What do Tameside Carers think?
We ask Carers to complete an Evaluation Form after they have attended one of the Carers Trips/Activities or events and after receiving a My Time Voucher or Holiday Grant.
Please see information on the schemes and some of the comments we have received on the following pages…
Health and Wellbeing
One of the four main goals of the Government White Paper "Our health, our care, our Say" is "better prevention services with earlier intervention".
With an ageing population and more people living with long term conditions, the National Health Service cannot remain principally a treatment service.
Health services need to focus more on keeping people well.
CARERS GRANT FUNDED SCHEMES
The Having a Break Carers Grant is money from Central Government to allow Carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities.
Tameside Carers Centre has a number of schemes, which allow Carers to take a “day off”.
These include:
- Day trips
- My Time Vouchers
- ‘Have a Go’ Days
- Health and Well being activities
- Holiday Grants
- Having a Break Grant
- Cleaning Voucher
- Gardening Voucher
*Example of Evaluation Form we ask Carers to complete:
CARERS TRIPS & ACTIVITIES EVALUATION FORM 2008/9
For the Carers Team to ensure the trips & activities are beneficial and are continually improved we need to ask you (the Carer) if you could take a few moments to fill in this evaluation with your thoughts and comments. We would be very grateful.
Please send back to the Carers Centre in the pre-paid envelope.
- Have you been on a Carers trip or taken part in an activity from the Carers Centre before?
YesNo
2.Did this trip or activity give you a break from Caring?
YesNo
If yes, please explain how
3.Did you have a sitting service to enable you to come?
YesNo
4.Is there any other service you as a Carer need to allow you to come on a trip or activity?
YesNo
If yes, please explain how
- Do you feel this is a good way of spending the Carers ‘Having a Break’ money?
YesNo
If no, do you have other suggestions of how to spend the money, if so please state:
- Do you have suggestions for future trips or activities, which you feel would benefit Carers?
YesNo
If so, please state:
Any other comments:
Name (optional)………………………………………………..
Address (optional)…..…………………………………………
Thank you for completing this evaluation – it helps us to continually improve trips & activities for the future.
Holiday Grants
Carers can apply to this scheme for financial help towards the cost of a holiday. Grants are awarded on the basis of the Carers need for a break and are not means-tested.
Comments from
Holiday Grant Evaluation Forms
“This funding makes it possible to totally unwind and enjoy the holiday away from the normal environment and routines. It is something I so look forward to and couldn’t do it without your help.”
“We can afford to take mum with us instead of putting her into respite care.”
“It gives Carers and people they care for scope to relax in their own preferred way and so relieve stress levels”
“Because the holiday takes you away from the daily routine”
“Without it I would not be able to go away”
“To have a break from caring helps me to cope better”
Trips and Activities
One of the Schemes from this money is the Carers Activities Grant, which allows Carers to go out on a day trip already organised for them. Carers may take the person they care for if they wish or a friend/relative (unless otherwise stated).
Comments from
Trip/Activity Evaluation Forms
“Once again the lift a day out gives to Carers is worth more than money – its priceless. Many thanks.”
“Departing from Ashton Bus Station is a better arrangement”
“Various trips that you provide are very welcome”
“Great weather, great day out, thanks Carers Centre”
“A very relaxing and enjoyable evening and met some nice people”
“It is nice to be able to go out on an activity with people who are also Carers”
Examples of Trips/Activities organised:
Buxton
Leeds
Liverpool
Ellesmere PortBoatMuseum
Chester Races
Camelot
DisneysHigh School Musical
Chinese Restaurant
Holmfirth
Bowling
Trafford Centre
NationalFootballMuseum
Portmeirion
Harry and his Bucketful of Donosaurs
My Time Voucher
Carers My Time is an alternative to organised trips and activities and offers a voucher as a contribution towards the cost of an activity that gives the Carer a break from their caring responsibilities.
Comments from My Time Voucher Evaluation Forms
“The voucher is more appropriate because the trips are difficult for me because of school times and other commitments; the vouchers are a well-earned treat.”
“All of the vouchers are brilliant but I do think vouchers that help the Carer to relax or feel good about themselves even if they are only for 5 minutes are very beneficial and really do make a difference. On those days when you’re tired and you need a break the vouchers arrive though the post and it is so uplifting at times just to have that little treat.”
“Thanks, give you time to relax and chill out as I need to look after my father in law.”
“I think it is a great idea and I really appreciate it. Thank you very much”
Comments from My Time Voucher Evaluation Forms cont…..
“Vouchers are good I wouldn’t otherwise invest in myself and it can put your own well being in to perspective. Being a Carer you often leave your own health and needs till last.”
“Health running a bit low so cant make trip or activity at this time. It is thoughtfulness instead of feeling disregarded and almost invisible - A huge change in attitude therefore.
Many thanks”
“I am always pleased to receive the vouchers they are like getting a present that is not expected and gives me something to look forward to. Thank you very much”
“I would rather have a voucher because I work and I find it difficult to get time off work to go on trips during the day – even weekend as sometime I have to work. My other free time is spent helping my daughter in her home due to her condition”
Examples of some My Time Vouchers recently provided:
Hope Holistics, Ashton-under-Lyne
These enjoyable sessions enable Carers to have the opportunity to try a taster of either a pastime or leisure pursuit that they have always wanted to try.
The sessions may encourage Carers to hopefully go on after the session and pursue one of a number of recreational activities that may help towards leading a healthy and fulfilling life.
Examples of ‘Have a Go’ Days recently organised:
Belly Dancing
Tai Chi
Digital Photography
Yoga
Line Dancing
Card Making
Complementary Therapy
Cake decorating (see comments)
Comments from Have a Go Day (Cake Decorating) Evaluation Forms
“Thanks so much, I loved the course and it has inspired me maybe to go and do a longer course at the college.”
“Thought the cake decorating was fantastic.”
“I had such a lovely time with lovely people.”
Having a Break Scheme
This is a grant which Carers can apply for to offset the cost of a break or activity which they feel most benefits them.
…. or as a Carer describes it…
“I feel it would be used in different ways by different people depending on their own circumstances”
Comments from Having a Break Scheme Evaluation Forms
“I feel it will help Carers have a little time for themselves and a break, at the same time a little breathing space”
“The grant was used to purchase a telephone with multi handsets which are now placed around the house to enable my wife to be more independent”
“I am grateful for the help and support the Carers Centre has given me, with many thanks”
Comments from Having a Break Scheme Evaluation Forms cont….
“Thanks for the support and advice offered to people who care for a dependant relative”
“When I received the grant it enabled me to just take time out of my stressful life, I would like to thank you for the opportunity”
“Me and my wife went on a weekend break. There were no household chores to do and we both had an enjoyable and relaxing time which did us the world of good”
“Valuable time spent with family away from household chores”
“I used the money towards a new bed as the person I care for has trouble sleeping, he has noticed a difference already. Thank you”
“What I have experienced since being a Carer so far is everyone I have been in contact with has helped me a great deal. Thank you so much”
“I was able to deal with a lot of tasks which had been pending due to lack of time from caring responsibilities”
Cleaning Voucher
Carers can apply to receive a voucher entitling them to a few hours cleaning from an approved local agency.
“I get very tired as a Carer and knowing I have had a thorough house cleaning I can relax and have more ‘me time’.”
“I find it impossible to keep on top of the housework in my own home, and the home of the person I care for. This is one of the best Carer benefits and so much appreciated. Could do with more help like this”
“The agency I used made an excellent job of cleaning my kitchen and bathroom”
50 Warrington Street
Ashton-under-Lyne
OL6 7JX
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
10am-3pm
Other times/home visits by appointment
Telephone 0161 342 3344
Fax 0161 342 3720
Minicom 0161 342 3721
Website
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