Mary Murrell

(22.2.12) We were very sad to hear of the death last week of Mary Murrell a long time volunter with the Alzheimer’s Society and with Carers Lewisham. Mary founght long and hard to improve services for people with dementia and their carers. She will be very sadly missed. We have not heard yet about the funeral arrangements but we will post here when we do.

What do YOU think about Carers Lewisham

We want to hear what you think about Carers Lewisham. We have sent out evaluation forms to all carers who get our Newsletter but we also want to hear what other services you think Carers Lewisham should be providing to help you as carers. Please send us your ideas

New Dementia Service Launch

Civic Suite 21st February 10.30-2.30pm Coma along and find out more about the new services. YOU MUST BOOK please email cynthia.skeete@slam.nhs.uk

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads to Merge

 19/1/12

The two National Charities have today announced that they have decided to work together towards its vision of a world where the role and contribution of unpaid carers is recognised and they have access to the quality support and services they need to live their own lives. The name for the New Charity will be announced later.

Carers Lewisham is currently one of a network of charities associated with the Princess Royal Trust won’t be affected by the merger as it is an independent local charity.

Andrew Cozens, former Vice-Chair at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, has been appointed as Chair of the new charity. Mark Currie joins the board as Treasurer, a role he has been carrying out at Crossroads Care for the past two years. Recruitment of a Chief Executive for the new charity is now underway.
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, has agreed to be President of the new charity, a role she has held at The Trust since it formed in 1991. Commenting on the announcement, Andrew Cozens said: “We are delighted that The Princess Royal will be President of the new charity, which continues her long support for carers.
“Both of the founder charities place carers and carers support at their heart and this will be at the core of the new organisation. The work undertaken by Crossroads Care and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is complementary and they have a well known and respected track record of working together. “While both are doing great work independently in supporting carers, it became apparent that so much more could be achieved, both now and in the future, if the two came together to create a new charity. “Doing so will give us a single, stronger voice with which to raise greater awareness of the issues that carers face, as well as the money needed to sustain existing, and develop new, services for carers.” Both charities’ networks will continue to provide support to carers under their local brands and are not expected to merge locally as a result of the national merger.
 

 END THE CARE CRISIS LOBBY

From CareLobby 2012

We are entering a key time for our social care system. Our social care system is broken. It cannot cope with a rapidly ageing population and positive impact of people living longer with illness and disability.

Those who use our social care system can no longer tolerate a social care system which leaves many with no support and others with poor quality services. The public are angry that they can face huge care charges and end up losing all their savings or being forced to sell their home.

The Government is due to announce their plans to reform social care in April 2012. It is really important that we make sure MPs and ministers act now to reform our social care system ensuring a fair and sustainable care system which delivers dignity, independence and peace of mind for older and disabled people and their families. Failure to act will lead to more of the cuts, neglect and abuse in social care, at great cost to our economy, public services and society.

It’s simple: we have to act now!

Care Lobby 2012  are planning to hold a Lobby of Parliament this year.  The End the Care Crisis: Lobby 2012 will take place on Tuesday 6th March 2012, in the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

Join their campaign today to urge the Government to create a better social care system for all.

If you want a social care system that:

• Is fairly and suitably funded
• Offers high quality care
• Delivers dignity, independence and choice
• Supports and offers peace of mind for older and disabled people and their families

Visit CareLobby 2012 for more information