Wandsworth Care Alliance

The unsung heroes: the vital role of unpaid carers

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We all care for someone, but the word ‘carer’ is defined under the Care Act as anyone who, without payment, looks after a person who cannot cope without their support. Carers might care for someone who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction. The person a carer looks after doesn’t have to be a family member or partner; they could be a friend or neighbour.

There is often confusion because the word ‘carer’ is also used to describe another group of amazing people who do paid work for care agencies or care homes, also known as care workers. For this reason, carers are often referred to as unpaid carers, family carers or informal carers. Carers often get great personal satisfaction from caring, but it can bring financial, emotional, and physical strains.

A carer can be of any age and it’s estimated there are as many as 600 children and young people with caring responsibilities in Wandsworth (Working Together to Support Carers and Young Carers in Wandsworth 2017-2020).

According to the national charity Carers UK, unpaid carers in England and Wales contribute a staggering £445 million to the economy every day (Valuing Carers 2021, Petrillo and Bennett).

Carers week is a UK-wide awareness campaign seeking to increase visibility for carers with decision makers, services, employers, communities, and businesses. This year’s carers week is taking place from 10–16 June 2024 and the theme is ‘putting carers on the map’.

If you are a carer or know someone who is, there is help available locally. Take a look at the information and resources below to find out more:

  • Wandsworth Carers Centre offers support to carers in the local community. Visit their website to see the amazing services they offer.
  • Carers are entitled to an assessment. An assessment is a chance for carers to think about themselves, their wishes and their needs, rather than concentrating on the person they care for.  Find out more about the assessment process by visiting the Wandsworth Council website or visiting Wandsworth Carers Centre information page.
  • The Wandsworth Carers Centre offers information and advice on a whole range of topics including benefits and finances, making a plan for what would happen to the cared for person in an emergency, and looking after your own wellbeing.
  • The Carers Centre has a packed calendar of events from supper clubs to specialist support groups, from training to trips out.
  • Carers Partnership Wandsworth brings together organisations and carers throughout the borough to make carers more visible and ensure that services are developed with carers in mind. You can find out more here.

Looking to help out carers in the local community? Contact the Wandsworth Carers Centre for ideas about how to volunteer with them in a range of roles.

Written by Nada Savitch (Healthwatch Wandsworth volunteer).

*We aim to support and elevate the role of carers in all our communications. We recognise that ‘Carers’ has increasingly been referred to with a capitalised ‘C’ to honour their invaluable contributions. The current usage of it is in lower case as it’s not yet widely recognised and practiced.

Voluntary Sector Accommodation Opportunity

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Give us your views on a new Wandsworth Town Hall voluntary community sector hub

Wandsworth Council is excited to announce a new 1,700sqft ground floor space at the Town Hall dedicated to a Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Hub. We invite local organisations to provide input on how this space can best serve their needs.

How to Give Feedback:

Online Survey: Take the survey.

Focus Group: Join the in-person session on May 24th. Sign up here.

For questions, email the Wandsworth Voluntary Sector team at voluntarysectorteam@wandsworth.gov.uk.

For more information please find flyer here: VCS Hub – Wandsworth Town Hall

What movement does for Dominic’s well-being

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I’m Dominic and I’ve been working at Wandsworth Care Alliance as a Mental Health Project Manager since September 2022. Mental Health Awareness Week is on 13th -19th May and has a theme of movement so I wanted to speak about enhancing mental well-being through physical activity and connections.

I have experienced challenges in my life, just like many others, and this has led to stress and anxiety at times, but what has helped me cope better is my exercise routine.

I found that for me physical activity isn’t just about building muscles or losing weight; it’s a tool for nurturing my mental health and well-being. I can say it’s provided me with mental clarity, is an excellent way to de-stress, relax, get some fresh air and an associated dopamine boost on my Monday night football sessions.

My sessions are more than just about playing sport and getting fit, it’s a chance to bond (depending on who won), offer escapism, and to have light hearted discussions about what’s happening in our lives, as well as any concerns we’re facing.

Meeting with other people who are going through the same or similar challenges puts things into perspective, and being distracted for a couple of hours is a great way for me and the others to leave those problems behind. At first, people from Monday night football might not pick up the phone and say, ‘Can we meet and talk’? but over time they feel more comfortable talking after a game of football.

Regular physical activity has become part of my routine, whether it’s a brisk walk in the morning to work, a gym session in the evening, or a swim on the weekend, each activity helps ease stress and anxiety.

Physical activity has been a companion on my journey towards mental well-being. As I get older it has taught me the importance of listening to my body, nurturing my mind, and honouring my connection between physical and mental health. Football is my way of maintaining human connection through sport, but it doesn’t have to be yours.

There are so many activities you can do like walking and exploring the great outdoors, swimming, yoga or even martial arts. There’s a wide range of activities you can take part in both independently and as part of a group whether that’s with new people, friends, or family.

Remember, just take one step at a time!

Take a look at our social post.

Resources:

For tips, advice and ways to get active near you click here.

Do you have more resources to share on this article? Please email us on communications@wandcareall.org.uk to share resources.

Health & Wellness Coaching for Chronic Pain? Local Hospitals Pilot Social Prescribing Programme

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Wandsworth resident June said she has “regained control of her life” after living with chronic pain, thanks to a pilot health project with social prescribing services in hospitals. June was referred to the chronic pain service at St George’s where she started working with a Health and Wellbeing Coach, Sam.

June’s problems with pain started after she was injured in an accident on her 70th birthday. “I was left in excruciating pain running from my head to my feet and had tried everything to help after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia,” she said.

“I was stressed at home over house repairs, pain and was gaining weight.”

June claims that receiving coaching has changed her life and given her a sense of self worth.

“Often, hospital pain clinics will have exhausted medical options such as medication or procedures.” Dr Sekeram. Early results from this pilot are due to end later this year.

Read the full article, https://www.southwestlondonics.org.uk/local-stories/pilot-health-project-restores-lives-of-people-in-chronic-pain/?dm_i=790E,H7WT,1I0FFW,25XBS,1

Wandsworth Council Double Cost-of-Living Fund from £5m-£10m

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Wandsworth Council have announced that their support for residents to face the cost-of-living crisis has doubled, using careful budgeting to ensure that council tax stays low.

Councillor Hogg said: “This week we’ve announced that we’ll double our budget for supporting people through the Cost of Living Crisis to £10m – making our response the capital’s biggest.

“We know families are struggling to pay for basics like fuel and food and there’s no sign of things improving anytime soon.

“That’s why we’re putting another £5m into our Cost of Living reserve fund. We’ve also ringfenced more money to help refugees and the homeless.

“We’re funding free gym and swim and free school uniforms for low-income families.

“Now, using the insights of the Wandsworth Cost of Living Commission, we will look at longer-term action we and the community as a whole can take to reduce the effects of the crisis in the future.

Have you, or people you work with been adversely affected by the cost-of-living crisis in Wandsworth? Do you have any views on how the borough can support mental health services during this time? We invite you to voice your views.

Read more about the Council’s approach to the cost-of-living crisis here,

https://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/news/news-july-2023/council-leader-announces-doubling-of-funds-to-help-residents-through-cost-of-living-crisis/?utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery

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