October 2024
Carer’s Views Shape Breaks Offer
You can help shape the future of carer support in Portsmouth
As a service we regularly ask for feedback. It is important for us to know what we are doing well at, what we need to improve and what changes/additions need to be made. Your opinions matter and we take all feedback onboard and give it serious consideration.
This can be practical things, like getting the lock on the disabled toilet changed to make it more accessible. This was actioned within weeks of receiving the feedback.
Feedback can also be to do with carer’s needs which are not currently met or ways we can support you to access a service.
One of the most common types of feedback – is what kind of Carers Break sessions you would like to see in the upcoming schedule. This year has seen a more creative selection of activities added to the programme – following requests from carers for art and crafts, wellbeing and a greater range of recipes in the cookery sessions.
The most popular suggestion – by far – has been for a DAYTIME DISCO! This has taken some time to organise, so we are now excited to announce…
On Wednesday 4th December, from 12-2pm, Portsmouth carers are invited to join us for CAREFREE – Daytime Disco and Buffet for unpaid carers at Sherlocks Bar in Southsea. The bar will be open so you can buy your own drinks.
Tickets cost £5 (subsidised by Portsmouth Carers Service). This is a non-refundable cost – unless the event is cancelled. Tickets are available to purchase at Portsmouth Carers Centre (PO4 0AD) from 1st to 31st October – CASH only. Your ticket will also double as your receipt. Please bring the correct cash as we do not hold change on the premises.
If you are not currently registered with our service, we will ask for you to be registered before you can purchase a ticket.
We hope this will prove to be an amazing addition to our Carers Breaks Programme and will provide carers with a stressbusting, laughter-filled afternoon of music and dancing. The perfect get away from your caring role, surrounded by friends and familiar faces.
If you would like to share your feedback about Portsmouth Carers Service please visit: www.portsmouthcarersservice.co.uk or feel free to call: 02392 851864.
Meet the Team
Putting a friendly face to the voice on the end of the phone
What do you do at the Carers Centre?
My role at the Carers Centre is a Social Care Associate Practitioner (SCAP). This role allows me to holistically support the carer with their needs and to discuss and identify any areas of support the carer may have. We will look where we, or another provision, may be able to offer support to the carer, which in turn supports them to maintain their caring role. Sometimes with so much going on to manage it can be a challenge to know where to start for support or change, as a SCAP we are there for the carer to discuss and identify their needs.
The importance of the carers own wellbeing can often be overlooked amongst their caring role and responsibilities. We recognise that this will be different for each carer that we support, and that the carers needs may change. Supporting the carers wellbeing is important, as you can’t pour from an empty cup.
What do you like about working at the Carers Centre?
Working at the carers centre allows me to meet and support some amazing people. The strength and dedication carers offer their loved ones is heartwarming. To be able to support carers to sustain their caring role, but also be themselves is important and rewarding.
As a SCAP I feel very lucky to be able to offer ‘time and space’ to the carers that access the Carers Centre and allow them space to consider themselves and their own needs, whatever that may look like. I believe we can gather strength from community connections, and often like-minded people, the Carers Centre is part of, and connects with the Community. I have a strong passion for the community and importance it plays is wellbeing.
The team at Portsmouth Carers Service are dedicated to support the carers (and cared for), I enjoy working as part of a kind, warm-hearted team.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
When I am not at work, I am often on a yoga mat, or walking my dog. I also make sure I find time to run (more trotting than running nowadays), walking and sea swimming. Spending time with family and friends is also high on my list and sharing our hobbies and activities. Oh, and a nice cup of tea (and cake) 😊, probably more than I should.
Favourite quote?
Sorry I have 2 – I couldn’t choose:
‘And just like the moon, you shall go through different phases of light, of dark and of everything in between. And though you may not always appear with the same brightness, you are always whole.’ – (unknown)
‘The best of community does give one a deep sense of belonging and wellbeing; and in that sense of community takes away loneliness.’ – (Henri Nouwen)
Planning Ahead and LPoA
What happens if you are unable to care or need to make decisions on behalf of the person you care for?
Putting plans in place for the future can help to ease some of the worries when you are caring for someone. Whether it’s a contingency plan to ensure the person you care for is supported if you are unwell or unable to care for them or understanding what the person you care for would want if you had to make a decision on their behalf in the future. Ensuring that you know what their wishes are and ensuring you have put things in place to enable you to manage their finances or to make health and welfare decisions on their behalf can help to avoid any difficult situations in the future.
Emergency/Contingency Planning
Thinking about who might be able to step in to support the person you care for in an emergency and, ensuring they would have all the information they need can ease any worries you might have about what would happen if you should be unwell or unable to care in the future. Contact Portsmouth Carers Service if you would like more information on creating a contingency plan or would like a carers emergency card.
Advance Care Planning
Speaking to the person you care for about their wishes for the future can help to alleviate some of the stress and anxiety that you may feel if you have to make decisions on their behalf.
Some helpful information and resources are available here:
- Age UK provide a factsheet which explains the difference between advance statements, advance decisions and living wills. You can access this via their website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/ or call If you’d like to place an order 0800 678 1602
- Local organisations Rowans Hospice, Southern Health and Solent NHS are using Future Planning which offers a helpful guide to Future Planning you can visit their website: Future Planning New – Future Planning – Homepage
- If you are living with a specific condition there will often be an associated charity which can offer advice on planning of the future, such as SCOPE, Alzheimer’s Society, Parkinson UK , Macmillan or Motor Neuro Disease Association please search these organisations on the internet to find more information.
- The government website provides a full and clear explanation of lasting power of attorney, how to apply for one and how it can be used:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian
There is also a video guide on YouTube: Lasting power of attorney – where to start (youtube.com)
We will be hosting another Future Planning information session for carers provided by Coop Legal Service on Thursday 7th November at 10.30am. Please call for more information: 02392 851864.
Activities for Portsmouth Carers
Supporting carers to have a break from caring and visit local attractions
Portsmouth has a fantastic range of cultural, historic and sporting venues for visitors and residents. Many venues offer concessions for carers when they are visiting with the person they care for. We also recognise that if carers get the opportunity to have a break, they might like to enjoy some of these activities by themselves.
In anticipation of Carers Rights Day on 21st November, Portsmouth Tourism is working with local tourism businesses to pull together a range of offers as a thank you to unpaid carers in the city. This will include an allocation of free tickets for: The D-Day Story, Victorious Festival, Wightlink Ferries, New Theatre Royal and Portsmouth Ice Skating, archery sessions at Peter Ashley Activities Centre and complimentary entry to the leisure facilities at the Holiday Inn and Village hotels.
All the offers will be announced in due course with some being specific to Carers Rights Day on 21st November. Carers will need to be registered with the Portsmouth Carers Service and have a PCC Carers Emergency Card to be able to access the activities and where an allocation of tickets is offered, this will be managed Portsmouth Carers Service.
If you would like to register your interest to receive more information on these activities, call: 02392 851 864 or email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk and ask to register for “Carers Rights Day Activities”.
What’s Going on in the City?
Photos from Community Learning Place – Family Workshops
Portsmouth has a wide range of activities and courses available for residents, many are free or offered at a reduced rate for those on certain benefits. Below you will find just a few examples of providers in the city:
Community Learning Place – Aim to offer high quality courses at the best value. Their courses are funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the majority are free. For courses with a fee, there is a reduction for those on income-related benefits.
If you want to know more, or can’t find what you’re looking for, please drop-in to The Learning Place on Derby Road, phone on: 023 9262 1860 or email: thelearningplace@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
They will be pleased to help you find the course you are looking for.
- Example of just some of the courses they provide: Health and Wellbeing, Confidence Building, Parent Power, Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Children, Getting ready for Work, Family learning workshops, Family learning Arts and Crafts.
- Accredited courses to support employability prospects: Functional Skills English & Maths Entry level to level 2, Level 2 Support Work in School and Colleges, Level 2 Understanding Children and Young Peoples Mental Health, Level 2 Principles of Safeguarding in a learning Environment, RSPH Level 2 in Food Safety and Hygiene.
- You will find details of all the courses currently on offer on their website, as well as contact information – Community Learning Service – Website dedicated to community projects across Portsmouth City
The Workers Educational Association (WEA) – offer a wide range of general interest and skills courses – some of which are free.
Call: 0300 303 3464 for more information or follow the link below to register.
- Their upcoming Autumn Courses include: Budgeting, Digital Skills, Pottery, maths, Portrait Painting and helping your child with numeracy.
- For details of all the courses available in Portsmouth on their website: WEA online and in-venue courses for adults | WEA
Portsmouth 60+ Festival – The 60+ Festival returns to Portsmouth for 2024, with a whole host of events suitable for all abilities and interests. Running from Monday 30 September to Sunday 13 October, the event offers lots to do for history buffs, with talks on D-Day, ancestry (a ‘Find my Past Workshop’) and the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection – Lancelyn Green Bequest. This is just a short taste of what the festival has to offer.
- Anyone 60 years and older can take advantage of a variety of activities, ranging from cooking to dance, and from Scrabble to wellbeing walks. With lots of activities to choose from, the festival provides an exciting opportunity for anyone wanting to try something a bit different, learn new skills or meet new people. Most of the activities and events are free.
- For a full list of events – featuring the location, date, time and price information – download the brochure (PDF, 3.8MB). You can also pick up physical copies of the brochure at libraries and visitor information points across the city. Many of these events are easily reached by public transport.
- Many of the activities listed in the festival booklet run year-round and are also available for people under 60 years old, so it is worth having a look to see if there’s anything that catches your eye.
Rebound Film – Young Buck
Raising awareness to make the right choices for a happy healthy life
Rebound Group is a confidential, empathetic support group for carers and family members affected by a loved ones’ drugs, alcohol and substance misuse and their associated mental health problems.
Rebound commissioned the film with the aim of selling it to schools, thereby raising funds for Rebound and hopefully helping young people make informed choices. It is a powerful, short film following a teen caught up in the dangerous world of gangs and drug dealing.
This resource is a comprehensive educational tool for the curriculum, accompanied by session plans and additional learning tools. It is being shown Thursday October 10th 6pm-8pm at the Lens Studio in the Guildhall.
Anyone interested in attending can go to the Rebound site and book a ticket (free) via Eventbrite: Young Buck: A groundbreaking drug education initiative Tickets, Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite
Rebound’s support group meets on the SECOND and LAST Tuesday of every month at the Portsmouth Carers Centre, Southsea. Join them from 7:00pm.
Please call if you would like any further information or to let them know you would like to attend the group: 07912 626623. You can also email: enquiries@reboundgroup.org or send a Direct Message via their Facebook page.
Get Involved: Make a Difference!
Have your say on Mental Health services in the city…
HIVE Portsmouth is seeking feedback from residents in the city about their experiences with mental health services in the city, such as the Portsmouth Mental Health Hub, which was launched last year. Whether this is a personal experience or that of a friend or family member, by highlighting emerging issues we can steer the conversations held by key people who come together to look at areas of development. This will support the continuous improvement of mental health services in Portsmouth.
Anyone able to share their feedback can do so by emailing: clare@hiveportsmouth.org.uk. If preferred, Clare is available for in person meetings at the Central Library.
Please call: 023 9400 7124 for more information.
Be Creative – Express Yourself!
It’s all about you, your life as a carer, your thoughts and feelings…
Throughout the coming year, we will be offering opportunities for carers and community groups to take part in creative writing, artistic and craft activities to form a body of work which will represent a creative picture of caring in Portsmouth. We hope this will enable carers to express how they feel, explore their life experience, how they see the world and how they would like people to view them through involvement with creative activities. We will use these creations to produce a book celebrating carers in Portsmouth, helping us to improve awareness and understanding of carers lives and enable both people who are caring and those who provide services to recognise carers and ensure they are supported in the best way possible.
How to get involved:
- Join one of our Carers Breaks activities or our Creative Cuppa and Catch-up sessions to explore your creative side and express yourself.
- Creating something at home? Bring your creation along to one of our Creative Cuppa and Catch-up sessions and we will photograph it for inclusion in our book.
- Tell us about you, your life and how you see the world – this could be a poem, story or other creative writing. Send to us via email or bring it into the carers centre and we may include it in our book.
Please send your name and contact details with any submissions.
If you would like more information about the project or how you can get involved, please contact Portsmouth Carers Service on: 02392 851864 or email: carerscentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.