The two workshops are based on the 'Thinking Ahead' guides which have been written to help families talk about and make plans for the future so people with learning disabilities have a more enjoyable and secure life. The guides can be viewed or downloaded on the Together Matters website.
The workshop will look at planning tools that help with making decisions about the future and ideas for people with learning disabilities to be supported to make choices.
Help shape services! Join the DCRG if you look after someone in the Dorset Council area, to give feedback and suggestions on any services for unpaid carers.
A session led by Rethink Mental Illness on recovery and helping you and the person you care for with information and tips.
Not a Care in the World ‘Reach Out’ training on Tuesday 22 February, 1.30pm-3pm
Create action plans to share the caring load and explore the different range of professionals in a carer’s life. You will look at how can you support yourself to reach out and why it is important to ask for help.
Drop-in Carer support with Rethink Mental Illness on Wednesday 23 February 10am-11am.
Sessions to support you as a carer with mental health related questions.
. Thinking Ahead with a Learning Disability (Session 2)on Tuesday 1 March, 10.30am-12noon This workshop will look at how family carers can help their relative with learning disabilities to build friendships and local connections. This can help to build a supportive network who can also help with future planning. Not a Care in the World 'Creating Healthy Boundaries' trainingon Wednesday 9 March, 1.30pm-3pm This training will look at what boundaries are and why they are important. It will explore how carers can take on too much and how to maintain healthy boundaries.
. Rethink Mental Health Workshop: Communication for Carers onWednesday 16 March, 10am-11am
A session led by Rethink Mental Illness on communicating with, and advocating for, the person you care for with professionals.
If you would like to register or find out more about any of these events, then please contact us on 0800 368 8349 or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk
Events detailed above are free for carers registered with Carer Support Dorset.
Join our Carer Advisory Group
Would you like to share your voice and opinion as a carer to feedback and influence change? We are looking for carers to join our new Carer Advisory Group. The group will serve as a voice for our board of trustees, to give our trustees a greater awareness of the challenges carers face, to help identify carers’ needs and help inform board decisions to improve the support delivered by our charity.
Members have to be able to make commitment to regularly attend and participate in the group. Members must be a carer, or have been a carer in the last five years, be 18 or older, be a resident in Wiltshire or Dorset, or look after someone who is a resident in Wiltshire or Dorset.
Do you want to discuss your child's emerging special educational needs? Are you worried that they might not be making the progress they should be?
Dorset Council has launched the DorsetEducation Advice Line for parents, carers and professionals who support children who may have special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND).
This advice line is part of the SEND Local Offer to children, young people and families and will work alongside existing services such as Dorset Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) and the Education Psychology helpline.
To book a conversation with a SEND Family Worker, complete the Dorset Education Advice Line online formor call 0800 14 040 41. A SEND Family Worker will email you with your 15-minute appointment time where you can talk through your concerns and issues and about how to support your child.
LGBT+ History Month
February is LGBT History Month. We have written a blog all about how being LGBTQ+ might affect your experiences of being a carer and where you can get additional support.
Dorset Libraries have a impressive selection of events both in person and online for adults and children. This includes several events for LGBT+ History Month.
You can sign up to their latest events on their Eventbrite page.
A final note from us
The Carer Support Dorset team are here to support you, whatever the question or issue you’re facing.
Carer Support Dorset is open Monday 9.30am-4.30pm, Tuesday 9.30am-7pm, Wednesday 9.30am-4.30pm, Thursday 9.30am-7pm and Friday 9.30am-4pm.
Call 0800 368 8349 or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.ukif you need support or advice on anything related to your caring role.
Best wishes,
Anna Elston
Manager
Carer Support Dorset
Contact us on 0800 368 8349 or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk if you’d like to receive future correspondence in a different format or if you no longer wish to be on the carer register.
If you want to look back at any of our previous e-newsletters for support, information and guidance, just click on the button below.
