Carers' Stories
New Service – Hands2gether! By Chris Coombe
Good news at last! Hands2gether is your new community day service and complete carers service starting very soon. We have identified wonderful new premises at Christian Mill, Crownhill, which is two and a half times the size of the old pottery building, but is a lot brighter and airier and is complete with plenty of training rooms and offices. The service will be run by Dave and Phil from Hands On Pottery, and to which end we have purchased all the pottery equipment which is our first priority. In time we will be expanding into other activities which will be provided when you tell us what you require. Yes for once we will listen to your requirements ! We have valid support from Valuing Independence, a firm who can provide your care package, respite, etc and Carers Champions. We will also be providing a carers’ break service. Hands2gether will be run by dedicated professionals Dave and Phil, Kelly and Louise from Valuing Independence and by many volunteers. It will be a trust so we can build again for the future. We will have a board of carers as volunteers to push this forward and will be funded by direct payments.
This is your real opportunity to get involved in building new responsive services which meet your needs. Please show your interest by contacting Chris Coombe on 01752 202 919 or 07719 963 244.
Carers Feedback on Carers Week –
“The food at Leandras was excellent, the restaurant was relaxing and welcoming and the customer service was superb. It is the best restaurant in Plymouth”.
“Thanks to all for a great visit to Torquay. Had a lovely walk along the coastal path and a quick stroll along the shopping area”.
VISIT TO WESTMINSTER FOR PHC LAUNCH – BY JAN ANSTIS
In November 2008 I received information from the charity Rethink, about a Parliamentary Launch of a new Physical Health check tool for folk suffering mental health conditions. Over the years we have seen people at increased risk of a range of illnesses whilst taking potent drugs; heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and so on. People are frequently overlooked and poorly monitored because they have the mental label. It is scandalous. My own son nearly died because an underlying condition continued to be ignored, until I raged and raged. The issue fired my compulsion to attend.
There followed activities of how physically and financially I might get to Westminster. I called Carers Champions and explained the project and the difficulties. Within days the relevant services had been contacted and the finance underwritten by direct debit. Thus, on 4th December at 6pm, I walked up the steps of 1 Great George Street, the venue of the launch.
Warmly greeted by the Rethink team, I was given the Physical Health check papers and guided into a room filled with glorious, passionate, championing individuals. Nurses, health professionals, volunteers, journalists, M.Ps, and Consultant Psychiatrists. One man in particular was pointed out to me. It was Dr. Michael Phelan; Clinical Psychologist and Clerical Director of West London Mental Health Trust. He had become increasingly concerned and aware of the health problems of his patients and had developed the Physical Health Check tool with a group of patients, staff and a member of Fulham Social Services.
Any health professional can use the tool. No special training is required. The list of questions is divided into 4 sections; general health and lifestyle, symptoms checklist, screening section and finally, the action plan. It aims to engage folk in conversation about their health, the object being the need to explore and identify issues and draw up an action plan. It takes no more than 30 minutes and should be undertaken by people who know their client well and have a good rapport.
On completion, the client is given a copy to take to their G.P or any other relevant person. It should be completed at least once a year. Free copies are available at here or telephone Rethink on 02078 403 074.
I thank Dr Phelan for caring enough to do something and I thank Carers Champions and Direct Payments who felt the issue important enough to support my attendance at the launch. I shall work tirelessly for its implementation.
Many thanks to Jan Anstis for this article.