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Dear <<First Name>>

Below you’ll find information on drop-in sessions we will be holding this month, as well as training for carers. Call us on 0800 368 8349 or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk if you require more information about these. You can also call us if you need any support or help with your caring role - if we can’t help, we will direct you to who is best placed to.

(The picture above was taken at Crane Valley’s carers’ afternoon tea in Ferndown, which took place in January (and served some lovely cakes!)

Carer Support Dorset in the community

We run regular face-to-face drop-in sessions across Dorset. If you have any questions about caring for someone or would like some information about caring, please come along to talk with one of our carer advisers. Here are our upcoming sessions:

Blandford
Address: The Blandford Group Practice, Corn Exchange, Market Place, Blandford, DT11 7AD
Time: 9.00am-12.00pm
Dates: 28 Feb, 28 Mar, 25 Apr

Bridport
Address: Bridport Town Hall, Bucky Doo Square, South Street, DT6 3LF
Time: 11.00am-2.00pm
Dates: 9 Feb

Dorchester - with Dorset Carers Hub
Address: 48 South Street, Dorchester, DT1 1DQ
Time: 10.00am-2.00pm
Dates: 22 Feb, 22 Mar, 26 Apr

Ferndown
Address: Ferndown Library, Penny’s Walk, Ferndown, BH22 9TH
Time: 10.00am-2.00pm
Dates: 9 Feb, 9 Mar, 13 Apr

Shafesbury - with Rural Mental Health Matters
Address: The Town Hall, High Street, SP7 8LY
Time: 2.00-6.00pm
Dates: 22 Feb, 26 Apr

Sherborne
Address: Sherborne Library, Digby Hall, Sherborne, DT9 3AA
Time: 11.00am-2.00pm
Dates: 13 Feb, 13 Mar

Wareham
Address: Wareham Library, South Street, Wareham, BH20 4LR;
Time: 10.00am-2.00pm
Dates: 6 Feb, 6 Mar, 3 Apr

Weymouth - with Volunteer Centre Dorset
Address: Weymouth Information Shop, 98 St Mary Street, Weymouth, DT4 8NY
Time: 10.00am-2.00pm
Dates: 15 Feb, 15 Mar

Carers Week activities - what would you like to see?

Carers Week is an annual campaign taking place between 5-11 June this year to raise awareness of caring and highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and to recognise the contribution that carers make to families and society.

Every year we host special events across the county for Carers Week. This year we’d love to hear your ideas on what we do. What would you like to see us doing and what would you most like to attend, or find most helpful? Complete our quick survey and share your thoughts.

Dorset Home Library Service

The Home Library service is provided to customers who, for a variety of reasons, cannot use the convention library service. This includes people who are elderly, frail, have a mobility problem or are suffering from a long term illness. It also serves carers who are unable to leave the home for any length of time. Find out more on the Dorset Council website.

Free ten-week dementia information course

Oakley Friends run a free information course about dementia, twice yearly, starting in April and September.

The course covers various aspects of dementia and includes professional speakers. Topics include: medical aspects, legal issues and benefits, continence and occupational therapy. The course takes place on the last Wednesday of every month, 10.30am-12noon at Canford Magna Centre, Oakley Lane, BH21 3AF.

To book your place, phone or email The Leonardo Trust on 01202 698325 / info@leonardotrust.org

Upcoming training events and workshops

First aid - online - Mon 6 Feb - 10.00am-11.30am

An online session with the British Red Cross focusing on the basics of first aid.

Dealing with stress and feelings - online - Wed 8 Feb - 10.00am-11.00am

A session on coping with stress and what you can do to help with Rethink Mental Illness.

Parkinson’s explained - online - Fri 10 Feb - 10.00am-1.00pm

An online session with Consultus Care focusing on Parkinson’s.

Mental health awareness - online - Tue 14 Feb - 2.00pm-4.00pm

This short session is aimed at individuals seeking a greater understanding of mental health so that they can empower themselves and others. At the end of the course you will be able to identify factors that affect good and poor mental health and understand how to look after your own mental health.

Introduction to recovery - online - Wed 8 Mar - 10.00am-11.00am

Rethink Mental Illness are running a workshop about recovery and helping you and the person you care for in your journey to recovery with information and tips.

Increasing emotional resilience - online - Thu 16 Mar - 10.00am-12noon

This two-hour session provides insight into what causes negative and positive emotions and how we can increase our emotional resilience to deal with them.

Physical intelligence - online - Thu 23 Mar - 10.00am-11.00am

This one-hour session is a fun introduction to the world of physical intelligence where we can start to gain the ability to detect and actively manage the balance of key chemicals in our bodies so that we can achieve more, stress less, and live and work more happily.

Communication for carers - online - Wed 12 Apr - 10.00am-11.00am

A session led by Rethink on how you can best communicate with the person for care for about both of your needs. As well as how to communicate and advocate with professionals on behalf of the person you care for.

Managing challenging behaviour - online - Wed 10 May - 10.00am-11.00am

A session on how to cope and respond to challenging behaviour. It will look at how you can build your own confidence and assertiveness when dealing with those situations.

If you would like to sign up for or find out more about any of these free events for carers, then please contact us on 0800 368 8349 or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk

Dorset Census data shows fewer are caring overall but more are caring 50+ hours a week

Carers were in the news locally recently as Census data for unpaid carers in England and Wales was released. Surprisingly it shows a reduction in the number of people who are caring for someone now compared with 2011, although there are several reasons this might be the case (read the full news story for details). It did show that more people are now providing a large amount of care to someone - 1.7% of Dorset residents provide 20-49 hours of care a week and 2.9% care for 50+ hours a week.

We know that such an intensive caring role can have a negative impact on a carer’s health, wellbeing and finances. Do reach out to us if there’s anything you need support with.

Carer celebration in Dorchester fully booked

We look forward to seeing everyone who has registered for our carer celebration in Dorchester taking pace on 23 February. This event is now fully booked, but if you missed out on booking a place then please drop us an email at communications@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk and we’ll put you on a list to be contacted if a place becomes available.

Help alleviating loneliness

Every year the third Monday of January is dubbed ‘blue Monday’ and is apparently the most depressing day of the year (although the person who originally came up with the idea has since told people to ignore it, saying it is pseudoscience and a self fulfilling prophecy).

It’s a good opportunity though to talk about loneliness, which many carers can experience. Loneliness can affect all of us, of any age, at some point in our lives. You shouldn’t blame yourself and there are things you can do that might help. Read more from Better Health: Every Mind Matters.

Brain Awareness Week wellbeing day in Poole

To coincide with Brain Awareness Week (13-19 March), the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service are hosting a wellbeing day on Wed 15 March at ‘The Spire’ in Poole town centre from 9.30am.

You will be able to browse a variety of stands in the main hall, learn more about how we can keep our brains healthy, and there will be mini taster sessions of wellbeing activities that people can book onto.

Free Rethink cancer awareness training

Rethink are holding a number of workshops to include a quiz, prizes, presentation and discussions and healthy lunches.

These will be taking place at:

Dorchester - Sat 18 Feb

Weymouth - Fri 10 Mar

Bridport - Sat 11 Mar

Shaftesbury - Feb/Mar - date TBC

Gillingham - Feb/Mar - date TBC

There will also be a couple of walks and talks, with discussions and a healthy lunch taking place at:

Thorncombe Woods, Dorchester - Fri 17 Mar

Wimborne area - Mar - date TBC

To find out more and reserve your place, please email dorsetcarers@rethink.org

If you want to look back at any of our previous e-newsletters for support, information and guidance, just click on the button below.

A final note from us

The Carer Support Dorset team are here to support you, whatever the question or issue you’re facing. We acknowledge and appreciate the hard work you’re doing in your caring role.

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.uk if you need support or advice on anything related to your caring role.