Taking a break from caring
As a result of the Covid situation, you might feel run down and in need of a break from caring, especially if the usual respite services you use have temporarily closed.
We'd like to let you know about a couple of options for helping you take a break. You or your "cared for" might like to take an hour or two out to take part in our fabulous free, online classes that are coming up. There's also support that you might not be aware of through Islington Carers Hub. Click below for more info.
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Carers Pathway Forum - Tues 4th Aug
We'd like to invite you to the Carers Pathway Forum on Tuesday 4th August at 2pm. This is an open forum for all carers, to discuss issues relevant to their caring role.
We are particularly interested to learn if the guidance and support for unpaid carers during Covid has worked well or if it could have been done better. It's going to be held online, so it will be easy to attend at the click of a link! We can talk you through how, if that helps!
There's the added incentive of an invite to an exclusive free online self-pampering session (for men & women), for the first 8 Carers to register (and attend!).
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Ideas for keeping happy & healthy
1) NEW Creative Writing Sessions
Starting Friday 31st July 2020, 11 – 11.45am
Finding it hard to stay inspired in lock down? Reignite your inner creativity, and join us for this series of four fun and relaxed online writing sessions, suitable for all including complete beginners - starting next Friday 31st July at 11am. They are hosted by Age UK Islington volunteer, Wallis, an actor and writer with a vivid imagination!
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2) We've a FREE taster session
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On Thursday 6th August, 10.30 - 11am
How about trying out a fun, online fitness class from home, with a difference? Ageless Grace is providing Age UK Islington & Carers Hub clients with a special taster session. Exercise to upbeat music and work at your own ability. There's nothing choreographed and nothing to learn or remember, and it's all from sitting. Astonishingly, it also activates 5 functions of the brain. There's videos and more info, if you click below.
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3) Have you heard of Art Journaling?
Every Monday, 2.30 - 3.30pm, from 3rd August
Join carer Jeanne for this online session to create an "art journal". It’s about expressing your inner self through art. It's creative, it's fun and there are no rules. You'd need some paper, something with colour, anything you can get hold of. You can even use your fingers to paint!
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4) A good chat about past memories
Join us Wednesdays, 11 – 12 midday
We’d like to invite you to grab a cuppa at home, and join us for this online session. Reminiscence is about remembering events and experiences from the past. Our volunteer host, Polly, will introduce a subject to inspire discussion and will invite the group to share thoughts & memories.
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Skills & know-how
1) Covid: Shielding & Shopping Update
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The latest government covid social distancing guidelines suggest that people who have been "shielding" will no longer have to do this from Saturday 1st August. This means that they will be able to go out to the shops and to places of worship as long as they keep 2m away from others.
For the full current guidelines, for people who are at higher risk, including the over 70s, and those who are "extremely vulnerable" to coronavirus and who have been shielding, read more by clicking below.
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Face coverings are now necessary for going to the doctors, visiting people in hospital, travelling on public transport and in shops and supermarkets from 24 July.
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2) Getting help with shopping & prescriptions
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Many people who are unable or find it difficult to to go out, rely on friends and family to help. If you don't have the help you need, or are relying on temporary support to get essential supplies, there are other sources of support that are available locally.
Most of the large supermarkets offer shopping deliveries which you can book online. There is also lots of support available from volunteer groups. We can help you to get started with any of these options if you need it. Read the guide below for lots of useful contacts.
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The Consumers Association, Which?, have updated their information on the latest supermarket operations, including online shopping deliveries and shopping hours for vulnerable people.
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3) Online video pharmacy consultation for cancer patients
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Those living with cancer who may have had treatment paused or delayed are being offered free access to online video pharmacy consultations through Boots. Boots, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, has more than 2,000 trained Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists (BMIPs), offering specialist information and support on cancer, its treatment and possible side effects.
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4) Cancer Awareness Survey
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The Public Health Teams at Camden, Islington and Haringey Councils, together with Camden, Islington and Haringey’s Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) and our other partners, want to improve public awareness of cancers and how to detect cancer symptoms early.
Uptake of screening programmes can help spot cancer even before symptoms appear. Early detection of cancer also means treatment is more likely to be successful. To help them understand where to focus communications they are inviting residents to complete a survey on how much they know about potential cancers symptoms.
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What about other things?
Are you worried about other things? You can call to talk to us about anything that you are struggling with. This might be if you're feeling low, for bereavement support, or about housing or money worries.....
Call us Monday to Friday, 9 - 5pm
Helpline: 020 7281 6018
Or you can email us on:
info@islingtoncarershub.org
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Subscribing to our newsletter
If you'd like to subscribe to our newsletter, and have it delivered straight to your inbox, please email info@islingtoncarershub.org.
Best wishes,
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