| | | | The December Catch-Up for People who Care in North Tyneside | | | | | | | | | | December Catch-Up
Everyone at North Tyneside Carers wishes you and the people close to you, a peaceful and restorative festive period. The Centre will be closed from Friday 22nd December and return on Tuesday 2nd January. The Mental Health Carers Group will not be not meeting on December 28th and will return in January.
But before the festive business gets out of hand, please take a look below at the upcoming events and some very handy things to know. Please feel free to reach out to us at 0191 249 6480 or email us at enquiries@ntcarers.co.uk. | | | | Message from Sue Lambert Sue Lambert, the Adult Carer Manager and former Carer Support Worker, is sadly leaving the organisation. Many of you will know Sue from her 9 years at the Centre, here is Sue's message: A fond farewell from me to a fabulous organisation, filled with dedicated people supporting incredible carers.Things have changed since my initial 6-month contract in 2014 and the Centre has come a long way since then. I have met and worked with some wonderful carers who were ready to engage with caring for themselves so that they could continue to care for others. I have enjoyed my time at the Centre and I wish you, the staff at the Centre and all you amazing carers all the very best and season's greetings.
Take care and time out, Sue
| | | | Cinderella To celebrate this special time of the year and the amazing work that unpaid carers do, we have more Pantomime tickets for carers and the person they care for. We have 15 pairs of free tickets
for the carer and the person they care for up for grabs to the relaxed performance on 1.00 pm, Saturday 6th January. The show has been specially adapted for children with SEN needs. Tickets are available for carers registered with our Centre. To book, please ring 0191 249 6480 or email enquiries@ntcarers.co.uk | | | | | | | | Carers Rights Day November 2023 It was great to see over 50 people on Carers Rights Day take the time to learn about their rights as carers, and improve the quality of their life, and the person they care for too.
At the two venues in North Shields and Longbenton, carers heard the talk on Grants, Discounts and Entitlements for Carers, and received one-to-one support, and enjoyed meeting and chatting with other carers.
Click here to see the PDF of the talk and see some useful tips, and info on how you can improve your finances. | | | | Time to Create The beginners art sessions for carers are proving to be a big success. The first set of classes at Wallsend Forum with North Tyneside Art Studios are all booked up but we plan to roll out more sessions in February.
Keep an eye out in our January newsletter for news on how to book your place in the next classes. | | | | | | .png) This winter there will be more than 40 warm spaces open to all people in North Tyneside. Many include access to free hot drinks, wifi, computers, libraries, activities like bingo, crafts, cookery lessons and toddler groups. They will be offering everything from soup and low-cost meals through to social activities like board games, group walks and film showings.
A printable list of all venues, opening times, activities can be found here. More details about financial support available for North Tyneside’s residents during the cost-of-living crisis, can be found here. | | | | | | The Big Healthwatch Survey Healthwatch North Tyneside is gathering residents' views on health and care services they used in 2023. Did you have trouble getting a GP appointment? Perhaps you received a fantastic service from your local pharmacy? Whatever the health and care setting, they want to hear from you!
The survey is quick and straightforward, and your responses will be confidential. As a thank you for sharing your views and experiences, you can choose to enter the prize draw for £100 of Love to Shop vouchers.
You can share your feedback via this link until the survey closes in early 2024. Printed copies are available. If you require one, or have any queries, contact 0191 263 5321 or email info@hwnt.co.uk. | | | | Mindful Crafts Local organisation Sarah's Star, supports people affected by incurable illnesses, and is running weekly Mindful Christmas Craft sessions in North Shields.
Participants can engage in creating gifts for themselves, and others, while enjoying a relaxing, and reflective atmosphere. Sarah's Star’s activities are open to people living with, supporting someone, or health professionals affected by incurable illness.
Participants will be encouraged to craft one gift for themselves, and one for someone else. All materials, along with tea, coffee, and cake, are provided. There will be new activities each week!
Book your free place here. Wednesdays 6th and 13th of December, 1.30 pm to 3 pm at the Linskill Centre, North Shields.
| | | | | | Winter COVID-19 and flu vaccines pop-up clinics Thursday 7 December, various locations
Getting a bad case of Flu or COVID over the festive period isn’t ideal, especially if you are the person everyone is relying on. Carers are entitled to COVID and Flu vaccinations. You can pop into one of these 3 Drop-Ins with no need to book, just turn up. - Cedarwood Trust: 9am to 11am
The Avenue, Avon Avenue, North Shields, NE29 7QT. - West Moor Community Centre: 12 Noon to 2pm
Benton Lane, West Moor, NE12 7NP - Meadow Well Connected: 3pm to 5pm
Waterville Road, North Shields, NE29 6BA Questions or concerns? You can contact TyneHealth's vaccine helpline by telephone 0191 486 2001 or email tynehealth.vaccine@nhs.net. | | | | Free Home Energy Saving Check-Ups Groundworks is a charity that provides free home energy check-ups to save you money. They give energy-saving advice and practical support to save energy or access financial incentives, such as fuel vouchers or heating appliances.
They can also provide different kinds of support: such as advice on paying off debt to energy and water companies or spotting other concerns for a referral to other services.
Telephone 0191 428 1144 or email sant.getinvolved@groundwork.org.uk and ask for a home check-up.
| | A Groundworks Green Doctor consultation could include: · Tackling damp or mould · Useful tips for saving energy and water. · Installing small energy and water efficiency measures, such as draft excluders · Help with other support, such as emergency heating, government subsidies or grants, and advice on energy or water debt. | | | | | | Cancer Care Map is a comprehensive website of cancer support services across the UK. They list over 4,250 local and national support services. They say they check and update all information every 3-4 months. https://www.cancercaremap.org/ | | | | | | Carers Allowance 2024 increase The Government has said it will increase benefits in line with September’s rate of inflation of 6.7%. This will increase Carer’s Allowance to just under £82 per week from April 2024. Other benefits increasing by 6.7% include: Attendance Allowance, Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Maternity Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Tax Credit, Universal Credit.
The State Pension and Pension Credit will be increased by 8.5%. | | | | Monthly Support Groups Groups where you can meet people facing similar caring situations as yourself, learn new information, and take a little bit of time away from caring. If it is your first time attending a group ring: 0191 2496480.
All Carers Peer Support Group: 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm. Tuesday 5th December Illustrious Room, Wallsend Customer First Centre, NE28 8JR.
Dementia Carers Peer Support Group: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Tuesday 12th December White Swan Centre, Killingworth, NE12 6SS
Autism Carers Peer Support Group: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Thursday 21st December The Allen, Life Vineyard Church, The Green, Wallsend, NE28 7NP
Bereaved Carers Peer Support Group:
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm. Thursday 21st December Whitley Bay Comrades Club, The Links NE26 1PS.
Mental Health Carers Peer Support Group: The group is taking a Christmas break and will return in January. | | | | Information Sessions in December To attend email training@ntcarers.co.uk or ring 0191 249 6480
Supporting Someone with Mid-Stage Dementia
Tuesday 5th December 10:30 am - 12:30 pm White Swan Centre, Citadel East, Killingworth, NE12 6SS This session will give you an opportunity to think about the challenges you are facing and learn positive and practical approaches to care, that you can use to support your loved-one at this stage in their dementia diagnosis.
Getting to Know North Tyneside Council‘s Adult Social Care Offer Thursday 7th December 10:00 am - 12:00 pm White Swan Centre, Citadel East, Killingworth, NE12 6SS This session, delivered by North Tyneside Council, will explore the support available to carers and their loved-one’s through our local authorities Adult Social Care.
Communication Skills for Caring Wednesday 13th December 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm John Willie Sams Centre, Market Street, Dudley, Cramlington, NE23 7HS Caring with confidence can be a real challenge. This supportive and practical session will look at how to build your confidence and self-advocacy skills, to help you to get the best outcomes for you and the person you care for. | | | | “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
William James | | | | | Telephone: 0191 2496480 Website: www.northtynesidecarers.org.uk Our mailing address is: North Tyneside Carers' Centre, Floor 2, Wallsend Customer First centre, 16 The Forum, Wallsend, NE28 8JR.
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