Chepstow & Caldicot Carers Support Group

MAY 2002 NEWSLETTER

CARERS... Look after family, partners or friends in need of help. Because they are ill, frail or have a disability. The care they provide is unpaid. 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, Firstly, some great news. We have received our National Lotteries Award of £3,750. This is absolutely wonderful and we can now provide carers with a wonderful meal at the Royal George Hotel, Tintern during our special Carers Day in National Carers Week. (Thursday 13th June). We are also planning to give 30 Carers a weekend break in the Autumn, So please, those of you who find it difficult to get away, take advantage of this and put your name down for the break. This will be over the week end of 4th, 5th and 6th of October. Although some of you have indicated that you are interested in this, we shall put out a proper form next month. There is still chance to say you would like to come. We can get yon respite care through Crossroads or Age Concern if you have not got any alternative care arranged. I have had a request to find five over-eighties receiving services in their own home who would take part in a questionnaire on what they feel about Monmouthshire Social Services- If you know of anyone who would like to participate, would you please contact me. Our next meeting is on Thursday 2nd of May at Boverton House. Our guest speaker in the afternoon is Mrs Caroline Greathead who is coming to talk to us about Community Care and the law, Wills and Enduring Power of Attorney. She has been to us before and proved to be very helpful and knowledgeable about many aspects of community care, including funding. Please come along with your questions. She will be very interesting. We also have another special guest on this day. Roz Williamson, the Director of Carers Wales who is coming to meet us. Roz was unable to make our launch day and is eager to meet the carers in our group as soon as possible, so she is coming in the morning to spend some time chatting to you and answering any questions you might like to ask. This day actually coincides with the launch of the new Carers Website at www.carersonline.org.uk. On this day the new website will publicise the research that Carers UK has done on how much carers save the country. The figure of £34 billion per year is very dated now and I think the revised figure is going to be much more. We wait with anticipation! NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 10th - 16th of June, 2002 This week we shall be celebrating in several ways. We hope to man some stalls to give publicity to our group and the Carer's cause. Then on Thursday 13th June we have our special day at the Royal George Hotel Tintern. I can assure you that it will be a very interesting day. Information, enjoyment, good food and entertainment. The day will start at 10:00am and finish at about 3:30pm with Caldicot Male Voice Choir. If you are a carer and would like to come along, please ring me. We can help to arrange for sitters or transport if you let me know by Thursday 6th June at the latest. There is no charge for this day as we have the lottery grant. As you are probably aware, our newsletter is transferred onto the Caerwent Community website by Bryan Morgan. He is very computer literate after several years of experience and has offered his services to any carer who needs some help with their computer. Contact him on 01291-422276. Thank you Bryan. There is a 'NABDEX' Exhibition in Birmingham NEC from Wednesday May 15th to Saturday May 17th. I have some tickets for this if anyone is interested in going. NABDEX provides lots of information on equipment of all types,including cars for people with disabilities. This is a very large exhibition and would be a great day out. Unfortunately it clashes with our barge trip. WHEAT-FREE EATING Children who have to exclude wheat and gluten from their diets often find it hard not to eat normal prepared foods such as pizza, pasta or puddings. Because both his wife and son have to exclude wheat from their diet, Chris Hook of DS Foods was able to test his Speciality Range on them! The full range is now on sale in some branches of Sainsbury and Tesco. There is a monthly home delivery service for regular customers with an introductory offer te newly diagnosed coeliacs of free delivery on orders of four items instead of the minimum of six items. For more Information, telephone their customer care on 07041-544044 (a lo-call number). ONE STEP AHEAD Many small children have falls while learning to walk - the Department of Industry estimates there are around 347,000 head injuries a year among under-fours. Concerned for her own little daughter, Kelly Forsyth-Gibson developed the 'Thudguard' Infant Hat. As we went to press, she was competing in the finals of the Female Inventor of the Year Award. 'Thudguard' is an attractive hat (not a helmet) and Kelly believes it could reduce the severity of injuries. Tested by the British Standards Institute, it will be launched this summer in two sizes and cost between £16 and £20. Our next meeting is on Thursday 2nd May at Boverton House as usual. 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.