New Carers’ Support Group launched in Hounslow… Benefits advice surgery for Carers… INS offers a number of services for Carers of people with long term neurological conditions, in addition to our established monthly Carers’ Mutual Support Groups. Details and dates for all these services can be found in the latest Carers’ newsletter which can be read or downloaded by clicking Carers’ News Summer 2012
A Support Group for Carers of people with all neurological conditions that meet INS criteria, living in Hounslow started in January 2012. There is relatively little group support for such carers in the London Borough of Hounslow and these meetings aim to provide mutual support, information, advice, ‘signposting’ to other organisations who can help and an opportunity for members to share experiences and ideas. ALL ARE WELCOME.
Meetings are on Wednesday afternoons – the next few are on 23 May, 20 June and 18 July from 2pm to 3pm and will be held at MS House, 82 New Heston Road, Heston, TW5 0LJ. Map How to get there
Some highlights of the other services available in the coming months….
Benefits Advisor for Carers: Alexandra Durell, from Richmond Advice and Information will be holding a drop in ‘surgery’ at INS once a month for Carers who wish to be supported with benefit issues. The next surgery is on Tuesday, 22 May, from 10.30am to 12.30pm at 82 Hampton Road. Subsequent meetings are on 19 June, 17 July and 25 September at the same time.
Fit Club for Carers is now held every Friday at 4.30pm for 1 hour with one of our Rehab Assistants. This is an opportunity to exercise at your own pace and includes a blood pressure check and information to help you keep fit and well. If you bring the person that you care for to our Cafe, staff will be available to stay with them. There is currently a short waiting list. Please contact Paul O’Riordan for further information on 020 8755 4000.
Exploring Spirituality and Wellbeing Group – the group meets most months on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm. The next few meeting dates are 16 May, 13 June and 11 July. Please contact Janette Pye if you would like further information.
Mutual Support Group for Carers (Parkinson’s) meets once a month on Mondays from 12:30pm to 2pm. The next few meeting dates are 21 May, 25 June and 23 July.
Mutual Support Group for Carers (stroke) meets once a month on Thursdays at 10:45am. Meetings for the next few months will be ‘healthy walks’ followed by coffee. Meeting dates are 24 May, 21 June and 19 July.
Mutual Support Group for Carers (INS at Homelink) meets monthly on Tuesdays. In the coming months, the meeting on 12 June will be at Squire’s Garden Centre at 10:15am and the other two will be at Homelink at the usual time of 10am. INS therapists will attend the two Homelink sessions: on 15 May one of our Speech & Language Therapists will discuss communication strategies, offering advice, information and answering questions and on 10 July therapists will attend to offer support, information and advice on back care and injury prevention.
Taking Back Control: following our first ‘Taking Back Control for Carers’ session we held a follow up, for the carers who attended the first session, in February. For those who couldn’t participate in last year’s inaugural course, in Autumn 2012 we will be running another short course for carers, which will comprise two sessions, each of 3 hours. This will focus on the emotional impact of caring for someone with a neurological condition, coping strategies and relaxation techniques. Please contact Carol Williams, Social Worker, if you are interested, on 020 8755 4000.
