You can contact Carers Hub in the usual way, 10am-5pm Monday-Friday (except Bank Holidays). 

• Call us on: 01323 738390
• Text: 07860 077300
• Email: info@cftc.org.uk
• Facebook: Message us on Facebook

We are working remotely, so if you telephone us please leave a message and we will call you back. Do let us know if you need urgent support as this will help us to prioritise a swift response. 

It’s business as usual for our services – with the exception that we can’t meet in person, although we are planning some opportunities to get together safely soon. Our Carers Groups offer information, mutual support and wellbeing, and are now available online and by telephone. You can also join our online activities and workshops. If you would like to join a group, are interested in keeping in touch calls or other support, please get in touch.  We can also put you in contact with any of our partners’ services locally. 

East Sussex County Council and local councils, working with partner organisations, voluntary and community groups have community hubs and contact centres to ensure that the most vulnerable local residents can access contact, food, essentials and medication if they cannot get this help from their carers, friends or neighbours. Further information and contact details for each Community Hub are available on East Sussex County Council's website here as well as help for specific issues. 

People who received a letter from the NHS because they are at high risk if they catch the Coronavirus, and don’t have a support network of friends and family around them can visit the Government's coronavirus website here or call the dedicated helpline on 0800 0288327.
 
Shielding guidance
Guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable is available in full at Gov.uk.

New national restrictions 
New COVID-19 national restrictions information and guidelines from 5 November is available on 
the government website.

Coronavirus information for East Sussex
You can keep up to date with East Sussex Coronavirus weekly figures here.

Coronavirus information for carers - Carers UK
Carers UK has a comprehensive range of  information available if you are particularly concerned about the impact of Coronavirus on your life as a carer. Read more here.

Carers' Voices 

Carers' Rights Day
Tomorrow, Thursday 26th November 2020, is Carers Rights Day with the focus of  'Know your Rights'. It's an important day for all carers to know and understand their rights as well as get the recognition and support that they are entitled to. We are encouraging carers and all of our networks including partners, businesses, professionals, staff and volunteers to back the campaign.  To get involved, spread the word on social media or talk about caring to raise awareness and build recognition of carers and their rights. More information on carers' rights and how to get involved is on our website here. 

For Carers Rights Day, we'll be joining The Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Steve Wallis, and Councillor Peter Diplock at a Carer Coffee event tomorrow from 10am. Sign up for the coffee morning here.

Quality standards advisory committee for carers, 2nd - 8th December 2020
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is holding a meeting to focus on supporting adult carers 2nd to 8th December 2020. You can see the agenda and register by 1st December, 3.30pm here.

Feedback on care provision
The Care Quality Commission have launched their campaign ‘Because We All Care’. They are calling on everyone to help shape health and social care and give feedback on care provision. Give feedback here.

Measuring the social care outcomes of people with Dementia and their carers
Are you a family or friend of someone living with dementia who lives at home and uses at least one type of social care service (e.g. home care, day activities etc). Researchers from the University of Kent are looking for study participants living in England to help them to understand how well social care services support people living with dementia and their family and friends. You can take an online survey here, using password rfpb.  If you have any questions please contact Dr. Barbora Silarova:  email b.silarova@kent.ac.uk, phone 01227 816166.

Grants available to help carers
East Sussex County Council with Care for the Carers are offering grants of up to £15,000 per annum to organisations, groups or individuals who can deliver services to support carers across the social care and health system. The grant funding is targeted at services which aim to help carers to maintain their health and wellbeing as well as supporting them to manage their caring role alongside other responsibilities. More information is on our website here. The closing date for grant applications is this Friday 27th November 2020 at 5pm.

Caring Behind Closed Doors - 6 months on
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of carers have had to provide more care. It has left many exhausted and close to burning out. They urgently need more support to help them through winter. You can read more about the challenges faced by carers during the Coronavirus outbreak and take action to contact your MP.  More information here.

Being a carer broadcast
Radio 4 features Penny who is a carer. She draws on her own and other people’s experiences. Especially during the pandemic when support services have been unavailable, it’s time, she argues, for society to take care of the carers. Listen or download here. 

Flu vaccinations
This year it is even more important that people who are most at risk of flu have their free vaccination and there is plenty of time for everyone to book and get their flu jab.  As a carer, you're entitled to a free flu jab each year if you receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick. Speak to your GP or pharmacist. Find out further information here: www.nhs.uk/flu 

Flu Champions wanted
Sussex Health and Care partnership are seeking volunteers to become Flu Champions to help the NHS in Sussex raise awareness of and communicate about the flu vaccination. Flu Champions receive expenses and a £20 Amazon Voucher for undertaking the role for three months, attending a one 2.5 hour session. Further information is here. Apply by Tuesday 1st December 2020.

Out of Sight report
The Care Quality Commission have released their ‘Out of Sight – Who Cares?’ report on restraint, seclusion and segregation for autistic people, and people with a learning disability and/or mental health condition. Read the full report here. 

South East Water Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free and voluntary system that your supplier uses to ensure the correct support is given to its most vulnerable customers. It helps individuals with special requirements to additional support from their energy supplier as and when they require it. Find out more information here. 

New Think Carer training dates available
Care for the Carers’ free Think Carer training is for employers, health and social care professionals and volunteers who meet unpaid carers through their work. Learn the impact caring has on your employees, patients or clients, and how you can swiftly connect carers with the right support. Dates in December, January and February are available. Further information and booking details are on our website here.

Support and help for carers

Teen Talk Counselling Service available for young carers
Growing up can be difficult, and caring for someone can make it even harder. Often young carers are isolated and vulnerable and the counselling reaches out to teenage carers to support them to deal with the emotional impact of their caring role. Our Teen Talk Young Carers Counselling service is available for 12-18 year-old young carers in Hastings and Rother; up to 12 free counselling sessions are offered. Sessions are currently taking place by phone. Further information is here.

Emergency planning with the East Sussex Carers Card
It may be useful to think about emergency planning if you haven't already done so. As a carer you may worry about what would happen to the person you care for if you were to have an accident or be taken ill. The Carers Card identifies you as a carer in the event of an emergency, so anyone helping will be aware that someone relies on you. You can also set up a back-up care plan, known as a CRESS plan, and access discounts from local businesses. Find out more information and apply for a Carers Card here. 

Respite guidance for carers in England
The Department of Health and Social Care has issued guidance for unpaid carers about what they can do to access respite care during the national lockdown. This includes unpaid carers being able to arrange with family and friends to provide care they would normally provide so the unpaid carer can take a break. More information on the Carers Trust website here. 

New mobile app available for carers
A free Help to Care mobile phone app, has been launched to support people who care for others. Based on the Stop Look Care booklet, it is designed to help people spot the signs of a problem and find the right information and advice if you are worried about someone’s health and wellbeing. Training is also available. Download on your phone from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Free emotional support
St Peter & St James hospice have launched a new emotional support offer of up to six free counselling and/or 12 weeks phone buddy assistance available for carers. Please call 01444 471 598 today in confidence or email crs@stpjhospice.org and ask for Community Reach. 

Help for young people
E-Wellbeing is a digital wellbeing service for young people run by YMCA DownsLink Group. The service enables all young people to access the right support that they need. 

Bereavement counselling support
St Wilfrid’s Hospice is extending its bereavement counselling support, bereavement advice and signposting to the whole community during the pandemic. Visit their website or call 01323 434251.

Respite and computer help for carers
The Association of Carers supports unpaid Carers in East Sussex to continue in their caring role by providing free computer, tablet and digital help advice and support. They also provide a residential support service where a volunteer helps a carer through the process of looking for a suitable residential home for the person they care for, as well as visiting the cared for person in residential respite if the carer is going away. More information on their website here. 

Barnardo's support line for BAME communities
Barnardo’s have launched a free telephone helpline and web chat facility for children, young people and families from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. Find out more here.

Changes to Sussex NHS service booklet 
The Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups wants to ensure people have access to clear and useful information that will support them if and when they might need to access NHS services. A booklet featuring changes people might see when access NHS services is available here. These changes have been put in place to keep staff and patients as safe as possible.

Keeping warm and well - 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. he East Sussex Warm Home Check service offers anyone struggling to keep warm at home advice and help to access the support available. You can access or refer the person you care for to the service online at: www.warmeastsussex.org.uk. Alternatively text WARM to 81400 or call 03444 111444.

Bereavement support during COVID-19
The Sussex Health and Care Partnership has set up a Bereavement Helpline to provide information and guidance and is run by experienced support workers who can give the bereaved practical help and information. Their helpline is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm on 0300 1112141.  Full resources are here.

Download your Stop Look Care booklet
Get your free guide to help you spot any signs of concern about the person you care for. The booklet is a handy reference guide for care workers and carers, providing general information about a number of health care conditions and topics, and highlighting why different aspects of care are important, what to look for, and what action to take.

Events and activities for carers

Carers' walk in Hampden Park, Eastbourne, 10th December
Culture Shift and Care for the Carers are hosting a small social distanced, group walk in Hampden Park, bringing carers together on 10th December at 11am. To register, email your name and contact details to info@cultureshift.org.uk.

Wellbeing creative sessions
Arts on Prescription are providing five online, social activities every week to reduce loneliness and isolation and help with wellbeing. Activities include, singing, mindfulness, art and creative writing. Further information is here, or email info@artsonprescription.org.

Online creative and chat sessions
Dementia Support East Sussex are holding free Create and Chat sessions online for people living with dementia and carers to get together, have some creative fun and chat. Sessions are on Wednesdays 11am-12 midday from 18th November - 23rd December 2020. Using Zoom, they will help you to get online. For more information email: lucygroenewouddesign@gmail.com.

Online fitness at home
Sport England are featuring a selection of online fitness information and sessions for all ages to keep moving and active during lockdown and the winter - both free and paid. More information on their website here

Wellbeing resources
East Sussex Library Services have launched wellbeing online resources, information and support for East Sussex residents to access, including support during Covid-19. Find out more.

i-go Free Leisure Card
i-go is a free leisure discount card for 0-25s with special educational needs or disabilities in East Sussex. Find out how to apply, offers and events here.

Carers card discounts

The Carers Card provides offers and/or discounts to unpaid carers who hold a card. Many more local businesses are offering discounts. Latest businesses to sign up and offer Carers Card discounts are:

• Proctor Healthcare 
• Wave Leisure
• Cluttered Minds Ltd  
• Away Resorts 
• Town City Cards – updated offer
• Ejuiceology – new shop added 

 View all the discounts available and apply for a card on our website. The Carers Card is also available to parent carers of children with special needs and disabilities.