Carers News
Carers Poetry Competition Winners
We are delighted to announce the winning entries in our Carers Poetry Competition!
It was hard to choose winners, as the standard was so high, so a panel of carers and Carers Champions staff had the very difficult task of choosing the winning entries below. Thanks to everyone who took the time to submit their poems.
Winner in the 'A funny thing happened to me as a Carer' category was Marianne Bruce of Plymstock.
Winner in the 'My Role as a Carer' category was won by Jenny Weeks of Honicknowle with a very moving and poignant poem entitled. 'Being a Carer'.
Both winners received a £25 voucher of their choice.
‘The funniest thing that happened to me as a carer’
by Marianne Bruce of Plymstock
The man at the cashpoint stood quietly
And I stood calmly behind
Everything seemed to be going so well
‘til my son went and slapped his behind
Like a child, I remembered the best plan of action is quickly looking away
The poor man really did not know who did it
Until reading this poem today!
‘The Anonymous ADHD Family!
Being a Carer – ‘My role as a Carer’
By Jenny Weekes of Honicknowle
I am awakened in the night
‘Are you alright?’
I ask, as you stumble out of bed
‘I think I’m O.K’, you said
‘I’m not so well today’
I hear you say
‘Don’t worry dear,
I’m always here’
I’ll care for you, come what may’
I hear myself say
I’ll match your clothes and help you to dress
I don’t want folk to think you’re a mess
They don’t know you cannot see
Or hear too well, so it’s up to me
To be your guide, your eyes and ears
And care for you through all the years
There are times I feel angry and upset
And yet………
What can I do? I do not know
You depend on me, so I cannot go
For a break, or a rest, or enjoy ‘me time’ all alone
You might need me and not be able to find a phone
I speak to you, but you do not hear
I try again, but then I fear
Frustration and anger swell up inside
‘Oh why can’t you listen, if you only tried?’
I cry out, and then
I feel sorry and wonder when
I’ll have patience to cope and understand
So I try and calm down and take your hand
You’re almost deaf and also blind
With diabetes too and so I find
It difficult at times to cope, so
I pray to God to give me hope
Whilst caring for you day and night
That there’ll come a time when someone might
Share with me the caring tasks
That’s all I ask
New National Carers Strategy published!
Carers at the heart of 21st-century familes and communities - 'A caring system on your side. A life of your own'
The government has published its long awaited plans for carers. The Strategy commits £255 million to create additional support for carers. It also sets out the medium and long-term plans, aimed at transforming the way that society treats carers.
The main recommendations are:
- Increased funding for carers breaks and employment support
- A training programme for carers
- Training for professionals and closer working between agencies, including the Voluntary Sector
- More flexibility and choice in the way personal budgets and direct payments can be used
- Carers Discount cards for leisure and transport
- Annual health checks for carers
- There is no news yet about changes to carers' benefits, although the government has pledged to hold a major review.
Useful websites are:
www.carersuk.co.uk
www.dh.gov.uk
All the news from carers week!
Carers Champions organised lots of fun packed events and activities during this year’s Carers’ Week, which was held from the 9th to the 13th of June.
The week kicked off on Monday at Derriford Hospital, where Carers Champions and other organisations had information stands. The event was covered by the Plymouth Herald and some great photos of everyone were printed in the paper the next day.
Thanks for your support everyone. Lots of information leaflets were given out, and also advice about how carers can look after their health.
One carer said, “This year’s Carer’s week has come at a very appropriate time for me, as I have not only had my husband to care for but I am going through a period of bad health myself. Carers’ week will give me the opportunity to take some time out and be pampered or treated, which when you are a carer can be a rare event.”
The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the trip to the Eden Project. Many carers brought along the people they care for. Two coaches set off for Cornwall, full of happy people, on a beautiful sunny day. Everyone had a great time, seeing the exotic plants, and sculptures. It was extremely hot under the giant bubble wrap that are called the ‘Biomes’, and everyone had to drink plenty of water to keep cool. Lots of tired, but happy carers, and their loved ones returned to Plymouth that evening. All agreed that they had a great day.
Other exciting events held that week were a trip to Kitley House Hotel for yummy cream teas and a Cultural Lunch at Plymouth Guildhall, where carers sampled food from different countries, and picked up lots of interesting information from the many stands that were there on the day. We also had henna painting and a Moroccan dancer, so it really was a very exotic event!
Carers had the opportunity to sample complementary therapies and beauty pampering treatments all that week too, as well as free exercise sessions at leisure centres in the city.
All in all it was a great week, and we are sure that carers enjoyed all that was on offer, to give them a much needed break from their busy lives. Now, all we have to do is start planning for next year!
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