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,

Our April meeting was very busy. In the morning we welcomed two local County Councillors who took up our invitation to meet us to listen to what we had to say about the review of the Charging Policy. They were County Councillor Gerald Robbins and County Councillor Bill Edwards. They listened to us and gave their sup- port by offering to find out what they can about the process, put our points forward to the relevant people and how best we can take it forward. Carers are quite anxious and frightened about what the future might hold for them. They are doing a wonderful job and the thought of more money being taken away from them in exchange for services that support them, is very upsetting. We need to make as many people as possible aware of what it is doing to carers.
We want to find out how much this new policy is going to cost to implement, and how much revenue it will generate. The former may cost more than the latter! We hope to get some answers.

MONMOUTHSHIRE CARE AND REPAIR

In the afternoon we welcomed Robert Pugh who is the Technical Officer for Monmouthshire Care and Repair. There is a Care and Repair Service within the boundaries of most local authorities, but each of them are a stand-alone service, set up by the National Assembly for Wales, Gwerin Housing and Monmouthshire County Council. All three are their core funders. The aim of Care and Repair is to enable people over 60/disabled clients to stay in their own home with increased comfort and security by either arranging repairs or adaptations to be carried out or advising on such works either funded by the client or through grants. Their work ranges from small work such as fixing grab rails to bathroom walls, to new buildings/extensions. Much of their work is advising on and fitting stair lifts and level-access showers. There are several grants that are available, some means tested, some not They can advise also on Benefits you may be entitled to and assist with applications. They have information on Benevolent Grants that some large employers have available. If you have worked for a large organisation or have been in the Forces, you may qualify for one of these to help you in times of need. Even if you are not eligible for a grant, Monmouthshire Care and Repair can still advise you on finding reputable architects and builders and can liaise with them on your behalf. They can also liaise with Social Services and Housing if necessary. They work closely with Occupational Therapists. A new Service that Care and Repair have just introduced is the Handyperson. He carries out small repairs or adaptations. There are many small jobs that need doing that it is impossible to get a carpenter/plumber/electrician in to do. The Handyman is multi- skilled and can turn his hand to many household maintenance/repair jobs. Very useful if you have no-one in the house or family to do these jobs. The labour is free, but you may have to pay for materials. If you are in this position, call Care and Repair and ask for this service. Many people use Care and Repair to get a stair lift. Even if you are not eligible for a grant, it is best to go through Care and Repair as they put you in touch with reputable companies and they pass on a discount to you. This could be a matter of a few hundred pounds. Telephone number for Monmouthshire Care and Repair is 01873 857531.

WRVS BEFRIENDING SERVICE

The WRVS have introduced a new Befriending Service for people that are isolated at home but who are independent. This is for people who have no family near and who receive no more than perhaps the Meals on Wheels service. Clients would be visited once a week. Funding for this service is from Monmouthshire Social Services. It is an open referral system so any one can request the service. Contact Diana Blake on 01291 690771. It is run by volunteers who receive expenses only. If any one is interested in becoming a volunteer for this service (they need vol- unteers in this area), contact Gwyneira at the Gwent Volunteer Bureau at the Sessions House in Usk. Tel: 672352.

HEREFORD OUTING - Wednesday 14th May

We still have some places left, so if anyone would like to join us, ring Nonna on 626521 and tell her you want to come. The cost is £6 per person. Cheques made payable to 'Carers, Chepstow and Caldicot Branch'. We will leave Caldicot at 9.30am in Jubilee Way and Chepstow at 9.45am at the Severn Bridge Club in Bulwark calling through Tintem and picking up there. It should be a good ride through the beautiful countryside and the sun will shine! Return journey will leave Hereford at about 3pm and arrive back to Caldicot by about 4.30pm. If you have any problems with transport getting to the bus, please let us know. I have now finished my work with Social Services at Gray Hill Surgery and the Community Hospital. It has proved very success- fill in identifying new Carers and it is hoped that it will be extend- ed to the north of the County when an appointment is made in a couple of months time. I don't need to tell you how important this work is, identifying carers and giving them information and sup- port. If you know of any Carer that needs assessment, please contact Social Services on 01291 635666 and ask for the Carers Assessment Worker. You can also tell them to contact me and I will said them some information about the Support Group.

CARERS UK MEMBERSHIP

The Carers Wales Branches meeting has discussed something called "Stay Warm". This is run by Powergen and allows cus- tomers over 60 to pay Gas and Electricity Bills combined on one monthly standing order. It sounds too good to be true, but some customers are paying a lot less than they used to. If you are inter- ested in this service, contact "Stay Warm" on 0800 1694 694. Gloucestershire. Their telephone number is 01452 386283. Access to Rights and Services. Half-day session run by the Glos Carers Project. Includes entitlements to benefits. Free sandwich lunch included. This is being held on Thursday 12th June from lOam - 2pm. At Hesters Way, Community Resource Centre, Cassin Drive, Hesters Way, Cheltenham. Contact the Project on 01452 386283 if you would like to go.

CARERS WEEK

Planning for this is continuing. The dates this year are Monday June 9th until Sunday June 15th.

Finally, there are some new telephone numbers for the District Nurse in Caldicot. They are 426733 or 42673.

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.