Issue 55 Winter 2018

hafal.org/crossroads

Caring for someone else can be both challenging and rewarding. Itcan be difficult to recognise that you are a carer and then to acceptthat you have needs of your own. Becoming a carer may havehappened suddenly; that left little time to think of the implications onyour life, or it may have been a gradual process that you accepted outof love and duty. After all, it may seem like the most natural thing tolook after a friend or a relative.

Looking after someone else is nearly always hard work, and cancause a financial, physical and mental drain on the carer. Many carersfeel stuck with nowhere to turn. In this issue of the Gazette we arefocusing on helping carers find the help they need, particularly withtheir mental and emotional health. Don’t feel guilty about needing andasking for help. By taking care of yourself, you are more likely to stayhealthy and be able to continue helping and support the person youcare for.

Inside this issue you will find an introduction to services fromPembrokeshire Mind on page 5 and on pages 8 and 9 we provideinformation and links which you may find useful.

Follow us on Twitter: @PCISS11

Pembrokeshire CarersInformation & Support Service

PCISSPCISS

hafal “Taking Care ofYourself”

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Carers Rights Day 2017, which took place on 24th November, saw a very successful andwell attended event, which was organised by both Pembrokeshire Carers Information andSupport Service and the Carers Voice Project in Pembrokeshire.

This year’s event took place at Letterston Memorial Hall where unpaid carers were invitedto come together to obtain information and guidance that would help them in their role as acarer. Carers were welcomed to the event by Dr Gareth Morgan, Hywel Dda UniversityHealth Board Strategic Partnership Manager, who gave a speech on the contribution thatcarers make in Wales.

This year’s theme was ‘Make Connections—Get Support’. Carers were invited to attend anumber of workshops that were organised for the morning session. PCISS has beenasking carers throughout the year what their main worries and concerns are and we basedthe workshops on the themes that were identified. These included the AssessmentProcess by Social Services, Benefit Entitlements, Mental Health Issues and Support ofHealth Professionals.

Experts from Diverse Cymru, Social Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Hafal and HywelDda University Health Board gave advice and clarification to carers addressing their issuesand concerns. In addition to the workshops, information stands from a range of agenciesthat support carers were present at the event.

Fantastic Carers RightsDay Event!

Information sharing in the main hall

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Following on from an information-packed morning, carers were treated to a buffet lunch.This gave everyone a chance to unwind, and to discuss the information that had beenpresented to them earlier. This was also a great time to share their caring experiences.

The afternoon session gave carers a chance to relax. Carers enjoyed a number ofactivities including a head and shoulder massage, card-making with Nikki Legg and‘Magic Machine’ sessions courtesy of Pembrokeshire County Council Leisure Services.

Hafal Crossroads was able to offer replacement care at home to enable carers to attendthis event with their trained care support workers, some of whom were also available atthe event to help and assist anyone with their care needs.

At the end of the day carers were asked for their feedback on the event; this feedbackhelps us plan future events.

If you have suggestions for future events, please contact PCISS.

The Health Board workshop

Feedback from the Carers Rights Day event:

“Clearer understanding of Direct Payments.”

“Encouraged speaking with OT.”

“Being made aware of help available for carers.”

“Nice to have a chat with people in the same position.”

“Able to have a one to one discussion after workshop, very important as some

topics are personal.”

“Interesting to hear from speakers and other carers stories and experiences.”

“Found out we need a new assessment.”

Norman Industries in Haverfordwest has been recognised for its commitment and supportfor carers and their families and achieved an Investors in Carers Bronze Level award.

Councillor Mike James, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Carers Champion, said NormanIndustries had demonstrated through evidence its commitment to carers. “It is importantthat we recognise what carers do on a daily basis for their loved ones who rely on them andI am very pleased and proud thatNorman Industries are showing suchcommitment,” he said.

Pictured are (left to right) ProjectManager Karen Davies, Cllr MikeJames, Julie Campbell Investors inCarers, Meuryn Jenkins, and JoyJames, Carers Strategy Coordinatorfor Pembrokeshire County Council.

For more information about the Investors in Carers scheme or for useful advice for carers,please visit: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/carers and remember carer’s registrationand referral forms can be obtained from your GP surgery.

Newport’s community library has become the first library in Pembrokeshire toreceive an Investors in Carers award. It comes a year or so after a group ofvolunteers from the community took over the day-to-day running of their library fromPembrokeshire County Council.

The library follows in the footsteps of the town’s GPsurgery and pharmacy in recognising and supportingthe unpaid carers who live in the area.

Carers are able to access information and advice fromthe volunteers in the library, and they are also workingin partnership with the GP surgery to encourage carersto have their free winter flu jabs.

Pictured receiving their Investors in Carers Bronze Award from left to right are; JeanCoyne, Chairperson of Newport Community Library; Reg Atkinson, Community LibraryVolunteer and carer; Ros McGarry, Julie Campbell, Investors in Carers, Sandra Bayes, Cllr Mike James and Cllr Paul Harries.

Investors in Carers Award for Library

Norman Industries Achieve Carers

Bronze Level Award

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My name is Karina and I am the Carers’ Coordinator at MindPembrokeshire. After working for over 15 years as a Mental HealthSupport Worker I am delighted to have now settled into the role as CarersCoordinator assessing carers’ individual needs and providing support, information and advice. This is so that carers may continue in their caring role without adetrimental effect on their own physical and mental wellbeing. I am a MoodMaster facilitatorand I find it very motivating seeing carers benefit from such a fantastic course. I find my jobvery interesting and no two days are the same. I cannot express how much I enjoy workingwith such a variety of different people on a daily basis. Helping and empowering others isextremely rewarding and is my absolute passion.

My name is Annique and I am a volunteer support worker for the CarersProject at Mind Pembrokeshire. I was once in a situation when I neededsupport and found it invaluable so I understand how important it is to beable to offload to someone confidentially. It is a very interesting andfulfilling role, being supportive, listening to problems and struggles andbeing a sympathetic, understanding ear without being judgemental. Aswell as befriending I will be developing and facilitating arts and craftssessions for the Carers Project which I am extremely excited about andreally looking forward to starting. It feels really good to be able to give something back. Ilove being able to provide help and support to others as I was once helped. It feels veryworthwhile and satisfying volunteering for Mind Pembrokeshire and I feel very honoured tobe able to do so.

The Mind Pembrokeshire Carers Project provides a specialist service that supportscarers and very much looks at their individual needs. We offer:● Practical support such as help with making and attending appointments.● MoodMaster sessions: these sessions are held weekly and are an upbeat approach to

mental and physical wellbeing based on CBT.● Telephone advice and support.● The Carer’s Star—an unique tool to support and measure change of those

carers wishing to develop and progress in certain areas of their lives.● 1-1 Support sessions at a place of the carers choice or own home.● Monthly Monday lunch/activity.● Befriending service.

For more information please contact us on Tel: 01437 769982/07813797615 or Email: Karina@mindpembrokeshire.org.uk

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Meet The Team At Mind Pembrokeshire’s Carers Project

Providing help and support to people who care for someone with a mental health problem

Karina: Carers’ Coordinator

Annique: Volunteer Support Worker/Befriender

Do you have the Carers’ Recognition Card? This card identifiesyou as an unpaid carer, which will give you access to discountswithin the County.

The card is accepted at the following businesses:

● Pembrokeshire County Council—Passport to Leisure Scheme.● Hilton Court Gardens and Crafts, Roch—Free entry to the gardens.● The Brewery Inn, Cosheston—10% off meals when booked in advance.● St Davids Wellbeing Centre—10% off all treatments.● Farmhouse Kitchen, Goodwick—15% off the carers’ meal only.● Manorbier Castle—Free entry to the castle.● Dyffryn Fernant Gardens—offering free entry to all carers who carry the card ifthey visit the gardens with the cared for.

The Carers Emergency Card is a free service.

Carers carry a card which has a unique identification number and a 24hr emergencytelephone number. If a carer has an accident/emergency or is taken seriously ill, then thecard can be used to alert a call centre to that fact that the person they care for needs help.Steps are then taken to ensure the safety of the person cared for.

Carers’ Recognition Card

Carers Emergency Back Up Scheme

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If you would like to apply for either card, thenplease contact PCISS using the details on

page 10.

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Message in a Bottle

If your home is hard to heat, call Nest.

The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme is here to help you keep warm and savemoney on your energy bills.

Nest is open to all householders in Wales and provides advice on saving energy, moneymanagement, energy tariffs, and benefit entitlement.

In addition to free advice, if you own or privately rent your home and you or someone you livewith receives a means tested benefit, you may be eligible for home improvements at no cost.These may include a new central heating boiler or insulation.

If your home is hard to heat, please contact Nest on Freephone 0808 808 2244 for freeadvice and to see if you are eligible for energy saving home improvements, or visitwww.nestwales.org.uk for more information.

The Lions Club ‘Message in a Bottle’ scheme is a simple ideadesigned to encourage people to keep their personal and medicaldetails on a standard form and in a common location such as thefridge.

This can be really helpful if the person you care for has a condition that can suddenlychange, in that they need medical help, such as diabetes or allergies.

The bottles are supplied free of charge, you can pick one up from health centres, GPsurgeries, your local pharmacist or they are supplied directly from any Lions Club.

You will be given a sticker with the bottle, which you display in a prominent position and soparamedics, police, fire-fighters and social services, etc., will know to look in the fridge toaccess the details.

You can contact Lions directly on 0845 833 9502 to find details of your nearest club.

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“Time to Look After You!”

Pembrokeshire Carers Information and Support Service (PCISS) has been providingsupport to carers for 18 months. In that time we have spoken to hundreds of carers, manyof whom are overwhelmed with the stressful feelings their caring role brings them.

Coping with your feelings and dealing with stress.

No matter how well you deal with your caring role, there will be times when you willexperience high levels of stress and anxiety. You will probably also experience feelings ofguilt, upset, anger and extreme tiredness. These feelings are nothing to be ashamed ofbut it is important to try and deal with them. Possible ways of doing this is to ask family orfriends for support. This isn’t possible for all carers; that is when they will need to seek theguidance and support of their GP and other health professionals, such as a counsellor.

These are some of the services available in Pembrokeshire and nationally that may beuseful to you.

Local Primary Mental Health Support Service (LPMHSS) is a service coveringPembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire run by Hywel Dda University HealthBoard. This is a service for people with common mild-to-moderate mental healthproblems such as anxiety, depression and/or stress. Your GP can refer you or you canself-refer for the stress management course. For details on the course please contact01437 834429.

Pembrokeshire CounsellingService

Tel: 01437 768708Email: pembrokeshirecounsellingservice.org

Alderian Society Wales

Counselling in NarberthTel: 01834 860330Email: info@alderiansocietywales.org.uk

www.alderiansocietywales.org.uk

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Hafal’s new Clic service is a safe, onlinecommunity for people with a mental illnessand their carers where they can chat to andconnect with others.

For more details, or to join, please visit:www.hafal.org/clic or emaildavid.vice@hafal.org

New online community

“There is no need to be alone!”

The Silver Line is a free confidentialservice for older people providinginformation, friendship and advice.Founded by Esther Rantzen, theservice is open 24 hours a day.

Pembrokeshire Friends

Friendship and Social Club

Pembrokeshire Friends is open toanyone. For more information please

call 07599 790227 or Email:pembsfriends@gmail.com

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write downhow you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans atjo@samaritans.org.

Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the numberwon’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feelingsuicidal.

Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide rangeof useful resources and links to other relevant information: http://www.depressionalliance.org/

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are havingsuicidal thoughts. http://studentsagainstdepression.org/

Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying. https://www.bullying.co.uk/

The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029) helps people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety,panic attacks or in crisis. You can call them between 8pm and 6am every night.

Helplines and websites

How can PCISS support you?

Pembrokeshire Carers Information and Support Service(PCISS) Contact: 01437 611002

Joanne Thomas - Service Co-OrdinatorPCISS@crossroadsmww.org.uk

Karen Butler - Carers Outreach WorkerPCISSOutreach@crossroadsmww.org.uk

Ingrid Bernathova - Health Outreach WorkerIngrid.bernathova@crossroadsmww.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @PCISS11

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Pembrokeshire Carers Information and Support Service (PCISS) was set up in July 2016with the aim of providing information, advice and support to help carers living in Pembrokeshire and all adult carers are invited to register with us.

As well as the quarterly Carers Gazette, we also offer carers the Carers Emergency BackUp Scheme, Carers Recognition Card and, together with our partners, provide a numberof free events such as Carers Week and Carers Rights Day.

The PCISS Carers Outreach service offers a wide range of information to carers on anindividual basis, advising you of your rights and signposting you to other sources of Support.

At our offices in Crossroads House, Merlins Hill, Haverfordwest we have a Carers Drop-inCentre, where carers are welcome to call in for information and a chat. The centre is openMonday to Friday 9am—5pm. We are next to the fire station and have free on-roadparking outside, with a designated bay for disabled visitors.

If you would like to tell us what you’d like to see in the Gazette, or for more informationabout any of the above, please contact us on the details below.