From Sherwood Grange Care Home:

From Carers Trust:

This Young Carers Action Day, we want our policy priorities to be shaped by the ideas and experiences of young carers. To do this, we're holding a policy workshop for young and young adult carers aged 13-25, to talk about how decision makers, but also teachers, doctors and other professionals who support young carers could 'give them a break'. We'll talk about equity of life chances- what they want to see to 'give them a break' to achieve what they want to achieve in life, and about their hopes and concerns for the future. 

Are you a young carer who would like to see their views and ideas taken to Westminster? We'll be holding a workshop on Thursday 6 February, 6pm-7:30pm, online.  Please fill in the sign-up form below if they would like to take part. There is a £30 Love2Shop gift voucher on offer for each young carer who participates in the session, as a recognition of their time and contribution.

Click Here : https://forms.office.com/e/1yavSZEK7h

If you would like to join in but can't make the workshop time, please complete the form, where you can tell us you can't attend but want to contribute in another way. We will then be in touch to support you. 

From SWLStG Mental Health NHS Trust:

Join us at one of our monthly wellbeing workshops

Musical Reflection Workshop

Thursday 6^th February 2025, 1:30pm-2:30pm

Gentle Yoga

1.00pm to 2.00pm, 17th February, 17th March

Art Therapy

10.30am to 12.30pm, 4th March

February’s Musical Reflection workshop will be facilitated by Rachel Bell, Music Therapist in the Wandsworth Arts Psychotherapies Service.

During this workshop a range of instruments will be available to explore and use for creativity. Rachel will guide you through a selection of music activities that will encourage connection with yourself and connection with those around you through sound.

This group promotes wellbeing whether you have lots of experience playing music, or none at all.

No musical skill is required to benefit from this group.

If you would like to reserve a place, please contact Maura at maura.davies@swlstg.nhs.uk

Sessions will be held at:

Springfield University Hospital, Elizabeth Newton Building (via Entrance 11 on attached site map) – Wandsworth Art Therapy Centre - Springfield Drive, London, SW17 0YF.

Warmest Regards

Maura Davies

Peer Support Worker (Carers)

Involvement Team

My working day is Tuesday

T: 020 3513 5775

E: involvement@swlstg.nhs.uk

W: Get involved (swlstg.nhs.uk)

From Alzheimer's Society:

Join our free 4-week Carers Information and Support Programme (CrISP 1), which we will be starting on Tuesday 11 March 2025.

We will be starting our next CrISP 1 workshops on zoom starting on Tuesday 11 March 2025.

These four workshops provide an opportunity to improve knowledge, skills and understanding for those caring for a person with dementia, in a friendly and confidential environment.

CrISP 1: Understanding dementia after diagnosis:

For people who care for a family member or friend newly diagnosed or in the early stages of dementia. Topics include:

• What is dementia?
• Legal and welfare matters
• How you can support and care for someone with dementia

• Support services in your borough and planning for the future.

 CrISP 1 workshops will be held on

Tuesday 11 March, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Tuesday 18 March, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Tuesday 25 March, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Tuesday 1 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Booking is essential.

Please contact Joanna Newton Joanna.Newton@alzheimers.org.uk

or KingstonOffice@alzheimers.org.uk or call 020 7423 5115

An independent review is currently being undertaken to establish:

• how overpayments of Carer’s Allowance linked to earnings have occurred
• what can best be done to support those who have accrued them
• how to reduce the risk of these problems occurring in future

About the review

The Terms of Reference for the independent review on Carer’s Allowance overpayments is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-review-of-carers-allowance-overpayments-terms-of-reference. It is currently in evidence gathering stage until late March and is due to report to Government in early Summer 2025.

Carers UK report on Carer’s Allowance overpayments

Carers UK used the evidence collected from over 138 unpaid carers to publish a policy report and recommendations in July 2024 and, alongside a group of carers affected by overpayments, we went to meet with two Government Ministers at the time. Please do have a look at the report for information about their recommendations.

The review is now looking for carers who have been affected to give evidence directly at one of two engagement session.

These will take place on Tuesday 25 February 2025 at 5-7pm and Monday 24 March at 11am-1pm. Please contact CA.OverpaymentsReview@dwp.gov.uk for an invitation to either of these.

Written submissions

The independent review team would also welcome any written submissions you would like to provide to CA.OverpaymentsReview@dwp.gov.uk by 24 March 2025.

Free training available to carers. Find out more and book online: www.aimsol.co.uk/training

The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames (RBK) is working with We Are Group to deliver free Digital Skills training. This initiative is funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is designed to support job seekers within RBK overcome barriers to employment.

How we help
We offer personalised, one-to-one training that increases digital confidence and capability. By teaching participants how to use digital devices, online services as well as CV writing techniques, we help to enhance their employment prospects.
Each participant receives three 2-hour sessions delivered in a setting of their choice. After completing the training, a tablet and 40 GB of data is gifted to the resident so they can continue their digital journey.

During the training, participants will learn:

• Introduction to the Internet and Online Safety
• Navigation skills for electronic devices
• Managing Files, Folders, Shortcuts, and Apps
• Email Basics
• Utilising Online Forms and Shopping Services
• Introduction to Word Processing
• CV Writing and Job Search Techniques
• Digital Money Management

The free Digital Skills training is exclusively for job seekers within the The Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames aged 16 and older who are not confident using a device or do not have access to one.

Do you know someone who could benefit from Digital Skills training? Refer them to our service by visiting bit.ly/kingston-portal