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

Do you care for someone with cancer?

Macmillan are running a free six week online course to help people who give their time to support or look after someone with cancer. 

The experience of caring for someone with cancer can be very rewarding - it can also be overwhelming. 

People who look after or support a friend or relative with cancer often feel stressed, isolated and anxious. Many may not be aware of the information and support available to help them look after their own health and wellbeing.

The course aims to help participants to: 

• Build up knowledge and skills each week to make the most of their own health and wellbeing. 

• Share experiences and get tips and techniques from other carers. 

• Learn how to set achievable goals. 

The course is facilitated by people who have experience of caring, and includes topics such as physical activity, communication, relaxation and how to get support. 

To book on to the course, or find out more, visit the booking form.

Patients promised online GP booking by 2015

Patients in England will be able to book GP appointments and get test results online within three years, ministers are promising.

The moves are part of an Information Strategy designed to "take the hassle out of the health service".

Online communications between patients and their doctors is already happening in some places.

But the strategy sets out plans to ensure there is universal adoption of digital technologies.

The Department of Health is also encouraging the NHS and private companies to develop new health apps for smart phones and tablet computers.

Full Article on BBC News

Website to put carers in touch

COMMUNICATIONS manager Neil Burgess is poised to launch a website to help people caring for friends or family to connect with each other.

Mr Burgess, of Bolts Croft, Chippenham, was awarded £4,000 by social enterprise charity Unltd to create website Cura after being inspired on his honeymoon.

The website, which is free to use, is now almost ready to launch, and Mr Burgess said he hopes it will be a hit with carers.

Full Article on Gazette & Herald