Chepstow & Caldicot Carers Support Group

FEBRUARY 2002 NEWSLETTER

THE CHEPSTOW AND CALDICOT CARERS' SUPPORT GROUP Chairman: Alison Short (01291-623771) Secretary: Patsy Lewis (01291-420602) Office: 'Cobblers Pitch', Highmoor Hill, Caerwent, Monmouthshire NP26 5PF Dear Carer, Our January meeting was an opportunity for us to meet Maggie Titterton again from Carers Wales. We discussed with her the launch of our Branch of Carers Wales on Thursday 7th March at Dewstow Golf Club. This is a day for celebration so put this in your Diary and contact me if you would like to come. Carers Wales are providing a buffet lunch. In the afternoon we have some entertainment! By popular demand we have invited Fred Wedlock back - "The oldest swinger in town" So come along and take part in a really special enjoyable day for carers. Barge Trip on Gloucester - Sharpness Canal, Wednesday 15th May. This trip is with the CATS bus from Caerphilly which has a lift for wheelchairs so it is primarily targeted at carers and the people they care for who are wheelchair dependent. The barge is called "Spirit of Freedom" and is run by the "Willow Trust". It has disabled toilets, central heating, sundecks, large windows, radio/telephone and mobile hoists as well as hydraulic lifts. We will need to take a packed lunch, but tea, coffee and squash is provided. Willow Trust helpers are there to lend a hand and of course there is a skipper! The coach will pick up at 9.15am in Caldicot and 9.30am in Chepstow. Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to come. There is no charge for the barge, but the committee have decided to make a donation of £100 to the Trust. There will be a charge of £5 for the coach. This is a subsidised trip, using some of the money that we have had in donations over the last few years. Contact me if you would like to come. Walk for Health. This is jointly run by Monmouthshire County Council, the University of the Third Age ('U3A'), The Health Alliance and the Gwent Health Promotion Department. The aim is to motivate people with sedentary lifestyles who may be at risk of developing health problems, but are still able to benefit from gentle exercise by taking up gentle walking in a group. It will be based in Caldicot and walks will start and finish at Caldicot Leisure Centre. They are anticipating one walk a week, starting in March. If you would like any more information about this scheme, please contact Emma Jackson at the Health Promotion Department at Chepstow Community Hospital (Telephone 01291-636604/5/7) or Catrin Williams at Monmouthshire County Council on 01633-644108. Don't forget that if this is something that you would like to participate in, we can help you to get respite care in order to leave the person you care for to go. Let me know if you do. National No Smoking Day This takes place on March 13th. If this is something that you would like to do. there are some information sessions planned for Caldicot and Chepstow, at Caldicot Library on February 13th between 2pm and 5pm and at Chepstow Library on February 19th at the same time. Any one is welcome to drop in at these sessions. You can also ring Emma Jackson on 01291-636606 for more information. I would like to remind carers of the new Parkinsons Group that has been set up at Chepstow Community Hospital. This is for people who have Parkinson's Disease, their carers and families. They meet on the second Wednesday of each month at the Day Hospital in Chepstow Community Hospital at 7pm. If you would like more information, contact the Day Hospital on 01291-636636. Our next meeting will be at Boverton House on Thursday 7th February, 10:00am-3:30pm. Our speaker in the afternoon will be Stephen Chappell, a Homeopath, coming to tell us about the basic principals of homeopathy and relaxation for carers. We will have reflexology and Indian Head Massage as well as manicures and massage in the morning. OUR REGULAR MEETINGS ARE ON THE SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, AT BOVERTON HOUSE, CHEPSTOW. If you want a chat I am at Gray Hill Surgery on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 10:00am-12:00 mid-day. Anyone, subscribers or not, can come and see me there. Ring 01291-420282 for an appointment or take a chance and pop in! For transport to meetings contact Nan Smith on 01291-421665 or Alison Short on 01291-623771. Best wishes, Patsy Lewis.