Author Archives: wendy

My dual role as a social worker and carer

June 22, 2012   Carers, social workers

Carers want to be listened to and understood

 

Sometimes sitting down for a coffee or tea with carers listening to their experiences is a good way to support them.

I have been a social worker for four years, but I have also been a carer for many years.

Many carers provide inspirational support to their friends, loved ones and family members. Fellow professionals and informal carers are among the most dedicated people I have ever met.

Part of my working role is to provide support to those who care for others; this often entails providing information and advice, as well as offering a listening ear. In my experience it is the listening that carers value the most; many find themselves socially isolated due to their circumstances and just want someone to talk to who can understand their situation.

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Gift Aid on small cash donations

June 21, 2012   Carers, charities

2 hours ago

Charities will benefit from Gift Aid on small cash donations under plans published by the Government.

Donations of £20 or less will be boosted by an extra 25p per pound, increasing funding by about £100 million each year by 2015-2016.

Proposals are designed to stop organisations losing out when people contribute to bucket collections and do not fill out Gift Aid declarations.

The current scheme provides more than £1 billion in additional income for the charitable sector.

Introducing this new scheme will see a big jump in the amount that charities can raise.

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Call for carers to help shape future of NHS trust in Norfolk and Suffolk

June 21, 2012   Carers, mental health, Norfolk

Carers in Norfolk and Suffolk are being given the opportunity to be involved in a pioneering programme to redesign mental health services.

Carers of people with mental ill health are being invited by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust to join a monthly focus group dedicated to helping the organisation shape future services.

The focus group is part of an innovative project called Radical Pathway Redesign, which sees doctors, psychologists and other mental health professionals taking a fresh look at what, where and when the Trust provides treatment.

The group, announced during Carer’s Week <18 – 22 June>, will directly influence the programme by putting forward thoughts, ideas and suggestions about how services can be improved.

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