Current News - Manchester Carers Forum - support and breaks for carers in Manchester, UK

Manchester Carers Forum have teamed up with the Health Matters Project to provide a health point in Manchester Carers Forum new offices.

The Health Point is a collection of books and publications covering areas like caring, medical conditions and mental health. It also contains other useful resources and selected fiction.

If you would like to borrow a book from our collection, you can come into the office , fill in a quick form and enjoy. We don't charge any late fees and allow you to borrow books for upto 3 months (maximum). After the time period is elapsed we'll just send a quick reminder to return the book. If you'd like more information on this project or have any questions please feel free to email usor ring us at the office on the number above.

A new website called "Patient Opinion" has been set up to enable people using NHS services to record their experiences (good and bad) and provide ratings and comparison information between different services. It has been established by Paul Hodgkin, a GP who wanted to "find a way to make the wisdom of patients available to the NHS" and is run as a not-for-profit social enterprise. The site is free to use and covers all hospitals in England and Wales. MACC and MCF strongly supports the principle that the stories of people using services should be used by those planning and delivering services to shape their work and Patient Opinion is a welcome new means of bringing this about. There are already many comments on Manchester services and we would encourage service users and carers to make use of this new opportunity to have their voices heard.

Manchester Carers Emergency Card has been introduced to provide you, as a Manchester Carer, with peace of mind when you are away from the person that you care for. In the event of an emergency, the card will allow information about your needs, as well as the needs of the person you care for, to be accessed by services that can help.

For an application form please click here or contact the Manchester Carers Centre on 0161 835 4090.

After over 6 years at the Cariocca East Manchester Business Park we have decided to move on to pastures new. In a bid to be more accessible to carers and professionals alike we have chosen to move offices to more central premises in the city centre. We hope that this will benefit our members because we are easier to get to on public transport. Also our new offices are close to local car parks so we will be accessible to drivers as well as bus and train users.

The new office is quite a large space with various rooms so we hope to run some support groups and activity groups such as the cake decorating and relaxation workshops.

Sadly we have been informed that we cannot take our existing telephone number with us because it is a different exchange in the city centre. We are aware that this

is going to cause a lot of confusion but thankfully our existing number will divert calls to the new number for a period of 3 months. We will do our best to inform all our members, associates, multi-agency colleagues and local directories so that the transition is as smooth as possible.

Please note that all web and email contact details will remain the same as previous.

The Carers Newsletter from Manchester City Councils now available electronically. This newsletter includes information about the Emergency Carers Card and other useful information for carers. Click here to view the newsletter.

The MCF newsletter is now available electronically. The newsletter covers all the activities that are available to carers during the month throughout Manchester. Click here to view it. If you would like any additional information or have any questions please contact Nat or a member of staff at the office on 0161 819 2226.

Manchester Health Watchdog wants to hear your experiences and comments about your local GP practice. This new city-wide survey is available by calling 0161 214 3909/3967 or by following this link.

All of the information collected will be kept confidential and the survey can be filled in anonymously. The results of the survey will be collated and recommendations made to Manchester PCT based on your experiences and comments.

*that everyone has information on where to go for advice and treatment,such as the nearest Walk-in Centre or Pharmacy

Do you have back problems as a result, or are you worried about developing a health problem?

Manchester Carers Forum would like to invite carers to take part in a training day to look at safety when lifting.

The course will cover "areas of the spine" and how to protect it, "types and uses of equipment", & practical tips about safe lifting techniques.

Lunch will be provided and all those attending will receive a FREE Carers Handbook!

There are limited places so please contact us as soon as possible. To book a place please contact Nat on 0161 819 2226 or send your contact details and why you would like to attend the course via email.

Carers who attend our Central Carers Group should be aware that we have moved from the Zion Centre to Windrush Millenium Centre. If you would like a map please contact the office for a copy of our newsletter.

The Department of Health is developing a national strategy to shape support for carers. As part of this, a nationwide consultation with carers is being undertaken by a market research company called Opinion Leader (who have been commisioned by the Department of Health) to make sure that carers' voices are at the heart of the Government's new carers' strategy. There are several dates available including an event in Manchester on 15th October. For more details on these events and how to apply for a place, please click here.

The course will help you to focus on important parts of your life including relationships, finances, self-confidence & personal growth, as well as teaching you some self-coaching techniques.

There are currently no events booked but watch this space as the Living Years Coaching will be running in the new year

A new leisure course is due to start soon. It is aimed at carers across Manchester and is free to those who are interested.

Gardening Online is an internet-based gardening course that teaches the essentials for creating a thriving and wildlife-friendly garden. It contains tutorials that are lively, colourful and user-friendly. You'll learn about creating the best soil conditions, making your own compost and fertilisers, how to grow different plant types including fruit and vegetables, flowers and trees, container gardening, and sowing seeds indoors and out. You'll also get to grips with essential garden maintenance such as weed and pest control, preventing and coping with plant disease and pruning.

Carers UK publish a monthly carers newsletter via email which will allow you to learn more about your rights as a carer, to take part in Carers UK campaigns and to have your say in current issues. To subscribe to this newsletter simply complete the short registration form. You can unsubscribe at any time and your details will not be passed on to other organisations. If you would like more information about Carers UK click here.

We understand how you feel! Come along for a chat at our support group at Glentop House

We offer advice and information, support from others, complimentary therapies, cafe and refreshments and coping skills.

Travel expenses and respite care are available. If you would like directions please contact the office on the above telephone number.

The BRITISH GAS energy trust , which incorporates the SCOTTISH GAS energy trust , is an independent Charitable Trust established in September 2004 which aims to contribute to the fight against poverty .

Covering England, Scotland and Wales it is the first national utility Trust of its kind and will make a significant difference to those in need.

Grants are available to help individuals and families in need to meet arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs.

This is a public service website which looks at the support available to carers and it also explains carers' rights. To visit this website click here.

The North Manchester Carers Support Group will be run on a monthly basis, on the 3rd Monday of every month. This meeting will be run at

Includes: Light lunch, pampering session and an opportunity to discuss the type of activities people would like to take place at this group.

Manchester Carers Forum and Manchester Primary Care Trust will be running health checks for carers, this will include blood pressure checks and influenza jabs. These checks will also enable carers to access information in regard to what social support is available. We will be able to make referrals for Carers Assessment on request

The health checks will take place at Withington Community Hospital on the first Thursday of each month.

Appointments are in half hour slots from 12:00am until 4:00pm and can be booked by contacting Manchester Carers Forum.

Please provide your name, address, contact telephone and preferred appointment time when contacting us.

Carers UK in conjunction with Home Heat Helpline and The Royal British Legion are advising that over 55's should prepare for winter now by reviewing their home insulation. Call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 for information for saving money or fitting insulation in time for winter.

Free guides to: Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit & Employment. Plus training, news and forums. For people with long-term physical or mental health conditions, carers and support workers.

If the person you care for recieves Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, you can go to the cinema with them for free. The Cinema Exhibitor's Association Card costs £5 and is valid nationally for 3 years in many cinema's including the Odeon and the UCI.

From 1 April 2006 it is anticipated that over 60's and disabled people will travel free between 09:30 a.m. and midnight, Monday - Friday and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays. At other times (before 09:30 a.m.) they will travel for the current standard concessionary fare, which is 50p.

People who already have a disabled or over 60's bus pass will not need to get a new one as the one they have will be valid for the new free travel. Also, those who have a free disabled pass and are currently able to travel free before 09:30 a.m. will continue to do so - they will not have to pay the 50p for travel before 09:30 a.m.

People who do not have a travel concession at the moment may apply now (provided that they are eligible) but the free fare scheme does not start until 1 April 2006.

Over 60's can get a bus pass from Manchester Advice in the Advice Centre in the Town Hall Extension. You will need to take two passport style photos and proof of your age and address.

Ring and Ride provides a door to door accessible minibus service for people of all ages who find it difficult to use ordinary public transport. The service operates throughout Greater Manchester and is available from Mondays - Saturdays 8am - 10.45pm. The Ring and Ride service is designed to help you make short local journeys i.e. to complete your shopping. The service also runs a programme of special day trips and evening outs from visits to the Peak District to garden centres.

This benefit helps people to pay their Council Tax. The amount you get depends upon who is in your family and the level of your Council Tax. Both your income and your savings are taken into account. You cannot claim if your savings are more than £16,000, unless you get Pension Credit.

If you receive Carer's Allowance, you may be able to get extra help paying your Council Tax through Carer Premium

You may be able to get reductions to your Council Tax which don't depend on your income or savings. For instance, the tax may be reduced if your home is adapted for a disabled person or if a carer or paid care worker lives there.

To qualify for this 25% discount you must provide care for at least 35 hours a week and...

Not be the partner of the person you care for, or their parent if you care for a child under 18

Care for someone who receives either the highest rate of the care component of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) OR the higher rate of attendance allowance or constant attendance allowance

Please note: You don't have to claim Carer's Allowance to qualify for this discount. If there is more than one carer in the property, each carer might qualify for a discount. The carer's council tax discount can be backdated, so long as you met the conditions above in previous years. To apply for this, contact your local council tax office.

The disabled person's railcard allows you to buy discounted rail tickets. If another adult is accompanying you on your journey, they are also entitled to travel at that discounted fare.

At the moment, there is one type of railcard available but, from the 6th September 2006, there will be two types of Disabled Person's Railcard - the one-year railcard and the three-year railcard. Both railcards give you the same level of discounts to you and one other adult travelling with you.

From 6th September 2006 the Disabled Rail Card will be available to those claiming the DLA lower mobility rate and long term Incapacity Benefit.

For more information and to check whether you qualify for a Disabled Person's Railcard please click here