Live online Q and A welfare reform session

Wiltshire residents will be offered advice in a way that suits them as the first online welfare information session goes live.

To support residents in the county with the forthcoming changes to benefits which are the result of the government’s Welfare Reform Act 2012, Wiltshire Council will be offering the opportunity to get advice and guidance during a live topical question and answer event, to be held online on 5 March 2013 between 3pm and 7pm

Those affected by the government’s changes to welfare, or those who wish to find out more will be able to seek guidance and clarification where possible, from relevant council officers available during this time. Offering this online question and answer session will allow people to talk to council officers about changes to benefits in a way which fits in with them. People will still be able to contact the council with enquiries Monday to Friday during normal office hours on 0300 456 0100.

This initial session will be focused on answering questions around council tax benefit and underoccupancy.

To take part online people should visit the council’s website, the Facebook Page ‘Our Wiltshire’, or they can tweet their questions using the hashtag #WiltsWelfare between 3pm and 7pm on 5 March.

Article from Wiltshire Council

EVENT: Wiltshire Voices Carers DVD Launch

TRAINING: Moving On for Carers

Charities say millions without internet access will face benefits struggle

Charities and housing associations have warned that plans to move to an online-only system for claiming benefits do not include enought support for people who have no access to computers and do not know how to use the internet.

Once the government's flagship welfare reform Universal Credit is introduced later this year, the system will be wholly internet-based and claimants will only be able to make face-to-face applications in exceptional circumstances.

The radical changes to the benefit system are being introduced at a time when funding cuts have reduced the number of charitable advice centres that help claimants apply for benefits. Delegates at a debate on Universal Credit and IT readiness warned that insufficient thought has been given to how to support claimants from among the eight million UK citizens who are not online.

Full Article on Guardian Society

Free Training for Carers - March 2013

Looking to learn some new skills that may help you in your caring role?

Below are the training opportunities we have due to start in March 2013 (click the image to download).

If you'd like to find out more, or view our complete training programme, please visit our website.

Once you click the image you should have the option to zoom in on the text. If you have any problems then please let us know.

Government must exempt Carers from 'bedroom tax'

Carers UK, with six other national charities, is urging the Government to use the forthcoming Budget to ensure carers and disabled people in social housing do not face ‘bedroom tax’ payments.

In an open letter published today (Thursday) to Chancellor George Osborne and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith, the Chief Executives of Carers UK, MS Society, Mencap, Macmillan Cancer Support, Disability Rights UK, Carers Trust and Contact a Family, express deep concerns about the impact of the new policy on disabled people and families caring unpaid for ill, frail or disabled loved ones.

Carers UK is also encouraging carers to write to their own MPs asking them to recognise their contribution and the need to protect them from additional financial hardship by supporting the campaign for exemptions.

Full Article on Carers UK

A tax on carers: Charities say 420,000 disabled people will be hit by bedroom tax

Thousands of disabled people could lose their homes and be plunged into debt thanks to the bedroom tax, charities say.

Anyone in a council or housing ­association property will have their housing benefit cut by 14% if they have a spare room and by 25% if they have two or more spare rooms.

But campaigners say 420,000 disabled people, their families and carers will be hit harder by the changes in April.

In a letter to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith they warn today: “Unless disabled people and their families are protected, those affected face financial ­hardship or being forced to move – moving them away from their networks of support and out of homes adapted for their needs.”

Full Article on Mirror

More than one in ten provide unpaid care

There were approximately 5.8m people providing unpaid care in England and Wales in 2011, an increase of 600,000 since 2001, according to census data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The number of people providing unpaid care now represents just over one tenth of the population, 10.3pc, up from 10pc in 2001.

The report said unpaid care was becoming increasingly common as the population ages, with demand for care from partners and adult children expected to more than double over the next thirty years.

Full Article on Telegraph

EVENTS: AWP - face to face forums

AWP are running meetings in March in each of their local areas, open to all those with an interest in the work of AWP. 

In addition to providing a face to face forum for discussion of their proposals, they will be reporting on other topics including progress being made in establishing local service delivery management, the appointment of clinical directors in these areas and changes in the way the Trust is going to monitor the quality of their services.

They are planning to hold two meetings on each of the following dates, one between 2.00pm and 4.00pm and the other between 6pm and 8pm.  

  
7th March  - BAWA, Southmead Rd, Bristol BS34       
11th March - Corn Exchange, Devizes
12th March - Pilgrim Centre, Swindon
13th March - The Winter Gardens, Weston Super Mare
14th March - Broadmead Baptist Church, Bristol
19th March - Manvers Street Baptist Church, Bath

To reserve a place please call the membership office on 0800 694 9990.

TRAINING: Benefits, Managing Money & Paying for Care

Age UK Wiltshire and Carer Support Wiltshire are offering a free session for Carers interested in knowing more ab out benefit entitlement, managing money, paying for care and planning for the future.

25 February Carer Support Wiltshire Salisbury 9.30am – 12.30pm
15 April Wiltshire Council Offices Trowbridge 9.30am – 12.30pm
22 April Wiltshire Council Offices, Monkton Park Chippenham 9.30am – 12.30pm
26 April Potterne Village Hall Potterne 9.30am – 12.30pm
13 May Carer Support Wiltshire Salisbury 9.30am – 12.30pm
10 June Wiltshire Council Offices Trowbridge 9.30am – 12.30pm
17 June Wiltshire Council Offices, Monkton Park Chippenham 9.30am – 12.30pm
29 July Carer Support Wiltshire Salisbury 9.30am – 12.30pm
30 July Potterne Village Hall Potterne 9.30am – 12.30pm
30 August Wiltshire Council Offices, Monkton Park Chippenham 9.30am – 12.30pm
9 September Carer Support Wiltshire Salisbury 9.30am – 12.30pm
16 September Wiltshire Council Offices Trowbridge 9.30am – 12.30pm
19 September Potterne Village Hall Potterne 9.30am – 12.30pm

If you are interested and would lik e to b ook a place please contact Bec kie Stoo ke at Age UK Wiltshire:

Tel: 01380 727767
Em ail: b eck ie.stook e@ageu kwiltshire.org.uk

Places are limited so book early!

There are lots more free training opportunities available for Carers over on our website.

Why the elderly care crisis is here to stay

The report from the Care Quality Commission that a quarter of home care services are not meeting all the quality and safety standards makes depressing reading.

Evidence of rushed appointments, botched assessment and revolving door of carers suggests the system is on its knees.

The temptation is to think that will all change with the introduction of the cap on costs that the government announced on Monday.

Full Article on BBC News

Why carers need a break - Jo Whiley

It takes a really special person to care for someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and my mum and dad are two of these people. My sister Frances is in her 40s and has Cri du Chat syndrome and severe learning disabilities. She has difficulties with her speech, throws the most tremendous tantrums and needs barely any sleep at all.

We all love Frances dearly, but watching my parents deal with sleepless nights and Frances's unpredictable behaviour and tantrums is gruelling, especially as my parents are getting older and have growing needs of their own. Their lives are totally given over to caring for Frances and always will be, but they need a break, just some time to relax and recharge their batteries every now and again. These are known as short breaks – not a long weekend in the country, but the time off from caring, sometimes for as little as a night a month.

It's no surprise then that eight in 10 family carers who, like my parents, care for loved ones with a learning disability have told Mencap that they have reached a moment of emotional and physical crisis, where they feel they can't go on, because they don't get enough breaks. This is the same number that had reached this point 10 years ago, when Mencap launched its first Breaking Point report.

Full Article on Guardian Social Care Network

Social care: Jeremy Hunt hails 'fully-funded solution'

The government is due to announce its "fully-funded solution" to the problem of elderly people in England who cannot afford social care.

It is expected to include a £75,000 cap on the costs people pay for care and a rise in the threshold for means-tested support from £23,250 to £123,000.

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt said the "scandal" of many people selling homes to pay care bills must be tackled.

Full Article on BBC News

Concern as NHS shuts down unit

ALZHEIMER’S Support has expressed concerns at the temporary closure of the inpatient unit at Charter House in Trowbridge.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) made the decision due to low occupancy of beds at the centre, in Seymour Road, with only four of a possible 24 beds taken.

Patients were transferred to alternative centres this week leading to the official closure of the inpatient unit, but the centre will continue to be a team base for Trowbridge and west Wiltshire with an outpatient clinic remaining.

Full Article on This is Wiltshire

MPs criticise disability benefits tests

MPs have criticised the test being used to see whether people claiming disability benefits are fit to work.

The Public Accounts Committee said the Work Capability Assessment had resulted in too many wrong decisions which were overturned on appeal.

Its chair Margaret Hodge accused the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of being "unduly complacent" and of hurting the "most vulnerable".

Full Article on BBC News

Concern over controls put on health watchdog

THE independence of the new health and social care watchdog has been questioned after it was announced that its chairman is a former senior Wiltshire Council manager.

Wiltshire Involvement Network (WIN) will be abolished in April and replaced by Healthwatch Wiltshire as part of the Government’s NHS reforms.

WIN held a public meeting in Devizes Corn Exchange on Saturday, where speakers talked about the various changes.

Full Article on Gazette & Herald

Plans for surgery at Melksham community campus

St Damien's doctors’ surgery in Melksham could be incorporated into the new Melksham Community Campus, according to new proposals from Wiltshire Council.

At yesterday's Melksham Area Board meeting chairman of the board Jonathon Seed confirmed discussions were in place to move the Spa Road surgery into the new facility at Melksham House.

He said: “We are delighted these discussions are taking place. On-site medical provision is precisely the type of community service that we want operating from the campus, it will complement the other facilities perfectly.

Full Article on Wiltshire Times

Mental Health Alliance-South West are looking for 2 Service users and 3 Carer representatives

The  Mental Health Alliance –South West(MHASW) has been evolving since 2011 when a meeting was held in Taunton to bring together service users/carers/staff from around the South West to discuss South West issues in mental health and wellbeing.  The MHASW is closely linked with the South West Mental Health and Wellbeing Network. 

To submit interest in the service user and carer roles on the MHASW please contact Claire Shoring at claire.shoring@southwest.nhs.uk by the end of Friday 15^th February.  Informal interviews/lunch will be held in Taunton during the week of 18^th February and the 5 people selected will then attend their first SWMHA meeting in Taunton from 2pm-4pm on Friday 1^st March.

Wiltshire GPs examine ways to make savings

Minor injury services and hip and knee replacements in Wiltshire are being reviewed by GPs who will be taking over the responsibility of organising and buying local health services.

Details of the reviews emerged at a public meeting in Devizes on Saturday, held to explain the changes in the NHS that begin to take effect in April.

The main change will be that NHS Wiltshire (the Primary Care Trust) will be abolished and replaced by Wiltshire Clinical Commiss-ioning Group (CCG), comprising mainly GPs, which will have a budget of about £500million.

Full Article on Wiltshire Times

'Bedroom tax': Carer criticises housing benefit cut

A man who gave up work to care for his sick wife is "disgusted" at the so-called "bedroom tax" which may see him lose £60 a month in housing benefit.

Tony Sharman, 60, of Towcester, sleeps in a second bedroom in their home as his wife Anne, 57, has in a special bed which is too small for them both.

But changes to housing benefit will penalise people with a "spare bed".

Full Article on BBC News

EVENT: WPCC Information Event - Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

Wiltshire Parent Carer Council are hosting an event for PARENT CARERS & PROFESSIONALS who work with families...

Friday 22 February 2013

10am to 2.00pm

Corn Exchange, Devizes, Market Place SN10 1HS

Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Come to this event and find out more about local services in Wiltshire which support children and young people 0-25yrs and their families.

From early years through to adulthood, education, health and social care to benefits, transport, short breaks, employment and supported living, a wide variety of providers will be represented on the day.

1-1 surgery sessions will also be available at this event for parent carers who would like an opportunity to talk to a professional about any specific issues or difficulties.

Parents and Carers can claim travel and childcare expenses for this event.

Need assistance with transport or childcare? Contact us, we can help!

Go to their online booking facility click here
Or call us on 01672 569 300
Email office@wiltspcc.co.uk

Government announces 'major reforms' in children and families bill

The government has published its children and families bill, promising 'major' and 'radical' reforms to adoption and family justice.

Children's minister Edward Timpson, who will deliver a speech on the bill later this morning, said the reforms will break down barriers to adoption and overturn the disadvantages faced by vulnerable children and families.

"I am determined that every young person should be able to fulfil their potential regardless of their background," Timpson said. 

Full Article on Community Care

Life as a young carer

Ray Thomas chuckles as he recalls the sight of bread appearing to butter itself on the kitchen counter back when his daughter was at preschool. "Sarah couldn't reach the counter to make sandwiches, so all you'd see is the bread and knife looking as though they were doing it themselves," he says.

Sarah has been a carer for her mother, Carole, who has multiple sclerosis, since she was small. Then, when she became an adolescent and her father was diagnosed with degenerative bone disease and fibromyalgia, she had to become his carer too. "I've never known anything else," says Sarah, who is now 18 and who continues to do everything from general household chores to helping with medication, providing physical assistance, filling in forms and many other day-to-day jobs.

Full Article on Guardian Society

Honour stroke survivors and carers

THE Stroke Association is calling on people in the south west to get their nominations in for the Life After Stroke Awards before the closing date of March 1.

With more than120,000 people living with the effects of stroke in the area the charity is seeking nominations to honour the stroke survivors, carers, organisations or groups who have shown dedication, determination and courage in the world of stroke.

Full Article on This is Wiltshire

Web forum to hear carers' views - draft Care & Support Bill

A new web forum has been launched by Parliament to give carers the opportunity to have their say on the plans to reform social care in England. 

The Parliamentary Committee that is examining the draft Care and Support Bill wants to hear carers’ views before it makes recommendations to the Government.

To help carers with their contributions to the online forum, we have produced a guidance document containing useful background information, advice, and links to Carers Trust’s previous briefing papers on the draft Bill. All the information can be found on Carers Trust’s website http://www.carers.org/news/parliament-calling-carers%E2%80%99-views-social-care-reforms

 

The web forum closes on the 22^nd February 2013.

NHS failing to promote scheme which allows elderly to claim back crippling care home costs

Health trusts in Britain have been accused of failing to publicise a compensation scheme that allows elderly people to claim back tens of thousands of pounds they were wrongly charged in care home fees.

Solicitors Farley Dwek believes the NHS is doing the bare minimum to communicate its Continuing Healthcare Fund that allows care home residents who qualify to recoup backdated care home fees they should not have been charged.

The final deadline for claims relating to the period from April 2011 to March 2012 is on March 31, and Farley Dwek has slammed primary care trusts for hiding the policy amid the countless pages on their websites.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/bills/article-2271350/NHS-failing-promote-scheme-allows-elderly-claim-crippling-care-home-costs.html#ixzz2JdkTX9wX

New enlarged ambulance service takes over in Wiltshire

A SINGLE ambulance service now covers the whole of the south west.

The enlarged South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) came into existence today following its acquisition of the Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS), which covered Wiltshire.

SWASFT, which previously covered Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, now covers Wiltshire as well as Gloucestershire and the former Avon district.

Full Article on Salisbury Journal

Co-operative launches new charity of the year

The Co-operative hit the right note with unpaid young adult carers today (24 January) as it launched a 'record' breaking year of fundraising for its new charity of the year, Carers Trust.

Helping to get fundraising activities 'rock 'n' rolling', The Co-operative were joined for the launch by singer, songwriter and actress, Jade Ewen, a young adult carer herself who gave up her birthday to attend the launch and support other young carers.

The charity – which formed last year when The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care came together – will benefit from The Co-operative's 100,000 staff aiming to raise £5m to tackle feelings of isolation and provide desperately needed breaks, information, advice and support for 14-25 year-olds facing the challenge of caring.

Full Article on Guardian