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Issue 25
23.04.15
Healthwatch County Durham E -Bulletin
Welcome to Healthwatch County Durham E-bulletin.
Please feel free to forward this on to any interested
friends or colleagues.
________________________________________
Website: www.healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
Email: info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
Tel: 01325 375960 Text: 07756 654218
Signposting and Information Freephone: 0808 8010384
HWCountyDurham
Like our Facebook Page
Healthwatchcodurham
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Tell us what you think about the Blue Badge Scheme
Have you experienced any problems with the Blue Badge
Scheme in County Durham?
We would like to know your views. Please contact us on 01325 375960 or email
us at info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk Freephone number: 0808 8010384
NEW Drop-ins
We will be holding a drop-in session at Barnard Castle, Consett and Spennymoor
Citizens Advice Bureaux in County Durham. Please see our Drop-in timetable on
page 5 for the dates and times we will be in each venue.
For further information please contact us on 01325 375960 or email us at
info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk Freephone number: 0808 8010384
Good Luck!
Good Luck to Kirsty
We would like to wish our Administrator Kirsty Littlejohn all the best on her
maternity leave. We look forward to meeting your new baby when it arrives!
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Volunteering with Healthwatch County Durham
Healthwatch County Durham wants to make sure that it stays
connected with as many people as possible in County Durham.
There are several ways that you can be involved:
Be our Friend
• receive regular updates, news and E-Bulletins
• automatically receive invitations to complete surveys or input to consultations
Be a helper
• receive regular updates, news and E-Bulletins
• automatically receive invitations to complete surveys or input to consultations
• offer insight, suggestions and help based on your personal experiences of
health and social care services
• offer practical support at events or with administrative, office or other tasks
Be a Healthwatcher
Healthwatchers like talking to people, are good organisers, can gather views and
feedback concisely from their local community. They
• promote Healthwatch in their local community using posters and leaflets
• support the Staff Team at events
• help to gather views and comments
• help conduct research with the public, for example using questionnaires
Be an Enter & View Authorised Representative
Enter & View Authorised Representatives undergo training in confidentiality,
dignity, equality and diversity, report writing and safeguarding. They also must
undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check. They then:
• visit health and social care premises to see and hear how services are provided
• collect the views of service users, family and carers
• observe and report on the nature and quality of services
• develop recommendations for service improvements
If you would like to volunteer for Healthwatch County Durham or would simply
like to keep up to date with our information, please email Julia for an
application form on j.catherall@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk or call 01325
375960.
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Healthwatch Board Meetings 2015
Healthwatch County Durham invites the public to observe its Board at work.
Each meeting begins with a 'Listening & Learning' session when we invite
members of the public to address the Board if they wish. Anyone is welcome
to attend and raise any concerns, comments, compliments or complaints
about the work of Healthwatch County Durham. Minutes of the Board
meetings are available on our website or by clicking the following link Board
Meeting Minutes. Please find below the list of remaining board meetings for
2015.
Date
Wednesday 20th May 2015
10am – 12:30pm
Venue
Bowburn Community Association
Durham Rd, Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5AT
Wednesday 17th June 2015
10am – 12:30pm
The Brockwell Centre
Craghead Road, Pelton Fell, County Durham, DH2 2NH
Wednesday 15th July 2015
10am – 12:30pm
Butterwick Hospice
Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JU
Wednesday 19th August 2015
10am – 12:30pm
Bowburn Community Association
Durham Rd, Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5AT
Wednesday 16th September
2015 10am – 12:30pm
The Brockwell Centre
Craghead Road, Pelton Fell, County Durham, DH2 2NH
Wednesday 21st October 2015
10am – 12:30pm
Wednesday 18th November
2015 10am – 12:30pm
Wednesday 16th December
2015 10am – 12:30pm
Butterwick Hospice
Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6JU
Bowburn Community Association
Durham Rd, Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5AT
The Brockwell Centre
Craghead Road, Pelton Fell, County Durham, DH2 2NH
If you would like to attend one of our board meetings or if you need support
attending any of these meetings, please don’t hesitate to get in touch;
Telephone: 01325 375960 Email: info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk or call our
Freephone number: 0808 8010384 Website: www.healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
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Healthwatch County Durham Drop-In Points
Members of the public are invited to ‘drop-in’, without appointment, to talk to
Healthwatch County Durham staff. As well as pointing you in the right direction to
find health and social care services, we want to hear your views and we believe that
every opinion counts. The comments we collect can be anything from the quality of
the health or social care service, the building and facilities, the service you have
received from staff members or purely praising the organisation on the work they
do. We collect your views and experiences to help improve the services in and
around County Durham by raising issues with the service provider or commissioner
and making the relevant organisation aware of your experiences. Come along to one
of our drop-in points and share your experiences with us - we would love to know
what you think.
Date & Time
Venue Details
27th April 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
University Hospital of North Durham North Road,
Durham, County Durham, DH1 5TW
11th May 2015
O’ – 12:00pm
10:00am
22nd May 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
Peterlee Community Hospital
O’Neill Drive, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 5UQ
Consett Citizens Advice Bureau
77 Medomsley Road, Consett, DH8 5HN
29th May 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
Bishop Auckland General Hospital
Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6AD
4th June 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
Spennymoor Citizens Advice Bureau
71 High Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, DL16 6BB
9th June 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
Shotley Bridge Community Hospital
Shotley Bridge, Consett, County Durham, DH8 0NB
24th June 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
University Hospital of North Durham
North Road, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5TW
16th July 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
Weardale Community Hospital
Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL13 2JR
21st July 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
Bishop Auckland General Hospital
Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 6AD
12th August 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
Chester le Street Community Hospital
Front Street, Chester le Street, County Durham, DH3 3AT
28th August 2015
10:00am – 12:00pm
University Hospital of North Durham
North Road, Durham, County Durham, DH1 5TW
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Healthwatch County Durham will be hosting drop -in points and attending events around County Durham to
promote Healthwatch County Durham and to take any comments, compliments and grumbles from the general
public. Below are our engagement diaries for the next two weeks. We welcome anyone to attend so feel free to
come along and have a friendly chat with us.
Week Commencing Monday 20th April 2015
Monday 20th
April
Tuesday 21th
April
Wednesday 22nd
April
Thursday 23rd
April
Friday 24th
April
Saturday 25th
April
Members of the public are invited to ‘drop-in’, without appointment, to talk to Healthwatch County
Healthwatch Durham staff. Whether its gripes or grumbles, singing someone’s praises, or asking where to go and who
Drop-in points to speak to, we want to hear people’s experiences and help them get the best from local health and
social care provision.
CAB Drop-in
Barnard Castle
10am-12pm
Healthwatch
by invitation
Healthwatch County Durham staff are always willing to attend or speak to community groups, health
and social care support groups, schools, clubs etc. to talk about our work and to invite people to tell
us about their experiences, and their gripes, grumbles or positive praise of local health and social
care provision.
‘Falls Event’
Cornerstones
Centre
Chester-le-Street
10am-2pm
Learning Disability
Provider Forum
Durham Indoor
Bowling Club
9:30am-2pm
ECCDS Parent Group
Pioneering Care
Partnership
Newton Aycliffe
11am-1pm
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Week Commencing Monday 27th April 2015
Monday
27th April
Healthwatch
Drop-in
points
Tuesday
28th April
Wednesday
29th April
Thursday
30th April
Friday
1st May
Members of the public are invited to ‘drop-in’, without appointment, to talk to Healthwatch County
Durham staff. Whether its gripes or grumbles, singing someone’s praises, or asking where to go and who
to speak to, we want to hear people’s experiences and help them get the best from local health and
social care provision.
University Hospital of
North Durham
10am-12pm
Healthwatch
by invitation
Healthwatch County Durham staff are always willing to attend or speak to community groups, health
and social care support groups, schools, clubs etc. to talk about our work and to invite people to tell
us about their experiences, and their gripes, grumbles or positive praise of local health and social care
provision.
Spennymoor Children and
Young People Network
Meeting
____________________________________________________
For more information on any of the events above or to speak to a member of our team please contact us.
Freephone: 0808 8010384 Text: 07756654218 Email: info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
Web: www.healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
We Listen, We Advise, We Speak Up
We Listen
The GOALS Project – (Go Out and Live)
This month we visited The GOALS Project (part of DISC – ‘Developing
Communities Supporting Initiatives’) who are based at Pelton Community
Centre. The project works with adults who have a learning disability by offering
day services, one-to-one support and activities such as cookery skills and
computer activities. The project is run by both staff and volunteers who support
service users through their individual support plans to identify which areas of
support would be most beneficial to them to achieve their goals.
We spoke to the project about the service which Healthwatch County Durham
provides, and to collect individual comments about members’ experiences of
health and social care services. We used our ‘lucky dip’ as an exercise to collect
comments, and also spoke to the group about health and social care
experiences.
If you would like further information about the GOALS Project then please visit the
GOALS website www.mygoals.org.uk
We have signed up a NEW HEALTHWATCHER!
Mrs Clare Robinson from Pelton Community Centre
will be helping to collect comments about your
experiences of local health and social care services.
The Healthwatch comment box is placed at the main
reception in Pelton Community Centre, and Clare will
be there to support you and give you Healthwatch
County Durham contact details should you need any
further information or support.
Thanks Clare!
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Age UK County Durham - ‘Come Eat Together’ Group
This month we visited two ‘Come Eat Together’ groups, at The Queen’s Head
Pub in Gilesgate, Durham, and the Northumbrian Water Lunch Group in Pity Me.
This will now be three lunch groups we have attended which are run by Age UK
County Durham. The ‘Come Eat Together’ groups are run monthly and located
in different parts of the county. Healthwatch attended the group to collect
comments about members’ health and social care experiences. We collected
comments using our comment cards, and asked the group to put them in our
Healthwatch comment box once they were completed.
For further information about the ‘Come Eat Together’ groups, please call
Age UK County Durham on 0191 3746577.
We Advise
Here is an example of recent calls to our Freephone telephone number, and
how we responded:
The call:
We had a call from a gentleman who lived in County Durham who was looking
for contact details on who to direct a concern to regarding what he considered
to be slanderous letters from a consultant to his GP.
What we did:
These letters were to support his application for his father’s attendance
allowance. As the gentleman did not want us to disclose any personal
information to third party, we looked into who he could contact and were
advised that it would be better for the gentleman to contact PALs (Patient
Advise Liaison Service) for Tees, Esk Wear Valley Foundation Trust direct and
they could help him further. He was grateful for our support in this sensitive
issue.
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We Speak Up
Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge Scheme allows members of the public with a disability to park
closer to their destination.
Healthwatch County Durham was contacted by a member of the public who had
received a renewal letter for a Blue Badge. The content and language of the
letter troubled the recipient and they turned to Healthwatch County Durham to
help support them with the matter.
On Wednesday 1st April 2015 Healthwatch County Durham wrote a letter which
stated the areas of concern, such as: the incorrect title used for the addressee,
the letter was undated and the language was confusing to the recipient (using
jargon terms) and somewhat threatening.
On Thursday 9th April 2015 Durham County Council Children and Adult Services
replied to our letter, and apologised for the distress caused to the service user.
They also informed us that the renewal letters are sent out by a national
contractor, ‘Northgate Information Solutions’ and that they would refer the
issues raised to the contractor and ask for changes to be made to the standard
letter. Durham County Council also added that they follow the procedure
stated in the ‘Blue Badge Scheme Local Authority Guidance’ for badges to be
returned to local authorities on expiry, however they will amend this to add
that the blue badge may also be cut up.
For more information telephone: 01325 375960
Email: info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk or call our
Freephone number: 0808 8010384
Website: www.healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
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What’s happening in County Durham
Included in this section is an overview of what's happening in County Durham. The
meetings, events and consultations posted here are organised by external parties,
therefore Healthwatch County Durham does not accept responsibility for their
content. If you would like to advertise and promote a service or an event that would
benefit people in County Durham on health & social care matters then please get in
touch and we can include it in our next e-bulletin.
Email info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk.
T: 01325 375967 Freephone: 0808 8010384
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What’s on?
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Beamish Museum Dementia Support: Orchard Cottage
The Museum has a 1940’s style house ‘Orchard Cottage’, which has been
sympathetically adapted to provide a safe, comfortable and accessible space. It is an
ideal space for groups of older people and people living with dementia, and their
families and carers, to enjoy together. Groups are able to book this space for
activities that are facilitated by Museum staff and volunteers. Groups can participate
in a diverse range of activities during their visit, such as baking, gardening, art,
creative storytelling, traditional crafts and music. Thanks to the uniqueness of the
Beamish environment activities change and develop with different seasons and
customs throughout the year. The sessions focus upon several key principles: person
centred, respect, providing choice for people, active participation, social
interaction, enjoyment, helping people to feel valued and improving self-confidence
and sense of well-being.
All activities can be easily adapted to ensure that the needs and abilities of all
participants are taken into account and best supported. Although the environment
naturally provides opportunities for reminiscence, this is not a focus for the session
and any ‘pressure’ for people to rely on memory is removed so that everyone,
regardless of their level of cognitive ability or diagnosis of dementia, can participate.
Resources and support for carers
Beamish runs workshops regularly for people who work with and support older people
and people affected by dementia. The workshops are attended by representatives
from a range of organisations, voluntary groups and family carers and provide
opportunities to share experiences, develop skills and knowledge, problem solve with
others, and also create a network of support within the region. The workshops also
identify ways in which the museum can support carers through sharing ideas on how
to incorporate the loans boxes into engaging activities, and exploring the space and
activities run by the Museum. Bespoke workshops have also been delivered for
specific organisations.
For Further Information please visit www.beamish.org.uk or telephone 0191 370
4026. You can email at bookings@beamish.org.uk
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__________________________________
‘Relative Experience’
A project working to tackle the issues and challenges faced by
kinship carers
Are you bringing up a relative’s child?
Across County Durham and Darlington, many children are being brought up by close
relatives – grandparents, aunts and uncles – because their parents are unable to
care for them, often because of difficult family circumstances.
In the UK, there are up to 300,000 children cared for by relatives in this way - four
times the number in foster care. Often the relatives involved are on low incomes
with many having to give up work or reduce hours when a child moves in.
Relative Experience (Durham) is a new Big Lottery-funded project to help and
support people who are bringing up their relative’s children. As well as setting up
support groups, Relative Experience (Durham) is asking for volunteers to befriend
these carers.
Run by three charities – Family Lives, Grandparents Plus and the Family and
Childcare Trust, the project is there to offer support and information. The project
will be setting up support groups in local areas and is asking for volunteers to help
befriend carers.
If you need support, wish to attend a support group or would like to volunteer with
Relative Experience, please contact Mark den Hollander on 07711556811 or email to
markdh@familylives.org.uk.
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___________________________________
Games for the Brain in Durham
If you have dementia and would like to pursue sports and other hobbies,
this group could be for you!
Sessions start 19 May 2015
Location: Spennymoor Leisure Centre, High Street, Durham DL16 6DB
Time:
Tuesdays from 2 – 3.30pm
If you’d like to find out more about the activity group, please contact Claire White,
Dementia Support Worker on:
T: 0191 389 0400 or E: claire.white@alzheimers.org.uk
What is Games for the Brain?
Games for the Brain is a six-week programme of activity sessions (funded by Northern
Rock) for people with dementia and their carers. Each group will vary, including
sports such as table tennis, indoor bowls and much more! You don’t need to be good
at any of the sports to take part, as the groups are designed for people to take up
new hobbies or continue ones they enjoy. The sessions will take place weekly for one
and a half hours and you will be supported by our volunteers. We suggest wearing
comfortable clothing that’s easy to move around in. All Games for the Brain sessions
are free of charge and each session includes refreshments and time for socialising.
The sessions take place in local community centres or leisure centres across County
Durham.
We look forward to seeing you.
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___________________________________
15



Monday Walkers
We are a walking group for people with memory problems and other mental health conditions over
the age of 65
Each walk is no longer than 2 miles (or 1 hour long)
Come and experience beautiful local walks, meet others, and enjoy the benefits of physical exercise



All walks start from Derwentside College (opposite B&Q)
We meet in the café area at the front of the building
All walks start and finish at the college, taking in parts of the old Steelworks site, local parks and cycle
tracks



The walking group will start on Monday April 20th 2015
We meet every Monday at 10am, to start walking at 10:15am.
We aim to return by 11:15am



After the walk, please join us for refreshments in the college café
Carers are welcome to come along too!
All walks are risk assessed and led by qualified walk leaders on every walk
For further information
Please contact us on: 03000 266 555 or 01207 214018
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___________________________________
Targeted Health Trainers
Pioneering Care Partnership (PCP) are targeting people at most risk of poor
health as part of a countywide Wellbeing for Life service.
Specific population groups include people with learning disabilities, who are
not currently supported through social care services, older people, male
manual workers, offenders, people with poor mental health and people who
are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Health Trainers can work with groups and individuals, including family
members and carers, to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet and
lifestyle choices.
Health Trainers will take a client-centred approach to set personal health plans
to improve lifestyle including:
•
Healthier eating
• Increasing physical activity
•
Stopping smoking
•
Drinking less alcohol
•
Improving mental wellbeing, resilience and strengths
A Health Trainer said “We work alongside people, providing them with help and
support to make the lifestyle changes they want. We also know the local area
so can signpost people to other services that can help them to reach their
goals.
We can also deliver group sessions such as healthy cooking on a budget, weight
management, lifestyle courses and physical activity sessions. Everyone is
encouraged to participate, have fun and learn about becoming healthier and
happier.”
For further information on the targeted Health Trainer service contact PCP at
the Pioneering Care Centre, Carer’s Way, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham DL5
4SF. Tel: 01325 321234 email: healthtrainers@pcp.uk.net or visit
www.pcp.uk.net.
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___________________________________
safeTALK Training
“safeTALK is training that prepares anyone over the age of 15 to identify persons
with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. Most
people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know how to
use these opportunities to support that desire for safety”
www.livingworks.net
Aim
Most people with thoughts of suicide invite help to stay safe. Alert helpers know
how to use these opportunities to support that desire for safety.
Objectives
As a safeTALK-trained suicide alert helper, you will be better able to:

move beyond common tendencies to miss, dismiss or avoid suicide;

identify people who have thoughts of suicide;

apply the TALK steps (Tell, Ask, Listen and KeepSafe) to connect a person
with suicide thoughts to suicide first aid, intervention caregivers.
Aimed At
safeTALK will be beneficial to anyone who works in a front-line situation working
with people who may have thoughts of suicide. The training will prepare
participants with the knowledge and skills to identify these people, ask the
question about suicide and link them into someone who can provide suicide first
aid. The training is fully funded by Durham County Council and available at no
charge to participants who work or volunteer in Durham.
Date
12th May
19th May
23rd June
7th July
14th July
18th August
Venue
Chester le Street & Durham City Mind
Chester le Street & Durham City Mind
Flambard Community Hall,
Framwellgate Moor
Flambard Community Hall,
Framwellgate Moor
Flambard Community Hall,
Framwellgate Moor
Flambard Community Hall,
Framwellgate Moor
Time
9.30-12.30
9.30-12.30
9.30-12.30
9.30-12.30
9.30-12.30
9.30-12.30
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Booking
Please contact traininginmind@gmail.com by email to obtain a booking form.
NB The content of the workshop may be difficult to deal with if you are feeling
emotionally vulnerable. If you have suicidal thoughts, or have been recently
bereaved please contact us to discuss the course content before booking. *Any
cancellations later than 5 working days prior to training will incur a £50 charge
___________________________________
County Durham Age UK
Come Eat Together
‘Come Eat Together' is a volunteer peer support project which aims to improve
older people's ability to access, cook and enjoy healthy food together, helping
them to be more resilient and better able to cope with life stage changes such
as retirement, bereavement or ill health.
To find out information about where the project is in your area, please look at
the activity page on the County Durham Age UK website:
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/countydurham/our-services/come-dine-with-us/
The project is working in a number of ways to promote the enormous benefits
of a healthy diet for older people including developing new Lunch Clubs and
Dining Circles where older people can come together and take it in turns to
cook for one another.
More news about this initiative can be found at www.comeeattogether.org
Contact us for more information:
T: 0191 374 6577
E: cet@ageukcountydurham.org.uk
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___________________________________
Free Desktop computers and monitors
We have 4 Dell computer monitors, 3 tower systems, 3 keyboards and
an Epson printer that we would like to give to a County Durham
voluntary organisation.
If you are interested please call Julia Catherall on 01325 375 960 or
email j.catherall@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
Thanks!
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Please tell us what you think
Customer feedback - we want to hear from you.
Healthwatch County Durham would like to hear what you think about us. This
could be praise, criticism or a comment on the services we provide. We are
always looking to find new ways to improve what we do and with your help, we
can achieve this.
We always try our very best to ensure we are received well and deliver a
quality service and hope we are making a difference to people in County
Durham.
If you would like to give us your feedback then you can do this either by email,
post, or by completing our quick online survey.
All comments are greatly appreciated and all kept confidential.
Online Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BVH2S5N
Email: info@healthwatchcountydurham.co.uk
Address:
Freepost Plus RTEC-UGSU-THSH
Healthwatch County Durham CIC
The Work Place
Heighington Lane
Aycliffe Business Park
Newton Aycliffe
DL5 6AH
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