Friday, June 28, 2013

Carers First

Are you caring for an adult with a disability of some sort? Is someone caring for you because you have a disability?

If so, you may be interested in Carers First, an organisation that works in this area to support carers.
Their website is here and their newsletter here, and there is an update on the services they offer below.

Carers FIRST in Kent and Medway service update –June 2013

Name change!
Carers FIRST formally merged with Medway Carers Centre on 1st April and we are now known as Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway. 


Where we operate:
As a result of recent tender successes we are now providing
·         Adult Carer Support Services (18+yrs) across three areas, SW Kent, DGS (Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley) and Medway.
  • Young Carer Support Services (5-18yrs) across Kent, in partnership with VAWK.


What we do:
We help those who support for a relative, friend or neighbour who is ill, disabled, frail, or impacted by mental health /substance misuse issues, by providing information, advice, guidance, advocacy and emotional support as well as access to support groups befriending, respite, social events and training with the aim of supporting people in their caring role.

Kent Young Carers (KYC) is a new countywide Young Carers Service offering young carers respite from caring responsibilities, opportunities to socialize with peers and tailored support. It will be fully operational towards the end of July 2013. 


Communication and promotion:
Our website has recently been refreshed and can be accessed @ www.carerfirst.org.uk

We produce a quarterly newsletter – the summer newsletter includes details of our activities and events for June through to August – which can be downloaded from the website; but, any professional wishing to go onto our professionals emailing list to receive this, is most welcome to do so.  We would just ask that they provide us with their contact details at the address below.

We have some new promotional materials including general leaflets about our services, referral postcards (with stand if required) and A4 size posters. Supplies of these can be requested from Camilla Rosam, our Information Resources Manager, by emailing Camilla.Rosam@carersfirst.org.uk


Contacting us:
Our new Adult Carers Hub went live at the beginning of May.  The main feature of this is a designated phone number for carers and professionals to phone which is manned by trained Carer Support Coordinators.  (Available Mon-Fri, 9-5.)
Tel: 0300 303 1555; email: info@carersfirst.org.uk
(Calls cost same as from a standard landline number, including from mobile phones.)   

The KYC Hub was launched in June, providing a single point of access for all Kent Young Carers.  This will process referrals and carry out initial assessments to identify the level of need for each young carer, as well as provide information, advice and signposting to young carers, families and referrers. (Available Mon- Fri, 9-5.)
Tel: 0300 111 111 0; Email: info@kentyoungcarers.org.uk


Postal Correspondence:
Our Head Office is now at Medway Carers Centre where all postal correspondence, apart from that for Kent Young Carers, should be sent.  Our postal address is thus:
Medway Carers Centre, 3 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent. ME7 5TP.
Correspondence for Kent Young Carers should be sent to: KYC 17-19 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1LS.


Referrals:
Adult carers are welcome to self refer or, with the carer’s permission, may be referred by statutory or third sector partners, either by phone (via the Hub) or emailing our designated referral email address: referral@carersfirst.org.uk 

Young Carer referrals, including those from family members, can be made via the KYC Hub or by emailing info@kentyoungcarers.org.uk


Referral forms can be downloaded from the “Downloads” area of the website and returned to the email address on the form. 

Churches Together in Kent

The July edition of the Churches Together in Kent newsletter is available here with news of a wide variety of events, services and initiatives bringing people from different churches together.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Church Urban Fund report: part three

THE HUMAN COST OF WELFARE REFORM

June 2013
Much has been written about the financial impact of welfare reform, yet the purpose of this study is to look at the broader impact reforms are having on people’s everyday lives and to consider how churches can best support those affected.
Our research is based on interviews with staff and project beneficiaries from ten church or faith-based community organisations. This paper explores the key findings from those interviews and suggests some potential activities that churches might undertake to support three groups affected by particular reforms.
Download a summary (pdf 152 KB)
This paper is the third and final report in a mini-series about welfare reform. The other two papers, 'Guide to Welfare Reform', and 'It All Adds Up' were written in partnership with the Church of England and can be downloaded from Church Urban Fund's website. 

Saturday, June 08, 2013

CAKE SALE SUNDAY JUNE 16






All cake, produce, crafts & plants welcome. In aid of church funds. Please bring any contributions with you to church or get in touch to make arrangements to leave them somewhere safe beforehand.

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Rochester Diocese Mothers Union news

Rochester Diocese Mothers Union newsletter is here to download, with news of coming events and information about the work Mothers Union does in this area.

Mother's Union is an organisation open to everyone - including those who aren't mothers, and men too!
It works all around the world to help strengthen and support family life, whatever shape or size that family is. You can find out about its work nationally and internationally here


Monday, June 03, 2013

June Parish Newsletter

The June edition of the Parish Newsletter is here. There are details of events coming up in June,  including our Strawberry Tea on June 30 (the Patronal Festival) and the Bewl Water Sponsored walk on July 6th.

Family Fun Day in Rochester June 29th

You are invited to a Family Fun Day on June 29th organised by Rochester Diocese Mothers Union at Bishopscourt in Rochester. This is a free event with activities especially suited to pre-school and primary age children and their parents/carers. However all ages are welcome.  Places may be booked by contacting Julia, Rochester Diocese Mothers' Union at jjmothersunion@googlemail.com