Today was our first session at the Eversfield centre and it was a glorious sunny hot day. It was lovely to welcome old and new members. Lisa also introduced and welcomed volunteers from the Rotary Club of Mill Hill – Jeanette and Graham Poulton, Jane and Ken Ferguson and Desmond and Bobsie Gordon who were also celebrating today their 47th wedding anniversary. Congratulations to them. Lisa also welcomed Theresa another volunteer who attends other dementia clubs.
We are very lucky to have such a fantastic large hall. Chairs were set up on the other side of the hall ready for our music entertainment with Helen Tierney who had everyone singing with lots of favourite songs. Helen was very pleased that the hall already had a piano which she played. Helen also played the accordion which everyone also loved. We also had a birthday to celebrate today. It was Dorothy’s birthday a few days ago and she didn’t mind everyone wishing her a happy birthday. Helen therefore played the happy birthday song and also played another special song for her which Dorothy appreciated.
Eon Walters then joined us for the latter part of the session with exercise to music and had no problems in getting everyone motivated and participating.
There was still some time at the end before the session ended and everyone was happy to chat before leaving.
It was a very successful session. Thank you to all my volunteers. The next session on the 5th October will be during the Silver Sunday week of events and Eversfield will be open for anyone to drop in.
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Lisa welcomed everyone and introduced the speaker for this evening Mr Michael Shann – from Carers UK – Head of Membership and Volunteering.
Carers UK – 20 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4LX
Tel: 0207378 4978
Mobile: 07920 557 207
Michael had some presentation slides and a video which he shared and talked about. He talked a little about the history and how Carers UK was founded in 1965 by the Reverend Mary Webster. In 1963 The carers’ movement started when Mary Webster wrote a letter to the newspapers about the difficulties of working and caring for ageing parents. There are 40,000 Carers UK members and 900 volunteers. Carers UK mission is ‘to make life better for carers’ Michael then showed a short video which showed carers talking - which was insightful.
There were a few questions and answers after Michael’s talk and Michael also informed Lisa that he would email and provide the further information which was requested by members. Please see below Michael’s further information emailed to me below for your information.
State of Caring survey
The UK’s most comprehensive research into the lives and experience of carers. The survey takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is open until 13 September.
https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/state-of-caring-survey-2021
Joining Carers UK
Membership is free and it only takes a couple of minutes to sign up. Carers who join will be able to post in our online Forum, will receive our quarterly Caring magazine and will receive monthly emails and invites to events.
Care for a Cuppa - a weekly online drop in session for carers to connect with each other, share tips on caring and discuss any challenges they are having at the moment.
Share and Learn - a series of online sessions where guest speakers cover many topics ranging from yoga and creative writing to book-binding and Latin dance.
http://www.carersuk.org/shareandlearn
Carers UK helpline - please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for advice on the financial and practical aspects of caring
Carers breaks - a series of videos and other information on the importance of taking a break and how to go about it
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/supporting-you-to-take-a-break
Carers UK campaigns - an overview of our current campaigns and how to get involved
https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/campaigns
Volunteering opportunities - our current online roles (note that our community volunteering roles are currently suspended due to the pandemic).
http://www.carersuk.org/volunteer
Michael then left the meeting and Lisa and everyone in the meeting thanked him. Members now had the opportunity to raise and discuss other matters.
One of the members asked about Homeshare.
Homeshare is someone who is unrelated to you shares your home and offers companionship and practical help in and around your home. I have also referred to Homeshare in my previous reports on the 10th and 17th August. There was however particular interest to the following lady and members asked Lisa to perhaps also invite her to join one of our future carers group meetings.
Lisa has invited Zaira and she has confirmed she will be joining our carers group meeting on the 28th September.
Zaira De Novellis,
Managing Director: Homeshare Coordinator
London Office: 020 36336066
Head Office: 016 04905517
Mobile: 078 47 072490
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Supportmatch Homeshare Service is built on referrals, so please feel free to pass on our details to anybody that you think would benefit from our services
One of the members asked about vehicles which can take a wheelchair with the person already in the chair. A discussion followed with various recommendations from other members. Lisa also mentioned that she would provide further details from the Barnet Council website and will also try and find out if there are any car manufacturers who provided vehicles for wheelchairs.
Please see link below from the Barnet Council website which provides details of various transport options which may be of interest for anyone to apply;
https://www.barnet.gov.uk/adult-social-care/stay-connected-and-well/transport-options
- Blue Badge - Helps disabled people with severe mobility problems to access goods and services by allowing them to park close to their destination.
- Freedom Pass - Freedom Passes for older and disabled people are funded by your local council and give free travel on most public transport in London 24 hours a day including weekends and public holidays.
- Mobility Aid Recognition Card (TfL) - For people who use mobility scooters, manual and powered wheelchairs, mobility walkers or shopping trolleys. If your mobility aid is one of the 86 types that will fit into the wheelchair space on London buses, then you can order a Mobility Aid card to show to bus drivers so they can ensure you have access to the bus.
- Motability Car Scheme - Buying and adapting a car can be expensive. The Car Scheme, run by the independent not-for-profit organisation Motability gives disabled people the opportunity to own or lease a car at an affordable price.
- North London Dial-a-Ride - Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door multi-occupancy vehicle for disabled people and older people who cannot use buses, trains and tubes. It can be used for many different journeys, such as shopping, visiting friends and family, doctor and dentist appointments, and going out at night. You must have a permanent or long-term disability or health problem, which makes you unable or virtually unable to use public transport.
- Shopmobility at Brent Cross shopping centre - Brent Cross shopping centre run a Shopmobility service which offers people with limited mobility wheelchairs and powered scooters free of charge. Shopmobility is about the freedom to get around. You do not need to be registered disabled to use it.
- Taxicard - The London Taxicard schemeExternal link enables people with physical disabilities to travel in licensed black cabs for a reduced fare. You can apply for membership of the scheme if you are a Barnet resident:
- in receipt of Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate mobility component
- have a permanent or substantial disability
- in receipt of a War Pensioners' Mobility supplement
- registered as blind (not partially sighted)
- Travel Mentoring Service - Learn to use public transport through TfL's travel mentoring service. A mentor comes with you for your first few journeys to help you gain confidence to become an independent traveller. It can also provide help to people who use mobility scooters and other mobility aids on London bus services.
- Travel Support Card - Use the card to ask for help from TfL staff when travelling on any form of public transport in London. For example: help with directions, planning your journey if there are delays, making sure you have time to sit down on a bus before it moves off and help getting on or off river boats.
Peugeot Partner Tepee cars
Lisa has also found that Peugeot Partner Tepee cars that can carry people in wheelchairs. The following link shows second hand and low mileage cars that can be bought or new cars.
https://www.motors.co.uk/peugeot/partner-tepee/used-cars/
OTHER INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE OF INTEREST WHICH WAS RAISED IN THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON ZOOM SESSION. One of the members recommended this as being excellent
Mini size Ear Sound Amplifier for Elderly.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082TTBHCX?psc=1&pldnSite=1
From Amazon -this costs £26.89.
PLEASE NOTE - TOPICS FOR NEXT 2 CARERS GROUP MEETINGS
- Andrew Wrensch will be doing a seminar presentation next week Tuesday 7th September - and his topic will be ‘Dealing with Aggression’
- I am happy to report that Rachel Burley-Stower from Martin Searle Solicitors will be back to talk to us on Tuesday 14th September. Her topic will be on Social Funded Care. She will however be happy to take any other questions - time permitting.
I would like to wish all our Jewish members Shanah Tovah on the 7th September and our Hindu members a Happy Hindu Holiday on the 10th September.
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We had 14 members today. As we can no longer hold any sing-a-long sessions as we did during the pandemic, it has been decided that we start the zoom afternoon sessions at 2.30pm. This will start with our usual chat time followed with music entertainment starting at 3pm with James Le Bec and then followed with exercises with Eon and as usual our Bingo at the end.
As we had extra time today before James joined us, Lisa did a short food and drink quiz with members and Karin and Corrado got 4 out of 5 answers correct.
The music entertainment with James was great and the music quiz is very popular and members love the challenge playing the word search ‘Countdown game’ at the end.
Eon’s exercises are also great and gets everyone working out. Lisa then called out the Bingo numbers with her special assistant Chrystalla and the winners today were Helen and Chrystalla.
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The booking system at the Finchley Memorial Hospital is running smoothly and everyone knows to contact Lisa if they like to attend. We had no music entertainment today as this is every other week. Members were kept busy with colouring, puzzles, word searches and today they also had a multiple-choice quiz which was challenging but great fun as they all worked together. It was one of the members birthday a few days ago and Lisa surprised Brian with a chocolate cup cake and a firework candle. Everyone sang to wish Brian Happy Birthday. Richard Kravetz then joined us for the Yoga which was again great fun. Lisa then read out some jokes which made everyone laugh and then the session ended with some sing-a-longs.
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A big thank you to Keren for taking the first half hour of the meeting in my absence. Our speaker today from Carers UK had to reschedule for next week and Andrew was unable to join us as he had a work emergency.
The session today was therefore open to all members to raise and talk about any concerns and challenges. As some of the discussions referred to previous matters discussed, I have copied some of my last week’s report below for everyone’s information.
There was also some discussion about choosing care homes. Please see the link below which provides a directory of all the care homes in Barnet and also provides advice.
I have included Mike Rich CEO of Barnet Carers in this report and also Marcelo Navarro -Director of a care company for your information if you need to contact them.
Please also see below the contact details of our speaker last week – Rachel Burley-Stower a solicitor from Martin Searle Solicitors
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mobile number: 07830288327
Our speaker for next week’s carers group meeting is Michael Shann from Carers UK
As always if you would like to speak to me at any time on a one-to-one basis I am always happy to chat.
Thank you to Keren, Dr Angela Parker who is also one of our Trustees, Mike Rich and Marcelo Navarro
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