Carers are being encouraged to stay healthy and connected through a number of events planned across the county next week to mark national Carers Week.
People, of any age, who help a relative or a friend without payment are often unaware that there is support available for them in their caring role. As a consequence, many let a health problem go untreated, or they can feel isolated from friends and the wider community.
While the total number of carers in Devon isn’t known, it’s thought that there are likely to be getting on for 100,000 people who provide care for others. But just a minority are known to the supporting services.
The Council announced a new Carers Support service earlier this year, provided by Devon Carers. The new contracts for young and for adult carers build on the kind of support that carers said they wanted.
“We all have a part to play in our communities and workplaces in connecting carers and helping them get the support they need,” says Devon County Councillor and Cabinet Member Andrew Leadbetter.
“The challenge is, many carers simply get on with their caring roles without making a fuss, and without seeking any help for themselves. It means many carers put their own health needs or wellbeing second to that of the person they’re caring for.
“We want carers to know that there’s support available to them, to help them do what they do. We want them to remember their own needs too, and we’d like them to get in contact with us so we can put them in touch with support.”
Carers are being invited to drop in to any of the many sessions organised on behalf of Devon County Council and the NHS in Devon next week, to mark Carers Week.
A list of events are broken down by District area here, or in a broader list below
East – https://devoncarers.org.uk/east-devon-carers-week/
Exeter – https://devoncarers.org.uk/exeter-carers-week-2018/
Mid – https://devoncarers.org.uk/mid-devon-carers-week/
Northern – https://devoncarers.org.uk/north-devon-carers-week/
South – https://devoncarers.org.uk/south-devon/
West – https://devoncarers.org.uk/west-devon-carers-week/
EASTERN EVENTS
Budleigh Salterton. Wednesday 13 June, 10am to 12pm, Budleigh Salterton Surgery. Come and meet local Carers Support Officer, Kate Brennan, at a Carers Information Stand and drop in.
Crediton. Wednesday 13 June, 10am to 3:30pm, Crediton Hospital. Jane Ashby, Carers Support Officer will have an information stand at Crediton Hospital and would be very happy to chat to any local carers that want to pop along.
Cullompton. Thursday 21 June, College Surgery, Cullompton. Come and pick up information at the stand at College Surgery, which will be available all day. Carers Support Officer, Clare Moughton, will also be there at various times throughout the day.
Exeter. Monday 11 June and Wednesday 13 June, 11am to 3pm, St Stephens Church, Exeter High Street. Events will include live music, seated yoga, craft taster sessions, mindfulness and demonstrations from Drink Wise Age well on making mocktails. Also, there is a drop in event at
Exeter Library (marquee) on Monday 11 June between 10am and 10pm, specifically for young carers.
Exmouth. Wednesday 13 June, 10am to 12pm at Age Concern Exmouth. There will be a Carers Making Health Connections information session fun by Carers Support Officer, Catherine Hill. All ages welcome.
Exmouth Carers Support Group. Friday 15 June, 2pm to 3:30pm, Exmouth Hospital. All carers welcome to a One Small Step healthy living session at Exmouth Carers Support Group. The group will be in the meeting room of the Dewdney Unit.
Honiton Carers Support Group. Wednesday 13 June, 2pm to 4pm, Honiton Methodist Church. Any local carers would be very welcome to join the Honiton Carers Support Group for their Carers Week activity. Patricia Warren from Age UK will be visiting to do fun ‘functional fitness MOTs’ with the group. There will be coffee, tea and biscuits.
Ottery St Mary. Monday 2 July, 10:30am to 12pm at Ottery Station. Carers Support Officer, Julie Austin, will be welcoming local carers to a ‘One Small Step’ healthy living session.
Sidmouth. Monday 11 June, 10am to 2pm, Sidmouth Methodist Church Hall. Sidmouth health and Care Forum networking event for carers and the public to find out about support for carers in the Sid Valley and opportunities to get involved, help or volunteer.
Tiverton. Tuesday 12 June, 9:30am to 12:30pm, Tiverton Hospital. Come and meet local Carers Support Officers, Susanna Venner and Lorraine Mee, at their Carers Information Stand in the reception area of Tiverton Hospital. A staff member from Age UK Mid Devon will be there offering information on their services plus a new Carer Ambassador who will be offering support to other carers in the local community. This event is for carers of all ages.
NORTHERN EVENTS
Barnstaple. Tuesday 12 June, 11am to 1pm, North Devon Leisure Centre. Come and see us at our stand at the Help for Heroes open day. Also at Barnstaple Library, Thursday 14 June, 10am to 1pm. Information and advice about support for young carers.
Bideford / Northam. Monday 11 June, 8:45am to 12pm. Wooda GP Surgery. Come along and meet local Carer Support Officers at our information stand. Also at Bideford Library, Tuesday 12 June, 10am to 1pm. Information and advice about support for young carers.
Braunton. Tuesday 12 June, 11am walk starting at Braunton Inn. All carers welcome to join us for a short walk along the Tarka Trail. Refreshments provided afterwards.
Fremington, Thursday 14 June, 11am walk starting at Fremington Quay. All carers welcome for a short walk along the Tarka Trail. Refreshments provided afterwards.
North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple. Thursday 14 June from 10am to 3pm on Friday 15 June. There will be an information stand and leaflets available in the main entrance to Barnstaple Hospital.
Roundswell Barnstaple. Thursday 14 June, 10am to 1pm, Sainsburys Barnstaple. Visit us for information at our stand at Sainsburys Barnstaple.
South Molton. Tuesday 12 June, 10am to 2pm. Sainsbury, South Molton. Local Carers Support Officers will have an info stand at Sainsburys in South Molton. Please pop in and say hello if you are near-by.
SOUTHERN EVENTS
Dawlish Hospital. Carers information stand on Monday 11 June to Friday 15 June.
Ipplepen Hub. Tuesday 12 June, 2pm to 4pm. Liz Shouls, Devon Carers Support Officer will be available with information for carers living in Ipplepen and surrounding area.
Ivybridge. Wednesday 13 June 10am to 4pm, Health and Wellbeing Day. The Clay Factory, Bittaford. All carers are welcome to join us for a day of free activities which include free Acupressure massage, mindfulness, meditation, hypnotherapy, pebble art, Spin taster session, Pilates taster session. There will be a cinema session, an art exhibition and free cream teas with scones donated by St Stephens Bakery, Plympton. Also available all week – One free swim session for carers at Ivybridge Health Centre; Open free class pass for carers at TEAMDUNC personal trainer, Unit 5B Clay Factory Bittaford. See www.teamdunc.com Please ring Devon Carers to book your place on 03456 434 435 or email info@devon carers.org
Kingsteignton. Tuesday 12 June afternoon. Kingsteignton Pool. Free private session swim for carers and the person being cared for at the pool. Phone Kingscare for details, 01626 357090
Newton Abbot. Thursday 14 June, 10am to 12pm, Tesco. In partnership with Tesco Newton Abbot ‘Tea and Chat’ Thursdays, there will be a stall outside the story with tea and biscuits supplied by Tesco. Available for info and advice will be staff from Devon Carers, Kingscare, Alzheimer’s Society, Stroke Association, Fire Safety Service, Tozers Solicitors. There will be a free raffle with the prize of a £20 Costa Coffee voucher.
Okehampton. Carers walk and talk on Tuesday 12 June, 10:15am to 10:30am start. Meet opposite Okehampton Post Office. Leisurely walk and talk around Simmons Park with Beverly Dore, Carers Support Officer and David Arney, Walking for Health. All carers welcome. There will be two levels of walk leaving at the same time. Grade 1, suitable for beginners and wheelchair accessible is a 30 minute flat walk. Grade 2 will be a slightly longer walk with slopes. Refreshments afterwards. Please contact Beverly at Devon Carers on 03456 434 435 to book a place.
Tavistock. Carers walk and talk on Tuesday 12 June. 10:15 for a 10:30am start. The Wharf. Kirstie Harland from Devon Carers will be joining Tavistock’s Walk and Talk. There will be two different walks available: Walk 1 is a wheelchair accessible walk taking about 30 to 40 minutes. Walk 2 has some slopes and uneven surfaces and will take about 40 to 50 minutes. Please contact Kirstie at Devon Carers on 03456 434 435 to book a place.
Tavistock Devon Carers drop in. Monday 11 June, 10am to 4pm. TASS Charity Shop, Tavistock Market. We will be holding a carers information event with free refreshments. Other helpful organisations will also be available. Ring Carers Support Officer Kirstie at Devon Carers on 03456 434 435 for more info.
Teignmouth Bowling Club. Thursday 14 June, 2pm to 4pm, Den Bowling Club is offering a free bowling session for carers. Contact Sarah Adelsbury at Devon Carers to book a place 03456 434 435.
Teignmouth Info event for carers of people with dementia. Friday 15 June, 2pm to 4:30pm. The Ness Centre. This free event will offer information and advice for carers of people with dementia, activities with a focus on carers health and wellbeing and afternoon tea. Contact Sophie Cuddy at Devon Carers to book a place, 03456 434 435.
Teignbridge Leisure are support carers week by offering one free pass for carers to use at one of the following: Newton Abbot Leisure Centre, Dawlish Leisure, Broadmeadow Sports Centre (Teignmouth) Lido outdoor pool. Teignbridge Leisure will also waive the £25 joining fee for any carer or their cared-for that wishes to sign up to a membership during that week. All carers that wish to have a free session will need to bring in their Carers Alert Card for verification. Also remember to ask the Leisure Centre staff for details of a free Carers Pass when accompanying a cared for person at their facilities.
Totnes. Thursday 14 June, 1pm to 2pm. Walking Netball session. Come and join a fun 1 hour session of walking netball with Qualified England Netball Host, Lili John. Walking Netball is a slower version of the game; it is netball, but at a walking pace. The game has been designed so that anyone can play regardless of age or fitness level. Walking netball is suitable for all ages. Booking is essential. Please phone Kirsty Maidment for more information on 03456 434 435. Places are limited and a minimum of 5 people needed.
Totnes Library. Thursday 14 June, 10am to 1pm. Information and advice about support for young carers.
Other events of interest to carers:
Foraging for Wellbeing walks
https://forestbathingforcarers.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/foraging-for-wellbeing-carers-week-11-17-june/
Carers Week Forest Bathing Session in East Devon
https://forestbathingforcarers.wordpress.com/2018/03/21/15th-june-2018-whitecross-strips-east-devon-ex10/
If you are a carer, please contact Devon Carers to find out more about the support available to you. You can visit https://devoncarers.org.uk/ or telephone 03456 434 435 (Monday to Friday 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday 9 am – 1 pm).
