The document provides information on various community organizations and resources for caregivers in Birmingham, including: 1) Netbuddy.org, an award-winning website providing information and forums for parents, caregivers, and professionals on topics related to learning disabilities. 2) Birmingham Hearts and Minds, a project providing support for up to 6 months for people at risk of dementia to raise awareness and delay onset. 3) Rethink Mental Illness' 12-week wellness program providing skills to overcome depression and anxiety. 4) The Sweet Project, offering advice, information and support for adults/caregivers on issues like mental health, disabilities, and care transitions.

1. Netbuddy.org Birmingham Community Healthcare
NHS Trust
www.netbuddy.org.uk is an award-winning There are also practical info packs on subjects
website for parents, carers and learning like financial help, jobs & training plus a friendly
disability professionals. It is a space where interactive forum.The founder Deborah Grundle
you can hunt for ideas, swap tips and access whose son has learning disabilities said that she
Carers Update from the
information on everything from brushing spent so much time and energy trying to solve
teeth to challenging behaviour. day to day problems, which she felt sure other
people had already encountered.
The information on the site is submitted by
people with first hand experience of learning
difficulty and is organised under quick searches
such as ‘Dressing & undressing’, ‘Out and about’,
Debbie added “Netbuddy works because people
in the special needs community like to support
each other. And if there’s an opportunity to
Carer Support Team
‘Behaviour’ and ‘Routines’. help someone else, they nearly always will.” April, May and June 2013
Do you have an email address?
If so you could help us to save money and the environment!
If you would like to receive your newsletter by email please send your name, postal address
and email address to carers@bhamcommunity.nhs.uk
All details will be kept confidentially and not passed to anyone else
Plan for Carers Week 2013
Carers Week 2013 takes place from Monday organisation, an event held by Balsall Heath
10 to Sunday 16 June. Forum (date and venue to be confirmed).
We do hope you enjoy the contents of this Newsletter. Please contact the Carer Support Team on
Carers Week is a UK-wide annual awareness
If you have any comments or suggestions on ways in which we can improve the information we campaign. Its aim is to improve the lives of carers 0121 466 4314 for further details closer to
provide to you, or would like to let us know which articles you found most interesting or useful, and the people they care for by raising the profile the time.
please get in touch in the following ways: of caring, helping the public identify themselves For other Carers Week events please contact
Produced by Clinical Illustration and Information Design, Birmingham Dental Hospital Ref: 42928 08/03/2013
Phone: Our Customer Services Team on 0800 9172855 (this is free from a land line. If you are as carers to access support, celebrating the the Carers Centre on 0121 262 3033
phoning from a mobile a member of the team can call you back). This phone line is answered contribution of carers in the UK and highlighting
between 9-5pm Monday to Friday and is an easy way to let us have your comments. the challenges of caring and campaigning.
This year the theme for Carers Week is Prepared
Email: carers@bhamcommunity.nhs.uk
If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter please complete & return the slip below to:
to Care? Every day at least 6,000 people start
caring. Becoming a carer can impact significantly
Happy
The Carers Support Team, G Block, West Heath Hospital, Rednal Road, West Heath,
Birmingham B31 8HR
on a person’s life – it takes time, energy, can leave
you isolated and can be costly.
Easter from
Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust Pat, Chris,
Carer Support Team will be involved in events
By completing & returning this form I am confirming that I no longer wish to receive the for Carers Week. We are planning a walk on Alison and
Carers Support Newsletter. Monday 10th June 2013 (following the success
Name:
of our Cannon Hill Walk in Carers Week 2012), Gabrielle
the venue still to be decided. We will also be
Address: supporting, with other colleagues from our
Postcode:
Carers Group previously attended: Carers Support Team
G block, West Heath Hospital
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general information purposes for Rednal Road, West Heath,
Carers. The information is current & up to date at the time of printing and is not necessarily a Birmingham B38 8HR
recommendation or endorsement from Birmingham Community Healthcare. Tel: 0121 466 4314
Email: carers@bhamcommunity.nhs.uk

2. Birmingham Birmingham Wellness Project
Rethink Mental Illness
“All families should be
free from disadvantage
and social isolation.
How is this done?
• By offering support to children, young people
and families in crisis.
Hearts and Minds 12 weeks that could change
your life
We believe all families
have the strength
• Working with individuals on a one to one
basis by offering practical support, help and
Birmingham Hearts and Minds is an innovative • A free programme providing you with to overcome their reassurance to service users and carers.
joint project between City Council and the the skills required to overcome depression difficulties – no matter
• By working in partnership with other
Alzheimer’s Society for people in Birmingham and anxiety. how complex”
professionals to achieve better outcomes
with early stage dementia or concerns about The Sweet Project offers advice, information
• Proven and effective techniques for our service users.
memory loss. The service will work with people, and support to promote the physical, social and
for a maximum of 6 months who fall into high • Locally based group sessions in Birmingham • Offering support to attend appointments.
emotional support for adults/carers aged 18 and
risk categories of developing dementia, to raise • Run by national charity Rethink Mental Illness. above within South Birmingham. • Empowering Individuals and carers to recognise
awareness and understanding of memory loss their own skills and abilities in order to
and how to work towards delaying the onset If you 18 and over and are interested in joining or They are a learning and training organisation
problem solve.
or progression. finding out more please contact our friendly and for student social workers and a family support
helpful team on 0121 248 8408 and child protection organisation. Students are The Sweet Project is committed to helping families
The service is for: supervised and supported by a team of Senior meet the challenges they face on a daily basis.
Social Worker Practitioner, Senior Family Support
Carers Together
Anyone aware of changes to their own memory A key aim of the project is to ensure families and
Worker and two Senior Social Workers. There is adults in need receive some level of support to help
or concerned about family/friend or neighbour,
an increasing shortage of direct support to families them overcome difficulties. The support provided is
and have any of the conditions below:
TimeBank and Carers UK have launched a in need, which fall out of the priority category for often that not provided by other agencies or where
• mild cognitive impairment social care departments, and the Sweet Project aims
national project to support carers called their support ends.
• previous stroke ‘Carers Together’. to address this need.
To find out if we can help you please contact us:
• high blood pressure The project offers face-to-face mentoring to The Sweet Project is client led and undertakes
work with service users around mental health The Sweet Project
• type 2 diabetes 70 carers in Birmingham, plus tailored online
issues, older adults, adults with learning disabilities, Unit 3, Ardath Road, Kings Norton
support to 300 carers across the country.
• high cholesterol transition from children to adults and transition Birmingham, B38 9PL
It aims to reduce social isolation, improve
from independence to residential care. Tel: 0121 458 2270
• mobility problems emotional well-being and help carers cope
with the stresses and strains of caring.
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Personal Independence Payments
Carers Together brings the knowledge and
The service provides:
skills of experienced carers to those who are
• A telephone advice service new to caring or are struggling to cope.
• Talks presentations and information stands We are currently looking for experienced From April 2013 all new claims for DLA Or for advice on the benefit changes
to relevant groups carers, or ex-carers, who would like to for people aged 16-64 years of age will be and how they may affect you try:
volunteer as mentors. We would also like to replaced by Personal Independence Payment
• 6 week rolling programmes of activities hear from you if you feel like you would benefit Carers UK
eg Tai Chai, seated yoga or PIP for short. From October 2013 anyone
from the support of a mentor who understands who is due a renewal of DLA award will be Advice line: 0808 808 7777
• Support workers to offer practical your situation. assessed using the new PIP. or Go to: www.carersuk.org
and emotional support. Please visit our website for Information And From October 2015 the Department of Works The .Gov website
• Volunteer befriending on how to volunteer and receive support. and Pensions will start to select existing DLA The website has a benefit checker to see how PIP
www.timebank.org.uk/carers-together claimants to be reassessed under PIP. You will be will affect you and your family.
To access the service: Alternatively you can email: contacted individually about your assessment. Go to: www.gov.uk/pip-checker
A referral must be through your GP, Adult and carers@timebank.org.uk DLA assessments can be overwhelming at the best
Communities Access Point (ACAP) or self referral. or if you would prefer to speak to someone Family Carer Support Service
of times for most people; and the length of the form
please call 0121 236 2531 and ask for Stephen itself often puts people off completing it. If you feel Nationally supports families who care for a person
If you require further information please contact
or Halinka. you would like assistance with the change over to with a learning difficulty.
0121 706 7695 (this number will be changing
shortly but there will be an answer message the New PIP please call the Carers Support Team Advice Line: 0117 906 1700
with the new number) 0121 466 4314 who can assist you by referring you or Go to: www.hft.org.uk
to a relevant service who have the expertise to assist
Any queries please contact:
in the completion of benefit forms.
The Carer Support Team on 0121 466 4314