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Carers' Voices 

Having your say on the big issues

Have your say on GP services
Around 2.4 million people, aged 16 and over, who are registered with a GP practice in England will receive an invitation from NHS England to take part in Europe’s biggest patient experience survey this month involving over 6,500 GP practices in England.  It’s really important that unpaid carers have their say and their experiences of using local GP and primary healthcare services are heard. A sample of people will receive invitations, mostly by letter. If you receive an invitation, please make time to take part. It will provide vital information to the NHS to identify what can be improved, works well and can highlight inequalities in experiences and services.

Young carers surveys
Sussex Health and Care Partnership is inviting children and young people, aged  0-25 years, and their parents and carers to tell them about their experiences of using NHS physical health services in Sussex, including their GP practice, hospitals and community services. More information and complete the survey by 6th February 2022.

Carers Trust have launched a new survey ahead of Young Carers Action Day on 16th March 2022 for young carers aged 12-25 living in the UK. The survey will give up-to-date information about what support young carers and young adult carers would most value. Fill out the survey here by 30th January 2022 with a chance to win a £25 wellbeing box.  

Review and input into new community response service model 
Sussex NHS Commissioners are holding an online 1.5 hour workshop in February 2022, date to be confirmed, to discuss a new community response service model in the High Weald Lewes Havens area. They are particularly interested to hear from those who have a keen interest in community response and/or admission avoidance/supported discharge services. This service is currently being provided in other areas of Sussex and they want to ensure equal access to services across Sussex. They will provide £25 for your time and input. If you would like to get involved, email: james.hatch@nhs.net.

Your views on Cardiology and Ophthalmology services
Sussex Health and Care Partnership are asking East Sussex residents for their views on plans to improve the cardiology (heart) and ophthalmology (eye) services at hospitals in East Sussex. The proposals aim to improve the care available in East Sussex and cut waiting times, as well as enable staff to develop their skills and expertise so more patients in East Sussex can benefit from new medical treatments and technologies. Have your say as a carer. Full details and questionnaires are available here.

News
 



Making carers count in Sussex
​Care for the Carers is delighted to announce that we are partnering with Carers Trust, Carers Support West Sussex, and The Carers Centre for Brighton and Hove in a ‘Making Carers Count’ programme.  The programme aims to provide support for ethnic minority communities across Sussex that are less heard and may be hidden. Find out more about the programme here

COVID-19 booster vaccination letter for carers
Since December, the Government has taken steps to ensure that unpaid carers can use this specific letter to identify themselves so that they have priority for the COVID-19 booster jab along with paid care workers if there are long queues. As a carer, you can use this letter to prove that you are an unpaid carer to get priority access for the booster. If you have not already had your COVID-19 booster, you can print the letter out and take it with you, or save it to a mobile or tablet device and show it to vaccination centre staff. 

Latest Covid-19 vaccinations for carers
You can book your Covid-19 vaccination appointments online or by calling 119 free of charge. Demand for appointments is currently high and you may experience delays, but do keep trying as they will continue to become available.

You can also register with Care for the Carers, your local carers’ organisation, and we will help you access the local vaccination services via your GP-led local vaccination service. If you are a carer and haven't yet accessed your Covid-19 vaccination or flu jab, remember that this is available to you and that carers are considered a priority group. 


Information is available on our website here with the latest vaccination updates. You can check the latest information on Covid-19 and Government guidance here.

Walk-in vaccination clinics
There are a number of local walk-in clinics in Sussex to get a vaccination or booster without an appointment. Click here for details of walk-in sessions. 




Stay well this winter
During this winter season, there is a need to take special care of yourself and the person you care for.  We would like to encourage you to focus on your wellbeing, improve your physical health and maintain social connections. Find out more about staying well and looking after yourself here.

Support and help for carers

Fuel costs
With soaring energy costs on the horizon, carers are worried about meeting energy bills.  Carers UK have produced a help guide to fuel costs, including financial support that is available. Citizens Advice have information about energy supply, issues and costs here

Identifying vulnerable people at risk from living in a cold home
With colder months ahead, living in a cold home can be harmful to health and wellbeing. The East Sussex Warm Home Check service can offer free, impartial advice and support and is a service that is available all year round. It also helps you to increase the energy efficiency of your home. You can access or refer the person you care for to the service online at: www.warmeastsussex.org.uk, and there's lots of advice about staying warm and information on the Priority Service Register. Alternatively text WARM to 80011 or call 0800 4647307.


Cold weather alert
If you look after someone over 65 years and/or who has a medical condition that makes them vulnerable to severe weather conditions, you can stay ahead with cold weather alerts. It's a free service and you can register and/or download the free Cold Alert app. More information here. The Met Office advises that prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for older people and those with underlying health conditions. You can also monitor cold weather forecasts on the Met Office website here


Hospital discharge
To meet the demand of the current COVID-19 situation, hospitals may have temporarily altered their discharge processes. If you are worried or need information and guidance, please contact us and we can help. Carers UK have produced a Coming out of Hospital guide here.

Get fit and healthy
The NHS have great tools and apps available to help make healthy lifestyle changes, including an NHS Easy Meals app, full of meal ideas, recipes and cooking tips. There's also a `How are You' online quiz that gives a personalised health score and health tips. Find healthy information here.

Looking after someone with aphasia
East Sussex charity, SayAphasia, have provided a useful guide to aphasia. Aphasia is caused by an injury to the brain with one in three people experiencing it after a stroke. Read information here

Building resilience
A free resilience handbook is available for carers to download. Written by carer, Nick Llewellyn, it explores a number of ways to build resilience through self-care, creativity and communication. Download it here.

Events and activities for carers

Cookery workshops this Spring
Join Community Chef, Robin van Creveld, for a series of free cooking workshops for carers. Sessions include learning how to make marmalade, winter chutneys and global dishes. Robin will also be holding Man with a Pan cookery courses for men. To see all the workshops, visit our website and book your place. All ingredients are provided. 

WRAP course for parent carers
Join a free six-week, online wellbeing course for parent carers. The Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) course is a safe and confidential space to receive support to manage your caring role and develop self-awareness and resilience. Starts Tuesday 22nd February to 29th March 2022, 10am-12pm. More information here. To book your place, contact Cally, 01323 738390 or email: callye@cftc.org.uk

Online wellbeing sessions

Carers UK have creative and relaxing online wellbeing activities during February, ranging from creative writing and tips for new carers to bingo and pilates. More information and book here. Free.

Carers O'Clock drop in day
Join other carers, eat a delicious lunch and get creative at the Carers O'Clock drop in day on Monday 28th February 2022, 10-3pm. Fun, enjoyable and relaxed, it gives you some valuable time to yourself. For further information and if you would like a lunch, email: info@cultureshift.org. Community Wise, Eastbourne, BN21 1PY. Free.


Sing and social dementia group
DISC Dementia are holding monthly sing and social groups on the third Friday of every month. 10.30am-12.30pm. Robsack Centre, TN38 9TW. To book your place, email admin@discdementiasupport.org or call 0787 4864898. Carers can come with the person they look after. Free.

Dementia events 
Wealden Dementia Action Alliance list local events for people with dementia and their carers. Latest updates are on their Facebook page. There are local events also listed on Eastbourne Dementia Action Alliance's Facebook page.


New carers groups 
An evening carers group, a male carers group, walking groups and outings for carers looking after someone with a serious mental health condition and dementia groups with entertainment are available for carers to relax and unwind. If you would like to get together with other carers and have some time for yourself, take a look at all of our carers groups here. Contact us to find out more. Free.


Carer Awareness Training
Join our online 'Think Carer' professional training for East Sussex employers, businesses, health and social care professionals and volunteers working with carers. Dates for February and March 2022 are available to book. More information here. Free.

Carers card discounts

The East Sussex Carers Card is free and gives discounts from many businesses to unpaid carers. Take a look at the offers available with the card here.

It's easy to apply for a card on our websiteThe Carers Card also identifies you as a carer, and that someone depends on you in an emergency and offers the option to connect to a back-up respite plan. It is also available to parent carers of children with special needs and disabilities. 

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Care for the Carers is the Carers Centre for East Sussex. We support unpaid carers who are looking after a friend, family member or neighbour who due to illness, disability, mental ill health, frailty or addiction cannot manage. We offer services and support to all carers in East Sussex, and work to improve the quality of carers lives by helping the local community recognise and value the role of carers and providing engagement and influencing opportunities for carers. 
 
Care for the Carers is a charitable company registered in England and Wales with No. 3677361 and Charity No. 1074906 Registered Office: Highlight House, 8 St. Leonards Road, Eastbourne, BN21 3UH

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