Carers Week 18-24 June

Carers Week is an anual event sponsored by Carers UK and this year it takes place from 18-24 June. The theme this year is “In sickness and in health”. 

We have organised a series of events, such as information stands and visits to the RSPB reserve at Pulborough, Lancing Chapel and a picnic on Littlehampton beach. 

Carers UK are asking carers how much does your caring role impact on your health and wellbeing? Are you worried that the cuts to services from statutory agencies and government will make you shoulder more of the burden?  Are you already feeling the effects of cuts to local services, if so, we’re keen to hear how its affecting your life.

Does your GP know about your caring role and have you been offered health checks? If you work, is your employer sympathetic? Does your workplace recognise Carers Week?

Over the next few weeks the website will be updated and we will add more information about our plans. Registration is now open and our survey is ready and waiting for you to have your say.

Carers Week 2012 survey

 So the new year gets going, a chilly February already and I’m looking ahead to summer.  I hear there is some sort of game going on but my personal highlight will of course be CARERS WEEK!!

Thanks to Carers UK for the annual survey, do take part of you have 15 minutes.  Just click this link – Carers Survey

 

Information session cancelled

Unfortunately, the proposed information session with a
Learning Difficulty focus at St Lawrence Surgery, Worthing has been cancelled.

This was to have run from 10.30 on 21st February. 

We apologise for this, but should you have any queries, questions or need any support in respect of caring for adults with Learning Difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact our specialist worker, Martina on 01903 528689.

Fun Day in Lancing

Impulse Leisure Lancing have arranged a Fun Day on 11^th February.  It is for under 18’s and their families, particularly children with a disability.   

Manager Nick Hurley has setup wheel chair lazer tag, dance mats, Punch and Judy show and much more.

If any family books on to this day before the 7^th of February then they also receive free lunch tea/coffee etc and a variety children’s food box which is stated in the leaflet.

If you can’t open the attached then I’ll be happy to re send it in a different format.

If you are interested please contact Nick Hurley, Impulse Leisure Lancing nhurley@impulseleisure.co.uk

Tel:01903524621

http://www.impulselesisure.co.uk

Children’s book club

Chatterbooks

 

Worthing Library are starting a new children’s book club, beginning in March 2012.

Details from Children’s Librarian Frances Maloney below:

 

We would like to invite your child to join a free “Chatterbooks” group which will start at Worthing Library in 2012. This is an ideal opportunity for your child to become involved with the local library, to develop their literacy skills and interests and to meet other children.

 

Chatterbooks was set up by the Reading Agency as a public library initiative. Each child will receive a free Chatterbooks draw string bag with goodies enclosed which, we hope, will encourage them to enjoy books and stories. It also enables them to record the activities they have participated in and the books that they have shared.

 

The project will consist of a series of six meetings held at Worthing Library, each lasting around 90 minutes. The first meeting will take place at Worthing Library in March 2012. After this initial session there will be five consecutive weekly sessions. We will also be inviting storytellers along to some sessions. We plan for the final session to be a family celebration event with guest storytellers. Light refreshments will be offered at all sessions.

 

There will be a limited number of places so please do book a place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. At this stage we would like to know which days would be most suitable, please tick your preferred option below; the most popular time slot will be chosen.

If your child is interested please complete the form below, indicating your preferred time, and return to me at Worthing Library no later than Friday 3 February 2012. I will contact all the interested children by Friday 10 February 2012 to confirm if your child has succeeded in getting a place.

 

If you have any queries please contact me on 01903 704809 or email me on frances.maloney@westsussex.gov.uk

Health and Wellbeing 21st January

  Worthing Library are hosting an information day tomorrow Saturday 21st January  11.00 – 3.00.   

  Come and find out about us, Worthing Leisure Centre, The Children and Family Centres, Adur and Worthing Health and Wellbeing Hub, Mind, Age UK and more.

ICIS takes on the West Sussex Disability Equipment Service

A message from ICIS:

People in West Sussexcan continue to use the AskDES service to buy and sell second hand disability equipment thanks to ICIS. AskDES was previously run by the charity Voice for Disability which has sadly had to close. AskDES enables people to sell or give away disability equipment that is no longer needed and to buy second hand equipment such as a walker, mobility scooter and many aids for daily living. The cost of advertising equipment is free for anything under £100 and only £10 for items that cost more. The advertisements are published on the AskDES website for up to a year. To advertise your item go to the website www.icis-info4life.org.uk and click on the AskDES button. For help with buying or selling and for more information about AskDES ring ICIS on 01903 859929. ICIS is a charity that helps people inWest Sussex find services and support. Registered charity no: 1095945.

Carers Direct on Twitter

A message from Carers Direct

Carers Direct are hosting live Twitter Q&A sessions every Monday in January from 5-7pm where carers can post any questions or comments they may have. Two advisors, Gemma and Katy, will be on hand to answer any questions.

 

Carers can follow at @carersdirect, and can ask any questions for the sessions using #carersQA. If anyone can’t make the sessions, they can still post their questions which will be answered during the next live session.

 

We’d be really grateful if you could pass this information on to any carers you are in contact with that may wish to participate.

 

Kind regards,

 

Carers Direct

 

Information events for parent carers

 

Information drop in morning being held on wednesday 11th January 2012 from 10.30 at Kingstone Bucci children & Family Centre Shoreham.  This is being hosted by West Sussex Parents Forum and is open to all parents/carers with children with a disability or any additional need.  These sessions will be happening every month in different parts of the county so if you would like to know more please check out the website www.westsussexparentsforum.co.uk.

Some thoughts about Autism

Thanks to Lindsey Butterfield from Parents for Autism for this – moving and thought provoking I thought.

Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I LEARN.

Hey, keep staring at me and you just might cure my Autism. Then we can work on YOUR social skills.

If you keep on trying, you’ll get the hang of it…

Routine, structure, patience, and most of all LOVE!

‘Normal’ is a dryer setting.

If you have met one person with Autism, you have met one person with Autism.

Autism Rocks! (and rolls and spins and flaps and loves and laughs)

See my potential.

You don’t have to have a disability to be different.

I may not be where I intended to go, but I am exactly where I’m meant to be.

I just want to continue to exist, but you continue to question my very existence.

I do not suffer from Autism, but I do suffer from the way you treat me.

Autism is not a tragedy. Ignorance is the tragedy.

People with AUTISM… do not lie, do not judge, do not play mind games. Maybe we can learn something from them.

I’m just like everybody else… only different.

Just because I can’t speak doesn’t mean I have nothing to say!

Not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say.

You all laugh because I’m different, I laugh because you’re all the same.