Assertiveness and Decision Making 3 day OCN Course

Dates: Tuesdays Jan 26th, Feb 2nd and Feb 9th 2010

Time: 10am – 3pm

Venue: Capel Farm, Tonyrefail

If you would like to be able to speak up for yourself with confidence and use
assertiveness to achieve your desired outcome this 3 day OCN Course is for you.

Working with other carers in a relaxed atmosphere you will learn how to:

• make positive decisions and choices
• recognise your own rights and responsibilities and the rights and responsibilities
of others
• use effective negotiation and assertiveness to achieve a desired outcome.

Mental Capacity Act and Direct Payments

Date: Tuesday March 23rd 2010

Time: To be agreed

Venue: To be agreed

Luke Clements author of ‘Carers and their Rights’ will be running this special training
day about the Mental Capacity Act and its affect on whether people can access Direct
Payments. A Direct Payment is where the service user or their carer(s) (if they are in a
Trust or having Lasting Power of attorney to make carer related decisions) can opt to
have a cash payment to enable them to buy in their own care service, rather than have a
direct service from the local authority.

The training day will explore the legal and practical side of how to enable service users
with complex needs where there are issues of capacity to access Direct Payments
through establishing and using ‘Trusts’. Trusts are a collection of individuals willing to
manage the care on behalf of the individual and to act in their best interest.

It is a highly complex area of law and practice within social work, therefore the event is
designed for staff and carers to learn side by side, working together through this maze.

If you think this training will be of interest to you, please contact Elle McBride on 01443
425 421 or elle.m.mcbride@rctcbc.gov.uk to discuss and reserve a place.

Mindfulness for Stress and Pain

Date: Tuesday March 9th 2010

Time: 10am – 3pm

Venue: To be agreed

Sue Yeo and Linda John offer an opportunity for carers to sample mindfulness-based
practices for managing pain and stress.

These methods and skills are easy to learn and enjoyable to practice. They are effective
ways of managing the difficult experiences of physical, emotional and psychological pain
and stress, which we all encounter in life from time to time.

This introductory day will provide a supportive environment for carers to explore the
ways in which mindfulness can be used in daily life, to improve our perception of pain
and stress. We will try out some of the gentle, mindful practices - dress comfortably in
loose clothing.

Makaton

This is a very simple language based on a list of simple everyday words, which uses
speech, gesture, facial expression, eye contact, body language, signs, symbols and
words to aid communication. If enough carers are interested we may organise some
workshops over the next year – please tick the space on the booking form to register
your interest.

Substance Misuse and Mental Health Carers Event

Date: Thursday 25th February 2010

Time : 10am - 2pm

Venue: Muni, Pontypridd, The Gallery

Does the person you care for have mental health problems and uses substances to
cope or are they experiencing mental health or emotional problems as a result of their
use of substances? Do you find getting the right support and help difficult?

Come along and meet the staff who can help and look at new initiatives that have been
developed recently to help carers and the people you care for.

There will be representatives from agencies such as TEDS and Drug Aid and staff from
Substance Misuse Team and Community Drug and Alcohol Team. They will form a
panel and you will be able to ask them directly any questions you wish in ‘An Audience
With…….’ followed by a buffet lunch.

Group Work - What Can a Support Group Do For Me?

Date: Tuesday 9th February 2010

Time: 10am – 3pm

Venue: Muni, Pontypridd, The Gallery

The Carers Support Project has been running carers groups for the last ten years and
this event will look at the benefits that we can all get from meeting regularly, making
friends with similar issues and supporting each other.

All carers are welcome – not just those who attend groups at the moment. Please come
along and:
• find out what a support group could offer you
• meet other carers with similar issues
• learn the skills needed to benefit fully from any type of group
• gain confidence in a group situation
• have your say in the way future carers groups are formed and run

The event will be run by an experienced tutor in a relaxed atmosphere, with lunch
included.

First Aid – Four Day Course

Dates: 22nd – 25th February 2010

Time: 10am – 3pm

Venue: Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Upstairs

This course covers administrating emergency first aid in situations such as:

• chest pains
• choking
• eye injuries
• soft tissue injuries
• burns and scalds ………….. and many, many more.

This workshop will lead to attaining a certificate in first aid and candidates will be
expected to demonstrate their understanding and proficiency in a range of emergency
situations. Training will be delivered in a friendly and relaxed environment.

Looking After ME!

Dates: Wednesday February 24th, March 3rd,10th,17th,24th,31st 2010

Time: 10am – 12.30pm

Venue: Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Upstairs

Looking After Me is a six-week course for adults who care for someone living with a
long-term health condition or disability. The course is about making time to look after
your own health needs. It aims to help you to take more control of your situation and
make a difference to your life. The course looks at:

• relaxation techniques
• coping with depression and dealing with tiredness
• healthy eating and exercise
• communicating with family, friends and professionals
• planning for the future
Looking after Me is led by trained tutors who have experience of caring for a relative or
friend. The course is run over six weekly sessions, each lasting two-and-a-half hours.
After a recent course one carer commented: ‘ I really enjoyed the course and found it a
huge help in my role as a carer by helping me put things in perspective and organising
myself better’.
Carers who have taken part in a Looking after Me have said that it has helped them to:
• feel confident and more in control of their life
• develop more effective relationships
• manage their caring situation more effectively
• use their skills and knowledge to lead a fuller life
• be realistic about the impact of their caring situation on themselves and their family

Legal Issues Information Day

Date: Wednesday January 20th 2010

Time: 10am - 1pm

Venue: The Muni, Gallery

Come and get information and advice on aspects of your legal rights as a carer.

Topics may include Wills and Trusts, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties
Safeguards, Advanced Decisions, Lasting Power of Attorney …. Let us know what
aspects you would like the speakers to cover. You may also get a chance to speak to
the experts about your own personal situation.

Emergency First Aid Course

Date: 25th January 2010

Time: 9.30am – 3.30pm

Venue: Heddfan, Rhydyfelin.

More than 2 Million people have an accident in their own homes and require hospital
treatment. A blocked airway caused by a fall can kill someone in 3 - 4 minutes, but
simply opening a person’s airway can save his or her life.
You are more likely to give first aid to someone you know, and knowing what to do can
allow you to react rapidly if an accident does happen.

On this 1 day course you will learn how to open someone's airway, put someone in the
recovery position, what to do if someone is bleeding, has a burn, broken a bone and
also how to do CPR

Introduction to Water Colours with Sally Stubbings

Date: 27th January 2010

Time: 10am – 3pm

Venue: Nantgarw Pottery, Nantgarw

This day will give carers the opportunity to show or improve their creativity. Have fun,
learn a new skill and meet new friends. These days are relaxing and therapeutic and will
give you a break from your caring role.

NAIDEX Disability Aids Exhibition (this event open to carers and
the people they care for)

Date: April 21st 2010

Venue: NEC Birmingham

Time: 8am – 6pm (approx – Coach from Heddfan)

Join us on a trip to the UK’s largest event for homecare, disability and rehabilitation -
touch, test and compare all the latest products and services under one roof.

• See the latest Moving and Handling products demonstrated by specialists.
• Attend free lifestyle demonstrations to help you stay fit and healthy
• Get information on the latest information for independent living
• Access to the latest products so that you can make the right purchasing decision.

Respite can be provided to enable carers to attend our events

YOU ARE INVITED TO GET PAMPERED THIS SPRING

“The Academy” is a new magical glass and water spa environment where you can detoxify
and de-stress whilst harmonising your mind, body and soul.

This is the second time that the Carers Support Project has linked with Coleg Morgannwg,
and the venture proved very successful last year. It is a fantastic opportunity for carers to
have a day to themselves and be spoilt!

Date: Rhondda: Wednesday March 10th
Cynon: Thursday March 11th
Taff: Friday March 12th
Male Pamper Day: Date to be agreed

Time 10am – 3pm

Venue Coleg Morgannwg Beauty Academy, Nantgarw

If you are making your own way to Nantgarw you can apply for any of the dates. If you
need transport please pick the date which corresponds to the area you live in (to enable
more effective use of transport).

FREEPHONE CARERSLINE 0808 100 1801