Benefit Changes
How do they affect YOU?
The new Carers Charter
Take part in Carers Week
Accessible Caravan Holidays
Wills and Trusts explained
Caring with Confidence
How to survive hard drive failure
Tech Talk says how
Picnics with punch!
Great recipes inside
Dig for austerity
Grow your own veggies
And…Charles’ Chat
Pamela’s Fundraising
Front Line….
Virgin London Marathon
Well done and congratulations to our wonderful London Marathon
runners, Laura Molyneux, Jake Franklin and Kevin Johnson.
Unfortunately Amanda Green was unable to run. Laura and Jake
finished the exhausting twenty six miles in an incredible 5:47 and
Kevin 4:45. Laura said that after running 20 miles exhaustion
kicked in and Jakes knees were hurting but they were spurred on
to the finishing line by the incredible atmosphere and support of
the crowds.
Laura
They have also worked tirelessly on fundraising, holding a 24 hour
treadmill relay and several cake sale days to name but a few! Already
they have raised a staggering £4,069 and the money is still coming in!
We will update you on the final amount raised in our next edition of United!
Kevin
Thank you so much to everyone who kindly sponsored the marathon runners through the newsletter
appeal, your kindness and generosity so far has raised The Carers Centre an additional £914.15.
The winners of the prize draw for the M&S and Next vouchers will be announced in the next newsletter.
We are still bag packing at Sainsbury’s, Oadby and Asda, Fosse Park until the end of May 2013. So far we
have raised an amazing £1,835.00. We still need as much help as possible so if you can spare a few hours
please contact Pam for further details.
The Carers Centre would like to say a special thank you to all who have supported us recently.
We would like to thank The Paget Trust who donated £1,000, The Chaplaincy Team at East Midlands
Airport who raised £440.46 and Next who donated £5,000 and everyone who has supported the work of
The Carers Centre through kind donations.
Jake
Could you spare £2 a month to help The Carers Centre
develop vital services?
Our work relies heavily on public support and donations and we are exploring ways to develop much needed and requested services.
By becoming a regular donor you can support our work and make a difference to the lives of our family carers.
Regular donations can easily be put in place by completing a Bank Standing Order Form. If you would consider supporting the work of The
Carers Centre on a regular basis and would like further information, please contact Pam on 0116 251 0999.
Good with Wood
CP Carpentry and Joinery
Run and owned by carers
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Expert Reliable service, family run business
No job too big or too small
All aspects of carpentry undertaken
10% discount to carers mentioning this ad!
Call Craig Pietrzyk
Tel: 0116 2875970
Mobile: 07974 377398
40 Barley Close, Glenfield LE3 8SB
Charles’ Chat!
All Change!
We have all been hearing about changes to
the way in which the Government offers
help to carers and disabled people quite a bit lately. Things are
going to be different and that can be a daunting proposition to
many people.
Of course, life is often about change and that’s challenging as
many of you will know but with support and good information,
change can be easier to manage. We are reporting on some of
those changes in this edition of United!
I heard on the news that in the East Midlands, one charity
a month is closing down. Many charities have had to make
changes or close. We have made a lot of changes here at The
Carers Centre since the beginning of last year and I am glad to
say that our doors remain open and we are still able to support
local carers.
We want to hear about how these changes are affecting you,
so that we can better understand the impact on carers in
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland because of everything that
is happening. The more we hear from you, the clearer the picture
will get. We can then take this information to the powers that
be and try to influence a better change.
Carers’ Activities
On behalf of the Centre I wish to thank Graeme, Sheila and Teen
to help other carers have the opportunity to make tasty truffles,
personalised cards and decorative paper decorations.
In the Carers Centre Annual Questionnaire, a number of carers
identified that they wanted social activities. So, a small group
of innovative carers offered to run some activities that are
inexpensive, easy to do and fun.
The next planned activities are:
Tuesday 11th June
Picnic food and picnic (weather permitting) Victoria
Tuesday 9th July 10-12
Basic first aid meeting at the Carers Centre
Tuesday 6th August 10-12
Crochet meeting at the Carers Centre
Tuesday 3rd September 10-12
Relaxation meeting at the Carers Centre
City Forum
The City carers have met over the last couple of months to help
develop ideas for a City Carers Charter. Further news on this
will be given as we receive it. We have also taken part in the
Government’s Consultation around Health Direct Payments.
The Forum is a consultative and campaigning arena to raise
awareness of carer issues and views. If you want to become part
of the forum please let Debbie or Gill Know on 0116 2510999.
Contact me in the usual ways - you can telephone
me on 0116 251 0999 or 07833 051870, email me on
[email protected], or write to me at
The Carers Centre (LeicesterShire & Rutland) Freepost LE6668,
LE1 1BR.
Labelled - Young Carers
This group has celebrated its first birthday and in
that year has developed a strong reputation for the
support it offers to young carers, especially those
who don’t fit “eligibility criteria”.
Its CEO, Sherry Palmer, was seriously ill earlier this year but still managed to fire off emails and messages from her
sick bed - that’s commitment!
After a difficult couple of months, Labelled still offers support and advocacy where needed to its members. Labelled will still be
involved in consultation work too, and will be arranging some fun get togethers from time to time. As a small group, Labelled have
achieved a lot and we look forward to reporting on their continuing progress.
If you are a young carer, or know a young carer who might want to contact Labelled, you can contact Labelled
on 07952 225359 or email [email protected]
The way that the government gives financial
support through the benefits system is changing...
How does this affect carers and what can you do?
Disability Living Allowance What’s Happening?
From April, some areas will have seen a change to Disability
Living Allowance (DLA). In Leicestershire and Rutland, the new
benefit will roll out from June onwards. It’s being replaced by the
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for people aged 16-64.
Initially, this will only affect people in this age group making a
fresh claim, or whose DLA claim is due to run out soon. But it will
affect everyone over 16 eventually. Currently, it’s expected that
the full changeover will take place in 2018.
Why is it changing?
The government holds the view that the current system is too open
to abuse and does not meet the needs of disabled people. However,
government figures show that DLA fraud stands at under 1% of all
claims, making it one of the least abused benefits in the UK.
What is different about it?
Although there have been some small changes to the way PIP is
paid, the biggest change is that the lowest level of DLA will not
transfer to PIP. However, it does not mean that anyone on Lower
Rate DLA will lose money. Some who qualify for the Lower Rate
currently may well qualify for the new “Low” rate, which is equivalent
to the DLA Middle Rate. This would mean that some carers would
qualify for Carers Allowance where previously they did not.
The big difference, however, is that the vast majority of individuals
will have to go through some form of medical test. We’re told that
these are to be carried out in a much more person-focused way than
the ESA medicals.
Will anyone lose out?
Almost certainly. It’s not yet clear who, but the government is
convinced that there will be a 20% saving from this change. Where
they get the figures from is uncertain - but clearly from their own
admission, this means that the majority of those likely to lose out
are not fraudulent claims but people currently holding entitlement
to help.
We believe that those most likely to lose out are those who do not
engage well with services - such as people with a mental health
condition, people with autism, or people who do not understand
their health/abilities - or people with relatively “invisible” disabilities
and severely fluctuating conditions.
4
What do I do?
If you, or the person you care for, are receiving DLA currently - do
nothing. You will receive a letter inviting you to make a claim for PIP.
This will happen to anyone who was between 16 and under 65 on
8th April this year. If you were 65 or over on 8th April 2013, you will
stay on DLA until your claim ends.
What is the “Bedroom Tax?”
As a part of its efforts to reform welfare regulations, the
government has introduced the “Under Occupancy Surcharge”,
better known as the “Bedroom Tax.” It applies to everyone aged
between 16-64. Under the new rules, if you have more bedrooms
than the government says you need, your home will be counted as
being too big for you. If this happens, you may lose at least some
Housing Benefit.
It is up to your landlord to say how many bedrooms there are in
your home. It should be on your tenancy agreement. Your Housing
Benefit may be affected if you have more than one bedroom for
each of the people shown below:
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each adult couple
each other person over 16
two children of the same sex under 16
two children under 10, regardless of their sex
any other child
an overnight carer you need but who doesn’t normally live with
you (this could mean paid and/or unpaid carers - the regulations don’t say).
Pensioners are unaffected. However, if they have a joint tenancy
with someone of working age, that person will lose Housing Benefit.
There is a rumour that rooms under a certain size cannot be counted
as bedrooms. This is based on a law dealing with overcrowding only
and does not affect the new regulations.
What Will Happen?
If you have one bedroom more than the government says you need,
you will lose 14% of the “total eligible rent”. For more than one
bedroom, you will lose 25%.
There is a concern that disabled people who have had adaptations
to make their home better suited to their needs may have to pay
more rent or move home as a result. The majority of people who will
be affected are disabled.
The government has allocated some funding to prevent hardship.
People who are affected can apply for a “Discretionary Housing
Payment” to cover all or part of the difference. This fund is
comparatively small and it is thought that people who have had
major (and complex) adaptations carried out will be treated as a
priority as they would be more difficult to rehouse safely.
Dee is a parent carer of 14 year old twin girls –
one of whom has a disability, she had this to say
about the impact of ‘the bedroom tax’ on her
family…
Currently, any reduction in benefits to apply the cap will come via
Housing Benefit. This will change when Universal Credits come in we’ll be covering this in more detail in the next United!
As with many of the other changes coming up, we’re not sure what
all the effects will be, so we want to hear from you.
Please contact us on 0116 251 0999,
email [email protected],
or write to Welfare Changes, The Carers Centre
(LeicesterShire & Rutland), Freepost LE6668, LE1 1BR.
“As parent carers we face so many struggles every single day
anyway and these new welfare reforms penalise us further by
making it harder for us as parents and more difficult to look
after our other children. One of my girls has a mild to moderate
learning disability and behaviour problems. Its just common
sense that she should have her own bedroom that meets her
specific needs. The idea of her sharing with her sister is ridiculous.
Each of my children need their own appropriate environment to
safely have ‘time out’ in. teenagers need their own space, and
that is even more essential when they have special needs. If my
girls have to share a bedroom we would all suffer as a family – it’s
a completely unfair position to be put in. The time I have had to
take to fill in yet more forms and get a letter from social services
to support my application for discretionary funding has put even
more pressure on me. I have been told that if I am lucky, I will get
twelve weeks funding, how do I manage for the other forty weeks?
As a single working mum, I do my best to support my family but
sometimes it seems that however hard I try – I wind up being
worse off because the goal posts are always being moved.”
*Stop Press*
We are delighted to report that Dee was granted ongoing
discretionary funding by Nuneaton & Bedworth local authority.
Benefit Cap
Among the many changes to Britain’s welfare system is the
“Benefit Cap”. It is being phased in from April, starting in London
and rolling out over the UK by September. Benefits income will
be capped at average earnings level, currently estimated at £350
for single claimants and £500 for lone parents and couples. It will
apply to anyone aged between 16 and 64.All working age benefits
are included in the benefit cap.
What About Carers?
Anyone receiving Disability Living Allowance/Personal
Independence Payment, Working Tax Credit or Employment and
Support Allowance will be exempt. Also anyone receiving Industrial
Injuries Benefit or War Widow(er)’s Pension will be exempt. So if
you’re caring for a partner, you will be exempt. If you’re caring for a
child or someone else, you may be subject to the cap, depending
on your overall income.
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) offer free, impartial and
confidential advice in person, online and over the phone.
To find your local CAB please visit:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Summer is here - time to grow your own veggies!
Well here we are at last - it’s summer! This is the time when the garden is in full swing and you can make the most of it
however big or small it may be. This year I thought it would be a good idea to tell you how to get even more out of your
garden and save money. I am of course talking about fruit and vegetables.
Now I know what some of you might
be saying “I can’t possibly grow fruit
and veg! My garden is too small and
covered in concrete slabs.” Or, “my
soil is nothing but sand it’s like a
desert out there, how is veg going
to grow in that?” Well, never fearcontainers are the perfect solution….
What do I mean by containers?
When container planting, it’s best
to pick the right one for the right
plant. Too big and it’s wasting space,
too shallow and it’s going to cause
problems. Since most vegetable plants
are annuals you only need to worry
about size when growing carrots,
potatoes, and sweet corn. As such
most plants will be right at home
in a pot. Tomatoes will be just fine
in a pot, in fact it’s better to grow
them in a pot or grow bag as you
will get a much better crop. When
you’ve picked out the container you
are going to use, you need to find the
right compost. Multipurpose is the best
and definitely NOT peat free. You are
not helping your plants any by using
it because most peat free is nothing
but bark chippings left for about a
year and then called compost - it’s
rubbish don’t use it! You also need to
think about what you want to grow,
tomatoes are the one everyone goes
for first and why not, as they are
easy to grow just, remember to water
them every day and feed them once a
week. Potatoes are another good one
to go for, just make sure as I talked
about earlier, to make sure that
container is big enough. Another good
one is sweet corn and that’s easier to
grow than tomatoes. Just make sure
to plant them in either a square or
a triangle since they are pollinated
by the wind and you want them to
pollinate each other.
Last words
There are however some plants that
are better not grown in a pot or
container and thats courgettes they
are better grown in the ground as they
tend to spread themselves out and
would fill the container perhaps a little
too much and might even break it!
As always if you want more hints and
tips or professional work doing to your
garden call HORTIS on 07719308901 or
email [email protected]
Do you need a Helping Hand?
If you are looking for an alternative to residential care or extra support for those everyday tasks that are becoming a little
more difficult at home for you or a loved one - then we’re here to help. We understand everyone’s needs are different and
our professionally trained Live-in Carers can offer continuous support for you or a loved one at home, 24 hours per day,
7 days per week with:
• General housework, including laundry and preparing meals
• Errands, such as shopping, collecting pensions, benefits
or prescriptions
• Help getting out and about, taking trips, visiting friends
or going on excursions
• Support with continence
Find out how we can help you call:
• Offering companionship – reading, chatting and listening
• Providing a break to an existing Carer or family member
• Personal care, including washing, dressing, showering
and bathing
• Supporting a hospital discharge
• Care whilst recovering from an illness or operation
0808 180 1053
or visit: www.helpinghands.co.uk
6
Meditation Classes for Carers
The Carers Centre in association with ARC
Leicester, a charity providing convalescence,
respite care, medically related grants and
complementary therapies and Sangita
Devani, a volunteer with ARC trained in
Arka Dhyana meditation are offering free
meditation classes to carers.
We’re delighted that you’re happy with our
services but we accept that we need to do
even better in the coming year.
Arka Dhyana is Intuitive Meditation
experienced at the heart level by combining:
We’re also looking at the many suggestions
people made about services: some things
we can do quite easily with the right support
from our band of willing helpers, and you
will see a few announcements elsewhere in
United! about these.
Slow and Conscious breathing
Humming the sound with breath
Conscious gentle touches at key points (energy centres) of the body
Aim of the sessions
We have capacity for 8 – 10 people. You
can be seated on the floor or on a chair for
meditation.
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Benefits of Arka Dhyana
 Reduced stress and anxiety
 A balanced peaceful mind
 Increased patience, self-confidence, focus, memory & concentration
 Develops intuitive consciousness in balance with emotions
 Complements health
Class Style
We have capacity for 8 – 10 people. You
can be seated on the floor or on a chair for
meditation.
Dates
Classes will be held fortnightly on Thursdays
at 10.30am until 11.30am with the
Carers Week 2013
“Prepared to Care?”
Every week, if not every day, of the year
is dedicated to one cause or disability or
another, aimed at raising awareness and
support for the cause. For carers, that week
is in June: this year, from 10th - 16th of June.
is so often ignored. This year, however,
the theme is “Prepared to Care?” Every
day, around 6,000 people become carers
across the UK, and in many cases they are
unprepared for what is to come.
Carers Week is coordinated through the
national charities, and every year a theme
is chosen for special attention. Usually,
the theme is carers’ health - because it
The week is an opportunity to find “new”
carers - people who don’t know what help
is available or how to get it, so we’re
looking forward to a busy week!
WILLOW LAWNS
MINOR PROPERTY REPAIRS AND
GARDEN MAINTENANCE UNDERTAKEN.
Gutter clearance & repair, fascia repaint etc, pointing, flat roof repairs, exterior & interior
painting, slab & patio cleaning, fencing, sheds etc weatherproofed / painted, weeding,
clipping, mowing, etc plus more, even skip filling and flatpack erecting.
MOST HANDYMAN AND GARDEN TASKS UNDERTAKEN.
NO JOB TOO SMALL, JUST CALL ME TO DISCUSS YOUR NEEDS.
I am honest, trustworthy and reliable and will complete any task to the
very best of my ability and my aim is to have you recommend me to others!!
Free quotation or hourly rate, your choice! • Payment ONLY on task completion!
I will try hard to keep rates low and competitive and will attempt
to undercut an EXISTING quote!
Please call Kevin on
0116 2235613 or 07525 725928
opportunity to sit and have refreshments
and a chat afterwards. If possible, it would
be beneficial to book for all 8 sessions but
if you can only make some of the dates you
are still welcome to book.
*20th June
4th July
18th July
1st August
15th August
29th August
12th September
26th September
*First session will be 1½ hours long.
Deadline for booking is Monday 10th June
and will be on a first come first served basis.
Book now by ringing 0116 262 0617 or email
[email protected]
Location
ARC Leicester, 22 St Georges Way, Leicester,
LE1 1SH. On –street parking is available
nearby as well as a local NCP car park.
Alternatively, please liaise with The Carers
Centre who might be able to provide
parking.
Tuesday 11th June “Carers’ Market”
(Haymarket/Humberstone Gate) a number
of stands offering advice, information and
support to carers.
“Carers’ Information and Picnic”
10-3pm Friends Meeting House, Queens
Road, Leicester for information for carers.
There will be a range of information and
support available on the day.
Includes:
10.15am - Workshop with Chef Graeme
“Delicious ‘Food to Go’” - an alternative to
dreary picnic sandwiches!
12 noon - Bring your own food to a Carers’
Picnic at Victoria Park and also sample
some of the picnic ideas provided by Chef
Graeme!
Friday 14th June
11-3pm - Carers information stand at
Sainsbury’s Belgrave Road.
There may well be other activities going on
around Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland,
and we will be compiling more information
about this between now and June - to
find out more, call Debbie or Satwant on
0116 2510999.
Fashion and Textile
Children’s Trust Visits Leicester
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ FTCT is a unique children’s charity, which offers financial support exclusively to the children of those who work or have worked in any aspect of the UK fashion and textile industry. So if you’re a mum, dad or carer and you work for a fashion retailer, clothing manufacturers, soft furnishings company, or in the head office, call centre or distribution centre of a fashion or textile company, we may be able to help your child, where there is a particular need. Those who are self‐employed or run their own business can also apply. We were invited to Leicester Shama Womens Centre by MP Jon Ashworth on 12 the April, to meet with various voluntary and
community agencies in the Highfields area of the city, in to raise awareness of the support our grants can give, to families
in the neighbourhood. All those present at the meeting work closely with families who have been affected by the recent
government’s cuts.
If your child needs help with special needs or if changes at home are affecting your child’s education, the small and friendly team at the Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust (FTCT), may be able to help.. Getting help from us is really simple— all you need to do is make the call “I am glad I phoned at last, because even though it took me ages to work up the courage to dial, whatever the result, it started the first step.” Mum of Freddie If you know someone whose child needs support, please visit www.ftct.org.uk or call Anna just to have a chat in confidence on 020‐7170‐4117 or email [email protected]. Representatives from local educational facilities including,
Shenton and Sparkenhoe Primary Schools and Uplands Infant
school were there, along with the local police and library
services, plus The Race Equality Centre, Open Hands Trust,
Akwaaba Ayeh, Somali Development Service and the Highfields
Multi Access Centre, where the meeting was held.
Following our meeting we were invited by Jon to visit the Shama
Womens Centre, a brilliant organisation which helps women,
particularly from disadvantaged communities, to improve
their lives, develop their skills and integrate with the wider
community. We were joined at the centre by Deputy Mayor Rory
Palmer, chair of the Leicester Child Poverty Commission which
recently published a report on levels of deprivation in the city.
Rory was very interested to meet FTCT, as he felt our grants,
”could support the general aims of the Commission.”
The dynamic director of Shama Womens Centre, Yasmin
Nathani proudly showed our group around the centre, and their
wonderful sewing room, which offers training opportunities,
such as NVQ and access to employment in the Leicester garment
manufacturing industry. Many of the women already on the
course and those who have passed through it’s doors may be
eligible for a grant for their child, making our new partnership
with Shama Womens Centre so valuable.
We have no doubt this will not be our last visit to the centre and
hope to be able to support many more families in the Highfields
and Leicester area.
Hannah, aged 15yrs is a registered carer for her father.
After school, Hannah has to come straight home to care
for her father. Now in a critical year, about to sit her
GCSE’s, Hannah struggles to keep up with her revision
and due to her care duties cannot attend her after
school revision session, with her peers. FTCT awarded
Hannah a grant of £500 to buy a laptop, so she can
study online, at home, in between her care duties.
The charity was established in 1853 by a group of merchant
tailors and supporters including Charles Dickens, who
Chairman of Appeal in 1856-1857 , to support the well-being
of children whose parents work in the UK fashion and textile
industry.
Today, FTCT is able to provide funding for a variety of items
such as therapies, adaptations to the home, extra-curricular
activities or respite breaks for young carers, clothing,
bedding, white goods or school uniform for a child whose
family is struggling to make ends meet, or access education,
such as specialist equipment, extra tuition, learning support
or school necessities for a child with learning difficulties.
So if you are a mum, dad, step-parent or carer and you work
or have previously worked in any aspect of the UK fashion
and textiles industry, for example in a clothes shop, dry
cleaners, knitwear manufacturers or a supermarket which
sells clothing, you could be eligible for a grant, for your child,
where there is a case of need.
Grants typically start at £250, however no two child’s needs
are the same. The easiest way to find out if you could be
eligible for a grant is to just give their friendly team a call.
Grants available for children of UK carers
The Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust supports hundreds of families across the UK every year and of those asked over 75% of those
asked said that the grant they received from FTCT would be life changing. Getting help from FTCT for your child is really simple, all you
have to do is make the call. For more information please call Karen, FTCT’s Grants Administrator on 020 7170 4117. www.ftct.org.uk
Fashion & Textile Children’s Trust. Winchester House, 259-269 Old Marylebone Road, London.NW1 5RA. Registered Charity: 257136
8
Helping hands,
supporting carers and families
Live In Care is still not well known by many health professionals, carers or potential customers. We still find that the thought process
if someone or a couple need higher levels of care then they need to go into a care home. However this is not the case Helping Hands
can arrange a member of care staff to live with a customer. Care is totally person centred and the staff member will provide what
is needed, when needed, this could include personal care, companionship, maintenance of the home such as cooking or cleaning.
The decision is often difficult to find the
right care package for a loved one. Live
In care brings great advantages, such as
avoiding the upheaval of having to move,
the distress it can bring to all concerned,
the loss of neighbours, friends and networks
built up often over years. Such networks
include GP’s, Dentists and other services
who know the needs of the individual. Live
In Care gives the choice of not losing such
networks and allowing the choice of staying
somewhere which is special and have life
memories.
Carers can also derive great benefit from
Live In Care. As our service includes respite
cover, so carers can have a break without
the upheaval of their love one having to
move out whilst they are away, and all
the stresses that can bring to all parties.
Other times when carers need support from
experience is when they are experiencing
personal ill health or have themselves need
a hospital stay. We can arrange Live In care
quickly to take such worries away, when I
know that carers often worry about what
happens if they cannot care or the trouble
of arranging relief care to that a break
makes it not worth it. Live in care can take
such worries away, for example respite can
be prearranged monthly in advance or last
minute as necessary.
Live In Care Helping Hands provide is built
around choice, this includes who their care
staff will be, customers and their carers
receive detailed profiles, can speak to
possible care staff to assist their
decision making, it is all about
matching, not just someone’s
care skills but their interests
and hobbies. We can provide
a driver is one is required,
one of the biggest advantage
of choosing Live In Care is
that the benefits of building
relationships and rapport with
customers and carers, due to
the consistency of staff, you
have the same member of
staff, 7 days per week for up to
8 weeks at a time so there is
no uncertainty of who will be providing the
care and support.
To ensure full peace of mind Helping
Hands provide a fully managed service, this
includes a robust recruitment and selection
of care staff, comprehensive ongoing
training, fully CRB’s, supervision of staff, and
guaranteed cover at all times, we will never
leave a customer without a member of care
staff. Cost wise Live in Care is comparable
with other care options, for more
information please contact me David Shaw,
e-mail [email protected]
or our support teams.
The Launch of the Carers Charter
On Monday 4th March 2013 the Leicestershire Carers Charter was successfully launched at an event that saw all the main statutory
Health and Social Care providers in Leicestershire make several promises to Carers across the county.
The Carers Charter is made up of seven promises each one written by
Carers, for Carers. Each of the signatories on the night has promised
that their organisation will...
• Recognise and Value Carers
• Recognise Young Carers
benefit all Carers. Members of the Carers Task Group, who all give their
time freely and generously have worked tirelessly to make it happen
and it is testament to the good job that they’ve done that in addition
to Leicestershire County Council so many other service providers have
already signed up.
Our many thanks also to Jim Davis who not only compered the
evening but also devoted part of his radio shows on the 4th March and
the 6th March to the Carers Charter and its launch.
• Inform and Advise Carers
• Help and Support Carers
• Involve Carers in Developing Services
You can find copies of the Carers Charter on the Leicestershire County
Council website and the Leicestershire LINk website as well as on those
of the other signatories, and hopefully over the next few weeks you will
see it appearing in your local GP surgery.
• Support Carers in Employment
• Involve Carers in Care Planning and Discharge
Jim Davis from BBC Radio Leicester hosted the evening which saw all
the main statutory Health and Social Care providers not only sign up
to the Carers Charter but also give personal speeches on why they felt
it was right for their organisation to do so.
Our hope now is that the Carers Charter will become widely recognised
and the promises will be put into practice resulting in a better service
for Carers across Leicestershire.
Thanks really need to go to the Leicestershire LINk Carers Task Group
who were approached by Leicestershire County Council 6 months ago
to produce a Carers Charter which they could adopt and which would
We would like to thank all of these people for their support and
for taking on this challenge. We hope to encourage them to keep
these promises so that Carers across the county feel the benefit.
Do you need a Helping Hand?
If you are looking for an alternative to residential care or extra support for those everyday tasks that are becoming a little
more difficult at home for you or a loved one - then we’re here to help. We understand everyone’s needs are different and
our professionally trained Live-in Carers can offer continuous support for you or a loved one at home, 24 hours per day,
7 days per week with:
• General housework, including laundry and preparing meals
• Errands, such as shopping, collecting pensions, benefits
or prescriptions
• Help getting out and about, taking trips, visiting friends
or going on excursions
• Support with continence
Find out how we can help you call:
• Offering companionship – reading, chatting and listening
• Providing a break to an existing Carer or family member
• Personal care, including washing, dressing, showering
and bathing
• Supporting a hospital discharge
• Care whilst recovering from an illness or operation
0808 180 1053
or visit: www.helpinghands.co.uk
10
Accessible family holidays from
Disabled Children’s Service Short Break Caravans
We are pleased to announce to that we have recently become the
proud owners of two new caravans, located at Billing Aquadrome
Holiday Park (Crow Lane, Northampton, NN3 9DA). The caravans,
one of which is adapted, have been purchased primarily for the
use of disabled children/young people and their families, to
enable them to enjoy whole family breaks together and are now
available for hire.
The Sovereign has been carefully adapted for wheelchair access, with
wide sliding doors, an uncluttered design, an airy kitchen with lower
work surfaces and sockets and appliances set to a comfortable height.
A portable hoist is provided and the main bedroom has been fitted
with moveable trapeze lift handles over the beds as a lifting aid and
the shower room has a recessed entry level shower tray, folding seat,
support bars and grab rails to offer all the reassurance necessary
without any compromise on style. The caravan sleeps up to six
people.
The Carnival is a standard fitted caravan which is set next door but
one to the Sovereign. This caravan can also sleep up to six people.
Facilities available at Billing Aquadrome Include:
• Indoor Aqua Park
•Shops
• Amusement Arcades
• Indoor Soft Play Area
• Restaurants & Take-aways
• Marina & Boat Mooring
• Climbing Wall
• Bars & Cafés
• Hydrosphere ‘Water Warriors’
•Trampolines
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Adventure Golf
Game Zone in the Venue
The Billing Miniature Train
Nature Reserves
Internet Café in the Venue
Extensive Fishing
Cycle Hire & Go Karting
Supermarket, Laundrette
Outdoor Play Areas
Pedalo’s & Sailing
Booking Prices for either of the caravans can be seen in the
table below:
Peak time:
Mon - Mon = £350
Mon - Fri = £250
Fri - Mon = £200
Off-Peak time:
Mon - Mon = £300
Mon - Fri = £214
Fri - Mon = £171
This price includes gas and electricity and also provides you
with the holiday park leisure passes.
Please note: Peak time is based around Leicester City School
holidays.
For further information or to make a booking
please contact the Disabled Children’s Service on:
Tel: 0116 294 6056
Text: 07890 320 322
Email: [email protected]
It’s Picnic Time!
Nothing that says summer more, than dining outdoors. What better than a picnic? Chef Graeme shows you how
to avoid boring picnic food with a few simple recipes that will perk up your picnic!
Tortilla Sandwiches
2 Tortilla’s
2 oz 60g Cheese (any cheese will do)
1 Onion thinly sliced
Method
Put the tortillas into a microwave for 10
seconds to soften.
Put the onions into a frying pan and place
over a low heat, cook the onions until they
have caramelised (brown not black).
Allow the onions to cool
and mix with the cheese.
Spread this onto one of the tortillas and
place the other on top. Place into a preheated oven 160 deg
for 10 minutes or until the tortilla is crispy.
Cut into wedges.
Can be eaten hot or cold.
I also add thinly sliced ham to mine. You can mix cheese’s I have used soft cheese,
smoked cheese they all work well.
Tuna Couscous Salad
1 400g Tin of Tuna in brine
1 Red Onion
1 325g Tin of Sweet corn
200g Couscous
500 ml Stock. (can be chicken or vegetable)
1 Tsp of Mixed Herbs
Salt and pepper for seasoning
Method
Put the couscous into a heatproof bowl.
Bring the stock to the boil and pour over the couscous then cover with a tea towel.
After ten minutes stir the couscous, leave covered for another ten minutes.
Finely dice the onion and put to one side
Drain off the tuna and the sweet corn and put to one side.
Add the onion, Tuna, sweet corn and mixed herbs to the couscous mix well.
Taste and add any seasoning you think it needs.
For an alternative taste…
1 Onion chopped
1 Bell Pepper chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic thinly sliced.
2 tsp Mixed Herbs
Salt and pepper for seasoning.
Method
Make the couscous as before.
Cook of the onions till softened, add the pepper and garlic and cook till softened.
Add to the couscous. Taste and add any seasoning you want.
Spicy Potatoes
1 Tin of New potatoes
1 Tin of Baked Beans
1 Onion finely chopped
1 Tbsp of Curry paste (any, if you like
things hot go for a hot
one if not, use a milder one)
Method
Cook off the onions in a saucepan till softened.
Add the drained new potatoes and stir into the onions, heat the potatoes through.
Add the tin of baked beans and stir.
Add the curry paste and stir.
Can be eaten hot or cold. If you have a thermos flask with a wide opening then
having something hot on a picnic is very nice!
Bolognese Fingers
1 Onion (Diced)
1 Bell pepper (Diced)
2 Cloves of Garlic (crushed)
3 oz 990g Tomato Puree
1 13 oz 400g Tin of chopped tomatoes
1 lb 500g Minced Beef. I don’t use Beef I used the vegetarian mince.
1 packet of Tortilla squares or normal if you can’t find the square one
8 oz 250g Cheese (Grated)
Method
If you are using Beef mince, brown off the mince
and drain off any fat. Put to one side.
Put the onion and garlic in a saucepan and cook until softened.
Add the pepper and cook until softened.
Add the tin of tomatoes and tomato puree and stir.
Add the mince and stir.
Continue to cook on a low heat until most of the liquid has been reduced.
What you are looking for is dry-ish sauce as a wet sauce will make the fingers soggy.
Allow the Bolognese mixture to go cold.
Place the tortillas into a microwave for ten seconds to soften.
Spread on the Bolognese mixture on to your tortillas. You are looking for good
covering not too thick. Sprinkle over the cheese.
Place into a preheated oven 180 deg for ten minutes or until the cheese has melted.
Cut into fingers, can be eaten hot or cold.
Quick Banoffee Pie
1 Tin of Caramel Condensed Milk
250ml Double Cream
2 Bananas
4 oz 125g Crushed Biscuits
2oz 60g Unsalted Butter
Chocolate Flake
Method
Melt the butter in a saucepan.
Add the biscuits and stir till they are coated in the butter.
Press into a 7 inch loose bottomed tin and place into the fridge.
Whip the cream till it forms soft peaks.
Add the caramel condensed milk and stir.
Cut the bananas and place on top of the biscuit base. Spoon over the cream and
caramel mixture.
Crush up the flake and sprinkle onto the pie top.
Best served chilled.
You can also cut up any type of chocolate bar and top the pie with that if you want.
Be warned this is very more-ish!
12
The Techno Files...
By the time you have finished reading this my
hard drive will have spun round 27,000 times
and its temperature will have risen from 14 °C
to its operating temperature of around 40 °C.
In fact it works in a very similar manner to the
old 78s on a gramophone only the “grooves” are
magnetic, only 10-20 nanometres in depth, and
the “needle” much more precise. It’s arguably
more mechanical than electronic and this, the
high spin speed and temperature variations make
it one of the more likely points of hardware failure
in your PC. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
That’s what this edition’s column is about…
Disaster Recovery.
I have seen grown men cry (well I might be
exaggerating but they did look most upset) when
I tell them their hard drive is deceased and then
ask the question, to which I already know the
answer to from the worry engraved upon their
face: “Have you got a backup?”. More and more
people are storing more and more personal and
sentimental data on their PCs: wedding videos,
photos of nephews and nieces in Australia,
cherished playlists, love letters (I should be so
lucky), holiday snaps, financial documents and
the list goes on.
drive failure you plug in your external hard drive,
boot from CD and click restore (after, of course,
installing a replacement hard drive).
How much “stuff” you have will determine your
backup strategy. If you have less than 16Gb
you need to backup you might get away with a
memory stick for around £20. However, bear in
mind copying 16Gb of data to a memory stick will
be slow. If you’ve got an awful lot of love letters
(it sounds better than love emails) and you’ve
nearer to 50 -100Gb of data a good solution may
be an external hard drive that plugs into a USB
port on your PC, around £60 for a 500Gb model.
There are many other ways to backup your data.
There are online backup systems, but I don’t trust
other people with my data which could be my
paranoia or it could be having worked in the IT
industry for nearly 30 years I know what goes on.
Backing up to the cloud does have one significant
advantage. OK there may not be angels sitting
on the aforementioned cloud guarding your
data but being “off site” it does offer protection
against burglary, fires and suchlike.
Now you could just copy and paste folders from
your hard drive to your backup media but frankly
this is tiresome, you’re likely to miss something,
and if you’re using Billy Gates’ funware it will
probably send you messages telling you why you
can’t copy certain files. One common solution is
to use software that creates a duplicate of your
entire hard drive. I use Macrium Reflect, www.
macrium.com, which does exactly this and can
also create a boot CD. So in the event of hard
Whatever you choose, don’t do nothing…
It hurts. Did I mention the paranoia? I may have
meant: “learning from experience”.
Mark
Mark Cooper is an independent IT consultant
and Managing Director of
www.virtualventure.co.uk
Caring with Confidence Programme
Are you finding it hard to cope?
Do you struggle to find enough hours in the day?
Do you find it hard to communicate?
Forget to look after your own health and wellbeing?
Do you feel you are not being heard?
If so Caring with Confidence could help you!!
There are seven sessions, each run for three hours a
week and include:
Finding your Way
Welcome & helping you look at what matters to you & help
you to recognise your own strengths & experience as well as an
introduction to other sessions.
Caring and Coping
Gives you time and space to look at the emotions involved in
looking after someone and how to cope with stress more effectively.
Caring and Me
How to be fit for life and caring. Discussion and planning around
your own health and wellbeing.
Caring and Communicating
Uses real-life caring situations to help you get the best from
communicating with professionals and service providers.
Caring Day-to-Day
Looks at the essentials of caring for someone day-to-day from
medication to emergencies at home.
Caring and Resources
How to maximise your income and access other resources
which saves you money as a carer.
Caring and Life
Invites you to take time out and think about how you juggle
competing demands and how your caring role fits with other
aspects of your life.
Venue:
The Carers Centre
Unit 19, 4th Floor
7 Constitution Hill
Leicester LE1 1PL
From 10am until 1pm
Finding your Way - 15th May 2013
Caring and Coping - 21st May 2013
Caring and Me - 29th May 2013
Caring and Communicating - 5th June 2013
Caring and Resources - 12th June 2013
Caring Day to Day - 19th June 2013
Caring and Life - 26th June 2013
Comment from Carers
“Helpful advice at the right pace that encouraged
me to push for what I need in my caring role”
“Really informative sessions with lovely people”
“Made me realise I am not alone and there is help out there”
“I felt so much more positive and confident”
“Gave me confidence to keep going until I got what I needed”
“ I feel my load is so much lighter”
“The facilitators were so helpful and really made you feel at home”
“Great sessions and great humour”
“Caring with Confidence has changed my life, it has given me so much more
confidence and I feel able to cope with my day to day caring role”
For more information please
contact Ranjana or Debbie
Call: 0116 251 0999
Email: [email protected]
Get walking - Get fitter and discover your local area
Join our free 12 week program of led walks around Leicester
city. When you join you will receive a free walking pack and
step counter. The walks are free and the routes are easy to
follow. A cup of tea and a gossip afterwards are also included.
Our next walking trip will be a short circular walk to Leicester’s
famous, historic Market. This will take place on Wednesday 5th
June 2013. The walk will last 43 minutes and cover 1.4 miles (2.3
km). The walk will start at The Carers Centre, Unit 19, 4th Floor
Matrix House, Constitution Hill, Leicester, LE1 IPL. Matrix house,
14
which is located near Leicester railway station. It’s a five minute
walk from the city’s bus stations and there is plenty of city centre
parking. We will return to Matrix house at the end of the walk.
Sign up to become part of our regular group and receive a map
and information pack covering our latest sites. If you would like to
take part and discover a Leicester that you did not know, join us
now by contacting:
The Carers Centre T: 0116 2510 999
See you all there!
This month Richard Lockwood of Collective legal Solutions
examines the use of a trust within your Will:
You may recall in the last edition of United!
We discussed the role of the appointed
executor within a will, and the issues
surrounding such an appointment.
In this edition I am going to stick with the
subject of Wills, but explore the finer detail of
how to protect assets with the use of a trust
within a will. Over the years I have visited
numerous clients who have had concerns
about what will happen to their estate in the
event of their death. I start by explaining the
law of intestacy (that is the process that may
be followed after a death without a valid
Will) and the importance of making a will to
avoid such action. In general, clients are keen
to protect their ‘hard earned cash’ and their
worldly goods for their loved ones – but as
we will see in the following example there
may be trouble ahead…
Mr & Mrs Client have two children. Their
first child is married but the relationship
has always been difficult and a bone of
contention with the parents and their second
child has a disability and is dependent on
state support. Some time ago they prepared
their own Wills from a legal form pack
purchased from a high street stationer, and
followed the instructions meticulously. They
stated that on the first death that the estate
should pass to the surviving spouse and
that on the second death (or in the event
that they both died together) that the total
estate should be split equally between their
two children.
Firstly, what would happen if Mr Client were
to die leaving his half share to Mrs Client and
then subsequently Mrs Client re-married or
needed self funded care? It could be the
case that by the time she died there would
be little or none of the original joint estate
left to leave to the children, either because it
had been used to fund care, or that the new
husband had spent it!
Secondly, assuming that Mrs Client didn’t
re-marry or need care, what effect would
cash assets have on the beneficiaries – in
this case two children both with differing
circumstances? A chunk of cash may well
be a catalyst in a difficult relationship for
the daughter, and for the son inheriting a
negative effect on his means tested benefits.
A solution may be to consider leaving your
assets to your loved ones ‘in trust’ – a tactic
used since the days of the crusades. Put
simply you instruct ‘trustees’ to look after the
asset for the beneficiary. You can include a
letter of wishes on how you wish the money
to be spent and also where the money
could be used in the event of the death of
the beneficiary. In this example the desirable
effect of the trust is to ring fence the asset
from the actions of third parties, (care, remarriage, divorce etc)
My advice to Mr & Mrs Client in this case
would be two fold – firstly well done for
having a Will (a staggering estimated 70%
of the population don’t have one!) and
secondly pop the kettle on and invite a
professional round to examine the finer
detail – it may be the best investment you
make.
Richard Lockwood offers free no obligation
home visits to United readers and can be
contacted on (0116) 243 2200
or (0771) 229 8779. You can email him
directly at
[email protected]
Remembring Steve
Stevens: A Celebration
Some of you may remember the events
that Steve organised to raise funds
for carers to have a good time at the
Nottingham Oddfellows Working Mens
Club. Steve was a lifelong member at
the Club, and we’re working with the
Club Secretary, Eric Johnson, and with
Steve’s family to arrange an evening of
entertainment there. We’ve all agreed
that there will be free entry to the event.
Details were not available at the time of
going to press, but if you would like to
attend, please contact Debbie or Satwant
on 0116 2510999 and we’ll let you know
the date and time.
Tributes
Many people had lots to tell us about
Steve. Space doesn’t allow us to use
them this time but do keep them coming
so we can pass them on to the family.
“I was very sorry to hear about Steve. He
had a great attitude: it was humorous
without being ‘fluffy’ or naive, always
practical and looking for progress. I am
sure the carers of Leicester, especially those
most closely involved in the Carers Centre,
will miss him greatly.” - Paul Mansfield
(former City Carers Planning Officer)
“Today I say goodbye to a very special
man, Mr Steve Stevens. When God made
him he threw away the pattern, he couldn’t
improve on perfection. Sleep well Steve,
back with your beloved Evelyn.
We’re going to miss you xxx”
- Sandra Stocks, carer
Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
I really hope you enjoyed this issue of United! I really do listen to
your comments and feedback. So, for those of you wishing for some
respite from the botanical, I have forgone my usual ‘floral motif’ for
the front cover and given you all something to aspire to… a day at
the beach. I think some of us are indeed craving the feeling of sand
between our toes and carefree days. The reality for many of us has
been quite different. The climate has been exceptionally cold over
the previous months and the financial climate at least every bit as
chilly. In this issue we have talked about changes and challenges
for carers in need of financial support through the benefits system
–a tough topic to cover but one I felt needed to be included in your
magazine.
As always your opinion is of the utmost importance to us all. United!
Is your magazine and therefore, should reflect you voice, your ideas
and your views. Please feel free to contact me at unitededitor@
thecarerscentre.org.uk I always enjoy reading your feedback –
whatever you have to say.
So dear readers, I wish you all a wonderful summer filled with actual
sunshine, as opposed to the untimely and unwelcome alternative
offerings of Mother Nature. Remember to try to take a moment for
yourselves and appreciate all that you do – don’t forget to take good
care of yourself too.
Until autumn…
Best wishes
Ann Johnson Editor
With summer in mind (and at the time of writing it’s practically all
I can think about!) I hope that you have
been inspired by, recipes for delicious picnic
treats, tips on growing your own veggies,
an invitation to join us at Matrix House for
a stroll to Leicester Market, a warm request
to take part during Carers Week and if you
need a little ‘Zen time’ after all that activity –
Winner of Best Indian Restaurant in Leicester, 2011
meditation with ARC. Yes, it really is all inside
“10/10 For Food and Service”
this issue and so much more too.
Contact
Contact
Information
Information
The Carers Centre
The Carersand
Centre
Leicestershire
Rutland
Leicestershire
andHouse
Rutland
Unit 19, Matrix
Unit
19, Matrix House
7 Constitution
Hill
7Leicester.
Constitution
Hill
LE1 1PL
Leicester. LE1 1PL
Tel: 0116 251 0999
Tel: 0116 251 0999
[email protected]
www.claspthecarerscentre.org.uk
[email protected]
www.claspthecarerscentre.org.uk
in “United!” does not imply endorsement by
in “United!” does not imply endorsement by
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