During the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) restrictions, our Advice Line and Carer Connector teams will be able to help provide carers with a formal letter requesting permission to use vulnerable shopping slots at supermarkets and shops to obtain essential supplies for the person they are caring for. The letter will also state that you need to travel to provide care to the…
At Carers Matters Norfolk, we appreciate that this must be a concerning time for you and your family. We are also aware that you may be worried about how Coronavirus (Covid-19) will affect you and your caring role. To assist you, we have compiled a list of community organisations, groups, businesses and others who are…
We’re still open! Services here at Carers Matter Norfolk are continuing through this uncertain period due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and we are continuing to support carers and their families. All services with Carers Matter Norfolk for carers remain open to new referrals to carers and their families. Particularly at such a time of…
Dementia Dementia is a broad term used to describe a range of progressive and degenerative conditions which affect the brain. There are hundreds of different types of ‘dementia’ but there are few which are most commonly known such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, vascular dementia and mixed dementia. No matter what…
The oldest record of New Year’s Resolutions come from ancient Babylon, a civilisation which dates back some 4,000 years. The Babylonians are recorded to have held festivals to honour the new year (which took place in March not January) and to pray for the success of their crops. Similar traditions can also be seen in…
This free 3-hour training session provides smaller/medium sized voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations with easy to understand guidance in how to keep cyber safe quickly, easily and at low cost. The Training Covers: What is cyber security Why charities are at risk and how are they being attacked Protecting your charity: Backing up,…
“This year is the 25th birthday of The National Lottery, and we’re excited to be a part of the celebrations by joining the #ThanksToYou campaign. The campaign celebrates the contribution of National Lottery players in supporting good causes over the past 25 years. Since the National Lottery’s first draw took place on 19 November 1994,…
Let’s Talk Money and Finance If you care for someone you may be finding it difficult to manage your finances, you may have had to give up work, or you may be experiencing money worries in general. It is important to remember that there could be financial support available to you. Carers Allowance If you…
Diabetes is a chronic condition which causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. If the person you care for suffers from diabetes there are certain benefits which can help out with prescription costs and checks. These can include: Free Prescriptions for diabetes medicine If your cared for has diabetes they will be…
Bonfire Night marks the historical anniversary of Guy Fawkes and his failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. This event has, over time, transformed into a tradition of family firework displays and blazing bonfires. For many these are wonderful and exciting demonstrations, however, fireworks can be extremely difficult for people affected by certain…
The Flu Jab and Your Health If you’re a carer, you are entitled to the flu jab As a care worker, employed by the NHS, independent organisation or for someone else, it can be easy to overlook your own health. Flu can knock even the healthiest people off their feet for a couple of weeks,…
There is much debate and speculation over what causes dementia in people and if there are ways in which we can prevent the disease from developing. However, it can be difficult to pinpoint the root causes of dementia and whether our lifestyle contributes to this. In recent history there has been attention given to a…
At this time, as the end of October encroaches and we are deep into the autumn months, you may have noticed the beginnings of a few winter chills in the air. Indeed, you may have already started to turn the heating up at home. It can be difficult to ensure that your house stays warm…
The 14th October 2019 marks the beginning of chocolate awareness week here in the UK. While we all enjoy chocolate, it is interesting to know that the foods we love and hate really can affect not only our health but also our mood. The foods we eat each and every day are able to influence…
Anxiety is a natural feeling and we all experience sensations of worry, fear or even panic at times. In fact, anxiety can be a positive emotion as it motivates us to achieve and demonstrates that we care. However, it is when emotions such as panic, worry and fear start to take control that anxiety becomes…
Launching on 1 July 2019, the new scheme provides essential holistic support throughout the application process and enables more Norfolk people to access the scheme through reused and recycled awards. Applications can be made via the online form found at https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS Anyone who wishes to apply but hasn’t got access to the internet can be…
The Mayor of Cromer Richard Leeds attended a very successful event for unpaid carers from North Norfolk on Monday 3rd June. It was excellent to have the Mayor attend such an impactful event in the area. With about 45 carers in attendance, the event was able to help unpaid carers’ health and wellbeing in…
We Care Because You Care The Mayor of Cromer Richard Leeds will attend an event for unpaid carers from North Norfolk on Monday 3rd June. Around 50 unpaid carers will take part in free wellbeing activities, receive support and advice from Carers Matter Norfolk and from local services. The We Care Because You…
In this article we will talk through how to test the sensitivity in your feet. If you have diabetes and lose some feeling in your feet, you may not feel that you’ve been hurt. That could mean it’s not treated quickly enough which could lead to serious infections or ulcers. It’s quick and easy to do.…
On Friday 14 June, 10am-4pm, Norfolk County Council is holding a Carers Support Day at The Forum Norwich to recognise and celebrate the huge contribution that carers play in people’s lives and promote the support that is available to them across Norfolk. Carers Support Day in Norfolk coincides with Carers Week, a national campaign…
We Care Because You Care Successful wellbeing event for unpaid carers in Kings Lynn Over 50 carers from West Norfolk took part in mindfulness exercises, had massages, listened to music and spend time practising self-care as part of a free wellbeing event for Carers yesterday (Tuesday, May 21st). The We Care Because You…
Carers Matter Norfolk will be hosting a free event for unpaid carers that will provide a peaceful environment where they can participate in mindfulness exercises, get massages, listen to music, have refreshments, and more. The “We Care Because You Care” event, funded by The National Lottery and Carers Voice Norfolk & Waveney, will allow carers…
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we want to help you with some advice around different mental health conditions that may affect you and your caring responsibility. We at Carers Matter Norfork know and understand that being a carer is not easy, and that your caring role can have a significant impact on your physical and…
Reading Well is a program that is being implemented in libraries to promote mental health and wellbeing across all of England. Books on mental health, long-term conditions, dementia, and mood can be reserved for up to 6 weeks at a time. Reading Well books are available in Norfolk libraries so that individuals in the…
The My Hospital Passport is designed to help autistic people to communicate their needs to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. To complete the passport, download the PDF from here, and then either complete it digitally or by hand. It was developed in collaboration with The National Autistic Society. This passport is intended to help…
Did you know? The new “Your Guide to care and support for adults” is now out! It contains lots of useful information to enable people to stay independent in their own home. If you are unfamiliar with this publication, it contains lots of useful information to enable people to stay independent in their own homes…
Join the NHS England Young Carer Health Champion programme in July 2019! The Programme The Young Carers Health Champion programme was established in 2015 to support improved health literacy, promote health and wellbeing and develop the capacity of young carers to participate in planning and development of young carer friendly services. It aims to support…
Caring for a loved one who has dementia is no easy task. There are many responsibilities and tasks a carer for someone with dementia must carry out each day. Many people with dementia are able to function very similarly to how they would have before the diagnosis, but as the condition progresses things begin to…
The Care for Norfolk Conference is a wonderful event happening this spring that will appeal to all those involved in health and social care in Norfolk, whether as a care service, professional or individual seeking care. On the day of the event, there will be plenty of key speakers, panel discussions, and exhibitors that may…
Would you be interested in sharing your experiences as part of our new Library of Carers’ Voices? We are looking for carers of all ages across the county who are willing to tell their story as examples of carers’ lives today; this could be about how you are juggling work and caring; your experiences of…
Being a carer can sometimes be seriously challenging, and one of the biggest challenges of this is finding a balance between your caring role and the rest of your life. When caring begins to outweigh all other areas of life, things like a person’s social life, physical health, and mental health can suffer. It is…
Patients and carers across Norfolk and Waveney are being asked what’s important to them when it comes to the health and care they receive from local NHS services. The Government is investing an extra £20bn a year in the NHS and health bosses have produced a Long Term Plan, setting out all the things it…
Carer or Career? Hundreds of carers feel pressure to quit their job A report from Carers UK has revealed that more than 600 people per day feel the need to leave their job due to the demands of being a carer. In the past two years, almost half a million people have left their job…
Devised and led by mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Change is a growing social movement dedicated to encouraging people to have open conversations about mental health. Today is Time to Talk Day, a day designed to prompt such discussions. When one in four people will experience a mental health problem…
Children’s Mental Health Week One in ten children and young people are affected by mental health problems including anxiety, depression and conduct disorder. As such, it’s vital there is a focus on positive mental wellbeing in children and the correct measures are in place to aid children with their mental health issues. Children’s Mental Health…
Kinetics – An Inspiring Film About Parkinson’s, Parkour And Friendship Kinetics is an inspiring film exploring the unlikely friendship between a middle-aged woman with early-onset Parkinson’s and a bright, but bored student into Parkour (free-running). Sue Wylie produced the film after her own Parkinson’s diagnosis, shortly after her 50th birthday. ‘As Rose…
STP Mental Health Survey The first draft of the Norfolk and Waveney strategy for adult mental health has now been published and they would like your views on the draft strategy. If you care for a family member with a mental health condition or use mental health services yourself, please do take a few…
Anxiety Living with Anxiety When we say living with anxiety this could mean all manner of things. It could be that you suffer from anxiety yourself or that you are supporting somebody who does. Either way, it is all too common for anxiety to become a part of your life, a daily challenge and…
Launch of the Carers Charter The Carers Charter was officially launched at County Hall on Friday 30th November, to tie in with Carers Rights Day, a national campaign to raise awareness of carers rights. Norse Group were the first organisation to sign up to the Charter in support of its focus area, ‘Carers in…
Eyebrow Arts receive funding to tour Care Homes across Norfolk Eyebrow Arts, which is based in Norwich has recently received £15,000 of funding from Arts Council England. This funding, along with the support from Norwich Arts Centre and Norfolk County Council will help Eyebrow Arts tour across the county. The arts organisation will take…
BBC Drama ‘Care’ A new and thought-provoking drama aired on BBC One Sunday 9th December 2018. ‘Care’ stars Sheridan Smith as single mother Jenny who ends up caring for her mum (Alison Steadman) after she has a stroke and develops dementia. The powerful 90-minute drama is written by acclaimed screenwriter Jimmy McGovern and newcomer Gillian…
Nelson’s journey – Child Bereavement Support in Norfolk Laura, one of our Family Carer Advisers, went on Child Bereavement Training last month with Nelson’s Journey, a Norfolk based charity supporting children and young people who have been bereaved. Laura said: ‘The training was extremely thought provoking and informative. Nelson’s Journey talked about the…
.Norfolk Young Carers Forum – ‘Getting Our Voice Heard’ Caring Together conducted a survey for Young Carers, ‘Getting our Voice Heard 2018’ and they need your help. Caring Together have a vision ‘of a world where the role and contribution of unpaid family carers and young carers are recognised and they have access to…
Confidence in Caring Event – 11th December 2018 Carers Matter Norfolk ran a course in Kings Lynn on 11th December 2018 to help carers become more confident when moving and handling the person they care for. Carers can often find themselves looking after family members or friends without any prior knowledge or experience and it…
Carers Charter – A New Deal For Carers in Norfolk The Carers Charter was a prominent item on the agenda of Norfolk County Council’s meeting on 15th October 2018. William Armstrong, Independent Chair of the Charter spoke very eloquently about what he called ‘A New Deal for Carers.’ Mr Armstrong, who retired as Chair…
Survey to improve Norfolk County Council’s web pages Norfolk County Council is reviewing its website pages regarding care across the county. With the help of an online survey they will endeavour to improve the design of the pages in question as well as the information available. If you are an unpaid carer looking after a…
What is Diabetes and Where Can You Find Support? The basics Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are two separate types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. So what is the difference? Well if you have Type 1 then your body is unable to…
Limited Spaces on Dementia Workshop at Cavell Court Wed 14th November, 1.30-4pm Cavell Court is part of Care UK Homes who have been providing award-winning care for thirty years and have more than 100 care homes in the UK. These enable over 7,000 people to stay active and fulfilled in safe and comfortable surroundings. …
Stop Hate Crimes in Norfolk Stop Hate in Norfolk (SHiN) was launched this time last year and during the last twelve months both Norfolk Constabulary and Norfolk County Council have worked hard to embed the principles of the scheme. In doing so they have worked with various relevant organisations across Norfolk in order to increase…
This Wednesday, 10th October, is World Mental Health Day and this year the theme is Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World. According to MIND one in four people can experience mental health problems at any given time and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to show support and raise awareness for this…
New Support for Carers New education and training workshops are being launched for Carers in Gt. Yarmouth to help them in their caring role and dedicated support they need, as part of the Carers Matter Norfolk support. The first of these is ’Caring for the Carers’ and is taking place at The Acorn Centre,…
New Local Community Workshops for Carers A new range of workshops are being launched for Carers within the local community, to help them in their caring role and dedicated support they need, as part of the Carers Matter Norfolk support. The first of these is an ‘Introduction to Harm Free Care’ taking place at the…
A free event is being held in Norwich next month (Sept) to provide advice and support for families and friends who care for people living with dementia. “A Road Less Rocky” is a drop-in event on Monday, 17 September, 10am – 3pm, and will include 20 advice stalls and talks on subjects such as medication,…
Adult ‘youth club’ for carers supported through grant scheme A group that describes itself as an “adult youth club” to support carers in Great Yarmouth has been supported by a grant scheme offered by Carers Matter Norfolk and administered by Carers Voice Norfolk & Waveney. Laughter is the Best Medicine was set up to…
Norfolk County Council’s Joy of Food service are offering some free opportunities in August for young carers, young adult carers and their parents or other family members. The courses will enable families to develop confidence and skills in planning and preparing healthy, good value meals. Sessions will be run in Downham Market, Great Yarmouth and Norwich.…
Norfolk carers group benefit from almost £7,000 in grants Crucial grants totalling more than £6,500 have been given out to carers group across Norfolk – and there is still money available to apply. The Small Grants for Carers Group, run by Carers Matter Norfolk, is seen as a lifeline for grassroots groups which provide support…
Family fun day in Norwich rounds off successful Carers Week activities A family fun day aimed at raising awareness of services and organisations for carers throughout Norfolk has been held to round off a week of activities. Carers Matter Norfolk organised a number of events across the county as part of Carers Week. It ended…
New carer support receives 5 star recognition A new advice line service to support unpaid carers across Norfolk has received 5 star reviews and recognition through independent feedback via Healthwatch Norfolk. Less than 6 months since after it launched, Carers Matter Norfolk is growing in its service delivery and recognition, based on feedback and reviews…
Police urge residents to be vigilant after cold caller scam continues Police have issued a further warning for residents to be vigilant to cold callers claiming to be police officers following an incident in the Norwich area. It comes after an elderly resident received a call on Wednesday 21 February 2018 from someone claiming to…
Survey shows carers in Norfolk want more support The needs of unpaid carers across the county have been highlighted in a jointly commissioned survey which shows a clear need for more information and support. A survey by Carers Voice Norfolk & Waveney and Healthwatch Norfolk, the independent representatives for carers and patients in Norfolk, collected…