Carers Courier

April-June 2020

NEATH PORT TALBOT CARERS SERVICEC A R E R S A T T H E H E A R T

INFO PACK Information, advice

and plans for 2020

P L A N S , C O N T I N G E N C I E S A N D I N F O R M A T I O N F O R T H E C O V I D - 1 9 O U T B R E A K

An Important Update:

Coronavirus:What Should I Do?

Wash hands for about 20 seconds with soap and hot water or use a hand sanitiser gel.

Even if you have no symptoms, you should work at home where possible and avoid social venues.

Use a tissue for coughs and sneezes.

If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve.

With the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen unprecedented disruption across the globe, it has impacted every aspect of daily life, and the Carers Service is no exception to this rule. Sadly, we have been forced to postpone all the activities and workshops we had in place. Furthermore, home visits of any kind have been put on hold and carers assessments (for now) shall be carried out over the phone. On top of this, the sitting service we had in place has also come to a stop for low level/volunteer based sits. However, sits provided by domiciliary agencies are still going ahead provided all parties involved are happy with the arrangement.

Goldies continue to do online singing sessions, we have more information about this on our facebook page. If you have already booked a counselling session with MIND, these can be carried out over the phone provided carers are happy with this new approach, if not their sessions can be banked and used at a later date once life returns to normal.

The service is going to continue to operate as usual with information and advice, we understand this is a scary time for everyone and we want to do all we can to alleviate any stress or worry you, or your cared-for might be facing.

This booklet includes some important information to keep hold of during this very difficult time, along with some information regarding information specific to carers, food banks, volunteering opportunities, aid with getting hold of food and medicine and general advice with carrying on under such enormous pressure.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

If you or someone you live with has a “new, continuous” cough or a high temperature, you should all stay home for 14 days.

Stay at least 2 meters/6feet from other people in your home if possible.

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People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). People with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone, or 14 days if they live with others. Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days. They should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.

The public play an important role in the ‘delay’ phase. By following the latest advice, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable, and delay and flatten the peak, which will reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.

We continue to undertake priority testing in Wales. We are working closely with health boards, NHS 111 and the Welsh Government to develop systems so that NHS Wales and members of the public have appropriate access to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.

Please access Public Health Wales for more infomration

What’s going onPlans for the Carers Service going forward into the Spring/Summer

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NEATH PORT TALBOT CARERS SERVICEC A R E R S A T T H E H E A R T

This is the first time that we as a service have had to partake in a lockdown, much of the service have had to be put on pause and we are reassessing other measures of support we can provide to carers and their loved ones. Some parts of the service have been suspended as previously mentioned but this doesn’t mean that we aren’t here for advice and information.

Phone support is still on hand, between the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm (Monday to Friday), and support workers will make contact if there’s an emergency, but for the time being, the carers service needs to operate remotely; furthermore all our staff are working from home, leaving our usual base in Cimla hospital unoccupied.

We also have another 5 MIND sessions to put on for our carers, Helen from MIND was unfortunately taken ill in February and as a result, we had to cancel two MIND sessions

before the carers service had to cancel all events and workshops. These will be carried over and put on, as soon as the lockdown lifts. We also have another 3 cooking sessions with cookstars, and a JD coach trip to make use of, the trip was originally going to be to Clyne Gardens, but if there is enough interest we could change our destination to somewhere like Bridgend Designer Outlet, or perhaps another trip to Tenby or Carmarthen?

Carers are instrumental in helping us decide new ways forward for events, workshops and activities, so please make sure that if there’s something you want to do, or a place you want to go; let us know! And we will do our ample best to make sure something is put in place.

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If your symptoms get worse or are no better after seven days seek medical advice.

Use the online 111 coronavirus service at 111.nhs.uk.

You may be tested for the virus at a hospital.

The GP “Carers Friendly Scheme” is a new scheme designed to recognise how GP surgeries support Carers. This has been launched throughout Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.

The GP “Carers Friendly Awards” is a scheme offers a formal accreditation to surgeries who are able to demonstrate the practical steps they are actively taking to promote Carer awareness within their practice and ensuring their needs are fully understood.

A Health and well-being day will take place at some point this year, featuring facials, manicures, massages, hot-stones and more, all free of charge, other service providers will be there too.

Health & Wellbeing Days

Manual handling days were planned and scheduled to go ahead from April, but we have to postpone those dates, please register your interest and you will be notified when they are rescheduled.

ManualHandling

The Towers Christmas Party is going to go ahead at the end of this year, we are hoping to go ahead with a three course dinner, no deposit will be asked of you. Please phone now to register interest.

Christmas Party The Towers

Cooking sessions will be resumed later in the year, these will hopefully continue to take place in Taibach Education Centre. Three more sessions are still planned for late summer - we might book more.

Cooking Classeswith Cookstars

MIND NPT is still operational but the workshops are going to be postponed for the time being, we will have our remaining sessions once the lockdown lifts. We have 4 sessions to carry over.

MIND Workshopswith Helen

Goldies is still continuing to put on online “virtual” singing sessions, please see our facebook page for more information if you are interested.

Online Singing Sessions

Carer Friendly AwardsWe wanted to celebrate some of the good work our GP’s have done this year with carers. These are the surgeries that have been awarded the “Carers Friendly”, and “Carers Friendly +” awards, a commendation for outstanding services to carers and their loved ones.

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Useful Resources

CVSCVS Neath Port Talbot is a great resource for issuing appropriate help for those of us who will need help with getting hold of medicine, prescriptions or aid with shopping. Alternatively, and if you are able to - CVS are recruiting as many volunteers as possible to help with the coronavirus aftermath.

Council of Voluntary Services

Age Cymru West Glamorgan can help you with benefits, financial planning and tax advice. They also offer information and advice, legal advice and ways of combating loneliness.

Age Cymru West Glamorgan

Get in touch with your local area coordinator to find out ways in which they can help you, Go to npt.gov.uk and search for local area coordination in Neath Port Talbot.

Your L.A.C.’s

The pandemic has seen a sharp decline in those of us giving blood, so if you able to do so, it’s a fantastic way to give back. They are visiting various spots around the Neath/Port Talbot area setting up bases to people to offer help.

Blood Donation

The council is keen to support our local businesses in these difficult times. NPT Buy local is all about local businesses and communities supporting each other. You may be a business and want to support our local communities with food or shopping deliveries, or you may be looking to partner with another business to supply services for people in our local communities.

NPT Buy Local

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No. on back page

No. 01792 648866

No. 01639 631246

No. 0800 252266

www.npt.gov.uk/nptbuylocal

Age Connect is very much a part of the community and wants to help as many older people get the help and support they need during this difficult time. They will be working with our volunteers, other organisations and community groups to do as much as we can to ensure that isolated older people can still get access to essential groceries, prescriptions and essential medication.

Age Connect

No. 01639 617333

We’re right here.The NPT Carers team

Carers UK are regularly updating our comprehensive response to the emergency legislation on the coronavirus which is passing through Parliament this week. They are offering guidance that also covers what you need to do to be prepared, including contingency planning, staying away from others, protecting someone you care for, if you have care workers or other home help, and information for working carers.

S.A.N. are filling their info page daily with local updates signposting and sharing positive posts. If already a member, you can visit the private members page where the group is doing their best to support - both emotionally and practically during these difficult times. They are currently creating a strategy moving forward for the rest of the year.

NPT CARERS SERVICE - 01639 642277SWANSEA CARERS CENTRE - 01792 653344 / 07984 445465CARERS UK - 020 7378 4999C.V.S. - 01639 631246AGE CYMRU WEST GLAMORGAN - 01792 346344ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY NPT - 01639 633400L.A.C. - Emma Jones - 07583780991 Aderdulais, Bryncoch North & South, Cadoxton, Coedffranc, Dyffryn

L.A.C. - Christy Buckley - 07813008208Briton Ferry East, Briton Ferry West, Cimla, Neath - East, North & South, Tonna

L.A.C. - Jane Coleman - 07976774147Cymmer, Glyncorrwg, Gwynfi, Bryn & Cwmavon, Pelenna, Port Talbot, Taibach, Margam

L.A.C. - Aled Davies - 07816929489Baglan, Aberavon, Sandfields East, Sandfields West

Useful Numbers

The Society is also committed to ensuring that the services we provide do not unduly compromise the health or safety of a service user or any of our people. In particular, the Society is committed to taking all reasonable measures to prevent the spread and mitigate the impact of coronavirus on our services and our people, we have taken the decision to temporarily end all face to face services.

Care & Repair Agencies have many staff working from home, but many staff are still providing front line services in communities and hospitals across Wales. Care & Repair are committed to delivering vital services for the most vulnerable older people needing our support and help. Each Care & Repair Agency across Wales will operate a response that is tailored to their area.

S.A.NS.A.NSupport Additional Needs

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The entire team at NPT Carers are still on hand for information and advice, we want to be of as much help to you as possible during this time. Please phone 01639 642277 or email information@nptcarers.org.uk for queries, however mundane or complicated they may be. Please stay safe and remember you are not on your own.

Neath Port Talbot Carers Service Registered Company No. 6868025 Registered Chairty No. 1130262

Address:Health & Social Care Centre,Cimla, NeathSA11 3SU

Telephone:

01639 642277Email:information@nptcarers.org.uk

@nptcarers

Weekdays - 10am-2pm