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THE COLIN PARRY AWARD
FOR VOLUNTEERING IN THE COMMUNITY BY A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY
Sadly, Colin’s ill-health forced him to step down from all of the voluntary work he undertook including being a founder trustee of GLS.
As a mark of recognition of Colin’s contribution to GLS, the trustees of GLS decided to present an annual award in Colin’s name. It will be presented to a person with a disability who has been volunteering with a local charity, community group, or sports club in the county, and deserves special recognition. This award is not restricted to disability charities.
After careful consideration the GLS chose Eileen Randell to receive the 2011 award.
Eileen started the 92 Club in 1992 so next year they will celebrate its 20th Birthday. The club is based in Morton in the Marsh & is for elderly, disabled & frail people & the forgotten carers.
Eileen started the club from scratch and has built it up to what it is now.
She arranges all the monthly meetings with a range of activities & 10 trips out and about for 30 people each trip. She also fundraises all the money needed to run this much valued club.
Other than the club she helps people to obtain their rightful benefits and attend hospital appointments.
GLS PAYROLL SERVICE & EMPLOYER SUPPORT
Are you looking to employ a personal assistant or personal carer and not sure how to go about it. As part of our Independent Living Support Services, Gloucestershire Lifestyles can offer this service under the Payroll Service and Employer Support scheme.
We have a wealth of experience in providing Independent Living support to people with disability living in the county.
Becoming an employer for the first time can be quite daunting, having to comply with the current employment legislation and making sure salary, NI and tax are correctly processed. We can help you through step by step process of employing staff and providing payroll service. Charges vary according to what level of service you would like us to provide. To find out more about this service and the different charges, please contact us on 01452 530184 and speak to Bharti Patel. Leaflet is also enclosed for further information.
JOHN CARROLL – a sad loss
It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of one of our long standing trustees, John Carroll. We were informed on the 16th December, 2011 that John had passed away. At his funeral service on 3rd January, 2012 in Tewkesbury, GLS was represented by Dave Baldwin & Sue McClung.
John had a varied career starting in the RAF, moving on to being a landlord of a pub in Liverpool before coming to the county to take up the role of landlord of a Stow on the Wold pub, before a stroke at the age of 57, forced him into early retirement and a move to Tewkesbury. It was in 2002 that John joined GLS as a member and in February 2003 became a trustee. John also volunteered in our Charity Shop until it’s closure and was a valued member of the team.
We will all miss him and his sharp sense of humour which came through in the emails he sent to many of us. Our thoughts are with his wife Mary and his children & grandchildren of which he was very proud.
Alexandra Rose Charities Collection Day – 5th Year
After four previous successful fundraising under the umbrella of The Alexandra Rose Charities, we are again joining forces with The Alexandra Rose Charities. They work with local charity and community organisations across the UK helping them to raise funds. We get to keep 90% of the money raised. We are now looking for volunteers, come rain or shine, to help us fundraise. The Alexandra Rose Charities have made arrangement for us to do the collection at Tesco Store, Bristol Road, Quedgeley, Gloucester. On Saturday 17th March, 2012, collection will start from 10 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. We are looking for volunteers to help on the day, it doesn’t matter how much time you can spare, any help will be most welcomed and appreciated. Please contact me (Bharti on 01452 530184) should you be able to help.
Bharti Patel
Office/Finance Manager
Respite & Social Activities Support Service
Hello All
We would like to wish you a belated happy and healthy New Year.
Firstly a piece of bad news to start the year, unfortunately, Fran is no longer with us. We wish her all the best for the future. We are reviewing the staff situation but in the interim Ian, Julie, the volunteers, and I will be filling the gap. I hope you will bear with us if we have to make changes to times or events over the next few months but we will try and keep disruption down to a minimum.
Now for the good news we have had our funding secured until September 2012. In March the County Council will be putting the Carers Service contracts out to tender. Hopefully our project, services, reputation, and business plan will stand us in good stead for winning the contracts.
Information exchange
Carers’ Flexible Budgets
A partnership scheme between the County Council, NHS Gloucestershire, and Carers Gloucestershire
Carers look after family members, partners, or friends who need help to live at home because of illness, frailty, disability, substance misuse, or mental health problems.
The help carers provide is unpaid.
1. Do you provide care on a regular basis to a disabled child or to an adult relative or friend who needs your support to live at home?
2. Are you aged 16 or over?
3. Are you providing the care without payment? (Receiving carer’s allowance doesn’t count as payment.)
If you answered “yes” to the above three questions, you may be eligible for a carer’s flexible budget.
What is a carer’s flexible budget?
It is a sum of money that you can use to maintain your health and well-being and sustain you in your caring role.
Are all carers eligible?
No. The flexible budget is not an entitlement and funds are limited. Priority is given to those in highest need. A carer’s assessment will ascertain whether you are eligible.
How much is it worth?
The standard amount is up to £300. For carers with high needs, there is a higher banding of up to £500.
What can the budget be spent on?
It must be used on things that benefit you directly, not on things for the person you look after. It could be used for one or more of the following:
· Purchase of labour /time saving household item such as washing machine, tumble drier, microwave oven.
· Gym membership
· Work-related training
· Evening classes
· Equipment to pursue an occupation or hobby
· Massage or other therapy sessions
· Osteopathy or chiropractic sessions
· Beauty treatments
· Contribution to cost of a short holiday
· Help with gardening/ help with housework
· Expenses for you to have a day out or to attend a special event
This is not an exhaustive list. The key is the outcome you would value in terms of supporting you in your caring role and maintaining your health and well-being.
Are there things it cannot be spent on?
It cannot be used for:
· Help with utility bills or debts.
· Normal household expenses
such as repairs to a boiler.
· Equipment or services for the
person you care for.*
· Goods or services purchased
before the grant is approved.
*N.B. It cannot be used to buy replacement care such as respite or a sitting service, as this is a service for the person you look after.
How do I find out if I could have a flexible budget?
You need to have a carer’s assessment to see if you are eligible and to discuss the sorts of things that would help you. The assessment may lead to other services or information for you and the person you look after.
The professional who assesses you will apply for a flexible budget, if appropriate, to a multi-agency panel. The application will include an outline of how you intend to use the money, if it is awarded.
Is there any charge or means test?
No, there is no charge for an assessment or a flexible budget; neither will you have to give details of your income or savings.
To apply for a carer’s assessment, please contact:
Gloucestershire County Council
Adult Helpdesk on 01452 426868 if you care for someone over 18.
Children and Families Helpdesk on 01452 426565 Or talk to the social care professional or mental health care co-ordinator who supports the person you care for.
· Gloucestershire Lifestyles are now able to refer people who have disabilities and think they are entitled to benefits, or allowances, to the Department of Works and Pensions for a review. This is a free service carried out by trained DWP staff. For further info. See Quick Guide 1: Access to DWP Services in this newsletter.
Please contact the office if you would like to be referred.
· Positive Caring Programme
Provider: Gloucestershire County Council in partnership with Carers Gloucestershire
The Positive Caring Programme is a free series of learning and support sessions for carers. It is open to all adult carers whether you are looking after a relative, friend, neighbour, or child with a disability. There are 6 sessions, each of which focuses on a different caring topic. These include: health and well-being, the practicalities of caring, accessing, and receiving services, finance and entitlements and how we juggle caring with other demands in life. The programme is run across the county at local venues and offers the opportunity to meet with others in similar situations and gain knowledge, information and skills in an informal and supportive environment.
Carers who have attended the programme say it has helped them to:
ü Gain knowledge and skills to help in their caring situation
ü Find out about services and sources of support in their local area
ü Receive personal and accurate advice on benefits and entitlements
ü Share experiences and gain support from others
ü Focus on their own health and well-being
ü Consider the impact caring has on their life
ü Develop the confidence to take more control of their life
For more information please contact: Christine Cam: Email: Telephone: 01452 500885
Mobile: 07920560650
· The Harbour Counselling Service
Are based in Bristol see people from anywhere in the south west as long as they are able to go to them at their centre in Central Bristol. Their service is free of charge and is for people living with a physical life threatening illness, people close to someone with a life-threatening illness such as carers and close family members and friends as well as those who have been bereaved through a life threatening illness in the last 2 years. They offer individual work, and also work with couples and run groups as well. They currently have spaces on a therapeutic carers support group which is due to start in February 2012. This is for carers as well as people who are close to someone with a life threatening illness and will run weekly for 6 months on Wednesday. There are still a few spaces in this group if you know of anyone who may be interested. Please contact 0117 925 9348 or email
Members Events & Activities
Following on from last year we are offering Three extra activities for our community members.
19th March Pub lunch / Carvery at the Kings Arms Prestbury.
The king of roast dinners - features a choice of three roast meats served with unlimited vegetables, roast or mashedpotatoes, Yorkshire puddings and all the traditional trimmings. This food is very nice and at fantastic price currently at £3.98
26th April Everyman Cheltenham -The Diary of Anne Frank
Tickets from £11- £21
Anne Frank's famous diary charts her life from 1942 - 1944. This extraordinary personal account of hope, courage, and survival has united and touched people worldwide.
While hidden from the Nazis, with her Jewish family, in a secret annex in Amsterdam, Anne documented her hopes, frustrations, and day to day experiences in confinement. Christopher Timothy stars at Otto Frank. Christopher is one of the UK's most popular actors and is best known for his roles as James Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small and Mac in the BBC series Doctors
Please contact Lynne Greig (01452 530184) before Thursday 8th March if you would like to join us on any of these outings. NB please note that we will require pre-payment for theatre tickets before we make bookings.
Support services for all!
I would like to remind people that our services are not just for carers. We can now provide social activity support to any person with a disability or mental health problems.
This service is unfortunately not free but we offer weekly support at a rate of £125 per month for group activities or for £16 per hour for one-2-one sessions.
If you would like more information on our services please contact me on 01452 530184.
Liz West
Respite & Social Activities Scheme Manager
GLS MEMBERS Christmas Lunch 2011
Our third Christmas Lunch at the Brickhampton Golf Complex, Churchdown, Gloucester was again a great success and attracted over 60 people. A big thank you to the Sunrise Rotary Club of Cheltenham for the Chocolates. Also many thanks to Rotarians Roger Batty, Richard Guy, Simon Griffin and Malcolm Horsey for their help on the day with the transport and a service of a Father Christmas.