June 2023

Raising awareness, giving thanks and making friends

Carers Week raises awareness of the valuable role that unpaid carers have in our community. Portsmouth Carers Service works with health and social care, voluntary organisations and groups to ensure carers are recognised and supported. Carers have told us that people who understand their situation can be one of the most valuable sources of support.

During Volunteers Week we would like to thank the Carer Peer Support Groups in Portsmouth. These groups are organised and hosted by dedicated volunteers who have over many years, given their time, energy, and support to ensure carers have somewhere they can go to get a break from caring and spend time with people who understand their situation, share their experiences to help others and provide moral support and friendship.

Our Carers Cookery and Wellbeing Breaks are hosted by a group of friendly volunteers who ensure carers feel welcome and enjoy their break.

Carers, Margaret and Margaret, at the community allotment

Two of our carers, both called Margaret, have found friendship, support and the chance to relax through joining support groups and the carers breaks sessions. They told us how attending these have helped them:
“At the group you’re with people who were in the same position, you could also swap stories and give each other advice and help. And that’s what you need, isn’t it? Somebody else to talk to – to know, you’re not the only one going through it.”

“When I first went to the Carers Breaks at the allotments, Jayne who host breaks, said ‘just come for two hours forget everything and enjoy yourselves’, which we did. It was just a lovely atmosphere, you could just get away for two hours, then you’re ready to go back in the house and back to the stress again, but you’ve had two hours relief. But you also meet other people in the same position, we just hit it off and became friends straight away”.

The Carers Breaks Cookery and Wellbeing sessions are delivered by our colleagues in the Independence and Wellbeing Team. Nicola Jones, Community Development Team Leader, told us how much they value their volunteers, “The carers breaks volunteers have given hours tirelessly over many years to enable us to provide the breaks for carers. They volunteer on a regular basis and never let us down. Without them we would not be able to run the projects. Their continued dedication has helped to support carers not only in the kitchen cookery sessions but also at the allotment. They have helped organise sessions, clean up and are a valuable part in the interaction with carers, helping them to feel supported. They really are the cogs that make the sessions run well”.

Ben Muller, Operational Lead and all the staff at Portsmouth Carers Service would like to take this opportunity to give our sincere thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who organise and host the groups and activities throughout the city. We really appreciate everything you do to support unpaid carers in Portsmouth.

Visit Portsmouth Carers Service website or contact us for more information on support groups or carers break cookery and wellbeing sessions.
Call: 02392 851 864
Email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Facebook or Instagram: @PortsmouthCarersCentre

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

First Name: Laura

What do you do at the Carers Centre? I’m a Project Officer. I look after our Facebook page, Instagram feed, the website and newsletter. I design a lot of the posters and communication materials. I also do some casework and help carers with assessments and support.

What do you like about working at the Carers Centre? I love the variety in my job and being able to help people. I get to work with an amazing team who are very knowledgeable, caring and supportive.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I juggle working full time, caring and having a family. So ‘free’ time is rare, but when I do get chance – I love having fun with my family. We enjoy playing games and lots of different crafts. We also have great fun cooking/baking whilst singing/dancing round the kitchen!

Favourite quote? ‘Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end’ – Scott Adams.

In the Garden at Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery

To celebrate carers week Portsmouth Carers Service invites you to join us for a performance of The Enchanted Umbrella, in the beautiful historical setting of the Portsmouth Museum Garden.

Rachel from the Red Sauce Theatre Company will entertain us with puppets, fun and laughter – if you would like to dress in red, white and blue please do.

Friday 9th June from 11am to 1pm. Light refreshments will be provided.

Spaces are limited so please contact Portsmouth Carers Service to book your place.

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

Before or after the celebration please take time to explore Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery which is home to a huge variety of exhibitions that explore the city’s rich and varied history.

Entrance to the museum is free of charge.

Recognising and Supporting Carers Across the Community

In June we celebrate Carers Week and Portsmouth Pride. We would like to welcome LGBTQ+ Carers to our Proud to Care event on Tuesday 6th June, from 1pm to 3pm.

Join us for tea, cake and a friendly chat to find out more about support for unpaid carers in Portsmouth. Feel free to drop-in – no booking necessary.

At Portsmouth Carers Centre, Orchard Road, Southsea, PO4 0AD.

Please contact Portsmouth Carers Service for more information.

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

Recognising and Supporting Carers Across the Community
We will be out and about during Carers Week to talk to people about support for carers in Portsmouth. Come along and say hello, find out how we can support you.

Monday 5th June 10.30am to 12.30pm The Hard Bus Station
Need a break from caring? Gina and Jo can talk to you about way to get a break from caring. come along and have a trial ride on the You Trust on the Cycling Without Age Trishaws.

Wednesday 7th June 1.00pm to 3.00pm Tesco Extra Fratton
Not sure if you are you a carer? Come along to have a chat with Jo or Gina to find out more about carers and the support provided by Portsmouth Carers Service.

Thursday 8th June 10.30am to 12.30pm Morrisons Anchorage Park
What’s available to support you to care? Emergency plans, falls alarms, equipment – talk to Jo and Lisa to find out what’s available and where to find support.

Tuesday 6th June 11.00am to 12.30pm Virtually on Zoom

Caring for someone? Join the discussion with Portsmouth Carers Service and community health services online information event.

Meeting ID: 828 6286 4394
Passcode: 153725

Saturday 10th June 11am to 1pm at Portsmouth Carers Centre

Join David and our wonderful volunteers for a warm welcome, conversation and a bit of friendly competition (games/quiz).

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

A light lunch and refreshments are provided.

No booking necessary.

A special Carers Week offer from the D-Day Story Museum

Tuesday 6th June marks the 79th Anniversary of D-Day. The D-Day Story Museum recognises the important role that unpaid carers have in our community.

Carers visiting the museum with the person they care for qualify for free entry to the museum.

Any carers visiting during carers week 6-11th June can receive a complimentary annual pass upgrade to their ticket which allows them to return at their leisure for unlimited visits throughout the year.

Contact the D-Day Story Museum for more information.

Call: 023 9288 2555
Website: https://theddaystory.com/

Taking time out for yourself will help your health and wellbeing

Wellbeing Within Weekly Workshop: Unpaid/informal carers can join us every Tuesday from 10am to 11am at Portsmouth Carers Centre for an hour of relaxation and mindfulness plus half an hour for tea/coffee/chat afterwards. Learn techniques that can help reduce stress and anxiety, not just in your caring role, but your life as a whole. These sessions are provided FREE by Elaine from Wellbeing Within CIC.

New Monthly Carers Group: Open to all unpaid carers, parent carers and young adult carers. This new carers group offers a relaxed coffee morning style peer support group. We are hoping the carers attending will take ownership of the group of make it into a group that best fits their needs. Refreshments available. This group is free to attend.

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

Our monthly Carers Cuppa and Catch Up is a friendly drop-in coffee morning 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 12th July, 10.30am – 12pm
• Thursday 10th August, 10.30am – 12pm
• Monday 18th September, 1.30pm – 3pm

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

Inspired by people involved in Time for Dementia

During Dementia Action Week, we attended the Remind information fayre for people affected by dementia.

One of the highlights of the day was an inspirational talk by Tom who lives with dementia.

Tom gave a frank account of how his diagnosis of dementia affected his experience with healthcare professionals and how they interacted with him. At times, he felt dismissed, ignored, and not listened too. Tom wanted to use his experience to take action and to make a difference to how people with dementia are treated by healthcare professionals in the future. Tom and his wife, who cares for him, volunteered to take part in the Time for Dementia programme.

Time for Dementia is a training programme designed to educate undergraduate healthcare professionals to improve their knowledge, attitude and empathy towards people with dementia and their carers – by giving students ongoing contact with a family living with dementia. This involves pairing two or three students studying at a local university with a family affected by dementia and they will arrange to visit them at home up to three times per year.

The benefits of taking part:

• Share you own experiences to contribute towards a better future for people with dementia.
• Help to train healthcare students who will be working in our community.
• Meet new people and be part of a network of hundreds of families affected by dementia.
• Option to help steer and shape the programme and raise awareness through talks and media work.

Universities in our area have joined the programme and Time for Dementia would like to hear from people affected by dementia who would like to take part in the programme.

For more information call: 07562 430204 or email: timefordemenita@alzheimers.org.uk

You can also visit: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/time-dementia-programme

There’s never been a better time to try out Safe at Home

The Portsmouth City Council service providing technology and safety equipment to help people live independently in their own homes is now called Safe at Home. For the whole of June, new customers will get free installation, meaning you’ll only pay the first monthly charge. If you are caring for someone and need to know they’re safe if they fall or have a medical emergency, Safe at Home can advise you on the range of products they offer.

Find out more by contacting Safe at Home’s expert and friendly team.

Call: 023 92 834460

Visit: www.wearesafeathome.co.uk