Category Archives: Carers

Norfolk County Council approves cuts as new budget set

The council’s government grant will be reduced by £42m in 2015-16 and costs will rise by £27m, the council said.

Councillors agreed a budget of £318m on Monday after a meeting lasting nearly six hours.

The council is run by an alliance of Labour, Lib Dems and UKIP supported by the Greens.

‘Tough decisions’

Total cuts amounting to almost £11m will affect community services, arts funding, libraries and road maintenance.

Remembering romance this Valentine’s Day

by Izzy Partridge
Marie Curie Healthcare Assistant – South East

With Valentine’s Day coming up, sometimes I think about people I’ve cared for in the past and one story really stands out.

A few years ago I cared for an elderly man who lived with his wife. They were one of those lovely old couples who make you want to be like them when you’re that age. They didn’t have any children, but had lived a great life together – going on holiday and really living life to the full.

They were still very affectionate, she would sit and hold his hand; they’d have a little kiss and cuddle in his bed together. Sometimes people seem afraid to touch their loved ones when they are ill, like they are too fragile to hug, so it was lovely to see.

Millions of pounds to help those in the grip of loneliness

Knaresborough’s Natural Voices singing group, which is aimed at lonely or socially isolated people.

As the catalogue of evidence to the negative health and social effects of loneliness continues to build, millions of pounds have been pledged to grassroots projects across Yorkshire working with those suffering from the blight of loneliness.

While some local authorities and charities have seen their social care spending slashed, projects in Sheffield, Leeds and North Yorkshire have benefitted from £13m in spending specifically aimed at loneliness and social isolation.