Author Archives: wendy
Carers champion uses Facebook to help heroes
A NEW carers tsar
The city’s new ‘carers champion’, Norman Work
A NEW carers tsar is to use Facebook to reach thousands of unsung youngsters across Edinburgh who look after disabled or elderly relatives.
Councillor Norman Work, a former vice-convener for social care and housing, has become Scotland’s first “carers champion” – a post established as part of the council coalition agreement between Labour and the SNP.
One of his first steps will be to connect with the Capital’s hidden army of young carers via such social media platforms as Facebook, to make them aware of the vital support services aware to them.
He said: “We’re looking at being as accessible as possible.”
Cllr Work, whose role will see him engage with carers and act as their voice within City Chambers, recently held his first meeting with organisations representing the tens of thousands of people in the city who look after a friend or family member for free.
Following the meeting, he said he is particularly keen to engage with children who look after a parent or sibling but may not be receiving the help they are entitled to.
How Sharon became a carer as well as a wife
SHARON Armstrong’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with working age dementia.
SHARON Armstrong’s life changed forever when her husband was diagnosed with working age dementia.
The 56-year-old of Synge Close, Clifton, became a carer as well as a wife.
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Daily struggles: Steven Armstrong, 60, from Clifton, who has dementia.
She said: “I noticed things just around the house, he was leaving taps running and his co-ordination went.
“He puts his clothes on the wrong way round and has total disorientation when he goes out.
“He can’t remember what he wants to tell you.
Her husband Steven was diagnosed in March of 2012, aged 59, and is now unable to play the sports he loves or drive his car.
His condition also means that he has recurring nightmares and can hallucinate in the daytime.
Sharon said: “Steven’s not the person I married. It’s like someone’s chopped off my arm or I’ve been bereaved. It’s not the same as it was.
“He feels resentful and it comes out in family life sometimes.”
Sharon, who works part-time for the city council, said the working age dementia scheme has given them a new lease of life.
Hampers and food parcels donated to Wimbledon carers
Over 30 hampers and food parcels have been donated to carers in Wimbledon.
10:00am Sunday 6th January 2013
Home Instead Care staff with the HampersThe teams at the Wimbledon and Kingston office of Home Instead Senior Care, which provide care to older people in their own homes, used donations to produce the hampers.
Using food and goodies donated by staff, families, friends and contacts, the team received contributions from across the borough for their 2012 Hamper appeal.
Clare Jefferies, owner of Home Instead Care said: “We recognise that there are many who have such a tough life, caring for loved ones and dealing with very difficult situations, usually through no fault of their own. We thought it would be good to help bring a bit of cheer to their lives.
“We asked local organisations to identify people who most needed help and we were delighted to drop off 30 hampers to The Wimbledon Guild, Kingston Carers Network, Carers Support Merton, Kingston Association for the Blind, Merton Voluntary Services Council and The Stroke Association.
“We do hope this goes some way in making a small difference to older people within our local community and will ensure they have a selection of treats to look forward to, well into the new year.”
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