Linda Jackson, Lynn Gallacher and Shirley Barratt at Holyrood House at Her Majesty The Queen's Royal Garden Party in July 2017.
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NewsKeep up to date with all the latest news and updates here.
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Vaccine update - Self-referral service for carers aged between 16 and 64 opening Monday 15th March
The Borders Carers Centre have been working directly with Scottish Government to ensure a clear vaccination pathway for carers.
We can now announce that an online service and dedicated telephone line for self-referral will be launched on Monday 15th March.
You are eligible for vaccination at this stage and should register if ALL of the following statements apply to you:
- You are 16 to 64 years old
- You provide face-to-face care and support to one or more family members, friends or neighbours
- The care you provide is not part of a contract or voluntary work
- If caring for someone under 18, they are affected by a disability, physical or mental ill-health or other care-related issue
- You have not already received your first COVID-19 vaccination or vaccination appointment letter.
How to self-refer:
To access the self-registration service, visit https://register.vacs.nhs.scot
Please do not try to do this until Monday 15th March.
If possible, please use this online option to register.
For those who cannot do this online, please call the Covid Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 from Monday 15 March.
You will be asked to provide the following information about yourself to help the NHS Scotland identify you:
- Date of birth
- Name
- Address and Postcode
- Gender, as registered with your GP
You will then be asked your contact preferences so that once you have been identified, you will receive your next steps through email or text. When identified, you will be notified of your vaccination appointment details.
Please do everything you can to attend.
Within your invitation, you will be given details to reschedule your appointment if you are unable to attend the date or time given or cannot get to your allocated venue.
If you are not eligible at this time, you will be invited for your vaccination later on in the programme. Please wait to be contacted by NHS Scotland. If you have already received your vaccination or a letter of appointment, there is no further action to take, and no need to register. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccination programme, visit
www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine
Briefing Paper for Carers - Independent Review of Adult Social Care
The independent review of adult social care published its report in early February. The review was independent, meaning that it was commissioned by the Scottish Government but it was free to draw its own conclusions, without government influence. The review was chaired by Derek Feeley and was supported by an Expert Panel.
Between September and December 2020, the review team met with and listened to the views of over 1,000 people, including many unpaid carers, as well as supported people and members of the social care workforce. This evidence formed the basis for the 53 recommendations in the final report.
This briefing paper, produced by the National Carer Organisations, aims to summarise the main points of the review for unpaid carers.
Change to Learning Disability Vaccine Plans
The First Minister has announced that ALL adults in Scotland (aged 16-64) with a learning disability will now be offered the vaccine in Priority Group 6. Previously the JCVI advice was that only adults with severe or profound learning disabilities would be offered the vaccine in Group 6.
A huge thanks to all of the Learning Disability Organisations across Scotland who campaigned for this to happen!
click here for full detail
Right Care, Right Place
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Coronavirus is changing how our NHS Scotland works and how we access services to keep everyone safe. It’s important we all know how to get the right care, safely. This guide will help explain which NHS service to use for different health concerns, and how to look after your health and the people you care for.
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The Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Parliament are asking for views on this bill.
We are keen to ensure that we reflect the views of parents and carers of disabled children and young people.
Could you take a couple of minutes to let us know what you think of the following proposals in the Bill:
Please use this link to submit your response.
We are keen to ensure that we reflect the views of parents and carers of disabled children and young people.
Could you take a couple of minutes to let us know what you think of the following proposals in the Bill:
- Should there be a national transitions strategy to support disabled children and young people transitioning to adult services?
- Should there be a Minister in the Scottish Government with responsibility for transitions?
- Should local authorities have to develop a transitions plan for every disabled child and young person to improve their experience and outcomes in their transition to adulthood?
Please use this link to submit your response.
Carers Scotland - Looking After Someone
The information booklet has been updated and is available to download here.
| Looking after someone 20/21 |
Carers Scotland - Being Heard - a self advocacy guide
The information booklet has been updated and is available to download here.
| Self-advocacy |
TV ad campaign launched
A new, countrywide campaign for carers - Carers' Wellbeing Campaign - has been launched in partnership with NHS Inform and the Scottish Government with at https://www.nhsinform.scot/caring. Click here to see the TV ad
If you are based in the Scottish Borders, please contact us for help and support. If you are based anywhere else in Scotland, and would like to know how to access support:
If you are based in the Scottish Borders, please contact us for help and support. If you are based anywhere else in Scotland, and would like to know how to access support:
- Online - Care Information Scotland where you can take part in a webchat
- Phone - Contact Care Information Scotland by phone on 0800 011 3200 - lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
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Jane McCarry (Isa from TV's Still Game) is the Ambassador for the project, and you can see her announcement on our Facebook page, as well as a video from Jill, a parent carer from Edinburgh who explains just how much difference simply asking for help can make.
The Borders Carers Centre launch counselling service - Me First
The recent pandemic has been a very challenging time for everyone. Many have witnessed declines in their loved ones health due to isolation, lack of socialisation, loss or changes to care packages as well as changes to routines.
This has had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of carers.
The Borders Carers Centre has secured funding to allow us to offer an 18 month project of free counselling to carers caring for people living with dementia to help improve mental health and build resilience.
There is currently very reduced access to respite opportunities, therefore it is hoped that access to sessions of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) based counselling will enable carers to develop and maintain coping strategies, enhancing psychological well-being and providing them with some of the necessary tools to meet the ongoing challenges.
Please contact your Carer Liaison Worker to discuss this service. If you are not registered with the Carers Centre yet, please speak to us on 01896 752431 or email us at admin@borderscarers.co.uk
This has had a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of carers.
The Borders Carers Centre has secured funding to allow us to offer an 18 month project of free counselling to carers caring for people living with dementia to help improve mental health and build resilience.
There is currently very reduced access to respite opportunities, therefore it is hoped that access to sessions of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) based counselling will enable carers to develop and maintain coping strategies, enhancing psychological well-being and providing them with some of the necessary tools to meet the ongoing challenges.
Please contact your Carer Liaison Worker to discuss this service. If you are not registered with the Carers Centre yet, please speak to us on 01896 752431 or email us at admin@borderscarers.co.uk
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Hello, my name is Shona and I am a counselling therapist who has been providing one to one sessions to carers at The Borders Carers Centre for almost two years now. Although my core training is in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) I also draw upon other approaches within the CBT ‘family’ such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and CompassionFocused Therapy (CFT) enabling me to tailor our sessions to suit you, as a unique individual. I value cultivating a genuine therapeutic relationship and will provide a non-judgemental, empathic space for us to create this relationship together. I will support you in sharing, exploring and working through the painful experiences and challenges troubling you. Through this process we will identify areas of ‘stuckness’ and work together to help you heal whilst finding ways to facilitate you in moving in more meaningful and valued directions in order to lead a more fulfilling life. I am qualified to work with a number of issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, OCD, life stresses, eating disorders, PTSD among many more. If you feel counselling is something you might like to try, please let your Carer Liaison Worker know and I will call you for a brief consultation before we proceed.
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Shona Dickey is bound by the Codes of Ethics and Practice of the BACP
Download leaflet here
Download leaflet here
| mefirst.pdf |
Carers Rights - even during a pandemic!
Carers Rights day 2020 was 26th November. Around 1.1 million people in Scotland are currently providing care to a family member or friend. If you are an unpaid carer in Scotland, the Carers (Scotland) Act gives you a number of specific rights ( even during a pandemic!)
To find out more about your rights as a carer, check out our easy to read guides here : http://www.carersnet.org/carers-act-resources/ We shared a number of important reminders on the day.
To find out more about your rights as a carer, check out our easy to read guides here : http://www.carersnet.org/carers-act-resources/ We shared a number of important reminders on the day.
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COVID-19 Vaccinations
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Health Secretary announced that Unpaid Carers will be one of the first groups to be offered the COVID-19 vaccine.
We are still awaiting clarification on how unpaid carers who are eligible for the vaccine will be identified, and will update you when we know more. |
PIP is changing
There will be no DWP style assessments to access disability assistance under the new Scottish social security system when the powers are devolved to the Scottish Government next year.
Decisions will be made using information gathered through the applications process including from health care providers
Yesterday the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security provided an update on when some of the devolved social security benefits will be delivered across Scotland. Much of this work had been delayed due to COVID-19.
Child Disability Payment will be the next new benefit to be introduced by the Scottish Government in 2021.
This will be followed by Adult Disability Payment in 2022.
People who currently get UK Government disability benefits will be transferred to the new Scottish system in stages after the new benefits are introduced. This work is expected to be completed to the previously announced timeline of 2025.
Should more detail be required to make decisions on an application for the new Adult Disability Payment, it will be gathered through a consultation. Such consultations will be based on a conversation between a healthcare professional employed by the Scottish Government and the client. There will be no private sector involvement in this process.
See full timeline for the devolved benefits and their funding here.
Scottish Parliament Inquiry results
Thank you to all carers who took part in the important survey about the impact of COVID-19 on care at home. Your views will be expressed to policy makers. The results have now been published and can be read here.
Jeane Freeman MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport has been provided with a copy of the survey results and Scottish Government have been asked to take urgent action to address the concerns raised.
The Care Inspectorate has also been asked to respond to the findings and account for issues raised that are not reflected in their recent report ‘Delivering care at home and housing support services during the COVID-19 pandemic’
We will update you as soon as we are able to
Online Creative Resources
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Online creative resources for carers. The first section is a list of downloadable apps, and the second section is a list of website links. Both lists have been organised by artform and type of activity.
Many of the recommended resources are designed to be dementia friendly. The research was carried out by Janie Nicoll and Joanna Peace. Janie is a visual artist who has led arts projects in care homes and day centres, including creative activities using iPads. Joanna is also a visual artist, and works for Luminate as Coordinator of our Arts in Care Programme. | ||
Free online courses
We are really pleased to be able to offer the full range of these courses for FREE. The first 3 are available now, then, when you are ready, please contact us for access to the remaining courses.
COURSE 1: Are You A Carer?
COURSE 2: Impacts and Challenges
COURSE 3: Understanding and Coping With Challenges
COURSE 4: Self Care
COURSE 5: How To Create A Healthy Balance
COURSE 6: Are You Stressed?
COURSE 7: How To Cope With Stress
Full details here
COURSE 1: Are You A Carer?
COURSE 2: Impacts and Challenges
COURSE 3: Understanding and Coping With Challenges
COURSE 4: Self Care
COURSE 5: How To Create A Healthy Balance
COURSE 6: Are You Stressed?
COURSE 7: How To Cope With Stress
Full details here
Young Carers Grants
Young carers across The Scottish Borders can get help to access the break they need with a small Time to Live grant from the Short Breaks Fund.
We deliver these grants on behalf of the Short Breaks Fund, so get in touch with us to find out how to apply.
Getting a break doesn’t have to mean going away: applications for things that can help you get a break at home are welcome too. This can include online subscriptions, sports equipment, art supplies and much, much more. Contact us for more information.
We deliver these grants on behalf of the Short Breaks Fund, so get in touch with us to find out how to apply.
Getting a break doesn’t have to mean going away: applications for things that can help you get a break at home are welcome too. This can include online subscriptions, sports equipment, art supplies and much, much more. Contact us for more information.
New research from Carers UK -Carers Week
Carers Week has today released new research which finds an estimated 4.5 million people have started caring unpaid since the coronavirus outbreak began. When combined with those already providing care pre-crisis, that means there could be as many as 13.6 million unpaid carers across the UK – 26% of the UK population.
PPE information |
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for unpaid carers can now be supplied through Scottish Borders Council Community Assistance Hubs. You will need to complete the online form to be referred for the service or you can ask us to help you. Please follow this link
Please see the attached file for all the information you may need in reference to PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)
Please see the attached file for all the information you may need in reference to PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)
Southern Reporter (June 20)
FREE CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) online sessions
Re-Connect CBT is a series of short group therapy sessions, delivered online via Zoom, to help service users over the age of 18 to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. There are five courses to choose from, and each course has four 1 hour modules which people can dip in and out of. They are:
Living with anger
You will increase your understanding of your anger, identify and reduce unhelpful thoughts and behaviour and learn skills to increase coping and improve well-being.
Living with anxiety
Learn more about anxiety; what it is, how it affects you and what is happening in your body. You will learn to identify and challenge any unhelpful thinking styles and behaviour.
Living with depression
Learn more about depression; how it affects you and how positive changes to behaviour and thinking can have an impact on low mood.
Living with loss, grief and bereavement
Learn about different kinds of loss, the stages of grief and that there is no ‘right’ way to experience bereavement.
The timetable can be found here
Carers Trust - Caring behind Closed Doors report
Read the report here
Scottish Borders Council Care Inspectorate progress review (Feb 20)
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Healthcare Improvement Scotland and the Care Inspectorate carried out a joint inspection of services for older people in the Scottish Borders between October 2016 and February 2017. Following the inspection, the partnership drew up a detailed improvement plan in 2017 to address the recommendations made. | ||
Updated guidance from Scottish Government re Self-directed support and Powers of Attorney
Follow link for more information. You can also see more information relating to adults with incapacity here
Southern Reporter article (October 2019)
New Funeral Benefit launched
A new benefit providing help for people on low incomes to meet the costs of a funeral is now available.
Funeral Support Payment will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and will replace the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Funeral Expense Payment for people living in Scotland.
The changes mean around 40% more people will be eligible for financial support at the point of bereavement. People will be able to apply over the phone, by post or online for the first time. And, once Social Security Scotland is fully operational, face-to-face pre-application support will be available across the country.
As with all Scottish Government benefits, Funeral Support Payment has been developed with input from those with experience of the present DWP system. This has helped identify parts of the DWP application process that people currently find difficult or distressing, helping us improve our new process and remove barriers to apply.
Find the documents here.
Funeral Support Payment will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and will replace the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Funeral Expense Payment for people living in Scotland.
The changes mean around 40% more people will be eligible for financial support at the point of bereavement. People will be able to apply over the phone, by post or online for the first time. And, once Social Security Scotland is fully operational, face-to-face pre-application support will be available across the country.
As with all Scottish Government benefits, Funeral Support Payment has been developed with input from those with experience of the present DWP system. This has helped identify parts of the DWP application process that people currently find difficult or distressing, helping us improve our new process and remove barriers to apply.
Find the documents here.
Falls and Fracture Prevention Strategy for Scotland, 2019-2024
The Scottish Government aims to help people sustain and improve their health, independence and wellbeing. This Strategy will provide an opportunity to present an achievable vision of a joined up, whole system approach to falls and fracture prevention and management which will help to deliver on strategic objectives to support people to age well.
Harm from falls and fear of falling affect large numbers of people both directly and indirectly, having a significant impact on wellbeing and prevent many people from experiencing healthy ageing. The Scottish Government want the strategy to reflect the views of people who experience falls and fragility fractures as well as people involved in planning, delivery, researching and improving care and support to prevent and manage harm from falls.
Please read the consultation paper and complete the consultation here.
Harm from falls and fear of falling affect large numbers of people both directly and indirectly, having a significant impact on wellbeing and prevent many people from experiencing healthy ageing. The Scottish Government want the strategy to reflect the views of people who experience falls and fragility fractures as well as people involved in planning, delivery, researching and improving care and support to prevent and manage harm from falls.
Please read the consultation paper and complete the consultation here.
Poppy Scotland launch a new Welfare Support Service
Poppyscotland has launched a new service for the Armed Forces community in Scotland. A team of six will deliver the new, enhanced offering, which will enhance Poppy Scotland’s current range of support across the country. The Welfare Support Service will be available to the Armed Forces community across the whole of Scotland, but, crucially, it will have a strong local focus and will be tailored to the needs of each individual. The Welfare Support Service team will be made up of four Welfare Support Officers and two Independent Living Advisers, each working within a designated geographical area.
For more information, visit the Poppy Scotland's website here.
For more information, visit the Poppy Scotland's website here.
Disabled Living Foundation
Free online advice to help people live independently for longer. Search for online self-assessment tools to identify equipment and a database of all the equipment on the market and free help leaflets on various topics:
https://asksara.dlf.org.uk/
https://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/
https://www.youreable.com/
https://asksara.dlf.org.uk/
https://www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/
https://www.youreable.com/
New £10 benefit targets child poverty
A brand new benefit will provide eligible families with £10 a week for every child under 16, with introduction for under sixes starting by early 2021.
The Scottish Child Payment will give more immediate support to eligible families who need it most, as almost 60% of all children in poverty live in a family with a child under the age of six.
It will be delivered to all remaining eligible families with children under 16 by the end of 2022, with no cap on the number of children in families.
When delivered in full, 410,000 children could be eligible for the income supplement – over a third of all children. It is estimated it will lift 30,000 children out of relative poverty by 2023/24.
For a family with two children under the age of 16 this new payment would mean additional support of more than £1,000 a year.
Chart the process of this new benefit here
The Scottish Child Payment will give more immediate support to eligible families who need it most, as almost 60% of all children in poverty live in a family with a child under the age of six.
It will be delivered to all remaining eligible families with children under 16 by the end of 2022, with no cap on the number of children in families.
When delivered in full, 410,000 children could be eligible for the income supplement – over a third of all children. It is estimated it will lift 30,000 children out of relative poverty by 2023/24.
For a family with two children under the age of 16 this new payment would mean additional support of more than £1,000 a year.
Chart the process of this new benefit here
Caring for Carers 2019 event
Thank you to all of you who came to the Caring for Carers event at Borders College in April. It was a wonderful day, and a great opportunity to meet up with other carers, hear from professionals and also pet some pretty amazing animals!
The feedback from the day was incredibly positive with 97% of you rating the event as Excellent or Very Good. You all reported that you had thoroughly enjoyed the day, with the most enjoyable part of the day being the opportunity to meet with other carers, and have plenty time to sit, relax and chat with each other. You also loved the opportunity for a relaxing pamper and also a cuddle with the beautiful, friendly alpacas from Velvet Hall in Innerleithen!
You also said you really enjoyed the discussions around what was working well, and what needs more work, in the Scottish Borders since the Act went live. It was really encouraging to hear that there is a general feeling that there is more understanding of carers and carer stress, as well as better opportunities to access short breaks and information. We have also listened to the message that more training is required in certain areas such as GP surgeries and with paid carers, and are currently working on plans to address these issues.
The full report will be available soon, but in the meantime, here are some photographs and quotes from the day. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
The feedback from the day was incredibly positive with 97% of you rating the event as Excellent or Very Good. You all reported that you had thoroughly enjoyed the day, with the most enjoyable part of the day being the opportunity to meet with other carers, and have plenty time to sit, relax and chat with each other. You also loved the opportunity for a relaxing pamper and also a cuddle with the beautiful, friendly alpacas from Velvet Hall in Innerleithen!
You also said you really enjoyed the discussions around what was working well, and what needs more work, in the Scottish Borders since the Act went live. It was really encouraging to hear that there is a general feeling that there is more understanding of carers and carer stress, as well as better opportunities to access short breaks and information. We have also listened to the message that more training is required in certain areas such as GP surgeries and with paid carers, and are currently working on plans to address these issues.
The full report will be available soon, but in the meantime, here are some photographs and quotes from the day. We look forward to seeing you all again next year.
"Just loved it!" "Thank you for combining the event with therapies, which I enjoyed very much" "Good day out. Very well planned. Good to meet new and old friends" "Very supportive, good fun, nice respite" "Really enjoyed the day and the interaction with other carers" "Loved meeting the alpacas, the pampering and free time"
Help to buy your own home
New scheme for people with disabilities/low income families. Disabled people with a housing need can receive up to 40% of the price of a home with the Scottish Government LIFT scheme.
See here for full details.
See here for full details.
Planning to fly with a disability?
In partnership with the UK Civil Aviation Authority Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for disabled people have produced a film that gives wheelchair users, especially powered wheelchair users, information and insights about travelling by air and the support available. See full information here.
The Borders Carers Centre, Brewerybrig, Low Buckholmside, Galashiels TD1 1RT 01896 752431
