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Carers Information

The Changing Lives project is back!

Are you a carer of working age who is thinking about going back to work or taking up a course? Do you want to talk about work or learning with someone who understands the issues carers face?

Some of you may remember the Changing Lives project. We have secured funding through the European Social Fund to run Changing Lives again and can now offer additional support to carers who are hoping to return to work or learning.

If you’re 18 to 65, unemployed, or working less than 8 hours a week, this project will give you the chance to sit down and plan a course of action. Read more [here]
Or contact Gina Culling for further information on 01723 850155

A new Mind / Carers Resource service supporting carers in Whitby & Ryedale

Together with Scarborough, Whitby & Ryedale MIND we've launched a new kind of service offering practical and moral support to carers who are finding their caring role a struggle.

The project will 'match' carers with volunteer supporters who will help carers through their difficult times. If you feel you require some support, or if you would like to become a volunteer supporter we and MIND would be happy to hear from you. The project is supported by North Yorkshire County Council, Health & Adult Services. Tel. 01723 588 008
Read the full story [here]. email Carers Resource

End the Care Crisis: Lobby 2012

The End the Care Crisis: Lobby 2012 will take place on Tuesday 6th March 2012, in the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

Join the campaign today to urge the Government to create a better social care system for all.

The Care & Support Alliance, a group of over 50 organisations that represent and support older and disabled people is uniting to tell the Government that our care system is in crisis. On Tuesday 6th March 2012, people will be travelling to London to protest and tell MPs that a change in social care is urgently needed. If you’re unable to attend you can make your voice felt by contacting your local MP.

Find more information at the Carers UK website [here]
See the Care & Support Alliance website [here]

Question & Answer Sessions for Carers
on Twitter to continue in February

Monday nights on Twitter - live: 5.00-7.00pm

Carers Direct, the national information service for carers, are continuing to host their live twitter Q&A sessions every Monday evening in February from 5.00-7.00pm. Carers can chat and discuss any questions or comments they may have with two advisors, Gemma and Katy.

Carers can follow them on Twitter 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.

See the Carers Direct Twitter page [here]

New Santander Grant for Carers Resource aims to help older carers aged 65+ take up available benefits.

We have received £9,913 from Santander Foundation to develop a financial inclusion project for older carers. We will aim to increase the take up of older people’s benefits to help reduce financial hardships, which also has a knock on effect to health and wellbeing.

Many older people do not recognise themselves as carers and therefore their needs remain hidden from appropriate sources of help. We will develop ways of reaching out to older carers within the local communities by raising awareness, providing 1-1 individual support, emotional support, benefits assessment to enable longer term financial security, offering Carers Assessments on behalf of the Local Authority and referring/signposting to specialist services.

If you are a carer and over 65+ and would like access to a benefits assessment or general support with your caring situation please contact us on 01723 850155 or e-mail staff@carersresource.net

New Booklet for Carers Resource

Scarborough & Ryedale Carers Resource has a new information booklet available which describes the organisation and introduces our services. The booklet is available in both paper or ebook formats and can also be downloaded to your desktop from the online ebook.
Call us on 01723 850155 for a free copy of the booklet.
See the ebook version [here]

Cuts to Legal Aid! Make your voice heard!

Justice for All - a coalition of charities and social groups - is fighting changes to the Legal Aid system contained in a Bill currently before parliament. It is concerned that many vulnerable members of society will no longer be able to access the free legal advice which is currently available and so essential to their obtaining fair treatment and justice.
The Bill gets its third reading in parliament this week but will also have to pass through the House of Lords - make your protest known by contacting your local MP.
Find out more at the Justice for All web site [here]

Winter News...
Order your heating oil early this winter

Consumer groups are advising people to stock up on heating oil early this winter to save money and also to avoid delivery problems if we have bad weather.
Find more information [here].

Computers for Rural People

Rural communities charity, The Arthur Rank Centre, is running a scheme to help supply very low cost computers (from �109) to people living in a rural area. Email and the internet are so valuable to people living in remote places - if you know someone who would like to get on line, but finds the cost too expensive, take a look at the Arthur Rank web site for further details.

Link to Arthur Rank Centre website - [here]

Holidays for Carers

If you are a carer who is unable to take a break from your responsibilities, or if you know of someone who is a carer and deserves a holiday, the Saga Respite for Carers Trust is seeking nominations for a number of free holidays which also ensure continuity of care.
See further details [here]