February 2023

Your needs are important too!

What do you need to help you flourish and feel supported?

Think about everything a plant needs to help it grow. Water? Nutrients? Sunlight? Some need space to grow large roots to anchor them, some need a support or structure they can climb, some rely on other organisms for survival. Each plant is different and has its ideal conditions/needs, not just to grow, but to thrive.

Now consider yourself. What do you need, not just to live, but to thrive? Here are some things for you to consider, hopefully this will help you to discover your ideal condition that will enable you to flourish:

Time for You – something you enjoy, something relaxing, a hobby – something to make you smile.
Connections – spending time with other people, family, friends or out in the community – extending your world beyond your caring role.
Time to Talk – finding emotional support from people who understand your situation, like peer support groups, carers groups, wellbeing sessions – giving you a chance to express how you feel and be heard.
Ask for Help – the friend/family member who said, ‘let me know if there’s anything I can do…’ – say ‘YES! It would be really helpful if you could collect a prescription or make us a home cooked meal’. Maybe they could take you out or come round and help round the garden?
Healthy Eating and Hydration – this may seem simple, but it is the most important and often the one we pay least attention to. Starting small, like trying to drink more water, can make a big difference to your whole body. It makes everything work more efficiently and can make you feel better and have more energy. For 10 top tips for healthy eating visit: Top 10 Tips for Healthy Eating – Wellbeing Portsmouth
Finances – having a benefits check can ensure that you are receiving all the support you are entitled to. Speaking to organisations, like Advice Portsmouth, can help you with budgeting and debt. Organising your finances will help reduce your stress levels. You can also use Turn2us Benefits Calculator to check what benefits you might be entitled to.
Emergency Planning – you can reduce fear of the unknown by being prepared. Knowing you are the main/only carer for someone can cause a lot of anxiety – what if you become ill or have an accident and are unable to care for a few days or weeks? Having an emergency plan in place can help ensure the person you care for is looked after and safe while you are out of action.
Portsmouth Carers Service – a carer’s assessment can help you think about how caring affects your life and identify areas you may need support or ways to improve your health and wellbeing. You can visit our website for more information: www.portsmouthcarersservice.co.uk

If you would like to discuss this with a member of our team, please feel free to contact Portsmouth Carers Service.

Call: 02392 851 864 or Email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Meet the Team

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

First Name: Evie

What do you do at the Carers Centre? I work on our reception desk on a Monday, I am general first port of call and answer the phone, the door, respond to emails and such.

What do you like about working at the Carers Centre? I love meeting our carers and seeing the difference our groups and sessions can make to how people feel.

Name three of your character traits? Ooooh… I would say I’m friendly, reliable and creative.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I have twin boys who are nearly 14 months old, so a lot of my time is taken up with them! I enjoy getting out for a nice walk, I love fashion and I love going out to eat.

Favourite quote? ‘If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy’ – Proverb.

First Name: Sarah

What do you do at the Carers Centre? I work on reception – Tuesday to Friday.

What do you like about working at the Carers Centre? No two days are ever the same.

Name three of your character traits? Straightforward, understanding and genuine.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Upcycling old furniture and spending time with my daughter and my cats.

Favourite quote? “Be yourself – everyone else is taken”, Oscar Wilde.

New Tuesday Carers Group

A group run by carers for carers – your group, your way!

We have been working closely with local peer support groups. Many of these groups are so successful that they are now full and cannot accept any new members. While this is good news for these groups and they have built a supportive and friendly environment for their members, it leaves a gap for other carers looking for the same kind of friendship and understanding.

With this in mind, we have found a couple of lovely carers who are willing to help set up and run a new carers peer support group. As with many other groups, Portsmouth Carers Service will be on hand initially to help get the group up and running, but then it really is over to you! It would be amazing if the new members took ownership of the group and shaped it into the perfect group for them.

Initially the group will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at Portsmouth Carers Centre, from 12pm to 2pm in the workshop, starting on Tuesday 14th March. This is a nice big space with plenty of chairs/tables. There will be tea/coffee available and some biscuits or cake.

If you would like to come along and join this chatty Tuesday group, feel free to drop in – bring any friends or family who are carers too. This is a free group, open to any unpaid/informal carer. It will be a safe space for you to be yourself, meet other carers, share experiences, have a break and gain mutual support.

Carers Cuppa and Catch Up

Join us at our carers coffee morning – we’re here for you!

Our monthly Carers Cuppa and Catch Up has helped provide carers with an informal drop-in style session that carers can use either to take a break, sit down and relax or if they need to find support. A member of Portsmouth Carers Service team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have or just be a listening ear. We’ll have the kettle on and biscuits at the ready on these days/times:

Wednesday 8^th March, 10.30am – 12pm
Friday 31^st March, 10.30am – 12pm
Thursday 27^th April, 10.30am – 12pm
Monday 22^nd May, 1.30pm – 3pm
Tuesday 13^th June, 10.30am – 12pm

There is no need to book, please feel free to drop-in any time during the session. If you would like more information, you can contact us using the details below.

Call: 02392 851 864

Email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Wellbeing Within Workshops

How does an hour of relaxation and mindfulness sound?

Wellbeing Within Community is a community interest company which aims to teach simple tools to help people manage their own wellbeing, reduce stress and anxiety. They have kindly offered to teach a course of six workshops for free – available to carers in Portsmouth. Carers can sign up to any number – just one, two, or ALL six workshops.

The workshops will run weekly on a Tuesday from 10am to 11am, with time for a cup of tea and chat afterwards. The dates are as follows:

21st February – Our foundation and sense of inner strength.
28th February – Our connection, relationships, sense of belonging.
7th March – Self-love, nurturing, self-compassion.
14th March – Our inner truth, authentic communication.
21st March – Our personal power and inner sunshine.
28th March – Our inner wisdom, trusting yourself.

Places are limited, so if you would like to attend, you will need to book a place on each workshop you wish to attend. Please contact Portsmouth Carers Service to book or for more information.

Call: 02392 851 864

Email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Don’t Be Bored… Get On Board!

New Saturday drop-in break session for carers!

This 2-hour session held at Portsmouth Carers Centre once a month, from 11am to 1pm, will be an opportunity for carers to take a break from their caring role, meet other carers and enjoy a bit of brain stimulating fun.

The next few sessions will be:

Saturday 18^th February
Saturday 18^th March
Saturday 15^th April

A delicious light lunch will be available upon request. A member of Portsmouth Carers Service team will be there if you need a chat or carer’s assessment. These sessions do not need to be booked – but please let us know in advance if you would like lunch. If you require an appointment with a member of the Carers Service team, this will also need to be booked in advance.

To request lunch please email: IWT@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

To book an appointment with a member of Portsmouth Carers Service team, call: 02392 851864 or email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Portsmouth Carers Service Website

Have you visited our new website for carers in Portsmouth?

You can now visit our new website for information and resources to support your caring role. Find out about Portsmouth Carers Service, carer’s assessments and how we can help you.

If you know someone who may benefit from taking our ‘Am I a Carer? Quiz’ feel free to share the link: Am I a Carer? Quiz – Portsmouth Carers Service

We would love to hear from you, please send us your comments and suggestions:
Email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Get Involved – neuro-Digital Research

Do you care for someone with a neurological condition?

John Spreadbury, from the University Hospital Southampton, is running a research study investigating attitudes to digital health technology amongst people who provide informal care to those with neurological conditions. He would like to speak to people who provide care or support to somebody with one of the following neurological conditions: multiple sclerosis, headache, epilepsy, motor neurone disease or other neuromuscular disorder, Huntington’s disease, atypical or early onset dementia.

John would like to find out what carers think about digital health technology and how it can be improved to better support patients and carers. Participants do not have to be currently using digital health technology to take part.

The study will involve taking part in either a telephone or online interview or an online focus group. Participants can choose whether they prefer to participate in an interview or focus group. You can find more information about the study by clicking the following link: Neuro-Digital: from attitudes to strategies.

If you are interested, you can contact John directly by email: jhs101@soton.ac.uk or by telephone on: 07876818404