Tag Archives: Scotland
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.
Home uses TV classic This is Your Life to help dementia sufferers
Nancy McKeever with Anne Marson, a care worker at St Andrews Care Home, Uphall. Picture Ian Rutherford
By DAWN MORRISON
Published on Thursday 27 December 2012 12:00
Dementia sufferers at a Lothians care home are reliving their memories with the help of TV classic This is Your Life.
St Andrews Court Care Home in Uphall, West Lothian, has enlisted the help of friends, family and volunteers to create versions of the big Red Book, made famous by Eamonn Andrews and Michael Aspel.
The volumes are filled with photos, stories and other memorabilia which help take residents back in time.
Creating a physical record of important moments, feelings and experiences allows residents to enjoy their memories time and again, in spite of their illness, believes care home manager Helen McLeod.
Male carers group holds agm
Saturday 15 December 2012
Male carers group holds agm
THE CHAPS (Caring Helping and Providing Support) group held its first agm in the Strathlclyde Hilton, Bellshill, attended by 51 carers and professionals.
The group receives community learning and development support from Peter McNally of Motherwell Locality and one of its main tasks is to support male carers by identifying and addressing their needs and helping raise awareness of the caring role.
Similar to many carers, they often do not recognise or regard themselves as carers for their partners or children and experience isolation and exclusion from wider community life.
CHAPS actively campaigns for the rights of carers and highlight what support is available from both voluntary and statutory organisations.
