Tag Archives: Social care

Good luck to our young heroes

Warwickshire County Council has wished two young carers the best of luck for a prestigious awards ceremony.

Young carers George Oxley and Leah Brassington have made it through to the final of the Young Citizen of the Year Awards, organised by the Brakes Trust and the Leamington Courier.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, paid a visit to Leah and George to congratulate them on getting through to the final and to wish them luck at the event which is being held at Leamington Town Hall on Friday 30 March. 

Ten year-old George Oxley of Leamington is an inspiring young carer who helps support his brother who has disabilities. George attends Warwickshire Young Carers’ Project and makes a valuable contribution to the group. Leah Brassington, aged 11 of Kenilworth, also cares for her brother who has special needs and from a very early age has helped others in the same position.

Cllr Seccombe said: “George and Leah play a vital role not only in their own families but in society as a whole. Despite their hard work and the sacrifices they make each day, these selfless young people take their own role for granted because they do it out of love. We wish them all the best for the awards.”

The Young Carers’ Project supports more than 800 young people across Warwickshire however, the organisation says there are many more ‘hidden’ young carers who aren’t aware of their role or the support available. The group organises informal and fun activities as well as one-to-one emotional support if it is needed.  The group also runs workshops where youngsters can learn new skills.

For more information on the support available to young carers visit www.warwickshireyoungcarers.org.uk or www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers or call 01926 485486.

Call to protect elderly from financial abuse

Pensioners are being left without enough money for food and fuel because they have been cheated out of their savings by people they know, reveals a campaign by Warwickshire County Council and Age UK Warwickshire.

The economic downturn has triggered growing concerns over the rise in financial abuse cases involving the over 65s, which are often carried out by a relative or person in a position of trust.

Journalist and broadcaster, Liz Kershaw, has joined Age UK Warwickshire and the County Council, in calling on local people to look out for the signs that an older person has been taken advantage of financially.

The number of financial elder abuse cases reported to Social Services grew by almost 9% between 2010 to 2011 and Warwickshire County Council says the cases they learn about are only the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

In one case an elderly man was forced to live in squalor on £1 a day, resorting to setting fire to his furniture to keep warm because a so-called ‘friend’ was cashing his benefits for him. In another case, an elderly woman was cheated out of her savings and transport and left with significant debts by her son who was supposed to be accessing her account to pay for shopping.

Financial abuse is the second highest form of elder abuse following neglect, but it often goes unreported and unrecognised because it involves someone who is trusted, such as a care worker or relative. Relatives often try and justify their actions by explaining they are receiving part of their inheritance early but financial abuse is a crime be it theft, fraud or misuse of powers of attorney.

Liz Kershaw, who is patron of Age UK Warwickshire, said: “The impact of the recession on older people has largely gone under the radar and awareness of financial abuse is minimal. The reality is that this could be happening to someone you know. The perpetrators think they can get away with it because their victims are frail, lonely or mentally impaired and we need to send out a clear message that this has to stop.”

County Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, said: “If people start to recognise and report financial abuse, we can put a stop to this scandal in our society. For too long these cases have been hidden because they are difficult to identify and older people may have feared retribution or the impact on their family relationships.”

Warwickshire County Council has a dedicated Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Team to protect older people and coordinate abuse investigation and victim support. If anyone is concerned that a vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse or neglect, please telephone 01926 412080 or for more information log on to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/safeguardingadults

Age UK offers counselling and emotional support to older people who may be feeling uncomfortable about the way they or someone else is being treated, whether living at home or in care.  Calls are treated with confidentiality and understanding, and the team also offers counselling.  Please call Kate Richmond of Age UK on 01926 458114.

You can help protect vulnerable people from financial abuse by looking for these signs:

  • Unexplained or sudden inability to pay bills
  • Unexplained or sudden withdrawal of money from accounts
  • Personal possessions going missing from people’s homes
  • Sudden changes in bank accounts, including unexplained withdrawals of large sums of money by a person accompanying the older person
  • Numerous unpaid bills, or overdue rent when someone else is supposed to be paying the bills
  • Deliberate isolation of an older person from friends and family, resulting in the caregiver alone having total control
  • Lack of amenities, such as personal grooming items, appropriate clothing, outings etc that the older person should be able to afford
  • The inclusion of additional names on a person’s bank account
  • Abrupt changes to or the sudden establishment of wills

County backs Dignity Code to protect older people

Warwickshire County Council and Age UK Warwickshire have joined national politicians, regulators and charities to back a campaign for better treatment of older people receiving care.

The National Pensioners Convention’s ‘Dignity Code’ aims to ensure that older patients are protected from undignified care and abuse.

A letter, calling for the code, was recently published in the Daily Telegraph and signed by 21 senior figures including Minister for Care Services Paul Burstow, his Labour Shadow Liz Kendall, in addition to the heads of Age UK, the TUC and the Care Quality Commission.

Warwickshire County Council and Age UK Warwickshire have followed in backing the campaign.

Warwickshire County Council helps support nearly 2,000 people living in residential and nursing homes and around 3,000 people who receive home care. It is hoped that all organisations providing care will sign up to the Dignity Code’s set of common standards and that the code will become a contractual requirement for care employees.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Dignity Champion for Warwickshire, welcomed the news and said: “Many of us at some point in our lives will have contact with health and social care services, whether as a service user, carer, relative or friend and we hope that when we do we will be treated with compassion and respect. We are committed to creating a system that protects older people against abuse and treats individuals with dignity.”

Elizabeth Phillips, Chief Executive of Age UK Warwickshire said: “Respect for each other and treating people with dignity is fundamental in a civilised society.  We are pleased that Warwickshire County Council is leading the way to make this Code a reality”.

County hails young heroes

The heroic efforts of young carers have been celebrated at a countywide awards evening.

The Young Heroes Celebration Event, organised by the Warwickshire Young Carers’ Project and supported by Warwickshire County Council and Barclays, paid tribute to the hard work and sacrifice made by youngsters across the county who care for a loved one.

The event, which was held at North Leamington School, gave young people the opportunity to receive recognition for their achievements over the last year and to join with the rest of Warwickshire in celebrating the continuing success of The Young Carers’ Project. Guests enjoyed an awards ceremony and entertainment, followed by a disco into the evening.  

Keely Tye, 18, of Nuneaton, was one of the recipients of the Outstanding Contribution Award for the role she has played in helping other young carers.

Another star of the show was 11-year-old Jake Prior from Rugby, who wowed the audience with his a cappella performance of Adele’s ‘Someone like you’. Jake has been a member of the Young Carers’ project for three years and helps care for his brother who has cerebral palsy.

Young carers were recognised for their achievements through the Children’s University, the Army Insight Course and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Warwickshire schools, including North Leamington and Kineton, were also recognised for the way they support students who have caring responsibilities. Many other carers received their Cyber Mentoring and First Aid Awards on the night: more than one hundred young carers from the project are St John’s Ambulance First Aid trained.

Anthony Bishop, Manager of the Warwickshire Young Carers’ Project, said: “Young carers give so much of their time to others, it’s important they enjoy time that’s completely aimed at them. The Young Heroes Event is about celebrating all young carers as well as giving awards for individual achievements.”

Warwickshire County Councillor Izzi Seccombe attended the event and said the young people do an incredible job: “To be with such an inspirational and talented group of young people has been a tremendous honour. Young carers make a valuable contribution to their families and society as a whole and yet they take their own role for granted because they do it out of love. It is vitally important that we recognise young carers in this way.”

The Young Carers’ Project supports more than 800 young people across Warwickshire however, the organisation says there are many more ‘hidden’ young carers who aren’t aware of their role or the support available. The group organises informal and fun activities as well as one-to-one emotional support if it is needed.  The group also runs workshops where youngsters can learn new skills.

For more information on the support available to young carers visit www.warwickshireyoungcarers.org.uk or www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers or call 01926 485486.

County champions dignity day

County council employees including social workers, occupational therapists and care home staff will be joining thousands of their counterparts from around the country when they mark Dignity Action Day on Wednesday 1 February.

Many of us at some point in our lives will have contact with health and social care services, whether as a service user, carer, relative or friend and we hope that when we do we will be treated with dignity and respect.  Warwickshire County Council is helping to make sure that dignity is a reality for all and is holding a number of events to raise awareness of Dignity Action Day and to make Wednesday 1 February a day to remember for those receiving and providing care.

Activities in care homes for older people range from a ‘Bake Off’ day, an ‘End of the Blitz’ themed coffee morning and Fish and Chip Shop Supper, to pamper sessions and a Dignity Tree where older people, relatives and staff can write and display their comments about what dignity means to them.

Many people at the council have also signed up as Dignity Champions which means they have a commitment to take action, however great or small, to create a care system that has compassion and respect for those using its services. Dignity champions endorse ten principles of care to make a difference for the better.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care, is Dignity Champion for the County Council. She said: “Dignity and respect is everyone’s business, every day. The power to take action on dignity in care is not just limited to those who work in health and social care. You can make a difference by giving the gift of time to a neighbour by calling in for a chat, offering to do some shopping or helping them to use the web.”

 The ten points of the Dignity Challenge are to:

  1. have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse.
  2. support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family.
  3. treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service.
  4. enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control.
  5. listen and support people to express their needs and wants.
  6. respect people’s right to privacy.
  7. ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution.
  8. engage with family members and carers as care partners.
  9. assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self-esteem.
  10. act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation
For more information about the national Dignity in Care Campaign see www.dignityincare.org.uk

Funding boost to help keep people safe during cold weather

Vulnerable people across Warwickshire are to get more help and support during cold weather, following a successful bid for a share of the Government’s Warm Homes Healthy People fund.

In Warwickshire more than 270 people die each year as a result of not keeping warm.

Warwickshire’s Affordable Warmth Group has recently been awarded £68,640 which will be used to run a number of schemes to help those at risk, including older people and those with long term conditions, to keep warm and safe and prevent them from needing to go to hospital.

The  Affordable Warmth Group was set up two years ago to tackle the issue of fuel poverty, and members include Warwickshire’s County, District and Borough Councils, NHS Warwickshire, Act on Energy, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service and voluntary organisations including Age UK.

The extra funding means the group can build upon its existing work and invest in initiatives including:

  • Practical aids such as thermo-cards which display the temperature in the home and offer information and advice on keeping warm and well
  • A rural community project which will target those living in the most isolated areas
  • A targeted benefits checks service to ensure that those in need are receiving all the funding that they are entitled to
  • Investment in a central referral scheme so that vulnerable people and those acting on their behalf are helped to access information and advice to obtain support 
  • Training for community groups and volunteers (in addition to health, housing and social care staff) who come into contact with vulnerable people

County Councillor Claire Watson, Chair of Warwickshire’s Affordable Warmth Working Group, said:  “Cold weather can pose a significant threat to vulnerable people. This additional government funding will help us to strengthen the resources available to people in Warwickshire both this winter and next.”

She added: “We all have a role to play and what’s good about this investment is that we can work more closely with communities and individuals.”

Helen King, Deputy Director of Public Health at NHS Warwickshire, said: “Keeping warm is a vitally important part of staying healthy over the winter, particularly for vulnerable or elderly people. Family, friends and neighbours also have a part to play and should keep an eye on people they think might be at risk by checking their homes are warm enough, that they wrap up well and that they are eating at least one hot meal a day. We welcome any additional funding that can help us to prevent avoidable deaths caused by very cold weather.” 

A freephone helpline has been set up in Warwickshire to help vulnerable and older people keep warm and well. The freephone number 0800 988 2881 is available from Monday to Friday from 9.00am – 5.00pm to ensure people receive help and advice during periods of cold weather including: 

  • How to keep you and your home warm
  • How to reduce fuel bills by improving the energy efficiency of your home
  • What to do if you’re worried about your fuel bills and you need debt advice and assistance
  • What to do if you heating system breaks down

A special Warm and Well leaflet is also available which highlights a number of simple steps to follow:

• Keep internal doors closed to stop draughts
• Have at least one hot meal and hot drinks throughout the day
• Layer up – many layers of clothing are best
• Close curtains at dusk
• Ensure your heating is 21°C in your home
• Keep your heating on overnight
• Ensure your home is well insulated and your boiler is serviced
• Contact your energy supplier about social tariffs or priority register schemes.

Residents can visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/keepwarm for more information and to download the Winter Warmth Leaflet.