Carer Support Service - News for Carers

ISSUE NO. 71
April 2006 / May 2006

Benefit Advice

There is a new service providing advice on benefit, housing, debt and other issues with weekly drop-in sessions through out Darlington:

Monday - Branksome Community Centre 10.00am-1.00pm & Parkgate Health Centre 1.00pm-3.00pm

Tuesday - First Stop, Tubwell Row 10.00am-12.00pm & Lascelles into Work 12.00pm-2.30pm

Wednesday - McNay Street (Sure Start) 10.00am-12.00pm & Mount Pleasant (Sure Start) 9.45am-11.45am

Thursday - Connexions, Beaumont Street. 12.00pm-2.00pm

Expert Patients Programme

This is a support programme to help you or the person you are caring for to manage and cope with living with a long term health condition. The course consists of six weekly sessions, each lasting only two and a half hours. It is free of charge, and is held at Dr Piper House, the NHS Walk-in Centre in King Street, in Darlington. The next course will be from the 3rd of May to the 7th of June, on Wednesdays. For further information, please contact Helen Webster on 01325 746240.

Mobile Library

A new mobile library, run by Darlington Council library service is on the streets of Darlington offering a range of services to readers on their doorstep. There are also plans for longer stops for the mobile library to host taster sessions for adult and family learning courses. For more information call 01325 462034.

Darlington LD News

Are you a carer of someone with a Learning Disability? Did you know there is a free newsletter specifically for you and the person you care for, called Darlington LD News? It comes out every two months and although we now send it out by post to those learning disability carers who are on our list, you could, instead pick up a copy at the following places in and around the Market Place in Darlington - Citizen's Advice Bureau, the Dolphin Centre, DAD's office, and the Town Hall. Copies are also available at the Library in Crown Street, at the Cockerton Library, and from the Mobile Library.

Parkinson's Disease Society

The Darlington branch welcomes carers. Take this enjoyable opportunity to meet others and exchange ideas. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday monthly from 2.00pm until 4.00pm at Carmel Convent, Nunnery Lane, Darlington. For further details contact The Chairman, Alistair Campbell on 01325 489644.

ICE

In Case of Emergency (ICE) is a campaign with the support of Falkland's war hero Simon Weston and in association with Videophone's annual life saver award.

To take part, you store the word "ICE" in your mobile phone address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be contacted "In Case of Emergency". In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's so simple - everyone can do it.

Do you know another carer?

Do you know someone else who, like you, is also a carer? Perhaps you could pass this newsletter on to them when you are finished with it? Or, better still, could you tell them about the Carers Support Service? They could then get their own newsletter and they would benefit from the kind of support that you , too, have received.

Sunlight Allergy

In helping a carer with practical problems associated with a sunlight allergy problem we came across the following organisation, called Allergy UK, 3 White Oak Square, London Road, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7AG. Phone the Helpline 01322 619 898, web site www.allergyuk.org

DIARY DATES

Fri 7th April - Mental Health Carers Support Group, West Lodge. 2.30pm - 4.00pm.

Mon 10th April - Stressbusters, West Lodge, 1.30pm - 3.00pm.

Wed 19th April - Working Carers Support Group, West Lodge, 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Speaker to be confirmed.

Thurs 20th April - D.A.D. Social Night, 7.30pm - 11.00pm. Disco, buffet, free entry to prize draw - Tickets £5. Adults only. Contact Donna 01325 489999.

Fri 5th May - Mental Health Carers Support Group, West Lodge, 2.30pm - 4.00pm.

Mon 8th May - Stressbusters, West Lodge, 1.30pm - 3.00pm.

Wed 17th May - Working Carers Group, meal at Soho's Chinese Restaurant, Northgate. Contact Ken to book your place on 01325 357533.

Fri 2nd June - Mental Health Carers Support Group, West Lodge, 2.30pm - 4.00pm.

Carers Darlington:

Tuesdays: Weekly Drop-in at Bradbury House, 10.00am - 12.00noon

Fridays: Weekly Drop-in at Bradbury House, 12.00noon - 2.00pm