1. family and parenting
2. children

The
Carers
Echo
Newsletter
for carers
February 2015
Issue 56
Inside...
New rights for carers
Support with
Contact 999
benefit claims
by text
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Diabetes Take Control
1
Welcome to
The Carers Echo
The Carers Echo
Newsletter for Carers
Contents
Page
New rights for carers
3
Your views on social care and health
Contact 999 by SMS text message
Equipment Advice Service
4
5
5
How carer breaks and opportunities
can help – a carer’s story
6
Do you have a carers card?
7
Free parking at the UHND
7
50 Years of caring
8
A free service from BT to make life
easier
New Carer's Allowance online
claim service
Diabetes - Take control,
reduce your risk and live well!
Save money on prescriptions
Be Clear on Cancer
Do you care for someone with
dementia?
Making County Durham a safer place
to live
Safeguarding adults
Managing Money Better
Zero Points! - refused a benefit?
Free or low cost computer and
internet courses
Looking to update your skills
Work on extending college for people
with autism is underway
The Carers Echo competition
Things to do
Recipe
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13
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18-19
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Firstly we’d like to congratulate The Bridge Young
Carers Project which was shortlisted in the Children &
Young People Now Awards 2014 for the category of
the Young Carers Award. The judges noted the
success of the County Durham Young Carers Charter
which has promoted and sustained positive change
across schools and has helped to identify and
support increased numbers of Young Carers & their
families across County Durham.
In this issue we have information on new rights for
carers which will come into force this April. We also
have details of a range of useful services such as the
facility to text 999 for people who are unable to use a
normal telephone and how to claim carers allowance
online.
We also have information on how you can give your
views on the integration, or seamless provision, of
social and health care via Healthwatch County
Durham.
You’ll also find useful information on training
opportunities and some ideas of things to do across
the county, to help give you a break from your caring
role.
As always you have the chance to win a great prize
by trying your luck and entering this edition’s
competition. There is also a tasty, but quick and easy
recipe for you to try out.
We hope you enjoy reading the magazine, and don’t
forget, if you’d like us to consider a story for the next
issue, or if your contact details have changed, you
can send them to:
The Carers Echo
Children and Adults Services
Durham County Council
Room 2/24-31
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UG
Email: [email protected]
or
Telephone: 03000 261 381
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
News
New rights for carers
The Care Act 2014 and the Children and Families Act 2014, which will
both come into effect in April 2015, strengthen the rights and recognition
of carers in the social care system making it easier to have access to a
Carers Assessment. The assessment will look at how caring affects your
life, including your physical, mental and emotional needs, and whether
you are able or willing to carry on with your caring role.
Assessment
A carer has a right to an assessment if:
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A carer appears to have needs for care and support, regardless of
the level of need or their financial resources
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The cared-for person has refused an assessment or services
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The cared-for person does not have unmet eligible needs
Eligibility Criteria
New eligibility criteria for carers will also be introduced which will ask three questions to enable us to
decide whether or not you meet the criteria.
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Are your needs the result of providing necessary care?
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Does your caring role have an effect on you?
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Is there, or is there likely to be, a significant impact on your wellbeing?
If the answer to all of these questions is ‘yes’ then you will be considered to have eligible needs.
Personal Budgets
If you have eligible needs, you will be entitled to a Personal Budget indicating the amount of money
that we have worked out that it will cost to meet your support needs. The Personal Budget will include
the amount you will contribute following a financial assessment, if any, and the amount we will
contribute.
Young Carers
Young carers are children aged under 18 with caring responsibilities. Their rights to be assessed come
from the Children and Families Act 2014.
We have a duty to assess ‘on the appearance of need’ (i.e. without a
‘request’ having to be made), and are expected to ‘take reasonable steps’
to identify young carers in our area.
We must involve the child with caring responsibilities, their parents and
any other person the young carer requests in the assessment process.
The assessment itself must look at whether or not the young carer
wishes to continue caring or whether it is appropriate for them to
continue caring taking into account any education, training, work or recreational activities the young
carer wishes to participate in.
If a young carer’s eligible needs are identified as requiring support, we will have to:
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Provide support directly to the young carer, or
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Demonstrate that the ‘cared for person’s assessment has provided adequate care and support to
prevent inappropriate care being required from the young carer.
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
3
News
Your views on social care and health
Healthwatch County Durham is an independent, statutory
organisation whose aim is to improve the experience for social
care and health users and patients. It does this by listening to
the experiences people have had, to their grumbles and
suggestions and then speaking up collectively to the people
who provide or commission services. They also provide information and signpost people to social
care and health services.
A priority area is the integration, or seamless provision, of social and health care to individuals.
Service providers should be thinking more and more along these lines, and Healthwatch is keen to
learn whether that is being felt ‘on the ground’.
Healthwatch would therefore like to hear from Carers Echo readers. Here are just some specific
questions which the Healthwatch team would like to learn about …
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What has been your experience of the assessment used to determine if the NHS will take over
the payment of your social care services (Continuing Health Care)?
Have you used the ISIS (integrated short-term intervention team) after being discharged from
hospital? What was your experience like?
Were you and the person you care for included in the discharge process when they left hospital?
Has the person you care for had any changes to their Care Plan? Were they reasonable changes?
How do feel about the services you or the person you care for receive from Durham County
Council or any agency they have asked to provide care for you?
Have you received a Carer’s Assessment? If so, was it beneficial?
Have you been given any helpful information about services or organisations and if so, was it
pertinent and useful and up to date?
You can let Healthwatch County Durham know your views by calling the team on free phone
0808 801 0384, emailing [email protected] or writing to Healthwatch County
Durham, The Work Place, Heighington Lane, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6AH.
Update on the Next Generation Text (NGT)
Service
The Next Generation Text Service is now live. This service can help if you struggle or can’t hear what
the other person is saying on the phone or if they can't understand you.
The service is available if you have a smartphone, tablet, or computer. To
make a phone call you type what you would like to say to a relay
assistant who will speak your words to the person you're calling, and the
relay assistant will type their reply so you can read it on your display.
You can use NGT at home, in your office, or on the move to order
takeaways, book taxis, use phone banking, order goods, or just chat by
typing and/or reading your phone conversation.
Please visit: ngts.org.uk to download the software or app or for more information.
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durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Services
Contact 999 by SMS text message
The emergencySMS service has been developed by
organisations including Action on Hearing Loss
(formerly RNID), BT, OFCOM, the UK emergency
services and all mobile network operators.
The service lets deaf, hard of hearing and speechimpaired people in the UK send an SMS text message
to the UK 999 service where it will be passed to the
police, ambulance, fire and rescue, or coastguard.
Simply by sending an SMS message to 999 you can call
for help and the emergency services will be able to
reply to you.
You will need to register your mobile phone before
using the service, visit: emergencysms.org.uk for more information or to register.
REMEMBER: This is an emergency service and must only be used in an emergency when:
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Life is at risk
Crime/trouble is happening now
Someone is injured or threatened
Person committing crime is near
There is a fire or people are trapped
You need an ambulance urgently
Someone is in trouble, or missing, at sea
Someone is in trouble on the cliffs or on the shoreline
Equipment Advice Service
Having the right aids and equipment can make life so much easier, if
illness or disability makes life difficult for the person you care for, but
how do you know what’s right for them?
Durham County Council’s Equipment Advice Service has a huge range of
aids and equipment available costing from a few pence to thousands of
pounds and making the right choice can often be difficult.
They offer free impartial information about a huge range of products
and services to buy or hire for people with a disability who live in County
Durham. They can offer advice on the type of products available which
would make a person’s life easier.
A website, equip-yourself-durham.org.uk is also available offering a free
and easy to use way of assessing equipment needs.
The Equipment Advice Service can be contacted between Monday and
Thursday from 10.00am - 3.00pm by telephoning 0191 384 6726 or by
email on [email protected]
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
5
Services
How carer breaks and opportunities can help – a
carer’s story
Richard and his partner Gemma have four children under
the age of 14.
Youngest daughter Phoebe is 5 and has spina bifida.
Phoebe needs a lot of care and needs regular trips to
hospitals all over the North East.
Trips to and from the hospital were difficult, Gemma was
the only driver and worked part time. There were no
regular or reliable bus routes that passed through their
small village and even with the limited public transport
available it was hit or miss whether they could get on the
bus with the wheelchair or not ‘often we would wait for a
bus and one would come along and there would be pushchair or two on and there was no room for
the wheelchair. We would be left with the choice of waiting for another hour or giving up all together’.
Richard had started to learn to drive over 10 years ago but with three young children at the time there
was always something else that needed paying for and driving lessons were becoming increasingly
more expensive, not to mention the cost involved in running a second car. So the lessons were put on
the back burner until Phoebe came along.
Richard and Gemma had always ‘just managed’ with Phoebe, they had never heard of the Carers
Centre previously. It was while online searching for help with driving lessons early this year that
Richard came across the Carer Break Fund.
Richard registered with Durham County Carers Support last year as Phoebe’s carer and successfully
applied for driving lessons. After regular lessons, Richard passed his test in October 2014.
Richard said ‘It has meant a great deal to us both, it means the Gemma doesn't have to take time
from work to take Phoebe to appointments. I’m now able to take Phoebe and the other children to the
park and for other days out during holidays. It will take the pressure off Gemma as the only driver and
will mean we can share the responsibility between us’.
‘ We are extremely grateful to Durham County Carers Support and to the Carer Break fund’.
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of age, sexuality and gender. The
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, known as Clare’s Law, gives members of the
public a formal mechanism to make enquiries where they have a concern that their
partner may pose a risk to them or where they are concerned that the partner of a
member of their family or a friend may pose a risk to that individual. Clare’s Law
allows the police to disclose information about a partner’s previous history of
domestic violence or violent acts.
More information on the help and support for victims of domestic abuse is available
at durham.gov.uk/domesticabuse
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durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Services
Do you have a carers card?
The carers card offers discounts and concessions on a range of services throughout County
Durham and Darlington including:
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Days out, visitor attractions and sporting venues
Holistic treatment, hair and beauty
Health and fitness
Photography, DIY services and supplies
Driving schools, vehicle service and repairs
Pharmacies, toiletries and healthcare products
Building services, gardening services and
locksmiths
Solicitors and legal advice
Once you have your card look out for the carers card
window and door sticker and poster (opposite) which
shows the retailer is part of the scheme.
To find out more about the scheme or to apply for your free carers card,
contact Durham County Carers Support (03000 051 213 or email
[email protected]) or visit durhamcarers.info/carerscard
Free parking at the University Hospital of North
Durham (UHND)
Following the article in our last edition, we have had a
number of queries over the free parking at UHND for Blue
Badge holders. If you hold a Blue Badge then you can
park in the disabled bays in the visitor car park for free.
In order to exit the car park, simply take your ticket (the
one collected when entering the car park) and your blue
badge to the Car Parking Reception Desk located within
the Trust HQ, at the desk they will validate your ticket
which will allow you to exit the car park for free.
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
7
Services
50 Years of caring
As we enter 2015 we move into a new era for the Carer’s Movement. It’s hard to contemplate that
services for Carers have been around for so long because the word Carer is still new for a lot of
people.
My Grandfather (pictured in the white apron
carrying a hammer) worked as a carpenter at the
turn of the last century, and in 1919 he fell from
scaffolding on a building site and suffered severe
injuries. He never recovered enough to return to
work. My grandmother had to find employment to
enable her to pay the rent and feed the family. My
father was 9 years old at the time and so it was
down to him and his brother Sidney (aged 11) to
take it in turns to stay off school to look after him
as he could do very little for himself.
Picture 2 is a photograph of my Aunt Edna who
stayed at home to look after her widowed mother
for over 30 years.
Picture 3 is a photograph is of my Aunt Winnie. Her mother had
mobility problems and wore old fashioned callipers on both legs. It
appears that Winnie took on a lot of duties at a young age to help
her mother. As she grew into a woman
admirers were strongly warned by her
parents to stay away because Winnie
was needed to stay home and look after
them. At the age of 56 she married my
maternal grandfather who by then was
in his 70’s, so it wasn’t long before she
was back looking after someone again.
Pic 3
The story of my three relatives was
nothing unusual at the time and in fact everyone reading this will
be able to remember similar family members doing just the same
thing.
Pic 2
So, what did they all have in common? They were all carers, caring
for someone who was unwell or disabled who couldn’t manage
without help.
Let’s look at what’s happened in the last 50 years to help people just like them.
1965 First carers organisation is formed
Mary Webster had to leave work as a church minister to care for her elderly parents. Mary felt lonely,
isolated and she also struggled financially. Mary wrote to the Times newspaper and her letter
attracted so much interest that in 1965 the National Council for Single Women and her Dependents
was set up. Note: single women!
1967 Tax concessions
In 1967 the Dependent Relative Tax Allowance for single women increased and pension credits were
awarded to women that gave up work to care for a parent at home. Note: Single women still living
at home with their parents.
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durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Services
1971 Attendance Allowance is introduced
Attendance Allowance (AA) is a benefit for people who are so severely disabled, physically or
mentally, that they need someone with them to help with personal care. This could be either during
the day or at night. A claimant who needs help both during the day and at night can get the higher
rate of AA. A claimant who needs help either during the day or at night gets the lower rate”
Note: No reference to who might be providing the care.
1976 First monetary benefit for carers
Invalid Care Allowance was introduced, the first benefit to recognise the role that carers played and
the hardships they faced. Note: It was only for unmarried women
1981 The Association of Carers
In 1981 the UK Association of Carers was formed but was initially refused registration as a charity
because carers were not at that time regarded as a proper charitable object by the Charities
Commission. Note: Not worthy of recognition. However, the Association became the Carers
National Association in 1988 and finally registered as a charity.
1986 The European Court of Justice
Jackie Drake a married carer took her case to the European Court of Justice where they found in her
favour meaning any carer regardless of sex or marital status could be eligible for the Invalid Care
Allowance.
The Disabled Persons Act was introduced in the same year and this meant for the first time local
authorities had to take into account a carer’s ability to care when assessing the needs of the
person they care for. Note: The ball is rolling!
1995 First legal recognition of carers
The Carers Recognition Act of 1995 was the first legal recognition for carers and it was introduced
by Malcolm Wicks MP. This legislation gave carers the right to an assessment of their own needs.
The term carer was now fully introduced and over the next twenty years further legislation came
into force that brought even more recognition for those thousands of people that have cared and
care for someone unable to cope without help.
Note: As a result of this new legislation carers organisations such as Durham County Carers
Support have come into being all over Britain to help carers in many different ways.
2014 The Care Act
This new act (which received Royal Assent on the 14 of May 2014) will be implemented in April
2015 and it will strengthen the rights of carers in the social care system by including for the first
time the carers clear right to receive services for themselves. Note: These are by far the strongest
rights for carers since 1995.
So, what differences have these changes made?
Well, my dad (a young carer) in 1919 wouldn’t have had to miss school. Aunt Edna wouldn’t have
been the maiden aunt left at home because her sisters had married and Winnie would have had
the necessary help and support that would have enabled her to lead the life she has wanted.
Everything has certainly changed for the better.
by Jan Burden
Health and Social Care Development Worker at Durham County Carers Support
email: [email protected]
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
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Services
Are you a BT customer? You may qualify for a
free service to make life easier
BT's 195 directory enquiries service is free for anyone who isn't able to read or hold a telephone
directory, perhaps due to illness or disability.
BT have also worked with the Way Ahead Support Service to extend the reach of this service to
include people with learning disabilities.
To apply for this free service call 0800 587 0195 to request an application form. The form will need to
be countersigned by a medical professional who knows the applicant - they may be their doctor,
nurse or other medical practitioner.
New Carer's Allowance online claim service
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a new
online application service for Carer's Allowance in December. This
follows a successful trial with 125,000 claims made since October
2014.
The new digital service replaces the previous online claims system,
which was outdated and difficult to complete. The DWP says that
the new service is more streamlined, easier to use and faster to
complete than the traditional paper claim form.
The online carer's allowance application service can be accessed
online at gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim
Those who wish to use a paper claim form will still have the option
of doing so.
An ‘assisted digital option’ will be available for those who are not
able to use the online service. This could include using Jobcentre
Plus offices as drop-in centres for those wishing to claim but who need internet access or
one-to-one support.
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durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Health
Diabetes - take control,
reduce your risk and live well!
Diabetes has had its biggest increase in the UK since 2008 and NHS
data estimates around 850,000 people have the disease but are still
not aware of it.
If you or the person you care for is classed as high risk or are
diagnosed with diabetes you can refer yourself to the Pioneering
Care Centre’s Living Well Taking Control programme which helps
people manage their condition. Friends and carers are welcome on
the programme as they can often provide ongoing practical and
emotional support.
The 4 week course empowers people to make small changes that can make a big difference to their
life, and includes:
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Blood sugar diet advice
Regular physical activity ideas
Emotional wellbeing support
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
Ongoing support after the 4 weeks
The course will run at the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe on the following dates:
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Monday 2 March 1-3pm
Wednesday 4 March 10-12pm
If you are worried about yourself, or someone close to you, further information is available from
Pioneering Care Centre, Carer’s Way, Newton Aycliffe, tel: 01325 321234 email:
[email protected] or [email protected] website: pcp.uk.net
Save money on prescriptions
Did you know that you or the person you care for could be able to save
money on your prescriptions if you require regular items?
You could find it cheaper to use a Prescription Prepayment Certificate
(PPC) than buying single prescriptions if you have to pay for more than 3
prescription items in 3 months, or more than 13 items in 12 months.
The charge for a single prescribed medicine is £8.05, whereas a threemonth PPC will cost you £29.10 and a 12-month PPC £104.00.
Ask your pharmacist for more information, visit nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx or contact the PPC
telephone advice line on 0300 330 1341.
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
11
Health
Be Clear on Cancer
A campaign to save preventable deaths from stomach and oesophagus cancer has been launched
across County Durham. The Be Clear on Cancer campaign focuses on the early signs and symptoms
and encourages people to see their GP – as finding symptoms of cancer early enough, makes it more
treatable and could save your life.
If you ever feel that food gets stuck in your throat when eating, this could be a sign of oesophageal
cancer, especially if you’re over 50. There may be another reason why you’re having difficulty
swallowing food, but it’s always best to get this checked out, as soon as you can.
You should also tell your doctor if you’ve been suffering from heartburn or indigestion on and off for
three weeks or longer. This could be a sign of stomach cancer, particularly
if you’re over 50. The chances are it’s nothing serious, but an early
diagnosis improves the chances of successful treatment.
Other symptoms of oesophageal cancer include:
• Losing weight for no obvious reason
• Throat pain
• A persistent cough
Other symptoms of stomach cancer include:
• Trapped wind and frequent burping
• Feeling full very quickly when eating
• Feeling bloated after eating
• Nausea or vomiting
You’re not wasting anyone’s time by getting your symptoms checked out, so make that trip to your
doctor’s surgery. If it’s nothing to worry about, your mind will be put at rest. But if it is cancer of the
stomach or oesophagus, early detection makes it easier to treat. Seeing your doctor without delay
may save your life.
Do you care for someone with dementia?
The DemTalk online toolkit offers free practical advice which could
help make communication easier and better for both people with
dementia, and the people looking after them.
The website, which covers topics including conversation, body
language, reducing anxiety, understanding behaviours and
checking understanding, pulls together advice from professionals,
and from carers of people living with dementia.
Different versions of the toolkit have been tailored for different
users, including a section specifically for carers. Visit
www.demtalk.org.uk for further information.
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durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Grants, Campaigns and Safety
Making County Durham a safer place to live
Would you, or someone you know benefit from free advice and
resources to protect you and your home from fire and crime?
The Safer Homes Project, funded by a government award, is run jointly
by the fire service, police, Durham County Council and trained
community-based volunteers. It aims to help isolated and vulnerable
people improve their well-being and safety in their home.
Following a home visit and assessment a variety of options could be
available including installation of specialist security and safety
equipment designed to prevent burglary and fire in the home.
Rob Cherrie, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
Safer Homes Project manager, said: “We are keen to reach as many
people in County Durham as we can. Using the expertise of all services
combined we can offer clear safety advice and simple measures to
improve people’s lives and help to keep them safe from fire and crime.
“We would also like to hear from local carers who feel they could undertake training in fire safety
and crime risk and prevention. This free, professional training would help carers to spot potential
vulnerabilities in homes.”
To find out more about the service, training or to tell us about a neighbour, friend or relative who
might benefit from this project please contact:
Phone: 0191 375 5561 or 0845 223 4221 (calls charged at local rate)
Email: [email protected]
Website: ddfire.gov.uk
Safeguarding adults
Did you know there are more than 2,000 reports over concerns of
vulnerable adults in County Durham every year? Durham County
Council has been working with the NHS, police and probation service
to transform how these reports are handled, and protect people from
negligence and abuse.
This process is known as Safeguarding. It allows the above agencies
to help protect people with issues such as learning disabilities, mental
health problems or physical disabilities from abuse.
If you want to report abuse the easiest way to do it is to contact Durham County Council’s Social
Care Direct Telephone 03000 26 79 79.
It is crucial that these reports can be made simply and quickly to try and protect vulnerable people
as much as possible.
The number makes it easy for reports to be made, even if you aren’t familiar with the safeguarding
process. For anyone who may have any concerns about a vulnerable adult, all they have to do is call
Social Care Direct. The most important thing to do is report it.
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
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Rights and benefits
Managing Money Better
Managing Money Better is a Comic Relief funded project that aims to
maximise income and reduce fuel poverty for those living in County
Durham. Anyone is eligible for assistance, and referrals are made to
services like Money Advice, CAB and local Welfare Benefits. Referrals
can also be made to Prince Bishops Community Bank (a local Credit
Union) who can provide savings accounts, low cost home contents
insurance, Jam Jar accounts for those having difficulty managing
their income, funeral plans, etc.
The project offers a free home visit to anyone who would like one,
providing help with:
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A complete home energy/financial check
Advice on saving energy in the home
Heating control help and support
Fuel tariff advice and switching support – this can be done while the Advisor is in the home if
requested to do so
Fuel debt support
Referral to Prince Bishops Community Bank
Referral for a benefit entitlement check
Referral for a home fire safety visit
Sign-posting to other relevant organisations
At the moment this service averages a saving of £120 per visit.
Zero Points! - refused a benefit?
Benefit reform has brought about a lot of changes to the benefit
system and has seen many people being re-assessed and failing the
points requirement for the benefit they were receiving.
Durham County Carers Support may be able to help. They are a
countywide charity that supports the unpaid carers of people with an
illness or disability that could not manage alone without support from
a partner, family member or friend.
They can guide carers through the process of mandatory reconsideration and making an appeal,
looking for new suitable benefits and hopefully take some of the stress out of the changes. Carers
Support Coordinators for all areas of the county provide 1 to 1 emotional support as well as assisting
with practical difficulties, and a Welfare Benefits Development Worker supports staff with any issues.
Durham County Carers Support also provide access to respite break opportunities such as gym passes,
therapy vouchers and spa days or you can choose to try something new that you feel will give you a
break from your caring role. There are planned information days for carers and a quarterly newsletter
filled with interesting articles for carers within County Durham.
You may see their ‘Zero Points!’ information materials in your GP surgery, pharmacy or in your local
paper. If you are not already registered with them, give them a call to see how they can support you.
Durham County Carers Support 03000 051 213.
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durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Get involved
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No longer wish to receive The Carers Echo 
Return this completed form to: The Carers Echo, Children and Adults Services, Durham County Council,
Room 2/24-31, County Hall, Durham DH1 5UG
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
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Funding, education, employment and training
Free or low cost computer and internet courses
Discover free or low cost computer and internet courses in your area organised by BT and their
partner UK Online Centres. There are many different types of venues, from libraries to community
centres, and courses available may vary.
Just visit bt.com/includingyou/getting-online-find-a-centre.html type in your postcode and click 'find'
to view what's near you.
Looking to update your skills
Are you looking to learn something new or to enhance your current skills?
If so Durham County Council’s Adult Learning and Skills Service (ALSS) have a range of courses
available to help you get a qualification, brush up on your skills or just help you get out and meet new
people.
If you’d like to talk through your learning options or want some help choosing the right course for you
a learning advisor can help you get the best from adult learning opportunities.
For more information call us on 03000 266 115 to talk through your learning options.
Work on extending a specialist college for
people with autism is underway
The North East Autism Society (NEAS) are currently renovating a disused
building at their Newton Aycliffe site to extend Thornbeck College to offer
more vocational courses for people with autism.
Thornbeck College is the only Independent Specialist College in the North
East graded Outstanding by Ofsted.
The college provides personal study programmes for learners with autism
learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Programmes focus on equipping
learners with the skills that they need for living and work. The college has developed a range of
vocational pathways which currently include; floristry, retail and horticulture. These pathways
provide opportunities for learners to develop work related skills in real life-working environments.
This development of the new building was made possible by a successful bid to the Education
Funding Agency Independent Specialist Provider Building Improvement Fund and this contribution
will fund 50% of the £375,000 development.
Christine Dempster, Director of Education at NEAS said; “This new building will enable the college
to increase its offer of vocational pathways available to learners and will include car maintenance,
woodwork and catering.”
For more information about Thornbeck College please call 0191 328088 or email
[email protected]
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durham.gov.uk/carersecho
Competition
The Carers Echo competition
We have a £10 Sainsbury’s gift card donated by Sainsbury’s
Durham to give away to one lucky reader. The card can be spent
at your local Sainsbury’s store.
For a chance of winning, simply tell us how many eggs it’s
estimated we use making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday:
A.
B.
C.
25 million
52 million
68 million
Closing date for entries is 30 April 2015.
Answer from October 2014 edition was Edith Nesbit.
Congratulations to D West who won the £10 voucher donated by
Tesco.
———————————————————————————————————————————–
ANSWER
Return this completed form to: The Carers Echo, Children and Adults Services, Durham
County Council, Room 2/24-31, County Hall, Durham DH1 5UG
The answer is ……………………….………….……………………………….……
Name
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….................
……………………………………………………………………. Postcode …………………………………….................
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
17
Events and activities
Things to do in the months ahead
Guided walks
Walks to suit
everyone; from
short, easy walks
to long, hard hikes.
Family ticket - £10
(two adults, up to
three children
under the age of 12). Carers accompanying a
disabled person are free.
durham.gov.uk/article/3596/Countryside-events
-and-guided-walks
Bishop Auckland Food
Festival
18, 19 April
10.00am – 4.30pm
Free admission
The Bishop Auckland
Food Festival will take
place over two days on
Saturday 18 and Sunday
19 April and celebrates
the very best in Northern food and drink with
over 160 stalls across the Market Place and
Auckland Castle grounds.
For more information contact 03000 262 626.
Locomotion - Winter Steam Gala
Locomotion, is delighted to announce a new ‘Winter Steam
Gala’. The ‘Winter Gala’ will be themed around Edith Nesbit’s
‘The Railway Children’ with a selection of locomotives
displayed together that have featured in the television and
film adaptations of the story– including guest locomotive
“Joem” and GWR No. 5775.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the sights and sounds of guest
locomotives - with a locomotive in steam and locomotives on
display from the museum’s own collection throughout the
event.
Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon
14 and 15 February 2015, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Tel: 01388 777 999
Children and Young People’s Network
If you care for someone under 25 with a special educational need or
disability you are eligible to join the network which provides access to a
broad range of information, discounts at venues across the region, a free
e-newsletter and information on activities and short breaks.
For full details visit durham.gov.uk/cypn or call 03000 265 792.
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Events and activities
Silver Singers
If you’re 50+ and love to sing, Silver Singers Stanley is for you - there is no
audition, and no previous choir experience or sight-reading of music is
required. Just turn up at the start of a session and enrol. New members are
always welcome.
Mondays: Tea and coffee served from 10am, and singing from 10.30am until
12 noon.
The weekly fee is £4 and includes refreshments.
For further details email Martin Weston, [email protected]
Stanley Civic Hall, Front Street, Stanley DH9 0NA
Helford Road Indoor Bowls Club
Are you interested in bowls or would like to try, new members are needed!
They meet every Monday and Friday 1.30pm - 3.00pm.
For more information including details of fees please call The Pavilion on 0191 586 9957.
Helford Road, Peterlee.
Brighter Skies supporting Alzheimers Research
Bingo
Brighter Skies run a weekly bingo session every Thursday from 7pm at Hartley
Terrace Community Centre, Spennymoor. Why not go along and join this popular
event which has refreshments and a raffle.
Elvis tribute night
Brighter Skies are also holding an Elvis tribute night at Spennymoor Town Hall
on Saturday 7 March 2015 from 7.30pm. Tickets are £7.00.
For full details of Brighter Skies events visit brighterskiesfundraising.co.uk or ring
07736 872 660.
durham.gov.uk/carersecho
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A tasty recipe for you
As Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day as it’s commonly
known approaches, don’t forget pancakes are quick and
tasty - enjoy our delicious dessert version!
Ingredients:
75g plain flour
1 egg
200ml 1% fat milk
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 apple cored and thinly sliced
1 tsp caster sugar
1 lemon finely grated zest, plus juice
Serves: 4 adults
Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time: 12 mins
What to do:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Put the flour into a large jug or mixing bowl. Add the egg and milk and beat with a wire whisk
or a hand-held electric beater to make a smooth batter.
Heat a pancake pan or non-stick frying pan. Add 2-3 drops of vegetable oil. Pour in a quarter of
the batter, and tilt the pan so that it flows evenly over the surface. Cook over a medium heat
for 1-2 minutes until set, then flip over to cook the other side. Make 4 pancakes in total, adding
2-3 drops of oil to the pan for each one. Keep the pancakes in a warm place until all of them
are cooked.
Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan and add the apple slices, cooking them over a mediumhigh heat for 3-4 minutes, and turning often. Sprinkle the sugar over them and cook for
another few moments until lightly browned. Add the lemon zest and juice, stir to coat, then
remove from the heat.
Serve one pancake per person, topped with the caramelised apples.
Tip 1: If you have time, leave the batter to stand for 10 minutes, though stir before adding to the
pan.
Tip 2: You could use half plain and half wholemeal flour to get more fibre into your diet.
Did you know!
It is estimated that us Brits use a staggering 52 million eggs come Shrove Tuesday (impressive!)
22 million more than on a regular day.
If you have any articles you would like to
submit then please write to us at the address
on page 2.
The Carers Echo is produced by Durham
County Council’s Children and Adults Services,
for carers.
Durham County Council cannot take
responsibility for any third party services or
products advertised in this newsletter.
[email protected]
03000 261 381
The editor’s decision is final.
Children and Adults Services, CMI Team 2015
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