- Created: Monday, 15 February 2021 21:06
- Published: Friday, 19 February 2021 21:11
- Written by Fife Carers Centre
Hello
I hope that this finds you well and staying warm.
COVID 19 VACCINATION FOR CARERS
The most recent information that we have about the unpaid carers vaccinations is as follows
- We have now passed one million first dose vaccinations in Scotland.
- Second appointments for those who received their first vaccination at the beginning of the campaign are also underway.
- Around 75,000 more people have been vaccinated than originally anticipated in Scotland’s deployment plan which is due to higher take-up rates of vaccine than anticipated and that is very welcome. But this all has had an impact on our available vaccine supply and we must therefore ensure enough vaccine for second doses when they are due.
- Scotland continues to follow the JCVI advice on prioritisation – to protect those most at risk.
- Unpaid carers, who continue to be prioritised as part of group 6, will be called forward as soon as vaccine supplies allow, both through letters to those on relevant benefits, and through a national marketing campaign signposting them to the forthcoming self-referral portal.
- More details on timescales for unpaid carers will follow shortly.
FREE WEBINAR
Community & Dementia: Creating Better Lives in Fife
Thursday 25 February 2021, from 10:00 – 12:45
The Life Changes Trust in partnership with stakeholders from across Fife, want to inform and inspire those attending by providing an opportunity to learn from initiatives and evidence from across Fife and support local areas to think more deeply about how communities can uphold the human rights of people with dementia and unpaid carers. To book your place in the audience just click on the link below:
Community & Dementia:Creating Better Lives in Fife
CENSUS SCOTLAND 2022
You might have seen some advertising on the TV etc about the 2021 Census and wondering about your forms arriving. It has been announced by the Scottish Government that the Census normally due to take place in March 2021 will be delayed until 2022. England and Wales will be going ahead in March 2021. You can read more about the Census in Scotland here: SCOTLAND’S CENSUS
CREATIVE BREAKS FUNDING
There is still some of the money announced by the First Minister to help carers have a break from thier caring role available to apply for. It is administered through the Creative Breaks Fund overseen by Fife Voluntary Action. You can apply for up to £300 to buy something that will help give you a break from your caring role. Obviously going away for a break is not possible now so you will have to think about other ways to have a break. Some of the things other carers have bought with their grants have included Garden Sheds, Fitness equipment including bicycles, Items for hobbies, Kindles, Tablets or laptops with earphones so you can watch your own programmes, or you could think about food delivery from companies such as Gusto or Hello Fresh to explore new ideas in your cooking or even deliveries of takeaway food to have a break from cooking. Think out of the box about what gives you a break from your caring role.
Creative Breaks Application Form (Word) 2019-20
This funding is available just now and must be spent before the end of March. At the moment some of the normal rules have been suspended to enable as many carers as possible to access it quickly so if you are caring for a child under 21 you can apply (normally is for carers of adults over 21) and if you had a Creative Breaks Grant last year (it’s normally only available every two years) you can apply. An application form is attached to this email for you to complete and email to the email address on the back page of the form to make your application.
My colleague Sylwia reminded me that I should have included a bit in our bulletin about the new Carers Befriending Group she and our volunteer befrienders are starting up on Monday 22nd February. The group is for carers who would like to meet up with other carers and befrienders for social interaction and fun. You can find out more about it by click this link here: CARERS GROUPS
Best wishes
Lesley Childs
Depute Manager
Fife Carers Centre
157 Commercial Street| Kirkcaldy | KY1 2NS
Office: 01592 205 472
Mobile: 07736 927991
I work part time hours and do not work on Wednesdays
Personal Development Opportunity
Fife Carers Centre have been supporting family and unpaid carers throughout Fife for over 23 years. Keeping us on track and planning our way ahead is our Board of Directors and this well-established and well-regarded organisation are now able to offer the right person the opportunity to be part of our future. We are currently looking to recruit people who can offer their time and skills to join our Board of Directors and help this important service continue to grow and develop. It is a great opportunity for someone recently retired or with a bit of time on their hands and who wants to contribute their knowledge and experience to help us keep supporting the carers of Fife. If you think you have knowledge and skills that might benefit our Board, including experience of working in the third sector or having had a caring role of your own, and have a few hours each month to spare then please contact Fife Carers Centre for further details and an application form (NB Meetings are usually in the evenings and in line with Covid 19 restrictions are currently held on line).
Fife Carers Centre is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.
Company Number 282309. Scottish Charity Number SC029466.
Fife Carers Centre is an independent voluntary organisation funded by Fife Council and NHS Fife