Carers Focus Newsletter February 2016

Carers Social Event Invitation

We are delighted to invite you to our Carers Social Event on Saturday April 2nd, where we have secured tickets to ‘Canned Laughter’ at The Kings Theatre 2.30 matinee performance. Canned Laughter: A Funny Play About Being Funny, is a tale of friendship, ambition and regret and stars Grant Stott, Allan Stewart and Andy Gray of Panto fame. It’s sure to be a fun afternoon of entertainment.

We will be meeting beforehand for refreshments and will then make our way to the show, details of this will be confirmed later. If you’d like to come the tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Tickets are free, to register your interest email info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk or phone 0131 270 6087 stating how many free tickets you require (max 2), your name, contact email address and phone number. Please do get in touch ASAP if you are interested. We hope to see you there.

Creative Breaks  Fund  2016

Applications for the Creative Breaks Fund are now open. If you care for a person with a serious mental illness you may be eligible to apply for funding towards breaks away from home, part payment towards a    holiday or  leisure activities that reduce stress and improve mental wellbeing. This funding is through   Support In Mind Scotland and The Carers Trust Scotland and has three remaining deadlines for 2016; 30th March, 1st of June and 3rd of August.

Applications require a statement of support. Please note that carers of someone with dementia are not eligible to apply due to funding conditions. Application forms and details on applying are available by contacting Support In Mind Scotland on 0131 662 2284 or visit supportinmindscotland.org.uk

The Forget  Not Theatre Club is an informal social group for people who support or care for someone living with dementia. The group meets on the last Thursday of the month at 11.30 to 1.00 pm at the Festival Theatre. At the next meeting on February 25th the group will be taking a behind the scenes tour of the Festival Theatre - a great chance to explore this amazing building.

The project also hosts fantastic shows for people living with dementia, their family and carers. Coming up is a St. Patrick’s Day Tea Dance, Friday 18th of March, 2 to 4 pm at The Studio, 22 Potterow,  EH8 9BL. FREE ticketed, to book call 0131 529 6000.

For information on the Forget Me Not Project or other events please contact Paul Hudson on 0131 622 8444 or paul.hudson@edtheatres.com

Stepping Out ® Short Residential Breaks Programme

Care for Carers Stepping Out® Programme offers short residential breaks for carers. Dates for 2016 have been released and include a great range of breaks that are tailored to meet carer needs. Attendance is free and applications are accepted from carers across Scotland. Check out www.care4carers.org.uk to view the 2016 programme or contact Janey Scott on 0131 661 2077 or janey@care4carers.org.uk

FREE Mental Health and Wellbeing Learning for 2016

Lothian Education and Recovery Network (LEARN) provide a programme of free Health and Wellbeing learning for people with mental health illness and their carers. The courses include Wellness Recovery   Action Plan Training (WRAP), Ways of Living Well, Understanding Self Harm, BPD: Much More Than a Label, Mental Health Act, Independent Advocacy and many other practical topics. To find out more please contact the LEARN team on 079 002 1537 or email LEARN@capsadvocacy.org.uk

Thank you for supporting SMHAFF 2015

We were excited to be involved in the 2015 Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival (SMHAFF). Thanks to everyone who came to the Creative Carers Art Exhibition and Music Matters event at The Electric Circus last October. The Music Matters event raised £1800 which will go towards our programme of events and activities for mental  health carers. Edinburgh Carers Council are looking forward to being involved again in 2016 when SMHAFF celebrates its 10th anniversary.      

Scottish Eating Disorder Interest Group Conference

The Annual Scottish Eating Disorders Interest Group Carers Conference is on Saturday 27th February at     Edinburgh City Chambers,  9.30 to 4 pm. Cost is £30 pp (£50 for two from the same family) and includes lunch and refreshments. Edinburgh Carers Council can help with conference expenses and transport for carers wishing to attend.  The full programme is available on our website ‘news’ page or www.sedig.org/events. Please contact Ruth on 0131 270 6087 for information on attending.

Mental Health Information and Resources

The Mental Health Information Station is on every Thursday from 11 to  3 pm at Walpole Hall, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 54W. These free friendly drop-in sessions are a great place to better manage your mental and physical health, get advice on local services, activities or just pop along for a coffee and chat.Edinburgh Carers Council Annual Report

Our latest Annual Report and Audited Accounts are available on our website (About Us/The Charity page). Please get in touch if you would like to receive a paper copy.

Research Study Invitation - Carers’ Confidence and Coping Skills

Lorraine Douglas is a postgraduate student based at Heriot Watt University who is looking for people (family members or friends) who provide care for someone who has dementia. She is carrying out three separate studies looking at how people cope with the challenges of being a carer.

The research is focused on some of the challenges carers experience and looking at flexible ways of supporting carers. It involves carers attending three sessions where we talk about different aspects of caring and ways of feeling more confident about coping with situations. The three sessions can either be delivered in small groups or individually (Lorraine can visit carers at home).  If you’d like to be involved or find out more please get in touch with Lorraine on ld126@hw.ac.uk or 07946 230897.

 

Edinburgh Carers Council is a Charity in Scotland: SC028469. Funded by NHS Lothian & City of Edinburgh Council. 

The Canon Mill, 1-3 Canon Street, EH3 5HE       0131 270 6087       info@edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk     www.edinburghcarerscouncil.co.uk