CARERS of WEST LOTHIAN Providing Support, Information and a A Voice for Carers in West Lothian

Carers Week 13-19 June 2005 - Work, Rest and play

The theme of Carers Week this year was ‘Work, Rest and Play’ and during the week Carers of West Lothian provided many new opportunities for carers in West Lothian.

Other Carers Week Stories:-

• Carers Week - Workshops for Carers
• Carers Week Holiday for Carers and their families
• Carers Week - Free Leisure Offer for Carers

Here are some of the events that were organised.

• Come and Try Taoist Tai Chi!
• Aromatherapy Taster Sessions
• Introduction to Computers
• Scrap Booking
• Information Stand
• Timetable - Dates, Times & Venues
• Free Carers Allowance & Disability Living Allowance Checks
• West Lothian College Information
• Jobcentre Plus Work Focused Advisers
• Proposed Course for Carers of People with Dementia

Come and Try Taoist Tai Chi! - Monday 13th & Friday 17th June

What is Taoist Tai Chi? Taoist Tai Chi is a series of gentle movements developed initially by Taoist monks in China to enable their bodies to become healthy.

The movements are designed to stretch the muscles and put the joints through their full range of motion.  Tai Chi can help to reduce the stiffness and deterioration that tends to occur with age and any physical inactivity.  Practising Taoist Tai Chi regularly will lead to increased flexibility and strength, better posture, co-ordination and improved circulation.  Tai Chi is suitable for any age as long as you are mobile.

Times of sessions at the Strathbrock Community Centre:

• Monday 13th June- 11am – 12:30pm
• Friday 17th June – 7:30pm – 9pm

If you would like to book your place on either of the sessions detailed below, please telephone the Carers of West Lothian office on 01506 771750.

Aromatherapy Taster Session - Wednesday 15th June

Come along to this session if you would like to learn relaxation techniques and ways to combat stress.  You can find out more about essential aromatherapy oils and the many ways they can help and even try mixing your own oils to take home.  The session will run on Wednesday 15th of June from 10.00 till 12.00 in Meeting Room 3 of Strathbrock Partnership Centre.

Contact Carers of West Lothian on 01506 771750 to book your place.

Introduction to Computers - Tuesday 14th June

John O’Callaghan, Community IT Development Worker, will run an Introduction to Computers Course on Tuesday 14th June from 1-3pm. If you have been curious about computers but been afraid to ask, or if you have a little experience but wish to start expanding your skills, come along and give it a try. The course will be held at Unity House, 36 King Street, Bathgate, (opposite the train station).

Contact Carers of West Lothian on 01506 771750 to book your place.

Scrap Booking

We are running a Scrap-booking Workshop (also known as Memory Books) in Strathbrock Partnership Centre on Tuesday 16th of June from 10.00 to 12.00.  This involves taking a few favourite photographs and decorating a page as a special memento.

If you would like to spend a couple of hours to see if this would be a hobby you would enjoy, please contact Carers of West Lothian on 01506 771750 to book your place.

Information Stands

During Carers Week look out for our information stands, located in a variety of places throughout West Lothian.  The theme for this years Carers Week is ‘Work, Rest and Play’ and we have tried to incorporate this theme in a variety of ways.  We have invited other organisations to accompany us on our stands to give information on benefits and how working or attending college could affect these benefits.  We have also asked the Information Officer from West Lothian College to give advice on courses available.  To find out where we will be each day please refer to the timetable.

Free Carers Allowance & Disability Living Allowance Checks

During Carers Week members of the Disability and Carers Service in Edinburgh will be offering free Carers Allowance and DLA checks to all carers in West Lothian.  If you would like to speak informally to one of the advisors from the Disability and Carers Service during Carers Week to find out more information on Carers Allowance and Disability Living Allowance, please refer to the timetable for dates, times & venues.  If you would like any further information on the benefit checks, please contact Carers of West Lothian on 01506 771750.

West Lothian College Information

If you would like to find out about courses available at West Lothian College and accessibility for these courses, then come along and have a chat with Maria Montgomery.  Please refer to the timetable for dates, times & venues.

Jobcentre Plus Work Focused Advisers

If you are a carer but feel you would like to try some part time work and don’t know where to start, then come along to Jobcentreplus, 97 East Main Street, Broxburn for an informal chat with an adviser.  They will advise you on how to look for work and how you could work a few hours without affecting your Carers Allowance.

Timetable

Support for Carers of People with Dementia - Proposed 8 week Course for Carers

Following the successful pilot Dementia Course for Carers held last year there has been an ongoing Support Group meeting each month since 28th October 2004.

We are now hoping to run a further 8 week course starting in October 2005.

Any carers who would like more information or to apply for a place on this course should contact, Ann Haughie, Support Worker at the Carers of West Lothian Office Telephone No. 771750

Carers of West Lothian offers support, advice and a listening ear to carers across West Lothian looking after family members or friends who are unable to care for themselves. For further information or help you can contact Mary-Denise McKernan on 01506 771750 or visit the Carers Centre located within the Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn, open Mon - Fri 10.00am - 3.00pm.

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