Carer Support News Bulletin

Transcription

1 FOr CArers Carer Support News Bulletin May 2016 This information bulletin is for carers, professionals working with carers and other organisations supporting carers. The Carer Support Team supports informal carers in Wolverhampton. The carer might be looking after someone with a physical or sensory disability, mental health need, learning disability; they may be an older frail person or the parent/carer of a child with a disability. To find out more about the support we provide contact the carers team on You can visit our website at us at carer.support@wolverhampton.gov.uk or drop in to the Carers Centre, Blossoms Fold, Off North Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HJ. Please note: Our office is open from 9.00am till 4.30pm Monday to Friday and closes for lunch from 12.30pm to 13.30pm. Please feel free to pass this bulletin to anyone you think might find it useful. Alternatively, ask them to contact the Information Officer and be added to the mailing list. The current edition of the City Carer magazine is available to pick one up from the Carers Centre in Blossom s Fold or from your local GP surgery, library or information point. wolverhampton.gov.uk

2 Contents Page City Carer Magazine: Summer edition - Out now!...3 Carers Week.3 Carers Cafes 4 Support available from Severn Trent Water...5&6 Grants available for Boilers, Radiators & Heating Systems.7 Wolverhampton Carers Club.8 Pension Wise 8 Healthwatch..9 Mencap Wolverhampton Update...10 Grand Theatre Wolverhampton Access register City of Wolverhampton Council wolverhampton.gov.uk

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4 Carer Support Team: Carers Cafés Raglan St, Wolverhampton WV3 0ST Victoria St, Wolverhampton WV1 3PQ 4 City of Wolverhampton Council wolverhampton.gov.uk

5 We know there are times when you may struggle to pay your bill or may have questions about your water and there are ways we can help. We re doing a lot of work to make customers aware of the support we offer. Whether you need to change your payment plan or ask for financial support - we ll do whatever we can to make it easier for you. Water Meters Many customers find that their bills are cheaper after switching to a water meter, and if you use less water after switching to a water meter, it makes environmental sense too. Water efficiency products These free products can make a big difference when it comes to saving water, and if you re on a water meter they can also help you save money on your bill. Order your free water efficiency products at WaterSure WaterSure can help if you re on a water meter, your income is low and you use a lot of water, which makes managing your account and payments difficult. To apply for Watersure call us on or visit our website to download an application pack. Severn Trent Trust Fund The Severn Trent Trust Fund is a registered charity that helps people experiencing financial hardship. wolverhampton.gov.uk Carer Support News Bulletin 5

6 Big Difference Scheme The Big Difference Scheme is a new option available for customers who may be experiencing affordability problems with their bills. Successful customers will be rewarded a reduction their bill. To apply for the scheme visit your local Citizens Advice office or call us on Individual circumstances There are a range of free services to make life easier for you and give piece of mind including bills and communications in alternative formats and a meter reading service. To find out more Visit us at Call us on City of Wolverhampton Council wolverhampton.gov.uk

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8 Wolverhampton Carers Club Wolverhampton Carers Club was formed to support and provide social activities for carers living in the Wolverhampton area. The club holds a coffee morning on the first Wednesday of each month from 10.00am to 12 noon where carers meet socially and share information. Other events are provided free of charge and include lunches, canal barge trips and theatre visits. Anyone interested in coming along to a coffee morning or wanting further information should contact Ros Cole on There is an annual membership fee of 2 and carers pay just 1 for unlimited coffee/tea and biscuits. Pension Wise: Talk about your pension options Pension Wise is a free and impartial government service. Book an appointment to get free and impartial guidance over the phone or face to face. You ll talk about your pension options and what you can do next. At the end of your appointment you ll get a summary of your details and next steps you need to take. You can find out what you can do with your pension pot, how to shop around and what to look out for with taxes and fees. They explain how to avoid pension scams and the importance of taking your time to make sure your money lasts as long as you do. Pension Wise won t recommend any products or tell you what to do with your money. Pension Wise can help if: you re aged 50 or over, and have a defined contribution pension. These are not final salary or career average pensions. Phone to book a free appointment. For more information see: If you have a final salary or career average pension, you can still get information from these organisations: The Pensions Advisory Service The Money Advice Service at 8 City of Wolverhampton Council wolverhampton.gov.uk

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11 Wolverhampton Mencap Lunchtime Link-up We are continuing to meet at pm on the first Thursday in the month alternatively at Codsall and Wergs Garden Centre and at (Goodyear) Pavilion. Our next meetings are on: 5 May Codsall & Wergs Garden Centre 3 March 2016 (Goodyear) Pavilion 7 April 2016 Codsall & Wergs Garden Centre If you or anyone you know would like to come along please let one of us know by the Monday before the link-up so that we can arrange for an appropriate table. We look forward to seeing you whenever you are able to join us. Liz Pentecost mencapwolves@btinternet.com Grand Theatre Wolverhampton Access Register What you need to know. The Access Register is free, and provides D/deaf or disabled patrons (attendees) access to the theatre, through relevant discounts and information regarding accessible services. The Access Register is open to eligible patrons who have: Physical/Mobility and Sensory Impairments A Learning Disability Patrons are required to complete an application form and provide evidence of eligibility in order to gain full access to these discounts. Patrons without the required evidence will need to discuss their access needs with a senior member of our team. Access Contacts: Ticket Enquires Box Office Call: Text-Direct is accepted access@grandtheatre.co.uk Access and Creative Learning Administrator Janine Graeme Call S/B SMS: janine@grandtheatre.co.uk wolverhampton.gov.uk Carer Support News Bulletin 11

12 If you do not have access to the internet but would like to access any information from the links included in this bulletin about please get in touch with the Carer Support Team. Please also let us know if you have any feedback about the content or format of the bulletin so that we can make sure we are supporting you in the best way possible. Deadline for submissions to next bulletin: Friday 20 May 2016 For more information about this bulletin contact: Melinder Kaur, Information Officer Carer Support Centre, Blossoms Fold, Wolverhampton, WV1 4HJ Tel: wolverhampton.gov.uk City of Wolverhampton Council, Civic Centre, st. Peter s square, Wolverhampton WV1 1sH WolverhamptonToday WCC /16