Carers Wellbeing Project 2017

Project summary:- The project will support carers living in North East Wales, who are caring for a person with a long term condition or a disability, to remain in their roles for longer or indefinitely, allowing their cared for to remain living in their own homes in their communities.

It will support carers to access what they need quickly and easily, reducing the stress that they face each day and giving them a supportive point of contact that will provide an open door to their questions when they need to be asked.

The team:- Lesley Parry- Wellbeing Project Manager Hayley Marshall- Wellbeing Administrator Shelagh Persich- Wellbeing Officer

Carolyn Hildebrandt- Wellbeing Officer Mike Langford- Wellbeing Officer Maxine Bithell- Wellbeing Officer Lynne Nicklin- Wellbeing Officer

Wellbeing Assessment A Well being Officer will meet with the carer to discuss their wellbeing as a carer and talk to them about how NEWCIS or other organisations can support their wellbeing. The areas recorded are:-

Knowledge of what support is available in your area Carer breaks Social and leisure Physical wellbeing Employment and volunteer opportunities Emotional wellbeing Training/learning Finance and benefits

The project consists of 6 elements…… Events, activities and training Counselling Carers Advocacy Carer advisor via Citizens Advice Carer breaks Volunteering

Events, activities and training We asked the carers at the launch……. What training do you want? What activities would you like to attend? Where would you like the activities to be held?

Counselling We will provide counselling with a qualified counsellor on a one to one basis progressing into group sessions. A total of eight sessions will be provided. Examples of the groups sessions will be “Laughter and you”, Mindfulness and Understanding Emotions.

Advocacy Dedicated carers advocates working in Denbighshire and Wrexham.

Welfare Advisor Dedicated welfare advice officers for carers in Flintshire and Denbighshire.

Carer breaks Carers, their cared for or both together will be able to access a break in Llys Awelon in Ruthin. Support needs for the cared for will be assessed and discussed with the care team at Llys Awelon and if the care needs can be met the break will be arranged.

Carer breaks continued….. The break can be for up to two nights, three days and can be accessed every six months. We will be looking at other venues in time eg:- Nant Y Mor in Prestatyn and Llys Radington in Flint.

Volunteering We would welcome volunteers to join our project to help with our carer breaks and to support the wellbeing officers in providing a ‘listening ear’ at activities, events and groups. (training will be provided)

Do you have a carers group that we could attend to speak to carers about our services? Would you like us to come and talk to your staff to inform them about our project. Do you hear carers request services you can’t offer- talk to us?

Thank you- Any questions?