• Family carers propping up the care system – and paying the price

  

  17 July 2018

  New research today reveals the growth in the number of people caring for elderly relatives – and the price they pay for caring.

• Carers in Employment Launch

  

  12 July 2018

  Carers in employment
  •Nearly one in eight workers is a Carer
  •One in five carers gives up employment to care

  Today see’s the launch of DCA’s Carers in employment initiative at Mercia Marina, Willington where employers from across the region have come together to see how as employers they can better support their staff who are also unpaid Carers outside the work place.

  There are more than three million people who currently have work and family caring responsibilities within the UK. It is approximated that 1 in 9 of a workforce in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire has unpaid caring responsibilities at any one time. Giving them support to manage unpaid caring alongside their paid work would benefit them, their families and their employer. This work results in British businesses and the UK economy potentially saving up to £1.3 billion a year. (www.gov.uk)

  DCA have teamed up with The University of Derby, Learn Direct and the Chamber of Commerce and other major employers and SME’s to help small and medium enterprises support the Carers employed by them. Supporting Carers in Employment will help valued, trained team members to continue in employment and achieve a realistic work/life balance.

  Employers will be invited to sign a pledge to show their commitment to Carers within their service.
  Employers who sign the Pledge will benefit from free training, resources and ongoing support from DCA. Areas of support will be, but not limited to new company policy covering the new rights for Carers in employment, working and caring and support available within the wider community for Carers.

  Scott Knowles, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber
  “Where possible, carers should be encouraged to remain in work and encouraged to progress their careers. Employers should be encouraged to develop flexibility to ensure carers can care and still be valued in their workplace. That is what Carers in Employment is trying to achieve and that is why the Chamber is happy to support it”.

  “The majority of carers are of working age and the peak age for caring (50 – 64) often coincides with the peak of an individual’s career. One in five people in this age bracket are carers, including one in four women and one in six men”. (Census, 2011)”

  Narinder Sharma, Chief Executive, DCA
  “We are delighted that the Local Enterprise Partnership is making a commitment to workers who are bearing the strain of caring for a loved one. We will help local employers help their employees. It makes business sense for employers to retain their most skilled workers who are juggling with caring issues and work”.

  For more information call DCA on 01773 833 833 or email employers@derbyshirecarers.co.uk

  

• Tuesday weekly Very Easy Dementia Friendly Walks

  

  12 July 2018

  Tuesday weekly Very Easy Dementia Friendly Walks
  Derbyshire Carers, The Peak District National Park, Making Space and Derbyshire Dales Walking for Health are working together to put on regular walks.

  These walks will enable those living with dementia and carers supporting loved ones to enjoy gentle exercise, good company and the great outdoors. We guarantee a warm welcome and a programme of walks designed specifically for you at your pace (30 – 60 mins) If you need someone to support you, please don’t come on your own as unfortunately we can’t offer any additional support.

  Calver (by Church and Bridge Inn) Calver Bridge, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S32 3XA a walk alongside the river* unsuitable for wheelchairs meet 2.00pm on 3 July, 7 Aug, 4 Sept

  Whitworth Centre car park, Dale Rd N, Darley Dale, Matlock DE4 2EQ
  a walk in Whitworth Park and linked cycle tracks meet 2.00pm 10 July, 14 Aug, 11 Sept

  Hassop Station, Hassop Station, Hassop, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1NW
  a short walk along the Monsal Trail meet 2.00pm 17 July, 21 Aug, 18 Sept

  Whitworth Centre car park, Dale Rd N, Darley Dale, Matlock DE4 2EQ
  a walk in Whitworth Park and linked cycle tracks meet 11.00am 24 July, 28 Aug, 25 Sept

• Carers in Employment

  

  28 June 2018

  Carers In Employment
  There are more than three million people who currently have work and family caring responsibilities within the UK. It is approximated that 1 in 9 of a workforce in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire has unpaid caring responsibilities at any one time. Giving them support to manage unpaid caring alongside their paid work would benefit them, their families and their employer. This work results in British businesses and the UK economy potentially saving up to £1.3 billion a year. (www.gov.uk)

  DCA have teamed up with The University of Derby, Learn Direct and the Chamber of Commerce and other major employers and SME’s to help small and medium enterprises support the Carers employed by them.
  Supporting Carers in Employment will help valued, trained team members to continue in employment and achieve a realistic work/life balance.

  To discover more and understand how small measures can make a big difference we are inviting employers to join us at our free, “Carers in Employment” Launch Event on 12th July 2018. Places are limited to two representatives per organisation to ensure as many employers can benefit from this exciting and valuable event.

  This event will combine guest speakers to share local and national knowledge as well as local research projects from the University of Derby. Employers will be invited to sign a pledge to show their commitment to Carers within their service.

  Employers who sign the Pledge will benefit from free training, resources and ongoing support from DCA. Areas of support will be, but not limited to new company policy covering the new rights for Carers in employment, working and caring and support available within the wider community for Carers.

  Scott Knowles, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber
  “Where possible, carers should be encouraged to remain in work and encouraged to progress their careers.
  Employers should be encouraged to develop flexibility to ensure carers can care and still be valued in their workplace. That is what Carers in Employment is trying to achieve and that is why the Chamber is happy to support it”.
  “The majority of carers are of working age and the peak age for caring (50 – 64) often coincides with the peak of an individual’s career. One in five people in this age bracket are carers, including one in four women and one in six men”. (Census, 2011)”

  Narinder Sharma, Chief Executive, DCA
  “We are delighted that the Local Enterprise Partnership is making a commitment to workers who are bearing the strain of caring for a loved one. We will help local employers help their employees. It makes business sense for employers to retain their most skilled workers who are juggling with caring issues and work”.

  To book your place at the Carers In Employment Launch Event or for more information
  Please call 01773 833833 or email employers@derbyshirecarers.co.uk

  

  

• New Learning Disability's Forum

  

  27 June 2018

  Peter Dawson, DCA’s Learning Disability Engagement Worker together with Tanya Nolan of Healthwatch Derbyshire, will be launching a new “pilot” forum for carers and people with a learning disability in Erewash.

  This forum will be called “The Independent Living Action Group” and will give carers and people with a learning disability the opportunity to identify and discuss issues related to any aspect of independent living.

  The purpose of the form will be to celebrate and develop good practice as well as finding solutions to problems.

  The first meeting will on Friday 3rd August in the conference room at 99 Briar Gate, Long Eaton, NG10 4BQ from 11 am – 12.30 pm.

  Carers and people with learning disabilities experiencing independent living themselves are very welcome. We hope the forum will be on a quarterly basis and the first meeting will agree the agenda for the following one which we hope will be in the Autumn.

• Young Carers School Award

  

  14 June 2018

  On Wednesday 13th June, Derbyshire Carers Association presented Ripley Junior School with their Level 2 Derbyshire Young Carers School Award.

  They are the first school in the county to achieve this award and have done brilliantly developing their practice and policy for identifying and supporting Young Carers.

  A huge congratulations to them all.

  In the photograph are, Jen Clarke (Headteacher), Helen Yates (DCA School Liaison Worker)
  , Mrs Woodward (Deputy Headteacher), David Heald (Senior School Improvement Advisor DCC)

  

• DCA at Disability Direct Event

  

  07 June 2018

  Derbyshire Carers Association have been waving the flag for Carers at the annual celebrated Disability Direct ‘Do what you can live’ Event at the Derby Velodrome.

  This year Derbyshire Carers Association is celebrating thirty years of supporting unpaid Carers throughout Derbyshire and Derby City. There are over 120,000 family and friend Carers in Derbyshire with many facing isolation and poor health and wellbeing as a result of an often challenging caring role. With an array of support services, DCA are committed to enhancing the lives of Carers and working together with health, social care and voluntary services to reach Carers and put in place support where needed.

  The dedicated Carer Support Team were on hand to give information and advice to the many Carers who attended the event with the person who they care for. The Team networked with other organisations and were supported by Cllr Roy Webb (pic 1) who is giving his support to the plight of Carers across Derby City.

  Narinder Sharma (CEO, Derbyshire Carers Association) met with Hardyal Dhindsa (pic 2), Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner to explore ways we can work together to support the many vulnerable Carers in our Community and with Amo Raju (pic 3), CEO, Disability Direct to share gratitude for the event and discuss ways that we can work together in the future to support the whole family during times of great need.

  Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA), the leading Carers organisation in Derbyshire, is supporting this year’s Carers Week (11-17 June) by organising a host of events all across the county for Carers. Here are some of the events we have planned.

  In Derby City we will be having an information and advice stall from Monday 11th June to Friday 15th June in conjunction with Specsavers in the Intu Centre in Derby. This will be to raise awareness of Carers and to help identify Carers and get them the support they need.

  Monday 11th June – Caring for Carers – Afternoon tea – with information and advice provided by DCA. 12.30 to 3pm. @ Cricket Club, The Pavilion, Queen’s Park, Chesterfield, S402BF

  Tuesday 12th June – Walk and Canal Boat Trip – @Cromford Canal.
  This will include a gentle walk and a canal boat trip.
  There will a morning (11am) and an afternoon(2pm) session, please call to reserve a place

  Wednesday 13th June – Caring for Carers – Afternoon cream tea – with information and advice provided by DCA. 3pm to 5pm @The Hub at Gladstone, Broadleys, Clay Cross, S459JN. Please call to reserve a place

  Wednesday 13th June – A walk in the park – Walk around Calke Abbey Park – Meet at 11am at the park entrance, Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derby, DE73 7LE

  Thursday 14th June – Caring for Carers. Tea and cakes with information and advice from DCA. @Buxton Pavilion Tea Rooms 10.30am to 12pm. Come and join us for a relaxing afternoon tea, please call to reserve a place

  Friday 15th June – Joint event – Still Waters Carers Dementia Group – carers and cared for – Coffee and Cakes. Talk by DCA workers. 10.30am to 12.30pm @Trinity Church. Hardwick Mount, Buxton SK17 6PR

  Friday 15th June – Caring for Carers – music, refreshments and much more.
  11am to 2.30pm @ Shirebrook Village Hall, Park Road, Shirebrook, NG2O 8JP
  Free event with music, refreshment’s, activities, information via stalls from local providers and Guest speaker Dennis Skinner

  For further information contact Derbyshire Carers Association 01773 833 833.

  

  

  

• Young Carers University Trip

  

  01 June 2018

  Earlier this week the Young Carers we support went on a day trip to Nottingham University.

  The purpose of the trip was to show them what the University has to offer them.

  The trip was also a chance for the University to explain to the Young Carers how they will be supported as Carers if they choose to go to University.

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Disability and Carers event Derby

  

  30 May 2018

  Derbyshire Carers Association will be at the Do Want You Want event at Derby Arena on Wednesday 6th June from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

  The event is organised by disability direct.

  It’s Free to attend and is aimed at disabled children, adults, older people and Carers.

  Each event brings together between 100 and 150 organisations that provide services in the area.

  Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Richard Blackwood (EastEnders) who will be attending from midday.

  Come down and see what support is on offer.

  Click here to find out more…

• Vital Information

  

  25 May 2018

  There is lots of support and groups out there for Carers, here are a few things going on that are being organised by other organisations.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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