2nd December Southwark Carers held a one-day event to highlight the rights of carers, as part of the national Carers Rights Day celebrations.
It was an enjoyable day where we met many new faces, as well as some familiar friends. Nation-wide the events reached an estimated 20,000 carers previously unknown to any services, and therefore receiving no support.
Our event was opened by the Deputy Mayor Lorraine Lauder, and was also attended by local MP Simon Hughes and Councillor Sarah Welfare.
We had 12 stalls from a range of services including Job Centre Plus, Southwark Adult Education, Southwark Council Welfare Rights Unit, Citizens Advice Bureau and many more. Many carers benefited from the opportunity to sit down and talk to advisors face-to-face and discover the services and benefits they are entitled to.
If you were unable to make it on the day you can call Carers UK and order free publications advising you on your rights on 0808 808 7777. Alternatively you can drop-in at Southwark Carers on Thursdays 2pm-4pm, or call 020 7708 4497.
EMERGENCY SOCIAL WORK TEAM
Contacting Social Services out of hoursNot all unexpected major problems happen during normal office hours or can wait until the next day. Social services provides an out of hours team that is there to help with these emergencies. It operates weekday nights (5pm - 9am), weekends (24 hours), and bank holidays (24 hours).
When you call an operator will answer and take details of the problem and your own contact details. They will then pass this information over to the duty social worker.
The duty social worker will contact you and give you advice and guidance over the phone on how to deal with the problem, or they will either:
- Recommend that you contact another more appropriate agency. They will give you the contact details.
- Refer the matter on to another social services team the next working day
- Visit you or the person with the problem.
Here are a few examples of the sort of problems they can deal with:
· Older people who are at risk or who need immediate help
· Concerns about a person with a physical or a sensory disability
· Support in coping with someone who has severe learning difficulties or mental health problems
If you have any problem which cannot wait until normal office hours then do contact the out of hours team on: 020 7525 5000
back to topArts and Crafts group
Wednesday 8th February, 2pm
Ballet workshop with English National Ballet
Learn all about ballet from the experts and even try it out for yourself!
In all of our groups no previous skills are needed, and you don’t need to bring anything along with you.
Just come along to Cambridge House, meet other carers and have some creative fun!
Please call Sarah on 020 7708 4101 for more details.
Would you like to lose yourself in a book?
Come and join our Book Club
Thursday 26th January, 2pm
Thursday 23rd February, 2pmThe group meets in the Rainbow Room, Cambridge House. All books are provided free of charge by Southwark Libraries.
Please call Bindi on 020 7708 4101 to get your next book!
“LET’S MAKE SOME CHANGES”
Facilitated by Dianne StewartIs the stress of life getting you down?
Do you think you are reaching your full potential?
Would you like to know how to create more JOY, LOVE, PROSPERITY and INNER PEACE in your LIFE?
Free workshops will be held in the Rainbow Room on:
Monday 27th February
Monday 27th MarchPlease call 020 7708 4497 to book your place
Launch of SEASONS project
Tuesday 21st February
11am - 2pm
Darwin Court, 1 Crail Row, WalworthThe Southwark Elders Active Support Outreach and Networks Services (SEASONS) project provides support to over-60s in their own homes.
Come and find out more at their official launch event, where lunch and entertainment will be provided. You must have an invite to attend the event - to receive yours free, please telephone: 020 7021 4532 (North) or 020 7021 4537 (South).
Quick
Links
Come to our next Carers Forum - book your place now!
Have you had a Carer's Assessment? If not, you could be missing out on extra support.
Need to speak to someone? Call us on 020 7708 4497, Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm.
Southwark Carers is incorporated as a non-profit making company limited by guarantee number 4146495. Charity number 1085300.