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Caring across Cheshire East For those who look after someone with a disability, illness or frailty.

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Treat Yourself and Relax with Carers Relaxation Vouchers

In partnership with colleges across

Cheshire Vouchers can be used for a

range of treatments up to £35 in value.

To request a voucher contact the

helpline on 0300 102 0008

Spring is nearly here and after an incredibly busy few winter months, spring and summer look to be even busier!

We are delighted to welcome some new staff members to our East Cheshire team. Katrina Chalmers has joined us working on carer breaks and When Caring Ends in Macclesfield and we’re thrilled to welcome Gill Osmant back home to the east team, also working on carer breaks and When Caring Ends, in Crewe. Carol Boyle is our new training co-ordinator covering the whole of the Cheshire East area, Charlotte Rowley has joined us on the Wellbeing project and Sue Barnes has joined the Relive team, both working in Macclesfield.

Claire and Dawn recently completed their dementia champions training so if anyone is interested in becoming a dementia friend, please let us know.

Back in October, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Gladstone Pottery Museum. We learned about the whole process of making pottery and lots about the fascinating history of the industry, including the world famous role of a Sagger Maker’s Bottom Knocker and where the term “pot hole” comes from.

Over the winter months we’ve had some fabulous training opportunities for carers, all of which have been very well attended. We try to provide informal training and information sessions that carers will find useful in their caring role. We’ve covered areas such as nutrition, relaxation, caring for someone with dementia, first aid, planning for the future and many more.

We have lots more sessions coming up this spring (please see page 4-5) including Caring with Confidence courses. If you have any suggestions for future training topics, please let us know. Remember, all our courses are free to attend.

Ewan Armitage Community Paramedic delivering CPR training.

Launch of new website and helpline

number

Our new and improved website has regularly updated news and information for carers with a weekly blog, find us at

www.cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

Our helpline number has now changed to 0300 102 0008. This number is free of charge for those who have inclusive

minutes on their mobile phones and charged at a local rate from a landline..

Come and join us at our one of our monthly carer break groups. We have groups at Alsager, Congleton, Crewe, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Middlewich, Nantwich and Poynton which run each month (see back page for details). Pop in for a coffee, chat to staff and other carers. Occasionally we invite speakers along and have other activities that the groups have suggested.

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Highlights

Welcome 2 Contact Details 2 Relaxing Retreat 3 Training Opportunities 4-5 Legal Advice 6 Residential Break 6 Self Advocacy 7 Carers UK News 7 Cake Craft Trip 7 Support Groups 8

We try to ensure all information in the newsletter is correct. However we cannot be held responsible for

any errors, omissions or amendments to the information

provided.

Welcome Message from the Chief Executive Officer

Crewe Office

Unit 1 Brierley Business Centre, Mirion Street Crewe, CW1 2AZ

01270 257331 crewe@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

Macclesfield Office

Ropewalks, Newton Street Macclesfield, SK11 6QJ

01625 839323 eastcheshire@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

Carers Helpline 0300 102 0008 Mon - Fri 10.00am - 4.00pm

www.cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org Find us on Facebook “Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust”

Twitter @cheshirecarers1

Contact Details Our opening hours are 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Monday to Friday. However both centres are

very busy providing support for carers so if you would like to see a member of staff, please telephone to make an appointment.

Welcome to the spring edition of the newsletter. Once again there is lots of information on local events and services, as well as national feedback from Carers UK.

The new services highlighted in the last newsletter are supporting carers effectively and we have been able to appoint and relocate staff to work on these, so welcome to them.

Due to reduced funding, we are unable to post this newsletter out to all carers on our mailing list, but they will be available from our offices, at support groups and will be given out by staff working for other agencies. We also hope in the future to be able to distribute our newsletters through GP Surgeries and Libraries.

We are always keen to include articles from carers and from local organisations, so please do let us know. The next edition is due in June 2017.

David Harvey

Parent Carer News

Thanks to successful applications to the Cheshire East Participatory Budgeting Scheme # You Decide, members of the public voted for us to provide breaks and support for Parent Carers in Nantwich, Wilmslow and Poynton. On Saturday 17

th

June we will be hosting an event at Congleton Leisure Centre offering free inclusive activities for families of disabled children. 1.30pm - 3.30pm, please just come along.

If you are interested in booking a break at our caravan, which is located at Presthaven Sands, Prestatyn, please contact Sarah, sarah@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

We have a low cost booking fee which helps to pay for the running costs. Please note that the caravan is not adapted.

For further information about our Parent Carer Service, please contact

Lisa on 01606 352834 lisa@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

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Relax & unwind with a complimentary therapy

Appointments are available for carers to enjoy a therapy in both our Macclesfield

and Crewe centres

Therapies available include head, neck and shoulder massage with aromatherapy.

Nail treatments available in Macclesfield only.

Please call 01270 257331 to book yours

There is no charge to carers for this service but as demand is high, the number of appointments are limited.

A SERIES OF CARERS WORKSHOPS ARE TO BE HELD ACROSS CHESHIRE EAST BY DEAFNESS SUPPORT NETWORK (DSN).

THESE ARE AIMED TO SUPPORT CARERS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EITHER DEAF

OR HAVE A DEGREE OF HEARING LOSS (D/deaf). PROVIDING INFORMATION, ADVICE,

SUPPORT AND SIGNPOSTING TO SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR

CARERS AND GIVING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CARERS TO MEET WITH OTHERS IN A

SIMILAR SITUATION. TUES 7

TH MARCH 10-12.30 @ DSN OFFICE,

27 BRIDGE ST, MACCLESFIELD SK11 6EG

FURTHER DETAILS CALL 0333 220 5050 E MAIL driley@dsnonline.co.uk

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME AND JOIN US RING 0333 220 5050 TO BOOK. IF AN

INTERPRETER IS REQUIRED PLEASE INFORM US AT TIME OF BOOKING.

REFRESHEMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED.

Our thanks to Alison Greatbanks and Angela Lewis from Hall Smith Whittingham Solictors. They delivered a superb session around lasting powers of attorney, wills, probate and the funding of care fees to the Crewe group.

The session was very informative and they provided invaluable information to the group to help them plan for the future. Alison and Angela will be at the support group in Alsager on February 28

th,

please see the back page for the time and venue.

Hall Smith Whittingham have branches in Crewe and Nantwich and can also arrange visits to clients at home. They can be contacted on 01270 610300 www.hswsolicitors.co.uk

One Day Meditation Retreat Step off the conveyor belt of life and spend a few hours in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere, reflecting on the important factors governing your everyday experience. Explore the basics of raja yoga meditation and look at the practical application of spirituality in everyday life.

Saturday 11th

March 10.00am until 4.00pm 14 Byrom Street, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 4PP

Train travel from Macclesfield to Manchester will be provided as will a vegetarian lunch at the venue. Inner space is approximately a 5 minute walk from the station.

Please call 01270 257331 to book a place.

Come And Enjoy Hits From The ‘60’s and ‘70’s

Rock ‘n’ Roll Local Band

“Premier Crew” playing the

classics we know and love.

Friday 16th

June Davenham British Legion

7.00pm until 11.00pm

Tickets £10 (includes light refreshment)

Contact Lisa on 01606 352834

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Carer Training Opportunities

To find out more information or book on any of our courses, which are all free of charge please ring us on 01270 257331

Do you care for someone? Caring with Confidence is free training for Carers

The programme includes four short sessions over a four week period and explores:

How you can get the best from communicating with other people Coping Strategies and what you can do to cope with stress more effectively . The essentials of looking after someone day to day, from medication to

emergencies at home How you can maximise your income and access other resources which save

you money as a carer Your own health and wellbeing, discussing how to be fit for life and your caring

role How your caring role fits in with other aspects of your life.

Dementia The Palliative Care Approach

These sessions are delivered by Admiral Nurses from the Advanced Dementia Support Team and are aimed at family

carers to give them a greater understanding about the challenges their loved one faces.

Part 1 Dementia and the brain—What’s happening and how can I help. Topics in this session cover how the brain is damaged in the main areas of dementia and the differences between the main types of diagnosis. It will help carers to gain an understanding of behaviour and why someone with dementia may do things we perceive as unusual. You will learn tips for communicating with a person who has dementia.

Part 2 This is an emotive session and is designed for family carers who would like to learn about end of life dementia. It includes making the transition from living at home to 24 hour care, dementia as a terminal condition, pain in later dementia stages and what is a capacity assessment.

Tuesday 2nd May (part 1) Tuesday 9th May (part 2)

11.00 am until 1.30pm Knutsford Tuesday 6th June (part 1) Tuesday 13th June (part 2)

11.00 am until 1.30pm Middlewich Tuesday 27th June (part 1) Tuesday 4th July (part 2)

11.00 am until 1.30pm Congleton

Knutsford Tuesday 4th

April 10.00 am until 12.30pm

Sandbach Wednesday 7th

June 10.00 am until 12.30pm

Life Planning - The Benefits of Talking

The aim is to enable, inspire and empower people to think about, talk about and take actions in

relation to death, dying and loss

Discuss why people find it difficult to talk about this aspect of our lives

Talk about barriers and the benefits of life planning

Provide information to assist in life planning and look at options

Support people to make changes around life planning

The importance of talking to those close to you about your wishes and the future

Wednesday 22nd March Crewe Thursday 18th May Knutsford

Thursday 22nd June Middlewich Thursday 13th July Congleton

All sessions are 11.00 am until 1.30pm

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Keeping Safe In Your Community

Carers are invited to come along and find out about:

Community support and activities you can get involved in

Keeping yourself safe at home, in the community and online

Chat to other carers and staff over a coffee

Tuesday 7th

March 10.30am - 12.30pm

Unit 1 Brierley Business Centre Mirion Street, Crewe CW1 2AZ

Wednesday 8th

March 10.30am until 12.30pm

Heritage Centre, Roe Street,

Macclesfield,SK11 6UT

To Book Your Place Please Call 01270 257331

When Caring Ends, Befriending and Carer Bereavement Support

You may need support to deal with both emotional and practical aspects of losing the person who you

cared for.

Feelings of loss and grief Finances and benefits, including wills and

probate Practical issues Housing Both 1:1 and friendship group support

We have friendship groups in Sandbach and Macclesfield, join us and other former carers for a

coffee, information, advice and support.

Sandbach Group 4th Tuesday of each

month

The Wesley Centre, Wesley Avenue,

Sandbach

Tuesday 28th February Tuesday 28th March Tuesday 25th April Tuesday 23rd May

Macclesfield Group Last Friday of each

month

Charles Roe Room The Heritage Centre,

Macclesfield

Friday 24th February Friday 31st March Friday 28th April Friday 26th May

For more details please contact 01270 257331 crewe@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

Re-wiring The Mind For Better Health &

Wellbeing

The aim of this course, for Cheshire East Carers is

to look at our emotions in stressful times and put

into place mechanisms to help our resilience.

The day will consist of practical and visual exercises to provide

therapeutic techniques. Morning refreshments

and a light lunch will be provided.

Thursday 11th

May

McDonald Portal Hotel, Cobblers Cross Lane Tarporley CW6 0DJ

10.00am until 2.00pm

Call 01270 257331

Dates for your diary Carers Week 2017 12

th - 16

th June

Carers Week is the busiest week of the year here at Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust. We are busy planning activities, trips, social events, information sessions and much more.

Kerry from SAS Daniels will be providing two information session for carers of adults and a separate session for parent carers on the morning of Thursday 15th June. We will be holding our annual tea party at the Sunflower Wellbeing Centre in Macclesfield later that day. On Saturday 17th we will be hosting an event at Congleton Leisure Centre offering free inclusive activities for families of disabled children. Our next newsletter in June will have further events, dates and venues, as will our website. If you have any suggestions please let us know.

Are you are interested in enjoying an evening of glitz and glamour whilst raising funds for Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust on Saturday 5

th August 2017.

Our summer gala will be held at the stunning Cranage Hall Hotel, Holmes Chapel. Tickets are £45 and include red carpet arrival a three course meal, coffee and mints and entertainment.

For details please contact Lisa on 01606 352834 or email lisa@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

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Caring for someone can often mean having legal responsibility to make decisions involving their property and finance and/or health and care if they do not have the capacity to do so themselves.

Ensuring that you have the legal authority to act is the first step. If you don't, you may find yourself in difficulty.

Until a child is 16 or 18 (depending on the decision), a parent or guardian retains parental responsibility for their child and can make decisions on their behalf. When the person you are caring for is an adult, you must have either a Power of Attorney or have been appointed by the Court of Protection as a Deputy.

When you do have the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of an adult, you must abide by the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2007 when acting on their behalf. An Attorney or Deputy who does not comply with these principles can be investigated by the Office of the Public Guardian and face action against them by the Court.

Being an Attorney or Deputy is a position of great responsibility and trust. If you are unsure of your position you should seek legal advice.

By Kerry Blackhurst. Kerry is a solicitor in the Elderly, Care and Mental Capacity team at SAS Daniels. 01625 442143 www.sasdaniels.co.uk

Kerry will be providing an information training course in Macclesfield during Carers Week around legal issues that face carers. Please call 01270 257331 to register your interest.

A group of carers enjoyed an overnight spa break at the Hallmark Hotel in Handforth Carers had time in the spa and a mini treatment followed by a lovely evening meal. After a restful night’s sleep, and a hearty breakfast, there was a short training session around keeping well and looking at some of the equipment that can be used to help with tasks at home to encourage independence. Our thanks to Lifelinks for providing this session

Cheshire East Carers Residential

We are organising another overnight break for carers where you can gain some practical knowledge and enjoy some well deserved “me” time.

We have 12 places for the residential learning break to Cranage Hall Hotel, Holmes Chapel on Thursday 30th March. We will arrive around 2pm and make use of the spa facilities the hotel has to offer before enjoying a meal in the restaurant After breakfast in the morning there will be a short training session prior to departure.

If you would like to attend, please call 01270 257331 to register your interest and an application form will be sent to

you.

Priority will be given to carers who have not accessed one of our overnight

breaks before.

It’ll Be Beading Amazing!

Join us for a crafty session at Beading Amazing in Alsager. We’ll be learning how to make our own spiral bracelets and will of course be taking our handiwork home at the end of the session.

Thursday 11th

May 10.30am until 12.30pm

Light refreshments will be included.

Please call 01270 257331 to book your place Beading Amazing, 55 Crewe Road, Alsager.

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Learn how to pipe pretty cupcakes with different coloured buttercream and make basic sugarcrafted flowers and bows, in the comfortable setting of Lois’ Little Cake Company, boutique bakery in Sandbach.

An experienced tutor will show you some of the skills to create elegant cupcakes. You will then get to take away 6 of your creations in a ribbon tied box

Tuesday 25th April 10.30am until 12.30pm

3 Green Street, Sandbach

Please call 01270 257331 to register your interest

Carers UK responds to publication of Government's new

housing proposals 9th February 2017

The Goverment has published a new White Paper on Housing; Fixing our broken housing market. The policy proposals aim to address a range of issues with the operation of the UK's housing market and the increase in the kind of homes needed to meet the needs of our population.

Carers UK has called for a cross Government Strategy to address the housing needs of older and people with disabilities which reflects the need for homes that enable people to care and be cared for safely and well.

Responding to the White Paper Heléna Herklots CBE, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

“The important role of housing in enabling older and disabled people to live independently is acknowl-edged in the Government’s White Paper and this is welcome. Plans to be clearer about expectations on local authorities to understand and meet demand for accessible housing in their areas should be both ro-bust and funded.

The Government’s commitment to explore solutions to meet the needs of future generations and our age-ing population is also welcome and action is urgently needed as the impact of demographic change is al-ready being felt by those struggling in unsuitable housing.

Our research with carers found that nearly 1 in 5 are waiting for adaptations to be made and 1 in 8 don’t have space for overnight care workers or other support with carers. 1 in 10 said that their home was in poor condition, from damp or disrepair.

To be sustainable, these solutions need to reflect the needs of those providing the majority of care and support; families. It is therefore disappointing that the White Paper makes no mention of the contribution of the UK’s 6.5 million carers."

For more information about Carers UK go to www.carersuk.org 020 7378 4999

Learn to speak up for yourself and the person you care for

There’s nothing mysterious about self-advocacy, it’s just knowing how to be heard to get a positive outcome. 3 sessions over a 3 week period will provide you with a

self-advocacy toolkit

Learn how to focus on being objective and using assertive body language

Recognise your own triggers for anger and anxiety, explore how to deal with them, including mindful practice.

Practical help with letter writing and email etiquette and helpful tips to be more effective in how you communicate.

Tuesday 7th

March from 10.30 am until 12.30pm

Sandbach Enterprise Centre, Wesley Avenue Sandbach CW11 1DG.

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Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust is supported by:

Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust is a trading name of Cheshire and Warrington Carers Centre Registered Charity, Number 1092606

and a Company Limited by Guarantee, Number 4172914

Monthly Carer Break Groups - All Welcome!

Congleton (1st Wednesday) New Life Church, West Road, CW12 4EY 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

1st Mar Relaxation Therapies 5th Apr Crafting Session 3rd May Coffee and Cake 7th June Say It With Flowers

Crewe (2nd Thursday) Brierley Business Centre, Mirion Street CW1 2AZ 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm

9th Mar Coffee & Cake 13th Apr Wiltshire Food Tasting 11th May Local History Talk 15th June Relaxation Session

Holmes Chapel (3rd Tuesday) St Lukes Church Hall, London Rd CW4 7BD 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

21st Mar Carers Nutrition 18th Apr Local History Talk 16th May Group Meditation Techniques 20th June DWP Understanding Benefits

Macclesfield (3rd Friday) Ropewalks, Newton Street SK11 6QJ 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm

17th Mar Crafting Session 21st Apr Local History Talk 19th May Gentle Relaxation 16th June Coffee & Cake

Poynton (4th Tuesday) Methodist Church, Park Lane SK12 1RB 1.00 pm - 3.00 pm

28th Feb Local History Talk 28th Mar Wiltshire Food Tasting 25th Apr Crafting Session 23rd May Gentle Relaxation

Nantwich (4th Wednesday) Market Street Church, Market Street CW5 5DG 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

22nd Mar Information Talk 26th Apr Wiltshire Food Tasting 24th May Therapies 28th June Crafting Session

Alsager (4th Tuesday) Community Church, Lawton Road ST7 2AA 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

28th Feb Legal Advice 28th Mar Information Talk 25th Apr Wiltshire Food Tasting 23rd May Local History Talk

Knutsford (1st Tuesday) The Moore Room, Knutsford Town Council Toft Road WA16 6TA 1.00pm - 3.00pm

7th Mar Relaxation Therapies 4th Apr Local History Talk 2nd May Crafting Session 6th June Coffee and Cake

Middlewich (4th Thursday bi monthly) Craft Room, Willowmere, East Road CW10 9PY 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

23rd Mar Relaxation Therapies 25th May Lifelinks Information Session

Male Carers Group (1st Thursday) Brierley Business Centre, Mirion St CW1 2AZ 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm

2nd Mar Film Night 6th Apr Quiz Night 4th May Trip to Southport (booking required) 1st June Hobbies & Snacks