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Funding opportunities for young adult carers (added 27.8.10)
The National Extension College (NEC) has funding available to carers aged 16-25 years for distance learning courses. Read more on the Grants and Funding page.

Cancer Information Awareness and Support booklet (added 26.7.10)
This 32 page booklet contains cancer information with awareness symptoms listed for 21 different cancers, plus contact details of support groups and national organisations offering help and advice. For a copy contact Mandy Lynch at Sussex Cancer Network on 01273 545448.

Different levels of severity for being registered blind (added 23.7.10)
If you are an adult, a consultant ophthalmologist can assess whether you qualify for registration as either sight-impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind). If you do qualify, the ophthalmologist can complete a Certificate of Vision Impairment and will send it to the Sensory Services Team.

Taking somebody's temperature the right way (added 23.7.10)
If you are taking somebody's temperature at home, hold the thermometer by the top (not the bulb end) and give it one quick shake until the coloured dye drops below 35 degrees C (96F). Place the thermometer under the tongue at the side of the mouth and leave for at least three minutes.

Sussex Autistic Society has ceased trading (added 12.7.10)
Due to the general economic climate, from 6th July 2010 The Sussex Autistic Society has ceased trading. Wherever possible, assistance will be given to source a new service provider. Families should also contact their social worker.

“Fibro What” Conference and Pamper Weekend Reunion, 8th-11th April 2011
Bracklesham Bay, near Chichester
“If I am ‘under the weather’ and walking with a stick, someone will certainly ask me what is wrong. I might reply that I have fibromyalgia. “Fibro what,” they say?” People with fibromyalgia live with pain 24/7, along with many other symptoms, including chronic fatigue, sleep disorder, cognitive problems, IBS, headaches, dizziness and other odd symptoms and ailments. Stress and trauma are often the main triggers for this condition. This three day conference will feature guest speakers from the USA – doctors at the cutting edge of FM research – as well as workshops, an exhibition, outside activities for partners, evening entertainment and many pampering sessions. A report on the conference held in April 2010 can be found at http://fmsglobalnews.wordpress.com. For more details about the 2011 conference, fibromyalgia, or starting a group, contact Jeanne Hambleton, FMA UK Regional Coordinator for SW & SE, Conference Coordinator, NUJ Journalist, Fibromite. Email: jeannehambleton@mac.com

What is it like to be a carer? - we want to hear from you
This year Carers Week took place on 14-20 June and the theme was: A life of my own - we would really like to hear from carers about how their life has changed since becoming a carer. Most people take life for granted, i.e. family occasions, going on holiday, a meal out, or even just relaxing for a few hours with no worries or responsibilities. As a carer these, and many other aspects of your life, are not easy. West Sussex Carers Online would really like to know how your life has changed since becoming a carer. You can email us at col@icis-info4life.org.uk. Responses will be printed in the Carers' stories section of this website - personal details can be kept anonymous if you prefer.

Free fire checks for people with disabilities (added 25.6.10)
Free home fire safety checks from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service to help people with disabilities or impairment, lone parents or people aged over 65, to protect themselves from fire. Fire officers will visit a person's home by appointment, go through important safety advice and fit smoke alarms where needed. Special equipment is available for people with sensory or visual impairments or restricted mobility. For more information or to arrange a visit phone 0800 328 6487 or log on to www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire

Emotional Wellbeing Survey added 15.6.10
This survey from Rethink, which runs until September, is looking for people to talk about their thoughts and experiences of emotional wellbeing. Rethink wants to know what emotional wellbeing means to you, where or who do you go to when you feel depressed or sad, and what kind of help you would like. For more information or to take part in the survey phone Rethink on 01293 550584 or email bmecdw@rethink.org

NHS Health Check to help prevent heart disease, stroke and kidney disease (added 8.6.10)
NHS Health Check is a new national programme for adults in England between the ages of 40 and 74, targeting those who are not known to have diabetes, stroke, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. Patients will be sent a letter from their GP inviting them to take up a Health Check. This is a 20-30 minute check to assess people’s risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease. Simple tests such as blood pressure and a finger prick test for cholesterol will be taken. Results will be discussed with the patient and personalised advice given on how to lower risks and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some people may need to have further blood tests at their GP surgery and treatment or medication may be prescribed to help maintain their health. For more information visit www.westsussex.nhs.uk/services-NHS-health-check

Free Benefits advice (added 18.5.10)
If you have a child with a disability or additional needs and feel that you need to some and support to access the right benefits, West Sussex County Council can help. For more information click on the benefits page of this website.

Dementia e-learning programme - the Open Dementia e-Learning Programme is for anyone coming into contact with someone with dementia. (added 22.3.10)

Benefits advice claims (added 22.3.10)
We have been informed of a company offering ‘free’ benefits advice in Preston, Lancs, but who, in fact, charged one client 45% in DWP benefits back pay. As the company is not a claims management company, it needs no Ministry of Justice regulation nor a Credit Licence, so are not in breach of any regulations. Please note that there are advice centres who do offer free benefits advice with no hidden charges. For more information about benefits advice, phone the ICIS Enquiry Line on 0800 859929 or search for help on www.icis-info4life.org.uk

Updated guides for families with disabled children available from Contact a Family (added 26.2.10)
Parents and carers can obtain free, updated guide on how to claim Disability Living Allowance for children, Checklist of entitlements, Holidays play and leisure, The Winter guide - help with fuel bills and keeping warm, Working and caring for a disabled child, and A guide to dealing with bullying. For copies phone the freephone helpline on 0808 808 3555

New leaflet to help hospital staff improve care to people with dementia (added 23.2.10)
A new Alzheimer’s Society leaflet has been launched to help tackle poor dementia care in hospitals. 'This is me' is a simple and practical leaflet that can be given to hospital staff to help them understand the person's condition. It provides a 'snapshot' of the person with dementia, giving information about them as an individual, such as needs, preferences, likes, dislikes and interests. This should enable staff to treat each person as an individual, and help prevent issues such as malnutrition and dehydration. Read more on the News and Media section of www.alzheimers.org.uk

Families losing out on care home fees (added 22.2.10)
Families of vulnerable elderly people may be missing out on getting help with care home fees. Some people struggling to sell a home to pay fees are not being offered the 'no interest' deferred scheme from their local authority. The scheme may entitle people to an option of not paying for their care until they sell their home or after their death. Contact your Local Authority to see if you are eligible for the Deferred Payment Scheme.

Expert Patients Programme training for carers (added 1.2.10)
This is a free six week course for anyone living with any long-term health condition/s. The programme aims to provide support and develop self confidence to help you feel more in control. Other free courses include: New Beginnings; Looking After Me; an interactive web-based course; Substance and Alcohol Misuse; Supporting Parents; COPD and Breathlessness; Persistent Pain Programme; X-PERT Diabetes; and Staying Positive. Read more by visiting the Education and training opportunities for carers page.

Power cut in your home? (added 1.2.10)
If you have electrical medical equipment in your home or anyone in your home would have a significant health issue following a power cut, contact your electricity supplier to register for their Priority Register Service. In the event of a power cut, they will endeavour to reinstate the electricity supply as quickly as possible.

West Sussex Emergency Heating Scheme (added 12.1.10)
Scheme providing oil-filled radiators to people with no working heating system. One radiator can be provided per household. They are intended to be a stopgap until the client is able to have a heating system fixed or replaced by the Warm Front grant or by their own means. In order to receive the radiator the client must fulfil the criteria as well as agreeing to a visit from the county Fuel Poverty Coordinator at a time to be agreed by both. Radiators will not be supplied without a referral. The client must be a homeowner or in private rented accommodation with no working central heating system and in receipt of means-tested benefit or have a net household income of less than £18,000, be over 60, or have at least one dependant child under 16, be pregnant or disabled. Contact the Fuel Poverty Co-ordinator, Arun District Council, Tel: 01903 737537 or email rebecca.jones@arun.gov.uk

Work Focused Support for Carers programme (added 5.1.10)
A new national programme provided by JobCentrePlus to help support carers wishing to get back to work or need help remaining in employment. More details are available on the Employment page of Help for Carers.

Message in a bottle added 21.12.09
The Lions Club sponsors this 'Message in a Bottle' scheme, which encourages people to keep their basic personal and medical details in a plastic bottle that can easily be found in an emergency. The information is kept in the fridge where the emergency services can find it in the event of being called to your home. The containers can be obtained free of charge from health centres, GP surgeries and chemists. All costs are paid for by the Lions Club.

Caring for your income and pension new publications available (added 7.12.09)
When giving up work to care, carers' first thought is not about their pension but about managing care and making ends meet. Two guides are available from your local Carers Support Service: Caring about your pension - new guide for carers on pension planning and making the most of your pension; and an updated version of Looking after Someone - a guide to carers rights and benefits.

Benefits suspended when a disabled child is hospitalised (added 3.11.09)
Contact A Family is looking for families whose child has had their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) suspended after a stay in hospital. At present, DLA regulations state that if a child under 16 is in hospital for more than 12 weeks their DLA payments are suspended (4 weeks for young people aged 16 and over). Contact A Family is gathering evidence from families affected by this benefits rule in order to push for change in the regulations. Phone Elaine Bennett at Contact A Family on 020 7608 8741 or email elaine.bennett@cafamily.org.uk

Guide for Carers and Parents of Disabled Children (added 4.9.09)
Working Families, the work-life balance charity, has published a guide to help carers and parents of disabled children, who want to return to the workplace. The illustrated guide draws on the experience of the Working Families’ network, which consists of working carers and parents of disabled children, as well as helpful advice from recruitment professionals. For further information or a sample copy of the guide contact Liz Whitehead at Working Families on 020 7253 7243 or email press@workingfamilies.org.uk

Aiming High for Disabled Children, West Sussex
West Sussex County Council is receiving money from this government programme to develop short break services for disabled children. Short breaks provide all sorts of opportunities for disabled children and young people. Spending time away from their primary carers may allow them to experience and enjoy new relationships, environments and positive activities. They also provide an opportunity for carers to recharge their batteries. A short break may include a few hours, a day, evening, overnight or weekend activity. They could take place at home, at an approved carer's home, in the community or in a residential setting. Read about the programme here

You Care, You Count - free guide for carers from Rethink
This short guide to carers' rights advises carers on actions which can be taken locally to improve mental health and carer services. It is a free publication, funded by the Department of Health, and is available from Rethink, Tel: 0845 456 0455, or visit www.mentalhealthshop.org

www.thecarer.co.uk - not-for-profit public interest website focused on the practicalities and emotional needs of caring.

In Case of Emergency contacts added (25.7.08)
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory, but if we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the emergency services attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Hence the 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) campaign from South East Coast Ambulance Service. ICE is a method of contact during emergency situations. All you need to do is store the number of a contact person/s who should be contacted during emergency under the name ICE. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number stored as ICE. For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.

Helpcard for people with dementia (added 8.7.08)
The Alzheimer’s Society has created a pocket-sized helpcard for people with dementia to carry with them, to maintain their independence. The card explains their diagnosis when they are out on their own and includes contact details of a carer, friend or relative. The card is available from the local branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, or by phoning the national branch on 020 7306 0785; www.alzheimers.org.uk

Emergency Respite Care Scheme (added 3.6.08)
This is a West Sussex scheme providing emergency care for a person if their carer becomes ill or is involved in an accident. Care can be provided for up to 48 hours (72 hours over a weekend or bank holiday) to enable the person to stay in their home until the emergency is over or until other care arrangements can be made. To apply for an Emergency Plan contact Crossroads on 01403 243924 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk

Choosing the Right Care Service booklet - free booklet from the Commission for Social Care Inspection. (added 22.4.08)

Scams - What can you do as a carer to stop the person you care for from being scammed? (added 1.4.08)
A scam is a scheme to con someone out of their cash, by bogus and fraudulent offers sent by post, telephone or email. The Office of Fair Trading has produced a guide for carers and care professionals which details how to look for warning signs, offers advice, getting help and what the common scams are. Copies are available from the Selsey Carers Support Group, Tel: 01243 603602.

Keep an Eye Open for Bogus Callers (Added 21.1.08)
Online guide from The Home Office with information to help people, particularly older or vulnerable people, avoid falling into the bogus caller’s or rogue trader’s (known as distraction burglary) trap. The guide is suitable for care professionals, carers, anyone living independently, or if you care for older people living independently, and has simple and useful tips to reduce the risk of distraction burglary. Download a copy from www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk



If you would like to add an item to our noticeboard, please email us at col@icis-info4life.org.uk