Your latest updates from Carers of Dundee

Distance Aware Scheme

The Distance Aware scheme is designed to help those worried about mixing with others as we adapt to living with COVID-19. Distance Aware badges and lanyards are for anyone who prefers others to take extra care around them, for any reason.

You might be worried about mixing with others as we adapt to living with the virus, or you might just feel more comfortable when you have more room.

The Distance Aware scheme was first developed by the Bevan Commission for Wales. We have worked with the Commission to adopt the scheme and adapt it for Scotland.

Get a badge or lanyard free from libraries and Asda stores

You can pick up a free Distance Aware badge or lanyard from all libraries across Scotland. Free badges are also available in most Asda stores. If there are no badges or lanyards in stock in your library or Asda, they will be restocked soon.

Order online

You can also order a badge or lanyard online. Find a list of charities to order from on the Bevan Commission Website.

Some of these charities charge a small fee for a badge or lanyard.

Curtis Banks Charity of the Year - Dundee Carers Centre

We are delighted to announce that the Dundee office of Curtis Banks has chosen Dundee Carers Centre as its Charity of the Year for 2022!

The Curtis Banks Group has grown to be one of the UK's largest independent SIPP (Self-invested personal pension) and SSAS (Small Self-administered pension) providers, looking after over 80,000 clients. They have offices in Bristol, Ipswich and Dundee. You can read more about their Corporate Social Responsibility Work and the other charities they are currently supporting here – https://www.curtisbanks.co.uk/our-values/

We look forward to a successful partnership over the coming year.

Young Carers Research Project Survey

Over the last few years, Dundee has seen significant improvement and progress in how young carers are identified and supported by the Carers Centre, schools, and other agencies across the city. A key part of this success has been a dedicated group of young carers involved in, and driving the work of the agencies in the city and influencing change for other young carers.

Sarah Boath, Team Manager at Dundee Carers Centre is undertaking a Masters Dissertation Project in order to fully understand the key elements which have contributed to the success of this work.

As part of this, Sarah is looking for young carers to take part in a survey to gather as wide a range of views as possible. There is also a survey for staff. For more information please visit https://dundeecarerscentre.org.uk/news/dundee-young-carers-research-project/

Creative Writing For Carers

Monday, 18 April 2022, 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm @ Dundee Carers Centre, Seagate, Dundee.

Are you an unpaid carer?

Do you have a creative side or the urge to share your story?

This informal workshop will be a friendly space to get your creativity flowing and grow your confidence to get words on paper. No experience is necessary but you must be 18+.

The session will be led by members of Clype, a Creative Writing collective made up of graduates of the MLitt Writing Practice & Study at Dundee University.

We’ll start the workshop properly at 12:30, but please come for 12:00 for a blether if you’d like. We’ll have snacks and drinks but feel free to bring your lunch.

We will be planning monthly sessions in 2022. If you can’t make it on this date but are interested in getting involved, please get in touch.

To book, email ellie.julings@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk or phone the centre on 01382 200422

Please note: participants must follow the Dundee Carers Centre Covid-19 guidance to attend. We’ll discuss these with you before the event.

Behaviour that Challenges Workshop

Wednesday, 20 April 2022, 10 am - 12 pm @ Dundee Carers Centre, Seagate, Dundee.

Are you a carer for a child who has behaviour that challenges?

This might be because of a neurodevelopmental condition such as Autism or ADHD, or due to mental or physical health difficulties that effect their behaviour such as an experience of trauma or chronic pain.

In this session we will be discussing tips and tricks to improve communication about a childs needs, triggers and support, as well as focussing on positive behaviour support

Spaces are limited, so please book in advance via email ellie.julings@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk or call Dundee Carers Centre on 01382 200422

Managing Stress & Anxiety

Monday, 25 April, 10am - 12pm @ Dundee Carers Centre, Seagate, Dundee

Do you experience stress or anxiety?

You’re not alone – everyone does at some point, but there are always things you can do to help you manage.

We can’t always control when difficult feelings come up, but we can improve our wellbeing by learning healthy ways to respond when they do. Join us in a non-judgemental and supportive environment to explore tips and techniques to manage stress or anxious thoughts and feelings.

You’ll learn:

What is anxiety and how does it effect your body and mind?
Tips for breaking out of the cycle of worry and stress
Lots of techniques that might help, and which ones work for you

To book, please email ellie.julings@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk
Or call the centre during opening hours on 01382 200422

Digital Support Clinic

Every Tuesday, 10am - 1pm, online, over the phone, video call or face-to-face at C Gate, Dundee Carers Centre.

Need help with digital technologies? We'll support you with new digital skills.

Whether you're looking to upskill or are a complete beginner, we can provide help and support to kickstart your digital journey.
Just give us a call on 01382 200422 or email centre@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk

If there is something specific you'd like to find out about just let us know when you get in touch.

Primary and Secondary School Transitions Sessions

Thursday 31 March, 1pm - 2pm or 6pm - 7pm, Online Via Google Meet (If you need support to access this platform please get in touch)

Transition can be a worrying time for every parent, including those whose children benefit from additional support for learning.

Dundee Secondary School Deputy Headteacher, Samantha Lowe, joins us to describe what happens and answer your questions on:

How pupils with additional support for learning needs are supported to settle into secondary school
What options are available when they leave school education.

Interested? Call Adele on 07712856088 or Email: groupwork@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk

Groupwork Bitesize - Social Security Benefits

Monday 23 May, 2pm - 4pm, Online Via Google Meet (If you need support to access this platform please get in touch)

We will be joined by guest speaker Tamsin F. Olejnik who is the local Delivery Relationship Lead – Dundee City Social Security Scotland to discuss Social Security Benefits and answer any questions that people may have.

The online session will take place on Google Meet – full support will be given to those that have not used this platform before.

To book your place at the session, please get in touch with Tom Barclay by calling 07712 856092 or emailing thomas.barclay@dundeecarerscentre.org.uk

Alzheimer Scotland Carer Support Group Programme

Carer Support Group Programme (March – June 2022)
Dementia Resource Centre, Morgan Street, Dundee

MARCH/APRIL Carer Support Group
Day: Monday (Afternoon)
Time: 2.00pm – 3.30pm

Sessions:

Monday 28th March
Monday 11th April
Monday 18th April

Early On-set/Younger Persons Carer Support Group
Day: Wednesday (Evening)
Time: 6.15pm – 8.00pm

Sessions:

Wednesday 13th April
Wednesday 20th April
Wednesday 27th April
Wednesday 4th May

This group is for those supporting an individual with a diagnosis of dementia who is under 65 years of age.

MAY Carer Support Group
Day: Monday (Evening)
Time: 6.15pm – 8.00pm

Sessions:

Monday 9th May
Monday 16th May
Monday 23rd May
Monday 30th May

JUNE Carer Support Group
Day: Monday (Afternoon)
Time: 2.00pm – 3.30pm

Sessions:
Monday 6th June
Monday 13th June
Monday 20th June
Monday 27th June

For more information, please contact:
Jeni Sinclair - Dementia Advisor – 07917 241024 / jenisinclair@alzscot.org

All sessions will take place at the Dementia Resource Centre in Stobswell, Dundee.
Please contact Jeni Sinclair for more information (and also to find out if there is an activity group running alongside for the cared for individual.

The Early On-set/Younger Persons Carer Support Group is for those carers supporting an individual with a dementia diagnosis who is under 65 years.

Foodtrain Connects

Food Train is a registered charity, voluntary organisation and social enterprise. Since 1995 Food Train has been making daily life easier for older people, providing vital services to those who are no longer able to manage independently, through age, ill health, frailty or disability.

Food Train makes hundreds of grocery deliveries every week, ensuring those most in need have access to fresh groceries. Teams of dedicated local volunteers across the regions also go that extra mile by helping with household jobs, delivering books through our library service and providing much needed friendly social contact and meals through our Meal Makers and befriending services.

Our Connects shopping service connects each of our customers with a volunteer living nearby willing to support them with the weekly task of shopping. Our volunteers collect shopping lists weekly on an agreed suitable day, do the shopping and deliver to their customer’s home using their own transport or on foot.

To access this service there is a £1 membership charge renewed annually and a £5 per shopping delivery charge to allow Food Train to cover our administration and volunteer expenses costs. Food Train deals with all payments, therefore no money should change hands between volunteer and customer.

For more information visit https://www.foodtrainconnects.org.uk/ call 0800 304 7924 or email: connects@foodtrainconnects.org.uk

Job Vacancies at Dundee Carers Centre

We are hiring!

Dundee Carers Centre curre tl has vacancies for the follwing positions:

Participation & Involvement Worker
Support Worker (18 hours a week)
Support Worker (36.5 hours a week)

For more information on each and details of how to apply please visit https://dundeecarerscentre.org.uk/job-vacancies/