Carers Advice

Useful Information

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

A guide to care and support
Information for carers and people who have care & support needs.
Caring for someone
Advice on providing care, medicines etc.
Care after hospital
Providing care for people who have been recently discharged from hospital.
Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.
Support and benefits for carers

Caring for someone can be a full-time job - find out about accessing breaks and respite care.
Work and Disability

Guidance, support and help with employment issues.

Being a Young carer

Advice for carers 18 or under and their entitlement to support

Finance and Law

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

Benefits for carers
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
Benefits for the under-65s
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.
Benefits for the over-65s
Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.
Carer's Assessment

How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
Other benefits
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

Are you looking after someone, and could they manage without you?

Carers provide support to people who need help with day-to-day living who may be suffering from illness, frailty, disability, mental health or substance misuse issues.

Help is available for you

At Laindon Medical Group, we are committed to supporting our patients who are carers. Speak to a member of our team to identify yourself as a carer and to find out more about the support available to you.

Practice Champion

We have introduced a Practice Champion who is the focal point for all carer matters. Should you have any questions or would like to have a confidential discussion, please ask to speak to:

The Practice Champion at Laindon Medical Group is Sandra Holt.

Alternatively, ask for a Carer’s Identification Form at reception.

We are here to support you in supporting others.

Action for Family Carers 16/02/2021

Dear Carer

Free Support Booklet - Free Pamper Boxes still available

The snow makes for pretty pictures but also impacts those who are already vulnerable and / or finding it hard to get out and about. Please remember that our online sessions are continuing every day of the working week, including 3 evening sessions – full details below.

Some recent feedback: “This weekly class has been invaluable for both my mental and physical well being - I really hope this class can continue long into the future... don’t know where I would be without AFFC Thank You.”

If you need support getting online, please just call and we'll help.

Sadly, we are having to cancel our outdoor events for February and March due to the lockdown. Happily, we will put together some more face-to-face events for April and May... and beyond. We'll include details next week.

Free Pamper Boxes: For adult Carers who live within the Basildon district, there are 200 boxes available on first come first served basis being distributed by Action for Family Carers. Please click the link to our website for how to get yours https://affc.org.uk/news-events/news/calling-basildon-carers or email Kellie direct at: kellie.yarlett@affc.org.uk

Feeling Good, Caring Well - SUPPORT FOR CARERS:
SUPPORT ONLINE / TELEPHONE SUPPORT / SUPPORT VIDEOS
All sessions are led by our qualified and experienced professionals, see below for links or call / email / book online:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/action-for-family-carers-18824222583

Dementia Carers Support

“We provide contact for those close to loved ones with dementia, to share experiences and to support one another” Based around mid-Essex, Other Halves offer support to Dementia Carers providing two online meetings a week, a WhatsApp chat group, music, crafting and much more. Get some extra support by clicking https://www.otherhalves.org.uk/

Free Booklet for Carers

A Carer himself, Nick has produced an extremely helpful and FREE booklet for Carers that addresses a variety of issues and encourages you to find yourself again with practical and straightforward help. Click here for your free booklet or email us and we'll print it and send you a copy: https://www.notacareintheworld.co.uk/

Take good care, please call or email if you have any questions.

All best wishes,

Fiona, Kellie and Mel

care@affc.org.uk

0300 770 80 90

www.affc.org.uk/feelinggood

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CLICK ON THE LINKS TO FIND OUT MORE:

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OTHER SESSIONS - SUMMARY:

TELEPHONE SUPPORT: One-to-one Emotional Support
PERSONAL WELLBEING PLAN: One-to-one Support, advice and follow up
ONLINE SESSIONS: Group sessions – via Zoom
VIDEOS TO ACCESS ANYTIME: Techniques to reduce stress / Carer Info
MASSAGE THERAPY: A qualified therapist, Sarah will take care of you, travel to Chelmsford is needed. Please call or email to book (details at end of email)

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TELEPHONE SUPPORT - Monday – Friday (9.00 – 4.30)

Speak to one of our Experts, one-to-one

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-carer-expert-help-via-phone-tickets-101634312966

PERSONAL WELLBEING PLAN – Monday – Friday (9.00 – 4.30)

Personalised support and guidance tailored to your needs, follow-up support included.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/125331420653

ONLINE SESSIONS – click on the link to book or call/email

[Online sessions are offered via 'Zoom', with full support if needed]

EVERY MONDAY: Learn to Meditate – 7.30pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/learn-to-meditate-free-for-family-carers-tickets-105940109720

EVERY TUESDAY:Wellbeing Check-in - 2pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wellbeing-check-in-tickets-109134877356

EVERY TUESDAY: Relaxation with Anna– 7pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/relaxation-with-anna-tickets-109136351766

EVERY WEDNESDAY:Learn to Meditate – 7.30pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/learn-to-meditate-free-for-family-carers-tickets-105940109720

EVERY THURSDAY: Relaxation with Anna – 10am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/relaxation-with-anna-tickets-109136351766

EVERY FRIDAY:Stretch, Release, Relax – 2.30pm

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stretch-release-relax-tickets-109144863224

VIDEOS – access in your own time:

Available on the website:

Belly Breathing for relaxation
EFT: a cognitive behaviour technique for stress relief and well being
Mindfulness for stress relief
Pure relaxation

https://affc.org.uk/news-events/news/carer-wellbeing-videos-available-now

Mindful Breathing
How to Sleep Better
How Food Affects Mood and more ...

www.affc.org.uk/feelinggood and select 'videos' from the menu

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SUPPORT FROM OTHER COLLEAGUES / ORGANISATIONS:

EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE FOR CARERS:

A project to support unpaid Carers who wish to take advantage of any opportunities available to them within the employment marketplace. This opportunity is also available to former carers.

Contact: paul.weaver@affc.org.uk

CARERS CAFE:

Action for Family Carers virtual Cafe – join us every Wednesday for a break, chat with other Carers and enjoy a range of activities chosen by you and other Carers.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/carers-cafe-online-tickets-123445339333

LOCAL AUTHORITY / BOROUGH CARER SUPPORT:

Thurrock Carers Support http://www.thurrockcarers.org.uk/

Thurrock Councilhttps://www.thurrock.gov.uk/support-for-carers/caring-for-someone

Southend Carers https://www.southendcarers.co.uk/

Southend Borough Councilhttps://www.southend.gov.uk/help-advice-carers

Essex County Council Support (Carers' Rights, Financial help and information)

https://www.essex.gov.uk/topic/support-for-carers or visit this site for TRUSTED and VERIFIED 'Help in Your Community' https://tribeproject.org

Carers First (0300 303 1555)https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/essex

DEMENTIA SUPPORT FOR CARERS:

Dementia Community Support Team (Castle Point, Rochford and Southend)

Your Dementia Navigator is available to support you and your family throughout the dementia experience, offering support and guidance to help you understand dementia and the day to day challenges it may bring. This service is available to people pre diagnosis as well as post diagnosis and provides the crucial link between the person with dementia, their carer and health, social care and community support.

01702 534772 dementiacommunitysupport@southend.gov.uk

Dementia Adventure

(online help for Carers of loved ones with Dementia)

https://dementiaadventure.co.uk/what-we-do/training-and-consultancy/free-events/

m4d - Dementia Radio (part of the Music for Dementia campaignto make music available to everyone living with dementia; available 24/7 365 days a year)

https://www.m4dradio.com

Essex Alzheimer's Society (open 9-5, Mon-Fri for calls or email advice and support)

01245 260911 / essex@alzheimers.org.uk

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/help-dementia-care/looking-after-yourself

OTHER SUPPORT FOR CARERS:

Keep Essex Active(youtube channel with yoga etc)https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9tcapECrxjrDHX_iDHgGeg/

Carers Stepping Out

Usually a walking group for Carers in Essex, but they have lots of other activities on their website.

http://www.carerssteppingout.co.uk/

Sport for Confidence

Physical wellbeing for those who face barriers to participation - lots of online classes.

https://www.sportforconfidence.com/