News
DAYS OUT
Thanks to the generosity of Bravissimo, a local company, who have donated a sum of money to help us provide days out for Carers, we are offering the following trips.
Coughton Court, near Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5JA on Thursday 26th June
Upton House and Gardens, near Banbury, Warwickshire, OX15 6HT on Thursday 31st July
Garden Organic Ryton, Coventry, CV8 3LG on Thursday 28th August
Numbers will be limited. Transport may be provided. We may have to ask for a small contribution from Carers.
Donations from other local companies or individuals are always welcome.
If you are interested in any of the days out please contact the Office on 01926 485486 and leave your details so that we can get back to you when the particulars have been confirmed.
THE MOBILITY ROADSHOW 2008
This show is being held locally at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry on Thursday 12th, Friday 13th and Saturday14th June 2008. Open Thursday and Friday 10 am - 5 pm and Saturday 10 am - 4 pm.
It is organised by Mobility Choice, a registered charity with grant-aid support from the Department of Transport.
ADMISSION, PARKING AND SHOWGUIDE ARE FREE.
There will be approximately 200 organisations, including many of the major car companies, plus vehicle adaptation and conversion specialists, mobility aids manufacturers, scooter and wheelchair manufacturers, information and advice services, charities, mobility insurance specialists; sport, leisure and holdiay companies; plus a range of equipment and services for an independent lifestyle.
It will be a fun day out for all the family, with entertainment provided by jugglers, clowns, magicians, face painters and balloon sculptors.
Wheelchairs and scooters can be pre-booked (subject to availability) and some will be available on the day to help people get around.
Come and say hello to members of the South Warwickshire Carers' Support Service who will have a presence every day of the show. We aim to promote our organisation and gain useful information from fellow exhibitors.
For further information see The Mobility Roadshow website: www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk
KEEP SAFE AND SECURE AT HOME
An exciting new service has just started in parts of Warwickshire. It is called Telecare and provides a home safety and personal security system that enables people to live independently in their own homes.
How does it work?
Though a telephone line, using the latest technology, sensors send alerts to specially trained operators in a Control Centre. The sensors either operate automatically or by pressing a button. This enables a wide range of risks to be managed such as falls, fire, flooding, intruders, etc. When an alert is received the operator will take the appropriate action which might be contacting family members, the doctor or other emergency services, or sending someone from the Centre to help.
How much does it cost?
The Telecare equipment is loaned free of charge. You will need a phone line and an electric point within 6 feet of each other. There may be a weekly charge for the monitoring and response service depending on you financial circumstances.
How do I find out more about Telecare?
If you already have contact with a Social Worker or Occupational Therapist, please talk to them about it. If not, then please contact Warwickshire County Council's Customer Service Centre on 01926 410410 and they can send you a leaflet or arrange for an assessment of your needs.
CARERS' ADVICE MORNING
One of our experienced Carers' Advisers will be at Leamington Library every Tuesday morning from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm starting on Tuesday 8th January 2008. No appointment necessary; please call in for information, benefits advice and emotional support - we can even run to a cup of tea! Please go to library reception and they will direct you to us. We previously ran this session at the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre in Leamington Spa, but, due to imminent building work, we are very happy to be working within the library for the forseeable future. The monthly Carers' Cafe will continue at Brunswick Healthy Living Centre until Easter 2008. The first Carers' Cafe in the New Year will be on Wednesday 2nd January, and then on Tuesday 5th February and Tuesday 4th March.
THIS MORNING'S CARE FOR CARERS' APPEAL
On Monday 19th November Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton will be joined by HRH the Princess Royal to launch This Morning's Care for Carers Appeal 2007 in support of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. This appeal will run for four weeks and strive to raise both funds and awareness of the vital work that Carers do.
CARERS VISIT JEREMY WRIGHT MP at HOUSE OF COMMONS
Carers’ Voices Heard
Carers from South Warwickshire were invited to attend Parliament by Jeremy Wright MP for Rugby and Kenilworth in order to put forward questions regarding their caring responsibilities and the issues that they face.
On arrival at the Sovereign’s Entrance, 15 Carers including two Young Carers and accompanying staff were treated to a guided tour of Parliament before moving on to the Members’ Area dining rooms where they met with Jeremy over lunch.
Also in attendance was Barbara Keely MP, Parliamentary Champion for Carers Week 2007, Kate Groucutt, Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Carers UK and Fiona Castle, Patron of SWCSS.
Carer’s wake up call!
Lynn Grainger, who cares for her son, Paul, invited Jeremy Wright MP to visit her while she was getting him ready for school. Paul Grainger suffers from severe and frequent epileptic seizures and learning difficulties.
“Jeremy arrived as I was having to attend to Paul’s personal needs so my husband talked to him while he waited and then he came in to talk to me while I was getting Paul dressed, giving him his breakfast and getting him ready for school. Jeremy was with me for about an hour and a half. He was very approachable. He wanted to reassure all Carers that if they have any issues they can go to him. We talked about a whole range of things that affect Carers including the Health Service, Respite, Schools and Finances. I think the visit went very well and it was good to be able to put over some of the issues to someone who might be able to do something about it.”
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