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Autumn Update 2023
August – September – October
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Dear *|FNAME|*
Welcome to the Richmond Carers Centre Autumn 2023 update, covering August, September and October 2023.
In the following pages you will find information on our face-to-face and digital services for adult and young carers, as well as local news and information, upcoming training workshops for carers, opportunities to get involved and services offered by the Richmond Carers Hub Service, and other local organisations.
For further information on our services visit our website www.richmondcarers.org
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Richmond Carers Centre is continuing to run blended services with both online and face-to-face services available.
Adult Carers Services
- Carers Support Line Our support team provides carers with advice, information and emotional support by telephone, email, in-person at the centre and via Zoom. If you need someone to talk to call our Carers Support Line on 020 8867 2380.
- Counselling for carers Our counselling sessions are being delivered remotely, email support@richmondcarers.org to join the waiting list.
- Telephone and email support to complete funding applications for items you need to support you in your caring role. Call 020 8867 2380 or email support@richmondcarers.org
- Our Workshops and Learning, and Activities programmes offer a mixture of online and in-person sessions/opportunities.
- Quarterly information updates by email.
To speak with a member of the Adult Carers Support Team, call our Carers Support Line on 020 8867 2380 to leave a message or email support@richmondcarers.org. Messages are retrieved throughout the day and the team will return your call/email as soon as possible.
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Young Carers Services
Richmond Carers Centre supports young carers aged 5-18 with information, advice, emotional support, one-to-one mentoring, after school groups, regular newsletters and school holiday activity programmes.
A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 taking on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities normally expected of an adult, and can include anything from cooking, shopping and housework to administering medication, assisting with personal care such as washing or dressing, interpreting, physical support such as lifting, and even emotional support or looking after younger siblings.
For further information on this service please call the Young Carers Support Team on 020 8867 2383 to leave a message or email youngcarers@richmondcarers.org
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Richmond Carers Centre – Information for Young Adult Carers
Richmond Carers Centre supports young adult carers aged 18 to 25 with advice, information and emotional support over the phone, by email or face-to-face. Visit Information for young adult carers for links to local organisations supporting young adult carers and other young people.
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ACTIVITIES, BREAKS & LEISURE
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Adult Carer Activities
Call 020 8867 2380 or email support@richmondcarers.org to register your interest in any of the activities below.
Registering your interest is essential. Priority will be given to newly registered carers and carers that have not attended an activity before.
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Tai Chi Classes
Tai Chi sessions for carers will continue in a new location. Tai Chi is an internal Chinese martial art practised for defence training, health benefits and meditation.
10.30am-12.30am
Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th September; 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th October
Venue: Eel Pie Island (please note the change of venue)
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Swimming
Richmond Carers Centre has hired swimming lanes so you can enjoy a swim with other carers. Timings include 15 minutes either side to allow time for changing.
2.45-4pm (pool time 3-3.45pm)
Fridays 8th September and 13th October
Venue: Teddington
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Kew Gardens Trip
This monthly trip to Kew Gardens offers the opportunity to explore and enjoy the delights of Kew Gardens. Carers go free as part of our membership with the Community Access Scheme. Meet promptly to enter the gardens as a group.
10.30am
Tuesdays 12th September and 10th October
Venue: Kew Gardens
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Coffee Mornings
Join us for a hot drink and friendly conversation with fellow carers.
10.30am-12noon
Wednesdays 13th September and 11th October
Venue: Twickenham Green
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Art Club
The workshops will explore a range of art mediums with the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and connect with other carers in a relaxed environment.
11am-1pm
Thursdays 14th September and 12th October
Venue: Twickenham Green
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Pizza Making for Young Adult Carers age 18-25
Meet other young adult carers and have a chat while having fun making and enjoying delicious pizzas together.
1-3pm
Thursday 21st September
Venue: Pizza Express, Teddington
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Coffee Mornings for Parent Carers and Young Adult Carers
The coffee morning for parent carers and young adult carers aged 18-25 meets in the beautiful setting of Marble Hill House and Gardens.
10.30am-12noon
Wednesdays 27th September and 18th October
Venue: Marble Hill
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Photography Class at Marble Hill Gardens
In this activity, you will meet as a group and, with the support of a professional photographer, learn about how to take better photos outside in nature.
11am-1pm
Thursday 28th September
Venue: Marble Hill
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Autumnal Wreath Making
Join us to create an autumnal wreath celebrating the warm and golden colours of autumn. Using a variety of materials you will make a beautiful celebration of autumn for your home, whilst enjoying friendly company in this group activity.
11am-1pm
Tuesday 3rd October
Venue: Twickenham Green
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Marble Hill House Tour
Join us for a tour to reveal the story of Marble Hill house. Built for Henrietta Howard, Marble Hill is a textbook example of Palladian architecture and its superb collection of early Georgian artworks and furnishings is a pleasure to behold.
11am-12noon
Thursday 19th October
Venue: Marble Hill
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Afternoon Tea with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Carers can enjoy hot drinks and an array of delicious treats with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Richmond. The Mayor is hosting this event for unpaid carers to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding work you do to care for your loved one(s).
3-4.30pm
Wednesday 25th October
Venue: York House, Twickenham
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What would you like to see in our programme?
We are continuing to work on our programme of groups and activities and we would love to hear from you if you have any suggestions or ideas as this will help us in our planning. Please email support@richmondcarers.org or call 020 8867 2380.
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Appointments with an Adult Carer Support Worker
If you would like to arrange an appointment with an Adult Carer Support Worker, please contact us on 020 8867 2380 or email support@ richmondcarers.org. We offer appointments face-to-face at the Centre, on the telephone or online by email or video conferencing. To find out more about our services and for information relevant to your caring role, please visit our website at www.richmondcarers.org or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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We continue to offer workshops and learning opportunities remotely, but gradually we are also offering carers some group training sessions in face-to-face settings. Please keep an eye on our service update emails for more information. To register your interest in any of the workshops below, please call Richmond Carers Centre on 020 8867 2380 or email support@richmondcarers.org
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Careers Workshop with Richmond Theatre
Explore Richmond Theatre and learn about opportunities for careers in the theatre and arts, such as Marketing, Technical, Stage door and many more. Speak with representatives of different departments and learn more about creative careers.
11am-12.30pm
Thursday 7th September
Venue: Richmond Theatre
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CV Writing Workshop
Learn about different types of CVs, get advice on how to make a strong CV as well as how to sell yourself and your skills in your CV. You can bring your own CV if you have one, where our provider can review it and give you any useful advice or tips.
11.30am-1pm
Tuesday 12th September
Venue: Twickenham Green
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Dementia Carers Information and Support Session – online via Zoom
When someone is diagnosed with dementia their partner and family often have a lot of questions. The Carers Information & Support Sessions aim to give a space for family members, carers and friends to find out more about what dementia is, how dementia affects people and your needs as a carer.
These sessions are just for carers, family members and friends of people newly diagnosed with dementia so that you have space to talk and learn freely and ask the questions you want to ask. Sessions are one-off/stand-alone – you are welcome to attend more than one session but the topics covered at each will be the same.
The sessions are run jointly by a Clinical Psychologist from Richmond Memory Service and a Carers Support Worker from Richmond Carers Centre.
1-3pm
Thursday 21st September
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Kingston Hospital Discharge Workshop
Information and advice on what to expect if your cared for person gets admitted to hospital. It will also have some advice and tips on Contingency Planning.
11am-12.30pm
Tuesday 26th September
Venue: Online or face-to-face at Twickenham Green
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Energy Advice and Savings to Support Cost of Living Workshop – SW Leap
This workshop will provide tips on saving energy in the home, as well as an overview of grants and discounts available locally and nationally. There will be the opportunity to ask questions and, if requested, SW Leap can also follow up with a visit or call.
11am-12noon
Thursday 5th October
Venue: Twickenham Green
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Universal Credit Workshop
This workshop will include information on claimant eligibility, an overview of the benefit, how it is managed, what it is made up of and how much claimants will receive. It will also cover the financial impact for carers and for those working.
11am-12.30pm
Tuesday 17th October
Venue: Twickenham Green
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CLICK HERE to see E-learning options for carers
organised by external organisations
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Richmond’s Adult Social Care and Public Health services need your help
To help Richmond Council continuously improve its Adult Social Care and Public Health services, it needs your help. Your lived experience can help shape local services that are appropriate for you and others living and working in the borough. There are a range of engagement and co-production opportunities that you can be involved in, from one-off feedback and user testing to longer-term projects with opportunities to be part of a working group or panel.
Visit https://bit.ly/3rI19Tf or email socialcareengagement@richmond.gov.uk for more information.
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NHS South West London Integrated Care System survey
The survey is for autistic people and people with ADHD and their carers who live in Kingston and Richmond. NHS South West London Integrated Care System want to hear about your experience of the process of being diagnosed with autism or ADHD and the support you have had as a result.
Take the survey: https://bit.ly/44LRucY
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South West London Mental Health Carers' Forum - online via Zoom
A forum for those caring for someone with a mental illness. Connect with other carers. You can also hear all the latest news and views affecting carers in Southwest London and have your voices heard.
4-5.30pm
Monday 21st August
To book your places email Matthew McKenzie at mmckenz11@hotmail.com or book online https://caringmindblog.com/mental-health-events/
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Help improve Women’s Health & Gynaecology Services
If you are registered with a South West London GP, NHS South West London is keen to hear from you. Taking part in this survey will help it to:
- understand how to make it easier for women to prioritise their own health
- understand what prevents women from accessing Women’s Health & Gynaecology services
- understand what Women’s Health & Gynaecology services could do better
By taking part you will be given the chance to enter a prize draw to win a £100 shopping voucher.
This short, 5-minute survey can be accessed through the QR code or via the website: https://southwestlondonics.uk.engagementhq.com/embeds/projects/25504/survey-tools/26139
Please note: Survey Closes on Friday 18th August 2023
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Carers UK release new Carers Active videos
Finding the time and energy to take part in physical activity can be challenging when you’re caring for someone, but the benefits can be huge. Carers UK’s new Carers Active Stories video series features inspiring insights from carers who’ve found ways to balance taking part in physical activity with looking after someone. From Bollywood dance to online Pilates, the videos feature four different examples of carers who share their stories of getting active and how it helps them manage their caring roles and improve their health and wellbeing.
You can watch the full videos and read more about the carers’ stories online on Carers UK’s Carers Active Hub: https://bit.ly/3XZNO4O
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Sensory Palaces sessions at Hampton Court and Kew Palaces
Sensory Palaces is a wellbeing programme for people living with dementia and their carers. Sensory Palaces bring the history of their heritage sites to life through sensory storytelling.
These sensory storytelling sessions take place on Zoom.
Art in Unexpected Places
Take a close-up look at some of the wonderful art works at their palaces as surprising stories and hidden meanings are discovered.
11am-12.30pm
Date: Tuesday 12 September
Spooky Stories and Historic Hauntings
Dare to join them on Halloween as they uncover the mysteries behind the famous phantoms at Hampton Court Palace and hear gruesome tales from the Tower of London. Who were the real people who inspired these spooky stories?
11am-12.30pm
Date: Tuesday 31 October
To book your places email Sarah Fairbairn at sarah.fairbairn@hrp.org.uk
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IT lessons for over 60s: Connect to Tech – Age UK
If you are 65+ and living in Richmond upon Thames, Connect to Tech can help you get online and get connected. You may be new to the world of IT and computers, or you may be looking to develop your existing skills. There are lots of benefits to being online.
Age UK’s Connect to Tech services include:
- Tablet Loan Scheme
- One to one support at community locations
- Weekly drop in club
All Age UK’s Connect to Tech services are free of charge (except when you book a home visit, which costs £10).
To find out more about Age UK’s Connect to Tech services,
email connecttotech@ageukrichmond.org.uk or call 020 8744 1965
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Carers Week 2023 report on unpaid carer identification
Carers Week charities commissioned YouGov to carry out polling of the general public, including adults who are currently providing unpaid care. The polling, which was carried out with over 4,000 people, reported:
73% of unpaid carers have never identified as a carer
Eight million have seen their health and wellbeing suffer
Seven charities supporting Carers Week call for cross-Government action and a funded National Carers Strategy
Unpaid carers need more awareness so they can access essential benefits and support.
Read the full report online: https://carers.org/downloads/carers-week-report-2023.pdf
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Free Digital Resource for Carers
NHS England are giving all unpaid carers in England free access to Carers UK’s Digital Resource for Carers, an online platform that hosts a wealth of information and advice for carers to help them build resilience in their caring role. This means that across the London region, carers have practical support once they have been identified.
The resources can help to deliver on the NHS Long Term Plan Commitments to unpaid carers. The Carers UK platform includes e-learning, guides and comprehensive signposting, access to MyBackUp, a simple contingency planning tool for what might happen in an emergency, and Jointly, Carers UK’s care co-ordination app which also includes contingency planning features.
To use the Digital Resource for Carers, visit https://carersdigital.org/login/. You will need to create an account using the Free Access Code: DPCN9365.
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Council publish their guide for safeguarding carers
The Richmond and Wandsworth Safeguarding Adults Board has published guidance for safeguarding carers.
Safeguarding means protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of adults at risk, enabling them to live safely, free from abuse and neglect. Sometimes we experience situations in which we feel unable to protect ourselves from the action of others. Safeguarding is a way of helping people with care and support needs over the age of 18 so they can protect themselves from abuse by others. Carers have a range of roles in relation to safeguarding – they can be the person who raises the concern; can themselves be vulnerable to harm and abuse or can be abusers themselves.
Download the full guidance document from https://bit.ly/44OWoq1
For more information around safeguarding, identifying abuse and how to report it, visit the safeguarding pages on the Council’s website here: https://bit.ly/43HzCPt
For a range of services available to carers, please visit https://bit.ly/3rHCI8D
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LOCAL SERVICES FOR CARERS
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For information on other organisations locally and nationally offering services for carers, please click on the individual links below.
Homelink Day Respite Centre update
Crossroads Care Richmond and Kingston service update
Integrated Neurological Services programme of groups and activities
Richmond Borough Mind Carers in Mind programme of activities and support
Alzheimer's Society update
ASCA Carers Group for those caring for someone with an alcohol/drug or other addiction-related problem.
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RICHMOND CARERS HUB SERVICE
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The Carers Hub Service is a group of local organisations commissioned by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and NHS Richmond Clinical Commissioning Group to provide between them services specifically for carers in the borough. The Hub service is led by Richmond Carers Centre and comprises
Homelink Day Respite Centre,
Richmond Borough Mind,
Addiction Support and Care Agency,
Integrated Neurological Services and
Crossroads Care Richmond & Kingston upon Thames.
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