Carers Conference 2012

As part of National Carers Week our local authority held the annual Carers Conference which I attended yesterday.
It was very informative and well attended.
Some of the top directors from our services from the borough council were there and open for question time within the conference and also whilst having a coffee break, it was a great opportunity for bringing up issues that maybe affect just you or things which you feel could help everyone in the community.
The thing that was disscussed that I felt was of particular interest was the Clinical Commissioning Group.I pressume all local authoritys will have set one up ready for when the GP`s run thier own budgets, that is a question that I didn`t think to ask yesterday !! please correct me if this is wrong ...It must be a good thing that all the NHS ,Council and voluntary groups meet and all work together for the good of the people of thier borough.
Another very interesting talk was given by the Care Quality Commission about the work that they do to make sure that authorities and companies who provide services in the clients own home meet standards made by the government.

http://www.warringtonccg.nhs.uk/

http://www.cqc.org.uk/

There were work shops on offer and the one I decided to attend was "mind over matter ".The emphasis was on taking five minutes out of caring and feelgood factors to do in those five minutes .On the list which took my eye :

1. putting makeup on
2. having a shower
3. being with animals
4. doing your hair
5. sitting in the sun
6. listening to music
7. watching people
8. smiling

there were over 150 things on the list but these were easy to do in five minutes and will lift your mood.

Link to story

I`m pleased to see at the beginning of National Carers Week a great insight from the BBC about the careing role by one family which is typical of all families who care for a loved one at home , hope there will be more to come throughout the week ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18456546

this is so typical of families careing for a loved one at home ...

Carers week 2012

Just a reminder that this week - 18th till 24th June - is National Warers week.
Check out the carers uk website for more information or the social services website in your area to find out what is happening in your local area.
I have put a couple of links to websites to get you started :

www.carersweek.org

www.carers.org


hope you find things happening in your area of help to you and the people you care for :)

Ladies Who Lunch

A friend of mine organised a "Ladies Lunch " today .. she usually does this to raise money for charity and this time chose Hope House Children`s Hospice and as it is a place dear to my heart asked if I would say a few words, as talking is my second nature how could I refuse.We all had a fab time , great food ,great company and made £300 for our chosen charity so a good afternoon all round.

To Crown a Rose Queen

Every year the village where I live holds a May Day festival with a procession of floats and a May Queen who is usually around the age of 11 years and a Rose Queen who is usually younger around 9 years of age.
I was very honoured to be asked to crown this years Rose Queen at our village May Day celebrations .. I know it is now June ,we used to have it at the end of may but it is now held 2nd week in June.
My name had been put forward to the May Queen committee because of the fundraising I have done over the years for Hope House Children`s Hospice in Oswestry in Shropshire ,it was a privilage to be asked.
Sometimes I wonder who looks at my blog site ,and if it helps them in any way , but like the work I do for the hospice and what happened this weekend ,you really never know but you hope someone is taking the time to notice in some small way :):)

Blind Cricket

I was honoured at the weekend to attend a very special cricket match .. the Australian Blind Cricket Team against the England Blind Cricket Team, The Australlian team took the Ashes ,but I was routing for both sides ;England because it is my home country and Australia because my 2nd cousin coaches the team.Any way it was a fabulous afternoon and  very informative and with the Olympics and Paraolympics just around the corner it got us in a sporting mood.
I think it just goes to show that disability should hold no barriers with the right support achievements are possible.

                                                          Above the boys in action

Diamond Jubilee

Well ,it isn`t the best of british weather today for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, but it is typical british weather.
But what ever you have planned today and over the bank holiday weekend I wish you all a lovely time :):)