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: Hermione Ford (01291-689233)
Secretary: Patsy Lewis (01291-420602)
Office: 'Cobblers Pitch', Highmoor Hill,
Caerwent, Monmouthshire NP26 5PF

Dear Carer,

Chepstow and Caldicot Crossroads Scheme

At our January meeting we welcomed Gail Giles who is the new Manager for Chepstow and Caldicot Crossroads. This is a Care Attendant scheme that supports Carers by relieving them from caring, either on a regular basis or by one-off arrangements. The Chepstow and Caldicot Scheme also runs a day centre for the people that are cared for, thereby giving longer hours of respite in a safe and stimulating environment.
The uniqueness of the scheme is that it provides support to Carers who care for people with Aizheimer's and dementia. The Care Attendants are specially trained in this field.
The day centres are open on Thursday and Friday at Chepstow Community Hospital and they are about to open on Tuesdays at the Baptist Church in Caldicot. We were very impressed with Gail's talk. She would like to employ two more Care Attendants to be able to develop the scheme. If any one knows of someone who would be interested in this work, please contact Gail at her office in Chepstow Library, or ring her on 635632. Although most of the Care Attendants are women, they would be absolutely delighted if they could find another man who would be interested in doing this work. We wish Gail every success in her new role.

HOLIDAYS

Traditionally, this is a time when people start to think about their summer holidays. I have a file that is currently being updated on holidays for the elderly or people with disabilities. The brochures in it purport to provide good access and facilities that are adapted appropriately However, if you are interested in any particular brochure, please contact them and ask a few more questions. Some people think that if they put a ramp at the front door, they are suitably qualified for people with disabilities. There are articles writ- ten in the file from people who have had very successful holidays both in this country and abroad and can recom- mend places. If anyone can give me contacts for holidays for people with disabilities, I would be very pleased to have the information and enter it into the file. If you do want to see it, please contact me.

Here a few contact numbers for holidays, taken from the carersonline.org.uk website.

I. Holiday Care Service. Information about holidays for people with special needs including disabilities. 01293-774535

2. Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation. (RADAR) 01590 683005

3. Solos (for 30+). Information about holidays for people with disabilities. 020 8951 2811.

4. Special Families Trust. Information on home exchange schemes. 020 7250 3222.

5. Travel Companions. Information about holiday introductions. 01752346861.

More locally there is also:

1. 'CATS', from whom we hire the bus from that takes people in wheelchairs, are now doing holidays and will collect people from their homes. I am sending for a brochure, but you might like to contact them yourself if you are interested. Tel: 02920 886117

2. John Grooms Holidays. 01446 771311.

3. Merton House Hotel, Ross on Wye. 01989 563252.

4. Access Travel. Tel: 01942 888844 for holidays abroad.

CHARGING POLICY REVIEW

You will remember from last month's newsletter that we had a meeting with two members of the Charging Policy Review Team. What they had to say to us was quite disturbing, so I have written to them and sent copies to our Welsh Assembly Member David Davies, and to Huw Edwards, our MR I shall also contact some local County Councillors who may be able to help us. If you know any personally, let me know and we can send them a copy. We need to make our feelings known to as many of them as possible who can represent our views.

JOINT REVIEW OF MONMOUTHSHIRE SOCIAL SERVICES

Some of our carers are part of this review as individuals, meeting with the reviewers several times over a period of a few weeks. The Review Group would also like to meet the Support Group as a whole during a certain period to ask us, as a group, how we feel Social Services performs. During the period in which they are able to come, we do not have a normal meeting, so we have arranged an extra meeting on Thursday 30th January at Boverton House between 12pm and 2pm. This will enable those doing computer classes to join in too.
PLEASE try to come along and talk to the reviewers. This is an opportunity to let the people who need to know, about the good and the not so good that happen to you and the person you care for. Our next meeting is on Thursday 6th February when we are expecting Maggie Titterton from Carers Wales to visit us and give some advice about the consultation on the Charging Policy Review. I understand the new charges will be implemented in April so we must concentrate on this now.

Don't forget you can also come and have a computer lesson, reflexology, manicures and Indian head massage. An opportunity to be pampered for a change!
For those of you who find it difficult to get to meetings, we can send Judy and Anne, the Red Cross ladies, who will come to your homes for the hand and massage care. Do not be afraid to ring me and ask for this. We are NOT inundated with requests, so do give me a ring. As a rule you can have this once a month for a few months. There is no charge, it comes out of our funds.

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 Fran Green on 01633 881142.

Best wishes,

Patsy Lewis.