Past Events

Families Count Too Project

‘Looking After Myself as A Carer’ – Supporting Carers of people with substance misuse problems.

Carers of people with drug and alcohol problems may experience high levels of stress, with fear of crime, actual experience of crime, theft and domestic violence, from the people they care for.

This newly completed project was funded from Plymouth Partnership Talents  through Plymouth 2020 Local Strategic Partnership, and was also a very successful partnershipbetween ‘Carers Champion’s and ‘Families Count Too’ (a Plymouth based, small group of carers of people with substance misuse problems). We held three extremely successful, and well attended workshops for carers. We had a total of 18 carers attending our workshop, and x 4 professionals from key drug and alcohol agencies. We had valuable input from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary.

The aim of the project was:

• To hold three workshops for carers of people with substance misuse problems.
• To enable affected carers to be more assertive when faced with relatives and friends, and stand up for themselves.
• To encourage people to feel able to report crimes and seek support from agencies.
• To raise awareness (with input from the Police), and other partner agencies for carers, so that carers can help people break offending cycles.
• To enable Police/Drug & Alcohol Team/carers services to be more aware of issues faced by carers/families and the impact on them.

During the workshops carers were taught stress management techniques, and encouraged to become more assertive and speak up for themselves, and report crime. As a result of the project carers felt more confident about looking after themselves and their well being. We produced a ‘Looking After Myself’ resource booklet for carers, which provides them with lots of information about support services, and how to take care of their health, and manage stress.

The booklet can be downloaded from this link: Looking After Myself

We aim to hold a special event at the end of May 2009, to celebrate the success of the project. Carers who attended the workshop, the Police, and other agencies in the city will be invited.

 

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Carers’ Week: 8 – 14 June 2009

 

Carers Champions celebrated Carers Week 2009 with a range of exciting events and activities.  Themed ‘The UK’s Secret Service’, we aimed to champion the army of unpaid carers who often go unrecognised.  All events were kindly supported by volunteers, many of whom are also carers, so a big thank you to them, we very much appreciate you giving up your time.

In the Spring 09 issue of our newsletter we ran 2 short competitions, to find a limerick about being a carer and a poster to celebrate carers week.  We are pleased to show the winning entries below:

Dot Burrows’ winning poster

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winning Limerick by Peter R. George:

‘There once was a Carer from Staines
Who coped with your worries and pains
He’d help with your ills
Issue your pills
For little or no monetary gains’

 

Carers Week 2009 kicked off with an early start on Radio Devon. Gordon Sparkes in terviewed a local carer and the family member he cares for, chatting about the highs and lows associated with being supported by, and supporting someone at home.  Mary Partridge, Social Inclusion Manager had the opportunity to explain a bit about what the Carers Champions service can provide, and promote the week’s events, inviting all carers to attend.

Later that day Carers Champions set up camp in Derriford Hospital Foyer, supported by carers and volunteers.  We were able to pass out information to staff and carers, spreading the word about support available.

All week carers could get £10 off a meal for two at a popular local Greek restaurant, The Leandra.  Many took up the offer, saying the service and food were “excellent”, so thank you to The Leandra for taking part.

On Tuesday Plymouth Age Concern hosted a ‘Carers Cream Tea’ event at their William and Patricia Venton Centre in Mount Gould.  The event provided an opportunity to meet other carers in a social environment and receive information from organisations such as Carers Champions, The Stroke Association, Alzheimers Society, Starting Point and Fit as a Fiddle.  Many thanks to some of the regulars from our Drop In who came along to support us.  Rosie McTaggart from Plymouth Age Concern even brought along her wii computer, allowing people to play an interactive game of virtual bowls and burn off those cream teas!!

On Thursday Carers Champions attended the Women’s Health Fair at the Guildhall.  The event was well attended and we met a variety of carers, giving advice and information to many of them as well as trolley tokens, pens and re-usable cotton bags.  During the day there were demonstrations on bra fitting, belly dancing and a singing workshop to name but a few.  Many organisations attended the day and there were practitioners giving taster sessions of many therapies from massage to crystal therapy.  Our Social Inclusion Manager Mary tested out the nail bar and the technician has been asked to one of our future Drop In sessions to provide a bit of pampering for carers.  We were joined by The LINk, who gave out information and signed up women to the LINk organisation.  We can definitely recommend this event as a good day out for women in the Plymouth area.

On Friday, carers, their friends and relatives were able to get away for the day with a trip to the seaside.  Despite being unlucky with the weather, those that came along enjoyed shopping in Torquay, a visit to Cockington Village and a stroll along the seafront. 

Saturday saw Carers Champions staff at an information stand at the Plymouth LINk event in the Piazza in Plymouth.  A big thank you must go to the Barbican Therapy Centre, who supported Carers Champions and National Carers Week, and provided fantastic pampering and therapy tasters for hard pressed carers.

One carer said…’I had wonderful  neck and head massage, and I felt like a new woman’.

LINks organised some fun activities on the day, including bouncy castles, a break dancing display, and a live band!  It was a busy day, and everyone worked hard, but it was well worth it to meet lots of carers, and introduce new carers to our service.  We should also say a big thank you to our volunteer, who worked tirelessly giving out our leaflets on the streets of Plymouth.

Finally, we finished off Carers Week in style with a stand at the exciting Plymouth Mega Ride.  The weather was perfect, and as 8,000 bikes roared past, we provided information and advice to the public, again, kindly supported by the volunteers who came along to lend a hand.  Luckily, we were able to get a slot on Hospital Radio, supporting the invaluable work carers provide, and dedicating ‘We are the Champions’ to Plymouth’s unsung heroes!