Latest newsletter from Care Network Cambridgeshire
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2015 > ISSUE 1 care network news Ruth McCallum, Chief Officer From New Year to Easter This is the first Care Network Cambridgeshire Newsletter of 2015, and it is rather too late to wish you a Joyful New Year, so may I wish you a Happy Easter instead? We hope you are all well and enjoying your volunteering. Although 2015/16 holds many uncertainties this is not stopping us carrying on good work and Care Network has several new initiatives which you will read about later in this newsletter. Wellbeing work by Kate Blackwell – a project by Community Navigators to offer support when mental wellbeing is a barrier for people trying make the most of activities and services. Memories in the Community – our Community Development team are working with Cambridgeshire Museums on this reminiscence project. “Ward Rounds” at Addenbrookes and Hinchingbrooke – an initiative to identify more patients who could be discharged with support from Help at Home. Caring Communities – work with Carers Trust Cambridgeshire to identify hidden family carers and train “Carers’ Friends” and “Carers’ Champions”. Knights or Knaves – a think piece Knights are trusted champions, Knaves have to be watched. We all know we are knights – but what about other people? Do we live in a culture of trust or of suspicion and regulation? It is the perennial carrot and stick problem. We all want a society which trusts and empowers people, and yet we need to be able to challenge when we see something which is not right. We love community champions and activists who get things done. Without them older or vulnerable people would have a lower quality of life, and community groups would not be set up or sustained. We also want to know that people are safe and that no one is taking advantage of those who are less able to defend themselves. Here we move into the territory of safeguarding training, DBS checks and a range of policies – all good stuff. On a national level – does our government (whichever the party in power) really trust people? On the one hand they say they wish to put more power in the hands of doctors, but on the other they can’t resist getting involved. The UK has a large amount of regulation in health and social care, but bad things still happen. How can we as a society best enable people to act as responsible and accountable adults? I don’t know who first said “Light fires inside people, not under them” – the sentiments are genuine and this is what we are seeking to achieve, here at Care Network in 2015, in our community groups, with and through our staff and volunteers.
Transcript
2015 > ISSUE 1
care network news
Ruth McCallum, Chief Officer
From New Year to Easter
This is the first Care Network Cambridgeshire Newsletter of 2015, and it is rather too late to wish you a Joyful New Year, so may I wish you a Happy Easter instead? We hope you are all well and enjoying your volunteering. Although 2015/16 holds many uncertainties this is not stopping us carrying on good work and Care Network has several new initiatives which you will read about later in this newsletter.
Wellbeing work by Kate Blackwell – a project by Community Navigators to offer support when mental wellbeing is a barrier for people trying make the most of activities and services.
Memories in the Community – our Community Development team are working with Cambridgeshire Museums on this reminiscence project.
“Ward Rounds” at Addenbrookes and Hinchingbrooke – an initiative to identify more patients who could be discharged with support from Help at Home.
Caring Communities – work with Carers Trust Cambridgeshire to identify hidden family carers and train “Carers’ Friends” and “Carers’ Champions”.
Knights or Knaves – a think piece
Knights are trusted champions, Knaves have to be watched. We all know we are knights – but what about other people? Do we live in a culture of trust or of suspicion and regulation? It is the perennial carrot and stick problem. We all want a society which trusts and empowers people, and yet we need to be able to challenge when we see something which is not right. We love community champions and activists who get things done. Without them older or vulnerable people would have a lower quality of life, and community groups would not be set up or sustained. We also want to know that people are safe and that no one is taking advantage of those who are less able to defend themselves.
Here we move into the territory of safeguarding training, DBS checks and a range of policies – all good stuff. On a national level – does our government (whichever the party in power) really trust people? On the one hand they say they wish to put more power in the hands of doctors, but on the other they can’t resist getting involved. The UK has a large amount of regulation in health and social care, but bad things still happen. How can we as a society best enable people to act as responsible and accountable adults? I don’t know who first said “Light fires inside people, not under them” – the sentiments are genuine and this is what we are seeking to achieve, here at Care Network in 2015, in our community groups, with and through our staff and volunteers.
Community Development News from South Cambs The South is continuing to be busy with events, workshops and meetings. During February and March we are engaged in the following:
12th
of February was the launch of the Hardwick Home Lunch Club. It was a great success and we are now hoping to set up more of these “at home” lunch clubs across our region.
26th
of February we held another Mobile Warden’s workshop here at Hardwick.
11th
of March we hosted a coffee morning for the some of the Community Car Scheme Drivers at our Hardwick office for the local car schemes. This was the first we have held to encourage local car schemes to meet and discuss the rewards and triumphs and tribulations of driving for a voluntary car scheme. Further coffee mornings will be held across the South throughout the year)
We are also working on setting up a new Community Car Scheme in Fulbourn, a Dementia
Choir in Waterbeach and a new Mobile Warden Scheme, also in Waterbeach.
On the training and events calendar, we have a Community Car Scheme Workshop scheduled for the 2
nd of June in Bar Hill and we are also in the early planning stages for a Summer Fete on the
10th
of July for CN volunteers in the City and South in recognition of all the wonderful work they do within their communities.
Lastly and very sadly, two of our car scheme coordinators have recently passed away. John Reynolds from Bar Hill and Roger Hume from Cambourne will both be greatly missed and their enormous contribution to their community has been fully recognised and celebrated. A great loss to us all.
Jane Johannessen, Community Development Officer - South Cambs
If you enjoy cooking and would like to offer some older and possibly socially isolated residents in your village an occasional afternoon of good food and a bit of company, please contact Jane on 01954 211919 for details of how to
set this up.
Serving up at the inaugural Hardwick Home Lunch Club.
Definitely looking good enough to eat
Community Development News from Hunts The Hunts team have been very busy over the last few months, supporting community groups and researching potential new groups, we will keep you all posted.
Eastrea Lunch Club
I was invited to come along and see the Eastrea lunch club. This is held fortnightly on a Tuesday and is at the The Nags Head Public House. When I arrived everyone was really friendly and made me feel very welcome. After a few minutes we were told that the food would be coming out shortly, so we all moved through to the dining room where there were two long tables set out ready. During the meal there was a lot of laughter and chat. It was really nice to hear what people get out of attending, with people mentioning ‘good food’, ‘catch up with friends’, ‘I have something to look forward to’ and ‘it gets me out of the house’. It was during the meal that I was told the history of the lunch club and how they are celebrating their 10
th anniversary.
Spotlight on a community
I have been out and about these last few months continuing to talk to the users of community groups. I have met some lovely people and have enjoyed lovely lunches and lots of homemade cakes! The groups that I have visited recently have been Sawtry Day Centre, Alconbury Thursday Club, Eastrea Lunch Club, Murrow book Café, Elm friendship group and Warboys Friendship Group. As I am travelling around I am always looking for a good picture to add to the collection and putting a spotlight on your community.
Please let us know if you would like your community group or scheme to be featured in the next Newsletter, we would love to include photos and quotes as well. Please get in touch with either Susan Bate ([email protected]) or Kathy Bowles ([email protected]).
Community Development
News from Hunts - cont
Scrap and Chat
One issue that is often highlighted by existing groups is the need to attract new members. To this end we have been able to support groups by lending them resources such as indoor tenpin bowling, table tennis, reminiscence material to spark memories and create scrapbooks. Scrap and Chat proved popular at Earith with members old and new producing their own scrap books and a joint effort commemorating the 1940s. If you would like similar support, please give us a ring.
New Group in Huntingdon
The Early Bird Friendship Group had its first meeting in February and even though there was snow on the ground we all enjoyed a good chat over a hot drink. The group is looking forward to its next meeting and welcoming new members.
The idea is for those 60+, to come along and enjoy a free cup of tea, coffee, and biscuits. Whilst enjoying the chat and company of new friends, take part in the monthly activity, and maybe do some shopping after. Meetings will be on Tuesdays between 9am and 10:30am at the Tesco’s Community Room, Kings Ripton Road, Huntingdon PE28 2LA, starting initially on 4th April, 12th May, 2nd June and 14th July and from 4th August on the first Tuesday of each month.
There is no need to book, just turn up and we hope to see you there. Susan Bate,
Community Development - Hunts
Volunteer for Cambridge - and Care Network
We were at the Volunteer for Cambridge Fair last month held in the Guild Hall, Cambridge.
We met and talked to many people, explaining how our volunteers help to support older and more vulnerable members of our county. A number of people were inspired and by the time you read this, one very keen new volunteer we recruited at the fair, should already be trained and ready to help!
We rely on volunteers to provide the services and activities to help older, isolated and vulnerable people in Cambridgeshire to stay independent and keep in touch with friends and their community. If you or someone you know might be interested in volunteering for us please call us on 01954 211919 or email [email protected] for more information.
One of the things many people miss most of all as they become less mobile, is being able to go out for a walk in the fresh air. Existing walking groups can go too far and too fast, and it can be hard to find someone else to walk with.
In Newton a small group has been enjoying short, gentle guided walks each month through peaceful orchards around the village. The group is aimed particularly at people with dementia and other challenging conditions and ends up at the village hall for a cream tea.
One of our problems in Fenland is a lack of footpaths other than on roads. Finding a short circular route can be difficult unless a local farmer is willing to permit a group to walk round fields.
We are hoping to start another small group in a neighbouring village and also one in the south of the district but I would be happy to hear from anyone in Fenland who would like help with starting a group. Ideally groups should be small and it’s always nice to end up with a cup of tea or coffee and a cake afterwards!
Just Sing! in Wisbech is holding its second Showcase event on Sunday 12th April. Please contact
me if you would like to come. Sue Beel,
Community Development Officer - Fenland
Community Development
Memories in the Community – an opportunity to get involved
Care Network are pleased to be involved in the Memories in the Community: stories of my life project.
The project aims to capture the memories and personal histories of older people in Cambridgeshire, weaving together a rich tapestry showing the social history of a generation.
We are offering reminiscence training to volunteers in community groups and to our Help at Home and Navigator volunteers. Each volunteer will then work with an on older person to look at their personal history so that a bespoke memory box can be made for them.
Places on this training are very limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis, so please get in touch with Lynne McAulay on 01954 211919 if you would like further information.
Lynne McAulay Community Development Manager
Community Navigators
Health and Wellbeing Pilot Part of the great thing about the Community Navigator project is that we follow up the visits by volunteers with catch-up phone calls. This helps us to see if the information was helpful and whether we can support them in taking the next steps. It’s a shame when people, for a variety of reasons, don’t take up the offer of activities and services they would benefit from.
In response to this, Care Network has just started a Wellbeing Pilot until the end of September 2015. Kate Blackwell has joined the team to see if we can better support some people whose mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression may be preventing them from accessing services or opportunities. With increased awareness and some additional support we feel that Wellbeing navigations may help people to make better use of the information we give them. This might involve linking someone with a volunteer who will go with them for the first couple of times to a social group or activity, for example.
Alongside the Wellbeing Pilot Coordinator, volunteers will be a vital element in helping to deliver this pilot, once they are fully trained. We are hopeful that the results of the pilot will inform the way we develop Community Navigators, as well as supporting some people to overcome the hurdles they face in accessing new services and activities.
Library at Home - a Library Service brought to your door
Did you know that there is provision across the county for home delivery of books and other library loan items to people that are not able to get out to the Library themselves due to disability, poor mental health or are caring for someone full-time and have no one to visit the library on their behalf?
The Library at Home service is celebrating it’s 20th anniversary this year. The service has volunteers who deliver and collect books for the housebound and have a chat with those they visit, providing social contact as well as reading material.
Each district has a Library at Home coordinator who arranges their local volunteers s of your local service contact your Library at Home coordinator who will arrange for a volunteer to visit you at home and deliver books (in large print if needed) and audio books on cassette and CD.
East and Fens Jenni Johns on 01354 754766 or 01353 616169
City and South Elaine Mountford on 01223 706352 or 07917 557984
Hunts Jakki Racey on 01480 375023 or 07789 273903
Jen Wells Community Navigators - Assistant Manager
Community Navigators
District Contacts Contact your local co-ordinator for more information. Or call Nikki on 01954 212100
Drop-in Sessions These sessions may change over time, so if you are making a special journey please call the District Coordinators to check, (see right).
Cambridge
Central Library monthly, various dates from 11.45am-2.15pm until July when Library is being refurbished (contact Jen)
Mandela House 2nd and 3rd Friday of the month
Ely
Ely Library every other Thursday 11 - 1p.m. (contact Sheila)
Huntingdon
Pathfinder House 3rd Monday of every month 10:00-1:30
Linton
Linton Health Centre 2nd Wednesday of every month 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Peer Support for people with Type 2 diabetes Diabetes UK have launched a new peer support & education service called Type 2 Together. Diabetes UK has joined forces with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group to set up a network of peer support groups for adults with Type 2 Diabetes.
The new groups will connect people who have diabetes in their local areas. The relaxed and informal group sessions will be led by volunteers who themselves are living with diabetes and are trained to share their advice and experiences. Type 2 Together will also include materials following different themes relating to the condition. The service is completely free and those that attend group sessions will be given information leaflets to take away with them to help people live well with their Type 2 diabetes.
Available to anyone living with Type 2 diabetes in these areas, they aim to set up to 25 peer support and education groups, so if you live locally you’re bound to find one near you. The groups will give you the chance to meet others with Type 2 diabetes, to support each other and make friends, and share experiences and information.
If you are interested in joining a group you can email [email protected] or call 0345 123 2399 to speak with your regional Coordinator about how to get involved.
If you would like more information on the project visit the Diabetes UK website: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/Talk-to-someone/Type-2-Together/.
Help at Home These days I seem to be always reporting about how busy we are at Help at Home – but we really are! A 69% rise in referrals from last year has meant a record number of people are being assisted to avoid an admission and return home from hospital in a safe and timely way.
We have been granted some (short term) Government Winter Monies to aid us in this important work. We are using this funding to enable staff to attend the wards at Hinchingbrooke and Addenbrookes to meet anyone who may need the service, take referrals and signpost on to other services if necessary. This has worked remarkably well and we have received 68 referrals since we began on 9th February and, in addition, an increase in telephone calls direct to the Help at Home offices. Staff on the wards have given us a warm welcome and appreciate the help we can offer to people who are being discharged.
Tina Kinder, Healthcare Assistant Discharge G3 told a member of our team: “Care Network have been absolutely fabulous for both staff at Addenbrookes and Patients in Hospital and when they go home. Your Help at Home service makes such a difference to those going home who need a little extra support. It makes me feel better sending them home knowing you are there to help when needed...”
It’s reassuring for patients to know before they go home that someone will be contacting them to offer help. For some isolated people to hear from someone who cares and can give emotional support to help them gain confidence and, often, signpost them to other services makes such a difference to their quality of life and safety. For others, its vital support to ensure they have the food and medication they need.
Here’s some feedback we received from patients recently – reported verbatim:
She done a bit of shopping and she got some prescriptions for me - things I couldn't get out to do myself. And we'd have a chat too. I couldn't get out the door to get the vital things I needed and that's why I needed her. She was very good. I think that support was really the main thing - someone popping in to see that I was making progress."
And
“She was absolutely wonderful. I couldn't praise her enough. I was so pleased with her and she was so charming. I was so thankful. J (client's son) had to go into hospital, and that's why I needed the help. I was overwhelmed with her kindness."
Hilary Johnys,
Direct Services Manager
Direct Services cont Care Network services - working together for the client
With Help at Home, Community Navigators and Community Development, Care Network now delivers an all-round service. With the (Help at Home) practical help and emotional support we provide, Community Navigating to ensure people get as much help as they possibly can. And through these contacts with people we are made aware of any Community Development needs and the team can look at how to support new schemes to be set up.
Below is a case where Help at Home provided practical and emotional support and Community Navigators were able to provide assistance to stop nuisance calls for the client.
I was very glad of the volunteer’s service when she came to see me. She did the shopping for me and I did get her to defrost the fridge for me once, but I think mainly she did the shopping as it took up all her time. She suggested I get back on the bus when she had finished her support and it was the right thing to do as it did give me confidence. The phone has made such a difference to my life. I don't get any of those nuisance calls now. I really can't tell you the difference it's made.
(The client's sister, also commented "I just wanted to add my thanks. My sister does have poor health on occasion, and it's wonderful to know that I can ask for help when needed, from you, that it's not only me; especially in the present climate. I think your service is excellent.")
Hilary Johnys, Direct Services Manager
Caring Communities Project - Joint work with Carers Trust
Care Network Cambridgeshire and Carers Trust Cambridgeshire are working together on the Caring Communities Project to identify hidden carers and highlight the support and information available. The project has got off to a great start. A truly amazing 27 of our staff and volunteers have signed up to become Carer Friends so far, and we will be running Carer Champion training later this month for anyone that wants to develop their knowledge around carers services and support. There will also be more Carer Friends Training coming up for those of you that couldn’t attend the sessions we ran in February, please get in touch with Lynette should you be interested in attending.
In the period April to November 2014 Carers Trust Cambridgeshire received 5 referrals for carer support from Care Network Cambridgeshire. Through everyone’s hard work we have increased the numbers of carers identified and referred to 40 for the period December 2014 to February 2015.
Just think of all those carers who will now be receiving the support and information they need to keep themselves well and continue in their caring role. Thank you to everyone for their support with this work. We have been so impressed by everyone’s enthusiasm and commitment to finding hidden carers in Cambridgeshire! Together, we are truly making a difference to carer’s lives, so a massive thank you to all the staff and volunteers who have become Carer Friends over the last 2 months.
Estelle Mitchell (Carers Service Manager, Careers Trust) and Lynette Prince Direct Services Development Coordinator
Volunteers for hospital rounds Help at Home is looking for 2 volunteers who can visit the wards at Addenbrookes to promote the use of the service. You would need to be available one afternoon (weekdays) and able to visit wards, explaining the service to patients and taking their details to pass to the Help at Home coordinators. (database inputting experience would be useful but not essential). Parking would be available, and any out of pocket expenses paid. Please contact Hilary on 01954 211919 or [email protected]
To contact us about our events or any issues in this Care Network News, please ring our main office on 01954 211919 or e-mail [email protected]. You can also write to us at the address below.
If you would like to volunteer with us, or suggest an idea for a new community group, please ring the same number and we’ll link you up with our office nearest to you. If you can help us by making a donation, we’d be very grateful! Cheques to Care Network Cambridgeshire, or use this link alternatively log onto www.localgiving.com and type us into their search box. This is an easy way to give on-line.
We look forward to hearing from
you, and thank you for your support!
Registered in England at 18 Broadway House, 149-151 St Neots Rd, Hardwick, Cambridge, CB23 7QJ Registered Charity No 1120693, Company Limited by Guarantee No 6297277
Dates for Your Diary
Monday 23rd March 10am-12pm Carer’s Champion Training, please contact [email protected] or call 01954 211919
Tuesday 2nd June 10am - 2:30pm Community Car Scheme Workshop, for drivers of community Groups
Wednesday 24th June 10am - 2:30pm Visitor Training for volunteers from Help at Home and Community Groups that make home visits.
Friday 10th July 1pm - 3pm South Cambridgeshire Volunteers Event, open only to volunteers of Care Network and the groups we support.
Tuesday 15th September 10am - 2:30pm Visitor Training for volunteers from Help at Home and Community Groups that make home visits.
Thursday 24th September 10am - 2:30pm Community Car Scheme Workshop, for drivers of community groups
