West Cumbria Carers
Supporting those who care...
email us
Charity number 1119369 Registered in England No. 6123034
Tuesday 13th December
Once again we held our Christmas Lunch at the Hundith Hill hotel where 100 Carers attended. The day was wild and windy but once inside we were treated to a beautiful meal which was served as always by an efficient staff in a relaxed atmosphere. The circular tables were set out in such a fashion that Carers were able to meet and greet other Carers that they may not have seen since last year. After the meal we were treated to a mixture of songs and carols by Whitehaven Male voice Choir supported by a female soloist. Everyone was encouraged to join in, (and they did!) There was just time for the raffle before the busses arrived to take us home. A big thank you to the choir, the Hotel and our own staff for organising a thoroughly entertaining afternoon.
Saturday 8th October
Our last fundraiser was at St Nicholas Church, Whitehaven. Tea, cakes, handmade cards, tombola and more were on offer on a classically Autumnal Day in Copeland.Stay tuned to find out what our Board of Trustees raised for West Cumbria Carers!
Wednesday 24th August
Our Summer Trip to Durham was wonderful.
Although hilly, there was a little bus to take us up and down the hill, from the river to the cathedral; and a variety of shops, from one off boutiques to well known high street names. The sun even shone a little bit!
Easter 2011
Millom Group
Millom Group held an Easter Lunch. Very obviously, Hats were on display. This is one Les made earlier!
Tuesday 10th May 2011
Workington Support Group
At the monthly support meeting in May the Workington Support Group decided to have a lunch at the Lakes College, provided by the students. Ten Carers were treated to a beautiful lunch which was served very efficiently by the trainee staff, again a lovely afternoon highly recommended.
Friday 13th May 2011
Carers Trip to Bowness
After a false start (something wrong with the bus) 54 Carers set off for Bowness-on –Windermere. Showers were forecast but everyone was in good heart. We arrived at Ambleside jetty to enable Carers who wanted to take the boat trip across to Bowness to board. This short trip was very enjoyable and relaxing. Unfortunately the boat arrived in the middle of a heavy downpour.
However, this was the only rain we had during the day. Carers then went their own jolly way spending approximately two hours eating, shopping and sightseeing in Bowness. We then boarded the bus and started our return journey, calling at Hayes Garden Centre. Again Carers spent their time eating, shopping and sightseeing. There is one thing about our Carers they certainly like their cake! Everyone enjoyed their day out and are looking forward to the next one.
At the monthly support meeting in May the Workington Support Group decided to have a lunch at the Lakes College, provided by the students. Ten Carers were treated to a beautiful lunch which was served very efficiently by the trainee staff, again a lovely afternoon highly recommended.
Friday 13th May 2011
Carers Trip to Bowness
After a false start (something wrong with the bus) 54 Carers set off for Bowness-
However, this was the only rain we had during the day. Carers then went their own jolly way spending approximately two hours eating, shopping and sightseeing in Bowness. We then boarded the bus and started our return journey, calling at Hayes Garden Centre. Again Carers spent their time eating, shopping and sightseeing. There is one thing about our Carers they certainly like their cake! Everyone enjoyed their day out and are looking forward to the next one.
Carers relaxing in Hayes Garden Centre
Monday 13th - Friday 17th June 2011
Carers’ Week Events
The week kicked off with a Walk for Health, a chance for Jeff to stretch his newly trained, Walk Leader muscles. We hope this will be the start of a series of walks, run across the county, and we welcome hearing from anyone who would be interested in joining one of our walks.
We tagged along with the regular group members to enjoy a bracing stroll as far as the golf course before returning by the sea front route to the harbour.
The great thing about these walks is that you walk along talking to one or two people and then find yourself talking to other people as the small groupings form and reform. It’s a wonderful way of meeting people and keeping fit at the same time.
Pictured is Dennis Evans, one of our Carers, facing into the wind and enjoying the walk.
If you are interested in Walks for Health then contact Jeff Carroll at West Cumbria Carers.
Carers’ Week Events
The week kicked off with a Walk for Health, a chance for Jeff to stretch his newly trained, Walk Leader muscles. We hope this will be the start of a series of walks, run across the county, and we welcome hearing from anyone who would be interested in joining one of our walks.
We tagged along with the regular group members to enjoy a bracing stroll as far as the golf course before returning by the sea front route to the harbour.
The great thing about these walks is that you walk along talking to one or two people and then find yourself talking to other people as the small groupings form and reform. It’s a wonderful way of meeting people and keeping fit at the same time.
Pictured is Dennis Evans, one of our Carers, facing into the wind and enjoying the walk.
If you are interested in Walks for Health then contact Jeff Carroll at West Cumbria Carers.
Tuesday morning saw Susan at the West Cumberland Outpatients, with an information stand which was placed there all week, to let staff and patients alike, find out how we support Carers. Susan is often to be found in the Outpatients area on a Tuesday morning, manning a banner and being a point of call for Carers to self refer or ask questions about West Cumbria Carers.
Wednesday saw, at one stage or another, almost all of our staff members: Young and Adult Carer Workers, in a vacant shop in Workington town center. We linked with CADAS and Hospice at Home to create a drop in environment, showcasing our Young Carers Artwork and our new banner, as well as access to black box therapies for those who were interested in learning more.
Thursday saw a similar event, held at the Harbour Youth Project in Whitehaven. Coffee and cake were served alongside handmade cards, Guess the Name of the Bear, and the Young Carers take on the ‘True Face of Caring’, a tree adorned with individual leaves expressing what their Caring role means to them.
Friday was an honorary Sunday lunch at the Blackbeck Hotel, with three courses, piled high. I suspect it would be a pretty good guess to say most of us went straight home for a long nap after that feast!
Throughout the week, during the CFM News slots, some of our Carers could be heard giving their insight into the rewards and challenges of their caring role. Our sincere thanks go to those who were prepared to share their experiences in this way, highlighting the issues faced by Carers on a daily basis, throughout West Cumbria.
Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th June 2011
Young Carers Art Exhibition
The Young Carers thought it would be a good idea to showcase some art work at the drop ins that were planned during Carers Week.
Continuing the theme that had been developed by the Adult Support Team; using positive and negative aspects of caring to create a piece of work, the Young Carers wanted to find different ways of displaying words and sentences to express ‘What Caring means to me’:
The Tree
The idea was to write their feelings and thoughts on the leaves of a tree, as if they would then be blown about in the wind.
The Young Carers thought it would be a good idea to showcase some art work at the drop ins that were planned during Carers Week.
Continuing the theme that had been developed by the Adult Support Team; using positive and negative aspects of caring to create a piece of work, the Young Carers wanted to find different ways of displaying words and sentences to express ‘What Caring means to me’:
The Tree
The idea was to write their feelings and thoughts on the leaves of a tree, as if they would then be blown about in the wind.
The Care Flags
The idea came from Tibetan prayer flags which blow prayers from the top of the mountains in Tibet in the hope that the prayer will be heard. The flags were also inspired by street bunting which in contrast is used for celebration. In this way the Young Carers wanted to celebrate their families in all their diversity.
The Mandalas
There is a belief that everything in Nature has a circle or a Mandala, an obvious example would be a tree, the circle is visible when a tree is chopped down. The Young Carers created some Mandalas using the theme of family and The Young Carers Project.
There is a belief that everything in Nature has a circle or a Mandala, an obvious example would be a tree, the circle is visible when a tree is chopped down. The Young Carers created some Mandalas using the theme of family and The Young Carers Project.
Individual artwork
The exhibition was also an opportunity for some of the Young Carers to showcase some of their own art work. Some had been working on projects at school, others just enjoy art, and it was nice to be able to give the young people a chance to show it off to others. It enabled them to build up their confidence and self esteem.
Monday 14th March at The Senhouse Centre, Whitehaven
&
Wednesday 11th May at The Settlement, Maryport
These Stress Management Session were hosted by Maria Richardson of The Senhouse Center and provided a wonderful opportunity, doing exactly what it said on the tin! From the background music, to Maria’s voice, to the gentle exercise techniques; the Sessions were fun, targeted for those who attended and, most of all: it worked! Great night’s sleep were then had by all!
Please feel free to let us know your views if you have any ideas about training which would be of benefit to you or other Carers. Alternatively, if you know of
Charity number 1119369 Registered in England No. 6123034
| Refer |
| Assessments |
| Benefits |
| Services |
| Carers' Views |
| Face of Caring |
| Advice for Schools |
| Newsletter |
| GP Questionnaire |
| Archived News |
| Trips & Outings |
| Past Events |
| Support Groups |
| Dates of Support Groups |
| Can you volunteer? |
| Benefits to you |
| Get volunteer help |