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Carers' Voices 

Latest enewsletter from East Sussex Better Together
Find out more about health and social care developments in the December East Sussex Better Together enewsletter.

Young Carer Awareness Day: Thursday 31 January 
We'll be highlighting our support for young adult carers across the county - please look out for opportunities for how you can get involved. (If you know of a young carer under 18 in East Sussex who needs support, please visit the IMAGO website for more information.) 

Getting active as a carer
Rother Voluntary Action is working with Active Sussex to see how fitness/sports providers could be better equipped to support people with health conditions and their carers to become more active. Can you complete its survey? (There's a £50 voucher up for grabs.)

Do you care for a family member with a mental health issue?
Carers who have their own smartphone are sought for research for the Thinking Allowed project, which is investigating the experiences of people who care for family members with a mental health issue (including dementia). View the document for more information, or contact Emma Gilbert if you're interested in taking part: erg34@bath.ac.uk

30th Anniversary Community Fundraising Volunteers
We're looking for people to help celebrate our 30th Anniversary by becoming a Community Fundraising Volunteer? Can you help?

Shop to help carers in Hastings and Battle
Care for the Carers is battling it out with other charities to secure your vote at Tesco stores across Hastings and Battle.

Free short break away for carers
Need some relaxing time away from it all? Apply for a free short break at Kingham Cottage in Bath, offered by  UK charity After Umbrage. 

BBC Sussex showcases our 80s celebrations
Missed our CEO Jennifer on BBC Radio Sussex Drivetime last week? Listen online, from 55:10.

Have you had The Warm Home Check yet?
The Warm Home Check service provides a home visit and assessment to people on lower incomes who are older, have children, are disabled or have a long-term health condition, or are in receipt of certain benefits. People who may be eligible for a free Warm Home Check visit can enquire online, text WARM to 81400 or call 03444 111444.

Music tools for carers of people with dementia
Visit new website Music for Dementia 2020, dedicated to providing music-related resources for dementia carers. 

Make savings on your water bills
Southern Water has a range of options for people who might need help with their water bill, including support for people who may use high levels of water due to having a large family or health issue. Download the brochure [PDF] to find out more.

East Sussex Carers Card
Are you signed up yet? Register now to get discounts at many retail and leisure venues in East Sussex.

New charity shop in Hastings to support carers
Association of Carers has opened a charity shop in Queens Road, Hastings, to raise funds to support carers. Donations welcome.

Part-time and flexible jobs site
Looking for a paid job that fits with your caring responsibilities? Take a look at Timewise - its Carers Hub is free for carers to use when jobhunting and offers advice to carers and employers looking to support carers at work. You may also like to take its online quiz.

Local fundraising support for carers

• Superstar local legal secretary Caroline Foord of Heringtons Solicitors will be our first ever London Marathon runner! Find out more about Caroline's challenge.
• Our Director of Services, Jo Egan, will be walking the 100-mile South Downs Walk this May with her family in tow, all in aid of carers in East Sussex.

Events for carers

Personal Independent Payments (PiP) workshop
With Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC)
Date: Tuesday 29 January, 11am – 1pm 
Venue: Project Art Works, Arch 1 Event Space, 3 Braybrooke Terrace, Hastings, TN34 1TD.
This session will cover:

• Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the change over from Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Help with the application process
• Support with medical assessments

Peer Support Network Summit: Wednesday 13 February, 1.30 – 4.30pm. Focus on independent representation for families and carers supporting children and adults with complex support needs. 

To book your place at either event, email esther@projectartworks.org or call 01424 423555.

New carers' wellbeing courses now open
Caring, whether full or part time can leave little space for thinking let alone doing anything about your own wellbeing - find out more and book a WRAP course to help focus on what it is you need to stay well and look after yourself. Courses are free of charge and open to any carer living in East Sussex.

Bexhill: 6 week course starts Monday 21 January, 10am - 1pm
Uckfield: 6 week course starts Tuesday 22 January, 10am - 12.30pm
Contact: Molly Booth 07507 734 370 or molly@coastalwellbeing.co.uk // Lucy Tucknott 07598 323 254 or lucy@coastalwellbeing.co.uk

St Peter & St James Hospice carers' events 

• Oasis is a network for carers connected with St Peter & St James Hospice, on the second Monday of every month, 10:30am – 12 noon. Share your experiences, meet people in a similar situation, join carer relaxation sessions and benefit from reflexology or Reiki treatments.
• Ambles is a series of monthly walks and talks at Sheffield Park and Garden for carers connected with St Peter & St James Hospice. Meet outside Sheffield Park reception at 10.45am for an 11am start. Or just turn up on the day - next session is Thursday 7 February 2019.

Contact Paula on 01444 470723 or email pfurmidge@stpjhospice.org

Carers' Information Courses for mental health carers
Do you support someone who lives with mental health issues? Do you sometimes feel alone or on edge? Meet other family and friend carers, receive mutual support and practical advice for caring someone with a mental health issue at these courses supported by The ICE Project. 

Venue: Bexhill Wellbeing Centre, 73a London Road, Bexhill, East Sussex, TN39 3LB
Date: 8 weeks from Fri 22nd Feb to 12th Apr 2019
Time: 10am-1pm
To book call/text Jane 07483133543 or jane.icepro@btconnect.com

Venue: Faraday House, 1 Faraday Close, (Hampden Park) Eastbourne BN22 9BH
Date: Thurs 14th, 21st, 28th March & 4th April 2019
Time: 10am-3pm
To book call/text Alan 07435 786182 or alan.icepro@btconnect.com

Activities for carers coming up

Take a trip to the movies: Saturday 23 March, 2 - 4.30pm

Please email us to book a place, or call 01323 738390 to find out more.