Carer Support Service - News for Carers

Issue No. 76
February 2007 / March 2007

Carers Rights Day 2006

The Carers Support Service were at the Kings Head Hotel in Priestgate on Friday 8th December last year. Staff providing information were from Social Services, Welfare Rights Unit, Department of Work and Pensions and the Primary Care Trust. We were delighted to see over forty of you carers there during the day, and we hope you enjoyed the event. We would like to give a special thanks to the Manager of the Hotel.

Carers Rights

Carers have certain legal rights to benefits and other help. Every year it is estimated that £740 million of carers' benefits are unclaimed. A new guide is available from CarersUK, which sets what rights carers have and how they can get:

financial help.
practical help.
help with combining work and caring.

"Looking After Someone - A Guide to Carers Rights and Benefits".

Available in hard copy or in PDF format via email attachment.

If you would like a copy please contact us, tel 01325 357533 or e-mail carers@darlingtondisability.org

Alternatively you can download this at: Looking after someone

Carers Support Service - Groups for You

Stressbusters is held here at West Lodge, on the second Monday of each month, between 1.30 and 3.00pm. It's a chance for you to learn how to relax and unwind.

Carers Together, in the afternoons, meets the week after Stressbusters, between 2.00 and 3.30pm. Meet informally with other carers. See Diary Dates for venue.

Social Time

Please let us know if it is better for you to come along with the person you care for to the Carers Together sessions.

Carers Together Christmas Trip

On Friday 24th November 2006, a party of enthusiastic carers met at West Lodge, and were driven to Peter Barratt's Garden Centre for an afternoon's browsing, shopping and chat. Our thanks to Cummins Engineering for their generosity in funding this trip.

Access to the Internet

If you have access to the internet, it would assist us if we could send you your copy of the newsletter by e-mail. Please send your e-mail address to elaine@darlingtondisability.org Thank you.

Resources

If you are a carer over 65, or you know someone who is, Independent Age might be able to help. Contact them at The Care Department, Independent Age, Freepost PAM 1501, London W14 8BR. Tel 020 7605 4200, or see their web site on www.independentage.org.uk

New Website

The Aidis Trust has launched a new website www.aidis.org. The website gives:

advice, information and support on all aspects of computing for disabled people.
A non-profit shop giving substantial discounts to people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.

Contact: Aidis Trust, 3 Gunthorpe Street , London , E1 7RQ
Tel: 020 7426 2130. Fax: 020 7377 5738

Warning

We have been notified of a scam operating in a neighbouring region. A card is posted through the door from PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) which suggests that a parcel was not delivered to you and a call must be made to a premium rate number to arrange delivery.

Do Not Call! If you make this call a charge of £15 will be made against your phone bill.

Darlington Newsletter for Deaf and Hearing Impaired

Information about forums, facilities and groups. To join the mailing list tel. 01325 346200. A lip reading course runs on Wednesdays, 10.00am - 12.00pm and 1.00pm - 3.00pm. Contact Tom Keogan at Central House on 01325 346606 for further details.

Diary Dates

Wed 7th Feb: Course for Carers. Module 2: Look after yourself. Health information and Health Risks. Telephone to enrol.

Mon 12th Feb: Stressbusters, 1.30pm - 3.00pm, West Lodge.

Wed 21st Feb: Course for Carers, Module 3: Learn to relax.

Fri 23rd Feb: Carers Together 2.00pm - 3.30pm, upstairs at the Bistro, Dolphin Centre.

Wed 7th Mar: Course for Carers. Module 4: Other Organisations - Who can help?

Mon 12th Mar: Stressbusters, 1.30pm - 3.00pm, West Lodge.

Wed 21st Mar: Course for Carers. Module 5: Benefits - Welfare Rights.

Fri 23rd Mar: Carers Together 2.00pm - 3.30pm, West Lodge.

Mon 9th April: Stressbusters. Cancelled due to Bank Holiday.

Carers Darlington:

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

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