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This newsletter was prepared just as we heard the sad news of the death of Her Royal Highness, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
It is in two parts: one, to recognise this time of national and international mourning - and two, because just as caring responsibilities do not pause, information, advice and support to Carers continues, too. 
Earlier this week, Julia Kerr, our Acting Young Carers Service Manager, wrote to our Young and Young Adult Carers, and we think these adapted words could apply to us all, at any age:

For many of us, we remember Her Royal Highness not just as 'The Queen' but also as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother - and, of course, a lover of corgis. At Sutton Carers Centre, we send our deepest condolences to The Queen’s family, especially to our Carers Trust President, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (Princess Anne). 

We admired The Queen’s dedication over the past seven decades, as well as her recognition and kindness to unpaid Carers and their families.   

When someone dies, especially someone who has been a prominent or constant figure in our lives, it can trigger all sorts of emotions, both old and new, and perhaps raise many questions. 

Everyone experiences things like this differently, though. We want you to know that you aren’t alone, and it is perfectly normal to have mixed emotions - although some of you may not be affected at all, and that is ok too!  

If you are feeling unsettled, you may find it helpful to read the latest article by Cruse Bereavement here.

Further information and support can be found below, as well as on the NHS South West London website here. 

Please do not forget that we are here if you want to talk, including letting off some steam if you are feeling slightly disconnected from everything at the moment.
Please contact us at enquiries@suttoncarerscentre.org or call 020 8296 5611 (on Bank Holiday Monday, please call 07875 103056 and someone will ring you back, between 10 and 6pm).

You can also join the Carers UK 'Care for a Cuppa' and 'Share and Learn' online meetups for company and support during this time.

For more urgent assistance regarding health or social care, please see below.

The official statements from Madam Mayor, Councillor Trish Fivey and from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Ruth Dombey can be found on the London Borough of Sutton website here.
If you would like to pay your respects locally, then please visit the Civic Offices to sign the Book of Condolence. It is available between 9am - 5pm, Monday - Sunday. If due to your caring responsibilities or for any other reason you are unable to visit the Civic Offices, you can send your message of condolence on the Royal website here.

Floral tributes can be laid at the following sites across Sutton:
  • Trinity Square, Sutton
  • Cheam War Memorial
  • St Helier Open Space
  • Wallington Town Hall
  • Worcester Park (war memorial at Christchurch with St Philip)
As above, please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to talk anything through. 
Bank Holiday Monday - 19th September

Sutton Carers Centre will respectfully be closed on Bank Holiday Monday (Monday 19th September) for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and we will reopen on Tuesday 20th September at 10am.

If you need information or advice from us on the Bank Holiday, then please call 07875 103056 to leave a message, and someone will ring you back between 10am and 6pm. For more urgent issues, please see information below. 
If you or your family become unwell or need other urgent assistance
on the Bank Holiday

Please note that most GP practices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday. If you or the person you care for requires medical help but it is not an emergency, then please visit NHS 111 online or call 111. In the event of an emergency, please always call 999.

If you need urgent mental health support, then please call the South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line on 0800 028 8000. Please click here for more information.

Some local pharmacies may have different opening hours this Bank Holiday. If you need to access pharmacy services on the 19th of September, then please use the helpful search tool on the NHS website here to find the ones open nearest to you.

Urgent Social Care issues, including safeguarding an adult or child, please contact the London Borough of Sutton Contact Centre (and Duty Team) on 020 8770 5000 (dial 999 for emergencies). 
Sutton Carers Centre Newsletter - September 2022
With a new season on the horizon, with the leaves starting to fall, it feels like the perfect time to re-focus and think about your wellbeing. Below, you will find a large selection of upcoming events and workshops hosted by health and social care partners, as well as by SCC and other community-based organisations, to support you throughout September and beyond.

There are also many opportunities this month to share your views, with the London Borough of Sutton's Parent Carer survey and the South West London Integrated Care System's survey for people caring for others at end of life, which ends Friday 28th October. Please scroll down to learn more.

We know that with cold weather looming, and an uncertain economy, it is vital to start planning ahead for winter, so we have a big section in this newsletter, sharing many ways you can get support with your utility and food bills. We have also shared a link to the helpful London Borough of Sutton 'cost of living' web page, which includes local information to guide you through the coming months.
And as always, our SCC Information and Advice team (now also part of the new 'Together for Sutton' Hub), can help you navigate the various forms of support available, tailoring information and advice for your particular circumstances.

We also have some new paid JOB OPPORTUNITIES available at Sutton Carers Centre, so if you would like to become a member of the SCC team, then please see below to find out more!
Jobs at Sutton Carers Centre
Want to join our team? Please scroll down to find out more...
 
This has been a big period of change at SCC recently. We have lots of jobs going, but let us tell you firstly why, and also what motley crew members we are looking for...

As you may have read in our last newsletter, we recently won new partnership funding after re-tendering for our core contracts with the Council. We also secured partnership funding from our Health colleagues plus independent funding from charitable trusts.

As Carers' lives have become more complicated, and the charity world, too, we have responded by increasing our charity 'income', which means an increase in the amount and type of support we can provide to you.

More details to come, but to achieve this, we have a suite of paid job vacancies now, or coming up soon. Some jobs are new, some are due to re-organisation, some will stay the same as much-valued, long-standing members of staff move on or take retirement. We have both full and part-time roles, in all teams, at all levels of the organisation (well, except for the CEO job as Rachael continues to stick around after 15 years - only beaten by our Adult I & A Service Manager, Karen, who is approaching 16 years of service...but we digress...). 

What these jobs all have in common is that people with lived experience of caring will be prioritised for interview. Successful candidates will also have the skills and abilities to do the job, but much will be transferable from your unpaid caring experiences as well as paid work. We also welcome applications from younger people looking to make a career in the charity world, people who may wish to transfer from the private sector, or older people who may be retired from one career but wish to keep working and 'giving back'.

The work is not an 'easy option' though, so don't be fooled by the myths that surround working for a charity; we are proud and fulfilled by what we do, but we also are professionals who work exceptionally hard. 

We also want people who know, or who are committed to Sutton's communities, and this includes people from all backgrounds, especially people who may come from visibly minoritised communities (people who are Black or Asian, for example). We also encourage applications from other people who may have experienced discrimination or have not been served well by services (people who are LGBTQ+, Refugees, from military families, or people who have disabilities or mental health issues). We also would welcome a few more men about the place!

The more varied your life experience, the better for our team and for Carers. 

Our pay is competitive, our benefits very good, and we think the work is truly rewarding. So if you are interested in joining us, please keep an eye on our website, as well as registering for alerts from 'CharityJobs', our main recruitment platform. 

FYI, we may interview good candidates in the order we receive their applications so please do get in touch to fill out and submit an application form as soon as you can. 

Positions we are looking to fill include:
  • a Senior Manager, who also can oversee our Preventative Support Service, including mental health and wellbeing services
  • Lead Workers for developing our Adult Mental Health Carer Peer Support work as well as our Young Carer work in schools
  • Adult as well as Young Carer Workers for Information, Advice, Support and Engagement
  • Central Services business/office support to help run the physical Centre, also keeping the systems that support our work running smoothly
If you would like to apply for any of these roles, then please visit our Charity Jobs page or our website here. If you have any queries, or would like to send us your CV pending receiving an application pack, then please email recruitment@suttoncarerscentre.org in the first instance.

Alongside the excitement of recruiting new people, it does mean that, sadly, we will be saying goodbye to a few of our wonderful colleagues moving onto pastures new. More in the next newsletter as we wish them all the best with their future endeavours.

Not ready for a paid job with us but want to get involved? Please consider volunteering with us - either as a stepping stone back to paid work or perhaps just to contribute to your community. Volunteer vacancies for everyone from Trustees to Receptionists to Activity Workers to Therapists to Fundraisers...once a day, a week, a month or year! 
Centre activities and events
What's going on in September and into October at SCC?
 
Please find below an outline of the free Support Groups running at SCC for Adult Carers for the rest of September 2022 and into October. Please keep an eye on our website and Social Media feeds for the quickest updates. 

Just a reminder that our Young Carers 'Chill and Learn' homework club has now resumed for the new school term, taking place every Monday (term-time), 4pm - 5:30pm. Please email julia@suttoncarerscentre.org if you would like to join. We look forward to seeing you there!

Again, please visit our website: https://www.suttoncarerscentre.org/support-groups for our weekly schedule of support groups, including our Young and Young Adult Carer groups.

As always, you also can call us on 020 8296 5611 or email enquiries@suttoncarerscentre.org or youngcarers@suttoncarerscentre.org.
 
Please note that things are subject to change this Autumn, so please check the website here for the latest information about our Support Groups.

Please click on the images below to access the downloadable PDF version of the calendars (noting SCC is now closed to groups on 19th September)
Staying safe in the Centre

Good hygiene is always a great way to protect ourselves from getting sick especially when we start going back indoors and winter approaches. From the 31st of August, the government paused testing in places such as hospitals, adult social care and hospice services. Testing will only resume testing in some high-risk settings. More information on this change can be found here.

Please note that we will no longer be asking visitors to the Centre to test before they come in. Hand sanitisers and face masks are still available upon entry.
What's been happening at SCC?
Our latest quality commitments
 
We are delighted to say that we have recently joined the Young Carers Alliance as well as become recognised as a Mindful Employer as well as Living Wage Employer. 

The Young Carers Alliance is a national group of organisations and individuals who are committed to changing and improving the support available for Young Carers, Young Adult Carers and their families. Find out more here.

The Mindful Employer mark recognises employers who are positive about mental health. This demonstrates our commitment to ensuring better mental health at work for all our staff team. To learn more about Mindful Employer, please visit their website here.

The Living Wage Employer mark is for organisations that voluntarily ensure that their employees are earning a wage which is enough to live on. We are now one of almost 10,000 Living Wage Employers across the UK. Discover more on their website here.
Share your views
Have your say on the support available to end-of-life Carers

The South West London integrated Care System wants to hear from you. Have you cared for or are you caring for a family member or friend who lives with a terminal illness or is at the end of their life? if so, then you can share your own experiences and suggestions to help mould the support services available for Carers in your local area.

You can share your views independently through their live survey here. The survey will close on Friday 28th October. If you are caring for someone end of life, and would like to be a part of an interview, despite what may be a difficult time for you, then please let us know by emailing communications@suttoncarerscentre.org or calling 020 8296 5611.

To say thank you for your time, Carers will be given a High Street voucher to spend. 

We also would like to add that Sutton is unusual in having a Palliative Care Co-ordination Hub - and even more unusual in having a specialist Carer Support Worker in that team, employed by SCC, Caroline Hardwicke. If you would like to hear more about the support Caroline can offer you, please do get in touch via enquiries@suttoncarerscentre.org or 020 8296 5611 and Caroline will prioritise getting in touch with you. 
Parent Carers, there's still time to help shape the future of SEND support in Sutton

The London Borough of Sutton wants to hear from Parent Carers of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, to help to shape the future services for the young Sutton SEND community. Although their survey has now closed, you can still share your views and experiences by attending an in-person focus group. Please see the date of the next group below: Please note that these focus groups will be recorded (voice only) to capture everything discussed, so it can be incorporated with the other feedback received. All comments will be anonymous and deleted once they have drafted the recommendations.
 
If you have any questions or would like to submit thoughts or observations, then please email david.millen@sutton.gov.uk or liam.roberts@sutton.gov.uk. More information can be found on the London Borough of Sutton website here.
Shortly, Sutton Carers Centre will be launching our survey of Carers in Sutton. We want to hear your views on the key issues that matter to you!

Watch this space...
Cost of Living
Helping you through Autumn, Winter and beyond...
 
With summer drawing to a close, now is the time to think about managing what many are calling the 'Cost of Living Crisis', with the colossal rise in energy bills (more on the way in the near future), plus the cost of food and general living expenses increasing every time you shop.   

There are some excellent resources in the borough with ways to help yourself. In fact, the London Borough of Sutton has created a Cost of Living Support page on their website here which covers a variety of subjects including: energy, money, food, housing and homelessness, parents & families, mental health & wellbeing, domestic abuse & women’s safety, tips for reducing costs, how you can help others as well as references to caring – so please do take a look!

For more help via SCC, please keep reading...
We are here at Sutton Carers Centre to help you during and through this crisis, and we understand how difficult it is juggling a caring role(s) as well as potential financial worries. Some of the things we offer include full Benefits checks for yourself and your family, including the person you care for. These checks are carried out by a Senior Welfare Benefits Adviser from Citizens Advice Sutton based here in the Centre. 

The Adult Carers Services Team here at the Centre can help you complete Benefit forms by appointment either over the phone or face-to-face in person or via e.g. Zoom. We can help you access other services when you are in need such as food resources or individual funding streams (if, for example, your fridge breaks down) and so much more - for individuals, families with children and older people in a variety of areas. We also can support and assist you through the maze of help and support from other organizations and services (both local and national). Please call & talk to us on 020 8296 5611 or email enquiries@suttoncarerscentre.org .
Coming to the Centre soon one morning a week will be a Debt First Aider (funded by the Council via 'Together for Sutton', worker provided by Citizen Advice Sutton) to help Carers with debt emergencies, support with the completion of income & expenditure sheets and give an overview of the debt advice procedure. 

If you read nothing else in this newsletter:
TAKE A LOOK, CALL US, and TALK TO US.
Delicious, nutritious & free meals with Bags of Taste

Learn new and easy recipes with Bags of Taste. They are running free cooking courses via Whats App or phone with upcoming classes for September and October with ongoing enrollment.

You will receive a bag of food, equipment and recipes delivered to your door for free. Together they will show you how to cook three delicious dishes, costing just 50p a portion (if you were to recreate it yourself after the course ends). Each cookery class is completed within 2 weeks at your own pace and in your own home. To learn more or to register your interest please call 07926139404 or email sutton@bagsoftaste.org. You can find out more about Bags of Taste here.
Support available to help with your utility bills

There are many schemes and reductions available from your providers and the government, but not everyone is aware of these. Please see below for some of the key ones that you may be eligible for.

Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could get £140 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March. Please click here to see if you are eligible.

Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born on or before 25 September 1956, then you could get between £250 and £600 from the government to help you pay your heating bills. You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you get the state pension or certain other benefits. Click here to find out more.
      
SES Water - Here For You support
SES Water may be able to offer you support such as priority services for those who may have health, access or communication needs. They can also offer a 50% reduction for low-income households, pauses on bill payments, capped tariffs and bill deductions from benefits. Find out what you may be eligible for through their website here. You can also contact them by phone on 01737 785 606 or email hereforeyou@seswater.co.uk.
Community Connect Cost of Living crisis special - 13th October

Each month, People Arise Now hosts Community Connect which offers a space for residents to connect with the local Council, local businesses, voluntary organisations and more. Collectively, they will discuss local services and key issues, whilst finding solutions to help build a more connected community. The focus for the next Community Connect will be the Cost of Living crisis. There will be a presentation from a Thinking Works representative, who will provide helpful information and tips to support community members during this time. It takes place Thursday 13th October, 10am - 12pm at Hill House, Carshalton. This event is open to all local residents.
Please email projects@peoplearisenow.org if you would like further information.
Your wellbeing
The latest on the Autumn Booster Programme

If you are a Carer aged 16 to 49 or an adult aged 50 or over, then in the coming weeks you will be invited by the NHS to receive your autumn booster.

The NHS will also be contacting people who live in a care home for older adults, people aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, or people aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immuno-suppression. The official statement from the JCVI can be found here.

At present, only those aged 75 years old and over, aged 12 or over with a weakened immune system and frontline health or social care workers are eligible for a seasonal booster.

If you have already been invited to receive your autumn booster, then you can book via the NHS website here.

In the meantime, if you believe that your GP may not be aware that you are a Carer, then please go and see your GP to ensure that the 'Carer box' is ticked on your record.
Focusing on your wellbeing this Autumn

Are you a Mental Health Carer? Why not join the Recovery College (South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust) at one of their online wellbeing sessions this Autumn? They provide a safe space online where you can explore and learn in a group setting about mental health, recovery and much more. Please scroll down to see the upcoming dates. To book a session, please call 0203 513 5818 or email recoverycollege@swlstg.nhs.uk. You can find out more about the Recovery College here.
The launch of The Sutton Whole Systems Frailty Model

The Sutton Health and Care Alliance is holding a launch event for The Sutton Whole Systems Frailty Model on Tuesday 27th September, 9am - 4pm at The Salvation Army, Sutton. Please note that you do not need to be in attendance for the whole day, you are able to attend at any time. At this event, you will be able to learn more about 'frailty' as an area of care, and the collaborative care approach to delivering care to people living with frailty. During the day, you will also be able to engage with local partners and services involved in delivering care to people living with frailty. The event is free and open to all. They will be providing pastries and biscuits during the breakfast and afternoon breaks, but they will not be providing lunch.

You can join by registering here. Learn more about the Sutton Health and Care Alliance here.
London LGBTQ+ Carers Peer Support Group

Come and connect with other LGBTQ+ Carers over a free hot drink. This group will be held at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre on the third Saturday of each month, 2pm - 4pm. Further information on the venue can be found here. All Sutton LGBTQ+ Carers are welcome.

If you would like to book your space or simply find out more information, then please email abinaya@wandsworthcarers.org.uk - or give our team a call on 020 8296 5611 email: communications@suttoncarerscentre.org. Please note that these events are open to LGBTQ+ Carers aged 18 and over.
Yoga for Everyone!
 
Every Tuesday at 6:30pm, Angel Hill Sutton hosts a free yoga class at Trinity Church, Sutton suitable for all abilities. Yoga is great for both your body and mind. All you will need is a yoga mat, a bottle of water and yourself! 

Book your classes here. Click here for more information on Angel Hill Sutton.
Enjoy a cuppa with EcoLocal
 
Have a cuppa, connect with others and enjoy the beautiful Victorian walled garden at the free EcoLocal 'Garden Tea', which takes place every Wednesday, 1:30pm - 3pm at The Lodge in Carshalton. Whilst you sip your tea, you will be able to take part in the wellbeing activities. Click here to find out more information. If you would like to join, then please email gardentea@ecolocal.org.uk.
A date for your diary...
 
Off the back of National Safeguarding Adults Week, Sutton Safeguarding Adults Board, of which SCC is a member, will be hosting a public information event, taking place on Thursday 24th November at Sutton Central Library. This event is open to everyone.

There will be a number of talks between 9:30am - 3:30pm from Barclays Bank, Trading Standards, London Fire Brigade & Citizens Advice, Cranstoun, Sutton Jobcentre, Inspire and Community Action Sutton*. The talks will cover a range of safeguarding-related topics. You do not need to book a place for any of the sessions, you can just turn up and attend as many as you like. Please click here to find out more.

*Sutton Carers Centre information will be available, especially as it is Carers Rights Day on the 24th November, also as delivery partners with Community Action Sutton as part of the 'Together for Sutton' Information, Advice, Support and Advocacy service. 
Self-Care September with Action for Happiness
   
You may have seen us share the Action for Happiness monthly calendars on our social media channels, but this month we thought we would share it with you all in our newsletter as it is focusing on self-care. This month's calendar is full of actions to help you be kinder to yourself. We hope that you can take a moment or two to just do a couple of things that support your wellbeing. To find out more about the Action for Happiness calendars, please click here.
What are some other partners doing this month?
A fun-filled day in Carshalton to celebrate National Older People's Day
 
Join ASKI on the 27th of September for their celebratory day at Honeywood Museum, Carshalton marking Older People's Day 2022. This will be a fun-filled day of comedy, entertainment, life writing and storytelling. Sessions will take place between 12:30pm and 3:15pm. To find out more and to book, please click here.
         
A torn teddy or a broken bike? Visit the Sutton Repair Café
 
Do you need something repaired? Then visit the Sutton Repair Café on the 8th of October, 11am - 2pm at Your Space Sutton. Highly-skilled volunteers will be on hand to repair your items for free (although a small donation would be appreciated). The only items that they cannot currently repair are microwave ovens or anything that is petrol-driven, otherwise please feel free to bring along your clothes, housewares, electrical appliances, bicycles and toys. This is a great way to prolong the life of your possessions, whilst also saving you from repurchasing them. For more information on the Repair Café movement, please visit their website here.
         
Young Carers Corner
Have your say at Sutton's Youth Voice Summit

If you are aged 11 - 15 and you live, study or work in Sutton, then come and share your views with other young people and decision-makers at Sutton's Young Voice Summit. This event takes place on Thursday 22nd September, 4:30pm - 6:30pm at Sutton Library, Level 1. Please note that refreshments and dinner will be provided for all in attendance. You can book your free place here. If you are a Young Carer and decide to go, please let us know so we can connect!
There's still a chance to start your career in Cybersecurity...
 
There are still a few spaces left on the Cybersecurity project, hosted by People Arise Now and Cisco. If you are aged between 14 and 25 and have an interest in Cybersecurity, then scroll down to see how you can get involved.

If you are 18 or over, then you can apply through the online form here. If you are under 18, then please provide consent from a parent or guardian under question 8 on the form. There are 25 spaces in total, so please apply soon if you are interested. If you require further information on the project, then please email cisco@peoplearisenow.org or call 020 7952 1245.
Contact Sutton Carers Centre on 020 8296 5611, 10:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday, until 8:00pm on Tuesday evenings, and from 11:00am – 1:00pm on the second Saturday of each month, or email us on enquiries@suttoncarerscentre.org, youngcarers@suttoncarerscentre.org, or for organisational queries, communications@suttoncarerscentre.org.

You also can get extensive information from the London Borough of Sutton website here. It also has information if you feel unsafe from domestic abuse or if you have concerns about the safety of a vulnerable adult or child. We also can give information and advice about these issues.

Your NHS is here for you, too - so, as always, if you have any concerns about your health, please contact your GP or Pharmacist, or in any emergency, please call 999.  

For copies of this newsletter, our 8 - 13 and 14+ Sutton Young Carers News, as well as previous editions, then please visit our website here.
Best wishes,
 
Chiara Borwick
Carers Communications & Outreach Coordinator | Sutton Carers Centre (Carers Trust Network Partner)
Core working hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 5:30pm

Tel: 020 8296 5611 | Fax: 020 8296 5616 | ALPS: 020 8254 2616
Address: Benhill House, 1st Floor | 12-14 Benhill Avenue | Sutton | Surrey | SM1 4DA
Email: chiara@suttoncarerscentre.org | Web: www.suttoncarerscentre.org
 
Sutton Carers' Centre is a Company Limited by Guarantee with Charitable Status. Registered in England, Company Number 3353573 and Charity Number 1062302.

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Sutton Carers Centre · First Floor Benhill House · 12 - 14 Benhill Avenue · Sutton, Surrey SM1 4DA · United Kingdom