Press and Media Information
Roger’s father suffers from Vascular Dementia. His mum and family went through a very stressful and difficult time coming to terms with his condition and the decision to find a suitable home for his dad has been heartbreaking. Everyone takes it in turns to ensure that he is visited every day.
Roger’s mum found friendship, advice and support at the Burton Alzheimer Cafe, which is based at The Brewhouse Arts Centre. The cafe operates on the third Wednesday of the month between 12 noon and 2pm.
Roger said “The café offers a link which enables carers to feel that they are not alone”
Young adult family carers demonstrated their creative talents recently at workshops organised by the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS), with local artist Barbara Meek and supported by funding from Staffordshire Arts Grants. The group designed and made a range of felt items, including bags and willow lanterns.
Barbara Meek, who led the workshops at Cannock Community Fire Station, said:
“There are some very talented young people within the group. They all enjoyed being creative together, they all worked so hard with very few breaks. I am very impressed as they achieved a lot in a short space of time. The first week they made very colourful willow lanterns and the second week they did felt making. We used 100% natural wool fibres to make seamless bags, hangings and photo frame cover. They learned some very advanced techniques and really enjoyed the evening.”
More than 5% of young adults in the UK (18 – 24 years) have been identified as providing unpaid care for an ill or disabled family member or friend, some for as much as 50 hours plus a week, leaving little time to pursue their own interests or ambitions. Many carers of this age will, in fact, have held a family caring responsibility from an earlier age which would also have impacted on their schooling and opportunities for the things other children take for granted, like time for friends, family outings or holidays.
The Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) offers a range of free and confidential support, advice and information to local carers of all ages, including a helpline, regular groups, training sessions and locality based support. To find out more, carers can call the Carers Advice Line on 01785 606675 (open Mon – Fri 10 am to 4pm, Thurs 10 am to 8pm and the second Saturday of month 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.)
For details of projects run by Barbara Meek, visit her website:
References:
Fiona Becker and Saul Becker
Young Adult Carers in the UK: Experiences, Needs and Services for Carers aged 16-24. Published by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in association with Young Carers International
Research and Evaluation, The University of Nottingham, November 2008.
For more information contact:
Cynthia Boden
Health & Wellbeing Co-ordinator, Carers Association Southern Staffordshire
Email : cynthia.boden@carersinformation.org.uk or telephone 01785 222365
Healthier Lifestyles for Carers
A local charity is offering carers the opportunity to improve their wellbeing and receive tips for a healthier lifestyle at the CASS Carers Café.
Advice, Information and support will be offered to carers who attend the café which takes place on Monday 31st October at the Haling Dene Centre, Penkridge.
Launched last month, the café which has been set up by the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) with the support of South Staffordshire Local Strategic Partnership has already received positive feedback: ‘Thank you for setting up the CASS Carers Cafe. For carers like ourselves, it will fill a very valuable need and source of information. Having people with expertise is important'.
The Café Co-ordinator Debbie Hill says: ‘We understand that carers wellbeing is often affected by their caring role and would urge carers in the local area to come to the café to see how they could make positive changes to their lifestyle’.
Brazilian Arts on offer for Young Adult Carers
Thanks to Staffordshire's Heritage & Arts Service Arts Grants Scheme, young adults caring at home for an ill or disabled relative or friend, can access free time out experiencing a fun music and dance session led by the Art Brasil company.
The workshop is being arranged for the evening of Monday November 14th at Beaudesert, near Rugeley by the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) a local voluntary organisation offering free and confidential advice, information and support to carers of all ages.
Cynthia Boden, CASS Carers Health, Education and Wellbeing Coordinator, said: “Younger adults who are caring for someone dependant on them due to illness or disability can find it difficult to switch off and enjoy a social life, relaxation, or learning opportunities, due to the extra demands the caring role places on them. This workshop offers all these elements in the company of others who understand exactly what it is like being a carer and no previous skills are needed to take part. If you are a young adult carer, please contact us for more details - we will be delighted to hear from you.”
Anyone wishing to know more about this session or other carers’ services can contact CASS on 01785 606675.
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Young adult carer facts:
In the
Despite having such responsibilities at an early age, the majority of young adult carers would choose to carry on caring for their loved ones. Their dedication does come at a cost though to their own personal lives and development with their education, work opportunities, social life and health and wellbeing often put on hold, while the other person is their priority.
A large percentage of these young adult carers will have already spent part of their earlier childhood as a young carer and may have also missed out then on education, friendships and time for their own interests.
References:
Becker, F and Becker , S (2008) Young Adult Carers in the
Information and support on offer for male carers
Men make up over 42% of the
The Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) is a local voluntary organisation supporting the information, advice and wellbeing needs of carers and recognises that male carers are often reluctant to come forward for advice and support and as a result often struggle on alone without help. In response to this, male carers are being urged to come along to informal information, support and share sessions taking place in the meeting room at Darwin Hall,
Carers will be able to find out what sources of help and support are available, share coping tips and give their views to help shape future services. Attendance is free and refreshments will be served.
For more information about this and other CASS services, please contact
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*Reference: Census 2001.
Jeremy Lefroy, MP for the Stafford Constituency, is the new patron of local charity CASS.
The Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) provide confidential advice, information and emotional support and a range of other services to carers living within South Staffordshire.
Since his election in 2010, Jeremy has shown a great interest in carers issues and a commitment to supporting them. He met with a group of carers at the end of last year and has asked for a similar meeting to be arranged for later this year.
The support of carers was one of the six areas that Jeremy identified in his election pledges and he is determined that over the next couple of years this area will be a priority for him:
“Both before my election and whilst the Member of Parliament I have greatly appreciated the hard and tireless work of our local carers and the vital support that CASS provides. I am delighted to be able to become a patron of CASS. I also know that my parents would be very proud that I have been asked to take up this role and I hope that through it, I will be able to help carers in any and every way I can” said Jeremy.
Mayor celebrates Alzheimer Café Anniversary
A local service that helps those affected by Dementia recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with guest of honour - The Mayor of Tamworth - Lee Bates.
The Alzheimer Cafe which visits several locations across south Staffordshire including Tamworth, Cannock and Burton, brings those lving with the condition and their carers together to share their experiences over a drink and bite to eat. Since it was launched in March 2006, the Tamworth Alzheimer Cafe, managed by the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) has helped many people and has a regular attendance of around 40 members.
One of Stafford’s largest supermarkets has celebrated the launch of its new catalogue with a donation to a local carer’s charity.Tesco Extra in Stafford has kindly donated 2 wheelchairs to the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) to mark the launch of the new Tesco Direct Catalogue this month.
‘We are thrilled that Tesco Stafford have thought of us’, says Gill Wyatt, Chief Officer for CASS, ‘It is a very kind gesture which, in these times of economic uncertainty will help us in our work supporting carers across Southern Staffordshire.
Jane Ramos, Customer Service Manager at Tesco Stafford said, ‘We want to get more involved with the local community and charities’. Her colleague Tracie Bell added ‘On a personal level I understand how challenging being a carer can be – my dad is a carer. We wanted to help CASS to continue supporting carers in Staffordshire’.
To find out more about this CASS and the other services they offer please contact the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) on 01785 606675 or visit www.carersinformation.org.uk
A service aimed at helping people living with Alzheimers disease is celebrating it’s third birthday this month. The Alzheimers café which visits several locations across south Staffordshire including Cannock, Stafford and Burntwood, brings those living with the disease and their carers together to share their experiences over a drink and bite to eat. Since it was launched in March 2008, the Codsall Alzheimers café, managed by Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) has helped many people and has a regular attendance of around 50 members.
“We are really, really enthusiastic about going to the café and look forward to it each month”, says Mr Talbot who regularly attends the café with his wife. “The support we receive from Debbie and her team is second to none, it does us the world of good to meet others in the same situation”.
Debbie Hill from CASS added : “The cafés offer a vital service for those affected by Dementia; a place to come and meet other people in a relaxed non-judgemental atmosphere, where you can receive support and make new friends”.
The anniversary café will take place on Tuesday 22nd March, and those attending will enjoy the singing delights of ‘Kate’s Party’ a firm favourite with the café regulars. Speakers from local agencies will also be at the event to offer vital support for carers who care for someone with a dementia type illness.
CASS have issued an open invitation to new and existing members of the café to attend the event at 12noon at Codsall Village Hall, Wolverhampton Road, Codsall.
If you are affected by Alzheimer’s or are caring for someone with the disease and would like to know more please contact Debbie Hill on 07843 367145 or 01785 606675 or visit the CASS website : www.carersinformation.org.uk
A local charity is working in partnership with Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust to support carers within Stafford and Cannock hospitals.
The Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) are running awareness stands once a month in the outpatients department of Stafford and Cannock Hospital to provide an information point, promoting the range of support available to carers.
Karen Leighton (CASS Carers Support Worker) says:
‘This is an opportunity for those who care for a friend or loved one to identify themselves as carers and know what support is available. We will also be involved with staff inductions to promote carer awareness. It is very refreshing that the Trust recognises what an important role family carers play once patients are discharged from their care.’
CASS will also be holding three drop-ins on the 1st Tuesday of the month starting on 1st March at the Post Graduate Centre, (Room 9) at Stafford Hospital. The drop-ins will run from 1.30pm – 5.00pm to enable carers to gain support both within the hospital environment and when their relatives or friends are discharged from hospital. The drop-ins are also open to family carers who may not have someone in the hospital but who may need advice, information or support in the community.
For more information about the awareness stands, drop-ins or the work that CASS do to support local carers please call 01785 606675 or visit the CASS website: www.carersinformation.org.uk
For more information contact:
Publicity & Communications, Carers Association Southern Staffordshire
Karen Leighton
The Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) is to give a presentation at the 5th International Carers Conference which takes place in Leeds from July 9th – 11th.
The presentation will show how the CASS Learning and Leisure Service conducted a Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment (MWIA) to ensure that it takes into account all possible outcomes, both positive and negative, when planning services for carers.
Cynthia Boden, Learning & Leisure Co-ordinator for CASS, said “This is an excellent opportunity for our organisation to show to a wider audience that we are always working toward delivering the best possible carers’ services here in southern Staffordshire”
CASS is a third sector organisation offering free and confidential information, support and advice to informal (unpaid) carers living in southern Staffordshire.
The Learning and Leisure team at CASS plan events and learning sessions designed especially for carers offering a range of activities and sessions to help support carers’ wellbeing and to encourage personal development, areas that are all too often pushed aside by caring responsibilities.
The team undertook training to use a MWIA Toolkit, backed by the National Mental Health Development Unit, which is being used to assess the mental wellbeing impact of various services by an increasing number of organisations, including some Health Trusts and Local Authorities. CASS was the first independent carer support organisation to have completed the training and conducted an assessment, which began in 2007.
Local Carers Charity receives quality award
A local Charity has become the first organisation in Staffordshire to receive the highly recognised quality
award PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations) level 1 (3rd edition) recognised by the charity commission.
Everyone at the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) has worked hard over the past 18 months to ensure that all systems in place meet the requirements and standards set by the PQASSO quality system.
Gill Wyatt, Chief Officer of CASS, said: ‘We are delighted to achieve this award. As a small local independent charity, it is essential that we work efficiently and effectively to ensure that can continue to help the hundreds of carers who are referred to us each year. The PQASSO quality assurance system has enabled us to focus our activities and provided a range of practical tools to help improve how we work. We are now committed to implementing level 2 within the next 2 years and fully believe that this standard will enable us to provide a better service to those who need our help.’
We are always pleased to provide comment on charity news items, and can usually supply images if required.
We are also always interested in helping organisations publicise their fundraising activities in support of CASS.
If you would like to speak to our Communications & IT Worker please call 01785 222365 or email: michele.mcdonald@carersinformation.org.uk
