Involving service users and carers in HTAS is a priority and people such as Carers with experience of  crisis resolution or home treatment services are encouraged to get involved in the accreditation process.

 Accreditation helps assure everyone of the quality of the service being provided. The Centre’s Mental Health Carer Development Worker is working with our local Crisis Resolution Home treatment service to ensure carers views are heard.

Learn more about the programme on the royal college of psychiatrists’ website http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk

Please download the draft Strategy Document North Tyneside Carers’ Strategy

We would really appreciate your views about the priorities identified and the action plan.  We would be grateful if you could send your feedback to the Centre at enquiries@ntcarers.co.uk or to Susan Meins at Susan.Meins@northtyneside.gov.uk by 4pm on Thursday 31^st May 2012.

Linda Arkley, the Elected Mayor will officially launch the strategy at an event we have arranged during National Carers’ Week (Wednesday 20^th June at 1pm at the Saville Exchange in North Shields) for carers and professionals. A flier will be sent out soon with news about the event but if you would like to book a place please don’t hesitate to contact the Centre on 643 2298 or at enquiries@ntcarers.co.uk

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The inspector talked to the Centre Manager (who is the Registered Individual with CQC), the Sharing the Caring Co-ordinator, looked at records of people who used the service and talked to staff and carers. The inspection report highlights that everyone who CQC spoke with was overwhelmingly positive about the care and support they received from the service.  Quotes included:-

“It is excellent care.”

“The vast improvement my relative has had is down to this service.”

“I’ve no complaints at all, they’re fantastic people, go out of their way to help.”

The centre would like to thank all the staff for providing such quality support and to carers who gave up their time to speak to the inspector. The inspection report will be available to download in a week’s time.

Sharing the Caring can provide you with a regular break from your caring role.  The service provides quality stimulative support to the person you care for to ensure you benefit from your time out. For more information about Sharing the Caring, please contact the centre on 0191 643 2298.

Newsletter March 2012

http://www.northtynesidecarers.org.uk/young-carers/

 Date:             Wednesday 4th April &

                       Wednesday 11^th April 2012

Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm

Venue: Hadrian Leisure Centre, Wallsend

 Places for half-day cost £3.20 (with an easecard) £4.95 (without an easecard)

Places for a Full-Day cost £7.50 (with an easecard) £11.85 (without an easecard)

 Please note no child will be excluded if they require extra communication, toileting or eating support however coaches are unable to administer any medication and so parental/carer support will be required.

Any child from age 5 – 19 with a disability is invited to these sessions. Siblings of these children are also invited.

To book, please call Karen Lewis-Archer on 0191 643 7465 or 07974 770225

Or e-mail: karen.lewis-archer@northtyneside.gov.uk or  download the Easter 2012 Booking Form.

What makes the screenings autism friendly?

The screenings are recommended to anyone who would benefit from the subtle alterations made to the cinema experience, because of their sensory differences and because it allows them to attend newly released films with friends and family in an inclusive environment. Films are screened with the lights turned up, the volume turned down and with the trailers and adverts removed. People can feel free to move around the cinema or make a noise as they feel comfortable, however all guests (where necessary) should be suitably supervised by their designated carer throughout the performance.

ODEON Silverlink
Osprey Drive
Silverlink Retail Park
Wallsend
Tyne and Wear
NE28 9NG

NEWSLETTER Jan 2012

Lord Freud, Minister of State for Work and Pensions, stated that both rates of the daily living component of the new Personal Independence Payment would be used as a criterion to determine the entitlement to Carer’s Allowance. The clarification from the Minister came after concerns that the Welfare Reform Bill left the future of Carer’s Allowance unclear.

The Welfare Reform Bill will replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a new benefit the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Entitlement to Carer’s Allowance is currently established through a disabled person getting the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance and there was a real concern that reducing the number of care components from three to 2 in the new disability benefit would squeeze out many carers.

Although it is worth only £55.55 per week and is the lowest benefit of its kind, Carer’s Allowance is vital income for around 550,000 people who care, unpaid, for family or close friends and who cannot work full time.