August 2023

Fingers crossed the sun makes an appearance between the showers!

Living and caring in Portsmouth gives us access to an incredible variety of events and activities throughout the summer, as well as lots of beautiful open spaces. Many are fully accessible for all and available at little or no cost. Making time to participate in community events, try a new activity or just get out and explore the local area – will have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.

Whether it’s a couple of hours visiting the bandstand in Southsea or sitting in the garden for 10 minutes with a cuppa and a good book – every minute of you time/family time/fun time all adds up!

If you don’t know where to start and feel like you are isolated from the outside world, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many people who feel this way. You could try talking to someone you feel comfortable with, maybe a family member or friend – even your keyworker at Portsmouth Carers Service, tell them how you feel and ask if they can help. It might be that you can come along to one of the Carers Break Wellbeing sessions at the community allotment. Maybe one of the local walking groups would suit you or a ride on one of the Cycling Without Age trishaws round the city.

If you are unable to leave the person you care for alone, please speak to your keyworker at Portsmouth Carers Service. Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to put a sitting service in place to enable you to get a break for an hour or two.

To find out what’s on in Portsmouth this Summer that is very low or no cost, visit the Portsmouth City Council website: Low cost and free activities in August – Portsmouth City Council

Interacting with the people and world around you is something we all benefit from doing. Being part of a community can help you feel connected and less isolated. Just remember – you are already part of our caring community!

Knowing who you’re talking to can help you feel more comfortable

First Name: Channon

What do you do at the Carers Centre?
I am an ISA (Independence Support Assistant). I support carers and their loved ones with assessments and implementation of support services.

What do you like about working at the Carers Centre?
I like that there is always something happening at the centre! Whether that is a wellbeing session or cookery or a carer popping in for a cuppa.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
I have two miniature dachshunds who like to keep me busy. I am also a little bit of an adrenaline junkie and love going to a theme park!

Favourite quote?
‘Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine’ – Mario Fernandez.

Carer Peer Support Group Recognised in Solent Community Awards

In Portsmouth we are fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers who give their time and energy to support carers through a range of carer peer support groups.

The volunteers who host these groups provide a welcoming atmosphere where carers can relax, talk openly about their feelings and benefit from the support of other people who understand their situation.

Many carers have told us how much the groups have helped them over the years and that they are a place where lasting friendships have been made. They really are an amazing source of information and support for carers.

Portsmouth Carers Service took the opportunity to recognise the valuable contribution made over many years by nominating: Vicki Newman and Brunel Carers Group, Helen Barter and Stand UP Portsmouth and Thelma Turner-Hill of Compass Carers Group for The NHS Solent Community Awards.

We were delighted to hear that Thelma Turner-Hill received a Community Partner Award recognising her many years of support to carers and people living with mental health conditions.

Congratulations Thelma and all the nominees. Thank you for your continued support for Carers in Portsmouth.

If you would like to read Thelma’s Caring Story – please visit our website: Thelma’s Caring Story – Portsmouth Carers Service

Carers enjoy activities funded by this year’s covid recovery grants

Following the Carers Service Grant offer earlier this year two Carer Support organisations enjoy active and relaxing events.

Headway Portsmouth Team Building and Afternoon Tea

Headway Portsmouth support people affected by brain injury and their families offering personalised advice, information, and practical support to assist rehabilitation, and maximise recovery and independence.
‘The funding was used to provide a couple of respite activity outings, to provide opportunities and activities that would bring all the carers together.
The first event which was a Field Gun Team Building Event held on 27th June and was a huge success.
We were very excited about putting on this new team building event involving everyone at Headway Portsmouth, where the carers were able to work with their loved one and other service users, carers and staff and it left everyone with a positive, memorable event that we will always remember.
Though the day started off a little wet, there was nothing that was going to dampen the spirit of the group. Everyone put in a fantastic effort and showed that with a positive mindset and a can do attitude, anything is possible!

After all that activity, our carers enjoyed a visit to Stansted Tea rooms on 27th July, which gave them an opportunity to relax and chat over a delicious afternoon tea.’ – Jo Dallas, Headway Portsmouth.

For more information on contact: 02392 664 972 or info@headwayportsmouth.co.uk

Stand UP Portsmouth – Carers Pamper Day
Stand Up Portsmouth is a support group for parents & carers of children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities. They provide a safe, welcoming, non-judgemental space for SEND Children and their families to meet and play in and around Portsmouth.

‘On Friday 12th May, we held a free pamper day for parent/carers of special needs children. We were given a £500 grant from the carers centre and were also supported on the day by PPV and Moriah.

We offered the parent/carers a selection of fun and relaxing activities, which included… making your own face pack, a foot soak & a foot massage, painted nails, relaxing colouring, a chill out area, a selection of makeup, an amazing and delicious abundance of food (including dessert!) And finally, a goody bag of treats to take home with them.

Many thanks to the carers centre for their support with this event! All seemed to have a nice time, having a cuppa, a pamper and a good old chat!‘ – Helen Barter, Stand Up Portsmouth.

For more information contact: standupportsmouth@gmail.com or visit: Stand Up Portsmouth Facebook Group

Making time to do something for your own wellbeing is important too!

Look out for events, activities and training opportunities at the Carers Centre on the Events Calendar on our Website or our Facebook Page.

Coming up:

• Every Tuesday 10am to 11am – Wellbeing Within: mindfulness and relaxation for carers. Drop-in session, no booking necessary.
• Every Friday 10am to 12pm – Dementia Care Drop-in: with Zena, Remind Dementia Nurse Specialist. Drop-in session, no booking necessary.
• Tuesday 8th August 12pm to 2pm – New Carers Group: drop-in for your chance to connect with other carers.
• Thursday 10th August 10.30am to 12pm – Cuppa and Catch Up: drop-in coffee morning, chat to a member of our team and find out more about support for carers.
• Saturday 12th August 11am to 1pm – Saturday Chatterday: Join Jayne and our wonderful volunteers for a warm welcome and friendly conversation. A light lunch and refreshments are provided. No booking necessary.
• Tuesday 12th September 12pm to 2pm – New Carers Group: drop-in for your chance to connect with other carers.
• Monday 18th September 1.30pm to 3pm – Cuppa and Catch Up: drop-in coffee afternoon, chat to a member of our team and find out more about support for carers.
• Tuesday 26th September 11am to 1pm – Dementia Care Workshop by Home Instead Portsmouth. Booking is essential via: Eventbrite Booking Page

Further information sessions are available this Autumn including Parkinson’s Care and Lasting Power of Attorney/Financial Planning. Please see our website or Facebook page for more information.

Portsmouth Carers Service – Carer’s Feedback Survey available now

If you have a spare 5-10 minutes, we would really appreciate your feedback about Portsmouth Carers Service. It is important for you to let us know how we are doing – so we can make sure we provide the best possible service for you.

The survey is designed to give us lots of useful information about your experiences with Portsmouth Carers Service and the support you received, as well as what’s missing! This will help us to make positive changes, improve services and give you – and other carers – the support that best suits your needs.

All questions are optional, and you only need to leave your contact details if you are happy to be contacted to discuss your feedback.

The survey can be found here: Carer’s Feedback Survey – Portsmouth Carers Service

If you would like a printed copy of the survey, please let us know.
Call: 02392 851 864 or email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Saturday 12th August 11am to 1pm at Portsmouth Carers Centre

Join Jayne and our wonderful volunteers for a warm welcome and friendly conversation. A light lunch and refreshments are provided. No booking necessary.

If you need more information about support available for carers in Portsmouth, drop in between 11am – 12pm to have a chat with Jo.

No booking necessary.

New opportunity to have your say and share your experiences…

Your voice is important – Carers views and feedback provide a wealth of knowledge and can help to influence and develop how services and treatments are delivered in the future.

Patient Research Ambassadors Opportunity:
Patient Research Ambassadors (PRAs) are a dedicated team of volunteers who support research across Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and in our local community. Some PRAs might have a passion for research for a specific condition that they have experienced as a patient or carer. Others are retired NHS staff or people who just want to give something back to the NHS.

PRAs meet with researchers and clinicians to hear about the studies they want to do. At these monthly meetings PRAs give their advice and ask questions about the study, giving the patient perspective in how studies are designed and delivered. This makes research more effective, because they’ve taken account of how patients and carers feel about the treatment they might be having.

They currently have two groups running, one for adults and one for young people. If you’re interested in knowing more about becoming a PRA, please email Sharon Court, the patient and public involvement facilitator: sharon.court@porthosp.nhs.uk

What do you need to know to help you in your caring role?

We offer a variety of practical training opportunities to help you in your caring role such as:

• Moving and Handling
• First Aid
• Condition Specific Training

The next training dates are:

• Moving and Handling Training for Carers (Option A) 23rd AUG 2023
• Moving and Handling Training for Carers (Option B with HOIST) 8th SEP 2023
• Moving and Handling Training for Carers (Option A) 3rd NOV 2023

If you are interested in any of these training opportunities or you have a request for something else, please contact Portsmouth Carers Service by calling 023 9285 1864.

Do you have questions about using devices or the internet?

If would like to have help to know how to get the best out of your phone, tablet or laptop the Hive offer a free digital drop-session on the last Wednesday of the month at Portsmouth Central Library.

Their friendly team will be on hand to help you with any issues. All are welcome and there’s no need to book. There will be the chance to book a one-to-one at a later date if needed.

Contact the Hive for more information: 02394 007 124.

A dedicated space for anyone who is supporting young people who self-harm.

It takes a lot of strength to support someone who self-harms. It is important to have enough resources available for you to feel you can continue supporting the person, but also that you look after yourself and recognise what your needs are as the supporter.

The Self-Harm Support Hub offers Peer Support groups led by those with lived experience. They also have a buddying scheme to link parents/carers with others who have had similar experiences for mutual support. Along with parent/carer specific support and activities, which will help empower you to support a young person in a stigma and judgment free environment.

For more information, please visit their website: https://www.selfharmsupporthubhants.org.uk/