The Making Space Bolton Carers Newsletter.
Winter 2009

Welcome to the second issue of the Making Space newsletter, we hope you enjoyed our first edition and found it really useful. Hope you all had a good Christmas and are looking forward to the New Year. If you would like to contribute anything to the next newsletter then please ring Alison on 01204 477221 or Dawn on 01204 337550.

MAKING SPACE CARERS GROUP
For those of you who don't know, the Making Space Carers Group is held on the 2 nd Tuesday of the month at Friends Meeting House, Silverwell Street, Bolton.

The group provides the opportunity for carers to have a voice, to discuss and share experiences and to meet other carers who are in a similar caring role to you.

The ‘guest speakers' for the next few months are;

January – Ann Webster to discuss ‘direct payments'

February – Marie Beaumont to discuss group funding.

March – Gorvins Solicitors to discuss ‘living directives’

Monthly subs for those attending the group will be £1.00 (to contribute towards refreshments)

For those carers who have attended the group in the past we would like to thank you for your continuing support. For any new carers we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the group.

HEALTH FOR BOLTON FUNDING
We have recently been successful in securing £180 from the ‘Health of Bolton’ grant. The money is to be used for relaxation and pampering sessions and has to be spent in the next few months. If you have any ideas as to how the money can be spent or different venues we can use then please speak to Dawn.

In the New Year we will be looking at other grants that are available via Bolton CVS. If you have any ideas on outings/pamper days etc that you would like to see happening then please speak to Dawn or Alison who can look at applying for the necessary funding

NEW MINISTERS FOR CARERS
Following the government reshuffle there are a new set of Ministers with responsibility for carers' policy. Phil Hope MP takes over responsibility from Ivan Lewis MP as Minister for Carers. The Minister for Disabled People, who has responsibility for carers' benefits, will now be Jonathan Shaw MP. He replaces Anne McGuire MP.

NEW DROP IN
A new drop in service for carers who's family members have been admitted onto the ward is now up and running. The service is available every Monday on K3 from 4.00pm onwards. For more details ring Tracey Harper on Tel 01204 390390 ext 3497

REIKI
Reiki with a qualified master is available for carers at Mhist. This holistic therapy is available free of charge by appointment only on Tuesday 10.00 am -12.30pm. For more details please ring Mhist on Tel 01204 527000.

BOLTON CARERS
I am sure many of you are aware that Bolton Carers organise a number of fantastic outings that are available to their members. The next event is a trip to see the great KEN DODD and his HAPPINESS SHOW. If you are not already a member than you can contact Bolton Carers on Tel 01204 363056

CARERS UK UPDATE
Carers UK has welcomed Novembers announcement by the Chancellor Alistair Darling MP that all carers who are entitled to Carer’s Allowance will receive an additional payment of £60. This is on top of the usual £10 Christmas Bonus which they will receive. The increase will be paid automatically in the New Year to all those who qualify. More information about the Christmas Bonus can be obtained by ringing the free-phone number 0800 141 2591

And Finally ….
10 facts about caring

1. One in eight (1 in 8) adults are carers... around six million people.

2. Carers save the economy £87 billion per year, an average of £15,260 per carer.

3. Over 3 million people juggle care with work.

4. The main carer's benefit is £50.55 for a minimum of 35 hours, equivalent to £1.44 an hour.

5. 1.25 million people provide over 50 hours of care per week.

6. People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled.

7. Over 1 million people care for more than one person.

8. 58% of carers are women and 42% are men.

9. By 2037 the number of carers could have increased to 9 million.

10. Every year over 2 million people become carers.

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Family Room Opening Day with Lofty the Lion.

Click on Loftys nose to view the galleryThe Family room

For families who wish to visit with there children there is a Family Room which is available - this is abacus children under the age of 16 are not allowed on the wards.

It is a room off the wards where children and young people up to the age of 18 can visit a patient off K1, K2, K3 and Maple House. The person you are visiting will need to be well enough to leave the ward unsupervised by staff so you can enjoy your visit. If you are under the age of 16 you will need to be accompanied by another adult.

Also if you are under the age of 18 and a patient on the ward you can use this room for when your family visit you.

What's it like?

The family Room has been set up with the help of young people and families who have visited the wards. it is a safe, comfortable and private room for visits involving children.

Facilities in the room are,

Sitting area with TV
Dining area with a sink and dining table with high chair
Drawing and colouring materials
Books and games
Story sacks for children of all ages
CD and radio
Baby changing facilities

You can bring in food if you like to eat together during your stay. We only ask that you leave the room clean and tidy for the next visitors.

How can we use it?

The room can be booked through the ward staff. We recommend that you book in advance to ensure the room is free.

It is open between the hours 11:00 am and 8:00 pm every day

Bookings are taken for half hour slots to ensure as many fables as possible can use the room, but you can book more than one slot if you would like longer.

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