Friday, 28 January 2011

Caredirections Newsletter

CARE DIRECTIONS' NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 2008
Welcome to the Internet’s unique guide to care and the rights of older people.
and Carers
The fundamental objective of this pioneering site is to empower people with the information they will need to make truly informed choices – to give them continuing control in their lives, or the lives of their loved ones.Read more  -   www.caredirections.co.uk 

 

Carer's Poverty

carerspovertyprotest.myfreeforum.org
For the protest and action against carers poverty
Welfare reform
Carers UK has reacted to the Government's Welfare Reform Green Paper, which proposes that carers in receipt of Income Support will be moved onto Jobseeker's Allowance. Carers UK objects strongly to this proposal and will be campaigning to get it changed. more

Protest 2009

A group of carers have come together to organise a national protest on April 22nd 2009. This is a grassroots carer-led initiative and they need your help and backing. Carers UK and other carer's organisations are supporting the group, but what they need are carers to get on board and help.
They have an online forum to discuss and plan the protest and it's open to all. more

Real Change not Short Change

Carers UK's Real Change not Short Change campaign continues to make an impact. An influential committee of MPs has published a report about carers' benefits and have backed our calls for immediate improvements to carers benefits and a radical overhaul of the entire system. Carers UK submitted evidence to the committee based on our Real Change not Short Change survey of carers' income.
Carers UK's reaction to the MP's report. more...
Summary of what the MP's said . more

Carer's Network

Nicole van Schie,
New Carers Development Worker on 01437 771196.
or visit the Carers Website: www.pavs.org.uk/carers
PAVS
36 - 40 High Street,
Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA61 2DA
The Carers Network (also known as the Carers Forum) provides an opportunity for carers to have a say, air their views, let their voices been heard about services and support for carers in Pembrokeshire. This network exists for carers, voluntary organisations -who provide services for carers - and the statutory organisations to meet one another, share information and receive updates on development of services in the County.
The network meets at Carers Days, Parent/Carers Days, Carers Rights Days and any other days organised by the members of the Carers Strategy Implementation Group.
The Carers Development Worker, Nicole van Schie, at PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services) takes the lead in planning, preparing and organising the days for carers, where a varied programme is offered to the network of carers. Nicole was the Young Carers Development Worker at PAVS, previous to the role as Carers Development Worker. Nicole has been self-employed as Independent Manager Advocate for several years and worked in a Camphill Community in Carmarthenshire with young people with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health problems. Before that she managed her own accountancy business in the Netherlands.
New Pembrokeshire Networking website launched.
The new website will provide information for a range
of Networks including dates of future meetings, past minutes or reports and newsletters. Visit the site here
 

Carers at Downing Street

      
follow the link to http:    //www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15734.asp
Gordon Brown has welcomed carers' groups to Number 10 to mark the launch of the new £250 million Carers' Strategy.
Speaking to guests inside Downing Street yesterday, the PM said that carers represented "the best of our country" through their "enormous contribution" to the lives of families around the UK.
The Government's new million Carers' Strategy includes £150 million set aside to help carers with respite breaks from their caring responsibilities and £6 million towards helping young carers.
Health minister Ivan Lewis said carers were "at the heart of 21st century families" and that "the responsibilities we ask of carers have never been greater". The new stategy also contained measures aimed at improving awareness among employers of carers' rights and pilot schemes to provide carers with regular health checks.
Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said the launch of the strategy signalled an "historic day" for carers.

Carer's Handbook

Carers Handbook - Do you look after Someone at Home
A carers handbook for all Carers in Pembrokeshire was produce in 2002. It is intended to be a valuable resource of information, and is a book for carers developed by carers, Pembrokeshire County Council and the county`s development worker. So far 500 copies have been issued to Carers, the voluntary sector and Agencies. Updates will be produced shortly and forewarded to everyone who has a copy. If you are a carer or know someone who is, copies are available free of charge, you just need to phone:
the Contact Centre at Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 764551
Carers Handbook
For a copy of the revised Carers Handbook click here,
please phone the County Council contact centre 01437 764551.

Carer's UK

We're offering free membership. Yes, free membership because we know that carers have many calls on their finances.

Join today and you'll receive

  • Our quarterly members' magazine, Caring, with the latest information on caring, carers' stories and how Carers UK is making a difference.
  • Helpful free telephone advice on all aspects of caring from our CarersLine experts.
  • Free information booklets written by experts covering a wide range of topics from carer benefits to practical help.
  • An invitation to our Members' Conference and Annual General Meeting
  • You'll also have a say in how Carers UK is run with a vote on electing our Trustees, the majority of whom are carers themselves and who ensure Carers UK is carer- led.
To take advantage of our free offer simply fill in our online form by clicking here.

SCOPE

Scope are currently lobbying the UK Government to ratify the first disability specific human rights convention for disabled people: The UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.
This convention will promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of human rights by all disabled people, not just prohibit discrimination. The UK Government has signed the UN Convention but has not yet ratified it. Until it does, the Convention is not legally binding on the UK.
Can I encourage you and as many people as you can to sign the petition and urge the UK Government to ratify the convention at: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ratifyconvention/
Thanks
Esther
Esther Barnett
Swyddog Ymgyrchoedd / Campaigns Officer
Scope Cymru

Home Energy HEES

Looking for cavity wall insulation or more loft insulation?
The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES)
is a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative aimed at making homes in Wales warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. The HEES grant provides a package of heating and insulation improvements up to the value of £3,600.
If you have a query about HEES, please call freephone 0800 316 2815, or go to their web site at:
http://www.heeswales.co.uk/do-i-qualify.htm

Carers Emergency Card Scheme

The Pembrokeshire Carers Emergency
Card Support Service is now up and
running. Carers can now register with
the Scheme and be offered 24 hour a
day emergency cover. To register with
the scheme, contact the main West
Wales British Red Cross number on
01792 772146.
Once carers have received the
registration card, they can be assured
that if help is needed in an emergency
situation, it is only a phone call away –
ensuring peace of mind.
If anyone has any queries about the
scheme, please contact Jacky Lang at
the British Red Cross on
01639644914.

Carers and Council Tax

Are you a carer?
Are you paying toomuch Council Tax?
Carers UK have issued updated advice for
carers on their website, including a template
letter that carers can use to ask their council
to recalculate their council tax. To find out if
you should be getting a discount on council

Turn2us

Welcome to Turn2us,
the new independent charity that helps people access the money available to them

What is Turn2us?

Turn2us is a new charity that exists to help the millions of people living in financial need in the UK access the money available to them - through welfare benefits, grants and other financial help. It was founded in August 2007 by the welfare charity
Turn2us provides information and access on grants and benefits in our free accessible one comprehensive website (www.turn2us.org.uk) and is developing a telephone helpline and services for people who help those in need. It also carries out research to inform policy and raises awareness of benefits and grants, to improve uptake.
If you are caring for someone, depending on your circumstances, you might have the right to the welfare benefits www.turn2us.org.uk

Carers Poverty Protest

The Carers Poverty Protest is rapidly growing in momentum.
Not only are Carer Centres advertising it in their newsletters, but it is also on Carer and Disability websites, notably the PRTC (2 seperate articles),CUK, Crossroads, The National Pensioners Convention, Parkinson's etc.
We are in constant touch with 70 Centres, who in turn are in touch with others, many organising coaches to London for the day.
We have had a lot of interest for our cause from all party MP's, some of whom are planning on coming over to speak and some who have agreed to support the Question we hope to have asked in Prime Ministers Question Time.
We also have a film crew who will be filming the Protest, so bring your best smile along with your banner!
The on line version of the petition
is doing well and will be printed out in good time to be handed in to Downing Street
along with all the paper petitions which have gone out countrywide.
They will be handed in on the day by a group of 6 people, plus press and MP's, two of whom are George and  his Mum, known on the CUK forum as 'The Old Doll'. George was the original 'instigator' of the Protest.

The Edinburgh Protestors will arrive outside the Scottish Parliament at 1.45pm for a rally with celebrity speakers followed by a Lobby of the MSP's. John Swinburne, leader of the Scottish Senior Citizens Unity Party and former MSP, has very kindly agreed to support the march in Edinburgh and to speak at the rally.  

Information from Learning Disability Wales

Information from Learning Disability Wales :
A new, 2 year, £500,000 pilot project to help families with disabled children claim the benefits they are entitled to was announced by the Welsh Assembly Government on 12 May.  The project, delivered by Citizen’s Advice Cymru, will look at  the best ways to increase the household incomes of families with disabled children.

For further information please contact:
Kai Jones, Information Officer
Learning Disability Wales
Tel:      029 2068 1160

 

4 Things you nevr knew your mobile phone could do

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.
Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for
survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST                                    Emergency
The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself
out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an
emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to
establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number
112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND                         Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy
someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the
car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their
mobile phone from your cell phone.

Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the
person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile
phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to
drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds
of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote"
for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car
over a mobile phone!"

THIRD                             Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys
*3370# Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument
will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when
you charge your mobile next time.

FOURTH                     How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following
digits on your phon! e: * # 0 6 #

A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to
your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone
get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this
code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief
changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably
won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it
can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no
point in people stealing mobile phones.
pass
it on to your family and friends

National Strategy for Carers 2008

Earlier this year Gordon Brown announced that the Government would review the National Carers Strategy and publish a new version next year, outlining a framework for carers' services over the next decade.  He said it would involve "the biggest ever consultation with carers."

Carers' Voices report

Carers UK has spent the year asking carers what they would like to see in the new Strategy and has published a report, reflecting those views -Carers Voices: Shaping the National Strategy - more...
We are continuing to campaign to make sure the Strategy addresses the most important issues for carers - such as income and employment, and receives proper funding. 

Tell us what you think...

If you've got something to say about the National Strategy and/or  want to highlight a particular issue to the Government, you can still let us know: email equalpartners@carersuk.org
Read more about the background to the new Strategy, including what Carers UK has been doing - more....
The Department of Health produces updates on the New Deal for Carers and the National Strategy - more...

Circle of Support

Circles Network Wales is a national organisation that supports people with learning difficulties, their families, friends and organisations across Wales to develop Circles of Support. We also work on a number of other projects that focus on building an inclusive society and empowering disabled people to achieve their ambitions.
Circles of Support in Pembrokeshire
The Circles Network has had some success in other counties and Lyndsay's post is a scheme set up to give people in Pembrokeshirethe opportunity to learn about Circles Network and to try and set up circles of support around people with learning difficulties giving them a chance to try forming a circle if they so wish. Lyndsay has already started working with several families who are trying to create a circle of support around their son or daughter in Pembrokshire.

Lyndsay Bone, Pembrokeshire Facilitator is based in Pembrokeshire, Lyndsay supports Families/Carers of people with learning difficulties across Pembrokeshire who want to start their own Circle of Support. This enables the families to receive more support and for individuals to combat social exclusion. Within Pembrokeshire, due to a recent funding success, we are pleased to announce that our remit also now encompasses children and young people with mental health differences and their carers/families.
                         or Tel: 01348 831056  mobile: 07970 604165     
Email:
lyndsay.bone@circlesnetwork.org.uk
Or check out the circles web site for more information: www.circlesnetwork.org.uk


Cars for Carers

"Cars for Carer's" scheme in Pembrokeshire
The Cars for Carer's scheme was originally run as a pilot scheme by Jill Edge R.S.V.P.
(Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) project worker who realised after talking with Sally Davies the Carers Development worker (both based at P.A.V.S.) that transport was a big problem for many Carer's for all sorts of reasons so Jill worked very hard with the help of volunteer drivers who are paid expenses at getting the Cars for Carer's scheme off the ground. It was originally funded by the Carers Special Grant in Pembrokeshire and has proved a very practical way of helping a lot of Carers in Pembrokeshire over come their transport needs. But in order to become established the scheme required further funding and support to carry on the good work. Jill and team have successfully applied for and received funding for a further 3 years. The scheme was also recognised by being nominated for a community Care Award 2002 presented at the Hilton Hotel in London.

Carer's need your help. So if you are a car owner who loves driving with some time on your hands? "Cars for Carer's"would like to hear from you. We need drivers from all over Pembrokeshire with full driving license, Comprehensive Insurance & Mechanically sound vehicle. If you are interested in helping Carer's carry out essential journeys then please contact:
Rachel Evans (Based at PAVS) 01437 768195
Mobile: 07733 265769
And Carer's if you are in need of Transport and need to go on an essential journey or visit to a G.P, Dentist ,Chiropodist,
attend meetings or a Carers group, meet with friends or visit a relative or just to have a break

Tel. "Cars for Carer's" Organiser's:
John and Denise Hulme on 01646 685952
on Wednesdays, Rita can be contacted on 01437 767790.
And far north of the county passes completely to:
Maria Woolnough 01239 621476
costs based on local bus fares
(at least 24 hours notice is required)
Carer's make a contribution towards costs also concessionary passes can be used.
 

Rowan Organisation

Direct Payments and the Rowan Organisation in Pembrokeshire


It is a cash payment made to you directly so that you can buy and organise your own help and support rather than having social Services arranging or providing you with a service. It is this cash payment that presents you with choices and allows you the flexibility to plan what you actually need. There are some people with learning Disabilities who have special needs where the present Day Services, Family Aide provided, and planned Respite Care, and available help and support simply don't fit their own particular needs. For e.g. People with challenging behavior, Autism, medical problems or simply someone who would like to lead their life they way they would like to. Some Parent/Carers have said they are very satisfied with the Day Services provided but that the Respite Care available does not suit their own son or daughter's needs. Direct Payments can be used like a pick and mix and would allow you to purchases your Respite Care separately from Day Care and other services. For some Parent /Carers their son or daughters needs are not met by any of the above (because they don't fit into a particular slot they have no support at all) and they badly need help and support tailored to suit their own individual circumstances and needs.
Direct Payments could be the answer.

Some money has now been made available from the Welsh Assembly to carry out this scheme. But for many people this would be an extremely daunting process to start or organise. The Rowan Organisation can help you to find out more about The Direct Payment Scheme and help and support you to; to recruit, employ and manage your own staff, organise their working hours and duties, complete staff time sheets, pay rolls and accounts and ensure that the Direct Payment money buys the help you need and that the schemes formal procedures are followed. You have nothing to lose and every thing to gain. If you would like further information about The Rowan Organisation and about how to access the local support team please contact.

The Rowan Centre
North Street
Atherstone
North Warwickshire
CV9 1JN.
Tel. Free phone 0800 7831755
 
Elaine Nicholas is now working as the new Independent Living Adviser (I.L.A.) on Direct Payments in Pembrokeshire. Her colleague David Evans also an (I.L.A.), works in the county of Carmarthen and Project manager, Carole Kulman and another (I.L.A) Veronica Lewis is working in the county of Ceredigion, and they are all representatives of the Rowan Organisation. Based in Warwickshire, it is a growing organisation that has been successfully providing services in and around the county to disabled people for over twenty - five years.
What then is a direct payment?

Wales Learning Disability Helpline

Wales Learning Disability
HELPLINE 0808 8000 300
Employment housing health support learning welfare benefits membership
Mencap Cymru provides support and information on a wide range of issues that affect people with a learning disability their families and Carers across Wales.
The Wales Learning Disability Helpline gives YOU direct contact with the Mencap Cymru Community Support Team and Independent Support and information Services. (ISIS)
Your call to Mencap Cymru is
CONFIDENTIAL and FREE
We are openMonday to Friday 8.00am to 8.00pm and Saturday and Sunday 10.00am 4.00pm.
I f you need help outside these hours, call and leave a message. We'll get back as soon as possible.
FREEPHONE 0808 8000 300 or click to E-mail www.mencap.org.uk (good website to visit)
 

New Mecap Welfare Benefits Service

The Community Fund has awarded £275,000 to a new Mencap Project, The Welfare Benefits and Advice Support Service aims to enable young people, aged 16-20 years with a learning disability and their Carers to access benefits advice and support. For more information contact:
Dawn Black or Keith Roper at the Welfare Benefits Unit On 01978 267336

NCH Children's Centre

(They produce a News Letter called Merlin's Messenger ask for a copy)
The centre offers advice, support and information to families who are caring for a child who is disabled or who has special needs. At the centre they can offer both an information service and a place to meet. There is also a pilot key worker system available for a limited number of families who care for a severely disabled child who receives more than one service. These workers can co-ordinate services, offer support to the whole family, provide information or act as an advocate when necessary.

Pembrokeshire Children's Centre
Unit 6 Merlin's Court
Winch Lane
Haverfordwest
SA 61 1SB.

Tel No. 01437 764569. Fax 01437 779155 or click to E-mail

Carer's Rights Guide

Free Carers Rights Guide

Looking after someone 2010/11 :

a guide to carers’ rights and benefits

Carers have certain legal rights to benefits and other help. Carers UK is aware of many carers who do not know about their rights or how to get help. Every year £840 million of carers’ benefits are unclaimed. Carers UK is here to make sure carers know about their rights and the help available to them. This guide sets out what rights carers have and how they can get:
  • financial help
  • practical help
  • help with combining work and caring.
To be sent free copies of the guide call 0808 808 7777 or download a copy below.

Looking after someone : Carers Rights Guide 2010/11

‘Caring for your income/pensions
and your health‛
And A Variety of therapy taster sessions
When giving up work to care, a carer’s first
thought is not about their pension, but about
managing care and making ends meet.
Without the right advice carers could be missing
out on:
· vital contributions to their state pension which
could affect long term finances
· claiming entitlements to extra financial
support.
Come along and find out more information on
how you can maximize your income/pension.
Organisations who provide information, advice
and services to carers will be at the day to offer
advice and support.
We would also like to hear your views at the
Carers Forum.
We hope you can attend,
bring a friend if you wish.
We can help with travel and
replacement care costs
All Carers Welcome
For more information or to book a place please contact
Nicole van Schie at PAVS on 01437 771196 or 769422
email:
Nicole.vanschie@pavs.org.uk

Carers to be "priority group" for swine flu jab

Carer's Gazettes

Click link below
for the latest edition of the
Carers’ Gazette
News for carers in Pembrokeshire
Issue 33 - November 2010
Carers’ Gazette -- Issue 31 - May 2010   
News and Views from around Pembrokeshire
     
( older copies of Carer's Gazette further down)
You or the person you are looking after may be entitled to certain payments and grants to help with fuel bills or making your home warmer and more energy efficient.  There are also simple things you can do to save energy and reduce your bills.  You should also check to see if you or the person you are looking after are entitled to any benefits to increase your income.


Click link below for the latest edition of the
Carers’ Gazette
News and Views from around Pembrokeshire
Carers’ Gazette -- Issue 31 - May 2010  
Carers’ Gazette -- Issue 30 - February 2010 
Carers’ Gazette Issue 29 - November 2009
Carers’ Gazette  Issue 28 - August 2009
Carers’ Gazette   Issue 27 - May 2009
Carers Gazzette Issue 26 - February 2009
Carers Gazzette November 2008
Carers August Newsletter 2008
(This also includes a complete new list of groups currently supporting Carers in Pembrokeshire)

Carers Gazette for March 2008 - follow the link:

Carers Gazette for May 2008 just click the link:

Carers Gazette Autumn Newesletter 2007

Carer's Rights

Carers' rights - are you up to date?

There's never been a more important time to keep up to date with carers' legal rights. The 2011 edition of Carers and their rights, the definitive handbook on the law relating to carers, by leading community care lawyer Luke Clements, is now available. more...

Don't cut care

It’s not too late to sign up to our ‘Don’t cut care’ campaign to help make sure councils prioritise services to older people, those with a disability and their carers.

You will receive a toolkit to help you build an effective local campaign and make sure carers voices are heard. more…

The state of caring in 2011

To help us campaign for a better deal for carers in the future we need even more carers to complete our State of Caring survey to tell us what their lives are like today. You can help by spreading the word and publishing the link http://www.surveymonkey.com/stateofcaring
Or download the PDF and send it to carers you are in touch with. more…

Thursday, 27 January 2011

Disability Living Allowance to be replaced

The consultation closes on 14th February 2011.

Disability Living Allowance to be replaced

Carers UK has expressed concerns about the Government's plans to replace Disability Living Allowance, the main disability benefit.
As part of plans to reduce spending on Disability Living Allowance by 20% (£1 billion) over the next four years, the Government has launched a consultation on proposals to scrap Disability Living Allowance and replace it with a ‘Personal Independence Payment’. Carers UK Chief Executive Imelda Redmond CBE, said:

“This proposal would be one of the biggest changes in disability benefits since Disability Living Allowance was created and has big implications for carers.
Although reshaping disability benefits does present opportunities to improve the application and assessment processes for disabled people, we are deeply concerned that these plans will mean that hundreds of thousands of disabled people will see their benefits reduced or removed.”

We are extremely disappointed that the proposals do not assess the knock-on impacts for families, which could be devastating, particularly for those who receive Carer’s Allowance alongside Disability Living Allowance.

Our research shows that carers depend on these benefits to pay basic bills and that carers are already spending their own income to pay for care for their loved-ones. Cuts like this to the incomes of people affected by disability could force more carers into poverty or mean they can no longer care.”

The consultation closes on 14th February and details can be found at

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

LINKS

Carers UK is the voice of carers. Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner.
Carers give so much to society yet as a consequence of caring, they experience ill health, poverty and discrimination.
Carers UK is an organisation of carers fighting to end this injustice. We will not stop until people recognise the true value of carers’ contribution to society and carers get the practical, financial and emotional support they need.

This interactive website/CD ROM offers an introduction to the issue of caring using a variety of text.

Carers Wales is part of Carers UK. We work for a better deal for all carers in Wales. We are a policy, campaigning and information organisation. We are a membership organisation, run by carers for carers through an elected Board of Trustees.  Our policies are guided and influenced by the Wales Committee, elected by the members in Wales. The Wales Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK. Through its unique network of 129 independently managed Carers' Centres and interactive websites, Carers.org and The Princess Royal Trust currently provides quality information, advice and support services to 290,000 carers, including just over 15,000 young carers.

Carers - A directory of UK health, disease, illness and related medical websites
that provide patient information. Self Help, Carers Support Groups, Benefit's Advice
and much much More : Have a browse
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/4/%20-owdoc/4/ -

Counsel and Care is a national charity getting the best care and support for older people, their families and carers. We do this by providing advice, information and financial support and by influencing policies, services and funding.
From over 50 years Counsel and Care has been working to make sure that everyone who comes to us for advice and information receives the support that they are entitled to. For more information about the advice service, please click on http://www.counselandcare.org.uk/

Saga Respite for Carers Trust
This site has quite a lot of information,
  • Our emphasis is on providing support and information to enable you to make a decision that is right for
  • your situation : Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Benefit's, equity release, financial planning,
and quite a lot More: worth a browse

http://www.humanrights.gov.uk
Caredirections News Letter
CARE DIRECTIONS' NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 2008

Welcome to the Internet’s unique guide to care and the rights of older people.

and Carers
The fundamental objective of this pioneering site is to empower people with the information they will need to make truly informed choices – to give them continuing control in their lives, or the lives of their loved ones.
Read more  -   http://www.caredirections.co.uk/ 

People with learning disabilities have a reduced ability to understand new or complex information, and to be able to cope independently. Tunstall’s telecare solutions can be tailor-made to meet the needs of the individual, using a range of sensors as part of a supportive care service, helping people with learning disabilities, their families and carers to live full and independent lives as part of their communities.

Ubiquitous Pembrokeshire Carers (UPC) is a group for all unpaid carers, young or old, looking after friends or relatives with any sort of incapacity.
Young Carers

http://www.after16.org.uk
This is a website for parents, carers and people who work with and for disabled young people in transition to adulthood.
For Brain Injured Children and young people
Parents of disabled children can feel very alone and bewildered by all the services and information out there. Cerebra's Parent Support Department aim to help by offering information, support and various services that parents have told us would help them.
Examples of ways the charity helps are:
ALL OUR SERVICES ARE FREE

Contact a Family is the only UK-wide charity providing advice, information and support to the parents of all disabled children - no matter what their disability or health condition. We also enable parents to get in contact with other families, both on a local and national basis. Each year we reach at least 275,000 families.

representing the individual interests of people with learning disabilities living in Pembrokeshire
What is advocacy? - A free, confidential service for people with learning disabilities working to:


http://www.scovo.org.uklearning/ Disability Wales (formerly SCOVO) is the collective voice of the voluntary sector in Wales and promotes the right of children and adults with a learning disability to have valued lives.
Learning

The All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers.The All Wales Forum of Parents and Carers (A.W.F.P.C.) is an organization run by parents and Carers of people with a learning disability. The aim of the forum is to gather together the views of parents and Carer's across Wales in order to inform the decision makers and service providers both nationally and locally.
Contact Details:
All Wales Forum, 78a Oxford Street, Mountain Ash, RCT,CF45 3HB.
Tel: 01443 477795 

NCH helps children achieve their full potential.
Through our services we support some of the most
vulnerable and excluded children in the UK
NCH Children's Centre Pembrokeshire
(They produce a News Letter called Merlin's Messenger ask for a copy)
The centre offers advice, support and information to families who are caring for a child who is disabled or who has special needs. At the centre they can offer both an information service and a place to meet. There is also a pilot key worker system available for a limited number of families who care for a severely disabled child who receives more than one service. These workers can co-ordinate services, offer support to the whole family, provide information or act as an advocate when necessary.
Pembrokeshire Children's Centre
Unit 6 Merlin's Court
Winch Lane
Haverfordwest
SA 61 1SB.
Tel No. 01437 764569. Fax 01437 779155 or click to E-mail


The service aims to support disabled children and young people and their families, within their own communities by providing a range of short break services based on the assessed need of the individual child or young person. These services enable them to take advantage of the opportunities available to their non-disabled peers by being included in and using local community activities and venues.

Disabled people and carers

The government is making it easier for you to access information and services through a website called Directgov. It provides information for disabled people and information for carers. Directgov provides information about:
Directgov also explains how to claim Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Carer's Allowance online. Follow the Directgov links above to the 'How to claim' sections.

Motability is a national charity, set up on the initiative of the Government in 1977, to assist disabled people with their mobility needs. We direct and oversee the Motability Scheme which enables disabled people to obtain a car, powered wheelchair or scooter simply by using their government-funded mobility allowances.


The Independent Living Funds provide a "direct payment" that enables people to purchase care from an agency or pay the wages of a privately employed Personal Assistant (PA).
The Funds are a Non Departmental Public Body.  For both Funds, awards are in the form of regular four-weekly payments to individuals, which are used to buy personal care in the community. Recipients may use care agencies or employ personal assistants, but may not employ relatives who live in the same house.

The Rowan Organisation is currently under contract to provide support and assistance to users of Direct Payments

About The Rowan Organisation

The Rowan Organisation is an organisation of disabled people which provides disabled people with access to information, services and resources in order to increase their opportunity for independence
and enable them to make informed choices about their future.
This site provides information about the services we provide together with links to other resources which people may find useful. Please take this opportunity to explore our site
Happy browsing.

Some local Providers who may be able to provide packages of care and respite
using I.L.F. and direct payments
http://www.elhill.co.uk/
Elliots Hill Care is also involved in providing a wide range of support services in the community to clients who are eligible for ILF funding and through Supported Housing and other initiatives. They are registered by CSSIW as a Large Domiciliary Care Agency for both adults and the under 18 age-group. They have been awarded contracts to provide full time care in community based domiciliary settings, providing specialist care for clients with learning disabilities, severe physical impairment and challenging behaviour. They are also contracted to provide support for community-based people with mental health problems, and this service has expanded to cover the whole county.

Some people we support require minimal input, perhaps getting help with household budgeting whilst others require help and support 24 hours a day with things such as making meals, washing and personal care, dressing, all household tasks, leisure pursuits, holidays and other day to day activities

Bramble Bay Ltd
Broadmoor, Kilgetty,
Pembrokeshire SA68 ORN    
  Tel No.01834 812702
Residential and Comunity Support for Adults wuth Learning Disabilities

ShangriLaCare Services will provide a comprehensive domiciliary and residential care service
to young adults aged between 18 and 65 years of age with a range of learning disabilities
including physical disabilities, in the Pembrokeshire/ Carmarthenshire border areas. The range of
services includes;
PERSONAL CARE direct care involving physical assistance to service users in order to
maintain (or improve) adequate bodily functions such as assistance (physical or
supervisory) with eating, bathing, toileting or assistance with mobility.
√ NONPERSONAL
CARE such as ensuring the personal safety of the service user, general
counselling tasks, dealing with emotional problems and support of a psychological nature.
√ ASSISTANCE WITH INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS such as cooking, cleaning,
budgeting, shopping etc.
√ ASSISTANCE TO ACCESS COMMUNITY FACILITIES for occupational or social
purposes.
√ ASSISTANCE WITH TASKS WHICH ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE such as decisionmaking,
service user empowerment and meaningful community integration.
Contact details: Chapel Hill Farm House, Maidenwells, Pembrokeshire, SA71 5HY
01646 661284
Email shangrilacareservices@yahoo.co.uk
A Crossroads service is about giving time - improving the lives of carers by giving them time to be themselves and have a break from their caring responsibilities. Our aim is to provide a reliable service, tailored to meet the individual needs of each carer and the person they are caring for. We have schemes in most parts of England and Wales, which provide a range of services to meet local needs.

Every scheme provides practical support where and when it is most needed - usually in the home. A trained Carer Support Worker will take over from the carer to give them 'time to be themselves'. We talk to the carers about how often they would like us to visit, how long the visit should be and at what time they would like our support provided. They then have 'time' to use as they wish - to see friends, keep appointments, study, read or even just to sleep.

Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with
a learning disability and their families and carers.


  • We provide information and support for people with Down’s syndrome, their families and carers, as well as being a resource for interested professionals.
  • We strive to improve knowledge of the condition.
  • We champion the rights of people with Down’s syndrome.


We champion the rights and interests of all people with autism and aim to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and services that they can access, trust and rely upon and which can make a positive difference to their lives.
Our website includes information about autism and Asperger syndrome, the NAS and its services and activities.


Disability Alliance (DA), publishers of the Disability Rights Handbook, is regarded as the leading authority on social security benefits for disabled people. You can use this site to find regularly updated information about benefits, tax credits and community care as well as disability benefits related campaigns.

SNAP Cymru is a Charity that offers information and support to families of children and young people who have special educational needs. These may be additional learning needs or disability. SNAP Cymru is the leading provider of Parent Partnership Services in Wales, giving thousands of families information, advice and support every year. 

The Family Fund provides timely grants to families with severely disabled children,
based on families' views and needs.

Through facilitating the setting up of circles of support (find out more) we have provided support for many hundreds of disabled people in the UK. All of our work is based around the Values of Inclusion (find out more).  In all of our forms of support, we make use of person centred planning (click here to find out more), so ensuring that the focus person is in control of every aspect of the planning of their lives.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy
www.epilepsy.org.uk

information on radar keys and disability network

www.ldiag.org.uk
The Learning Disabilitiy Implementation Advisory group. (packed full of information)
Here you will find useful links to Websites in the learning disability field.

www.adviceguide.org
An amazing amount of informationon one webesite. A great self-help service. Citizens adcice bureau.

Directory of Services - Health and Wellbeing

http://www.nas.org.uk/

'Frame promotes social inclusion, self worth and personal well being through supported, meaningful occupation and education, particularly for those with or recovering from mental ill health
and/or with a learning disability.'

www.caer.com
ADHD A Path to Success. Aspergers Resources - Disabilities Resourses.

Welcome to PAVS online
Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services  -  supporting voluntary action in Pembrokeshire.
Please browse our site - you will find a wealth of information for voluntary and community groups. Find out how you can get involved in and benefit from our
work

Pembrokeshire Local Health Board

The NHS Direct Wales website contains a wide range of health information including details of dentists, pharmacies, sexual health clinics and support groups in your area as well an A-Z encyclopaedia of health. You can also send a question about your health to our online enquiry service.


http://www.forparentsbyparents.com/

Pembrokeshire Housing - Womens Aid  -  Care and repair
We can visit you at home to help you arrange for repairs, improvements or solutions you may need to help you remain independent in your own home.
Through the Agency's Care & Repair Service we give practical support throughout the process and provide advice on possible funding sources and technical assistance. We are also able to review your welfare benefits entitlement and place you in touch with other organisations that may be able to help.

How can we help?
The Pembrokeshire Branch of the Alzheimer's Society was launched by carers
to support people with dementia and their carers.

Pembrokeshire Coalition aims to promote Equality, Inclusion and Awareness of disability issues amongst the population of Pembrokeshire

The Communities First programme is a Welsh Assembly Government long-term strategy for improving the living conditions and prospects for people in some communities in Wales.The Llanion ward of Pembroke Dock has been designated a Communities First area. People active in their communities, agencies and members of the voluntary, business and statutory sectors have formed a partnership to make things happen in Llanion.




For Information on
Benefits, Charities,
Mobility Equipment,
Vehicle Dealerships, 
Hearing Aid Dispensers, Hotels suitable for people
with disabilities,
plus much, much more.

‘Clynfyw is a special place. Well-equipped accommodation, relaxing, beautiful setting and a welcoming host.’
Based on a 200 acre family-run organic farm and woodland, a holiday at Clynfyw allows you to relax in a quiet, beautiful environment with stunning views of the Cych valley and north Pembrokeshire countryside.

Disability Now's Holiday accommodation section lists accessible hotels, cottages and B&Bs in the UK
and abroad. Each listing contains contact details and often website links.
The Trust provides four self-catering holiday houses in Pembrokeshire, UK for families with disabled children.
Three houses are in the Tenby area and are fully adapted and equipped for physically disabled children and the fourth, in Narberth, has been adapted for children with autism and other learning difficulties. All the houses have convenient parking and are available all year.
http://www.harriet-davis-trust.org.uk/

A large welcoming house in west London in which full time carers at home can come for a holiday / supportive break.



Welcome to the Carers Information web site.
Here you will find articles, documents, links and other resources to support informal carers.

The Welsh Assembly Government

The Welsh Assembly Government is the devolved government for Wales. Led by the First Minister, it is responsible for many issues, including health, education, economic development, culture, the environment and transport.

The National Assembly for Wales

The National Assembly for Wales is the representative body with legislative powers in devolved areas. It has sixty elected members and meets in the Senedd.

If you or someone you know has a sight problem we can help. Contact our Helpline on 0845 766 9999.