Lanarkshire Carers

A new online Summer Health Hub has been launched by NHS Lanarkshire, designed to provide residents with essential health information and advice for the summer months.

The hub offers guidance on a range of topics including insect bites, heat-related conditions, and the safe use of prescribed medicines while travelling. It also provides crucial food safety tips to help avoid gastrointestinal issues.

The Summer Health Hub is accessible via the NHS Lanarkshire website by visiting: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health/summer-health/

Too Good To Throw Market is back at Wishaw Sports Centre this Saturday 27 July from 11am - 2pm. 80 stalls packed with bargains for you to browse!

They'll have their usual great mix of preloved toys, clothes, baby items, homeware, vintage, sports goods, footwear, jewellery, books, games.

On top of all this they will also have stalls with FREE school uniforms and sanitary products available too. Most local school uniforms available.

Today is .

Scotland has lots of beautiful places to visit and nothing boosts your family’s wellbeing like being outdoors. But if you are heading out near the water, it’s important that everyone in your family learns how to keep safe.

Anyone can drown. No one should.

Make sure you know what to do if you find yourself in trouble in the water.

- Download Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's leaflet now to keep you safe around Scotland’s water:
https://rb.gy/oc79bl

More information: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/outdoors/water-safety/

- You can view the Water Safety Code here:
https://watersafetyscotland.org.uk/adv.../water-safety-code/

- Parent Club Scotland has tips and advice on their website, visit: https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/water-safety

World Health Organization (WHO)

Lanarkshire Deaf Club SCIO are hosting a Community Fun Day this Saturday 27 July 2024 from 1pm to 4pm at Lanarkshire Deaf Club in Motherwell.

All are welcome.

Do you need school uniforms for the upcoming term?

The school uniform bank will be open with many pre-loved uniforms for local schools on Thursday 25 July and Thursday 01 August 2024 from 10am - 12pm at YMCA Bellshill & Mossend in Bellshill.

Headspace has created a YouTube playlist to help you sleep.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW8o3_GFoCBO7CfVk2lWqunKVl0vnFMlU&feature=shared

Get Some Sleep (Music, Meditations, and Sleepcasts) Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

Action for Happiness has regular special online events.

If you've missed one or want to rewatch an event that you may have attended, visit Action for Happiness's Youtube channel where there are over 180 recordings of the events that you can watch at any time.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv8qC1Am9cePMLbI_6G91E2rm_igigJ2x

Action for Happiness Events Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

We all have mental health, just as we have physical health, and it’s important that we take the time to look after it.

Evidence suggests there are five ways to improve our mental wellbeing: connect, be active, take notice, learn and give.

SAMH has 5 small things you can try to help you improve your mental wellbeing, every day.

Click here for more information: https://www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/self-help-and-wellbeing/five-ways-to-better-mental-health

We hope that you have benefitted from our takeover on our social media throughout the day.

Remember, carers can always contact Lanarkshire Carers to discuss how we can support you in your caring role.

Learn how to protect your mental health with the Mental Health Foundation's guide. Filled with simple activities, tips, and advice.

Some tips will be easier for some people and harder for others. Why not give them a try and see what suits you best.

Click here to download a copy - http://ow.ly/5tS050KB6XP

NHS Lanarkshire Psychological Service's Lanarkshire Mind Matters website provides free mental health and wellbeing information. It offers self-help tips and ideas, plus a range of easily accessible, free online resources to help with anxiety, low mood, poor sleep and much more.

These include:
- Calm Distress
- Daylight & Sleepio
- SilverCloud for you
- SilverCloud for helping Children & Teen

Lanarkshire Mind Matters can be accessed at any time of the day or night by computer, phone or tablet. It is continually growing and expanding, so please keep checking in.

Click here to visit the website: https://www.lanarkshiremindmatters.scot.nhs.uk/

Clear your head and connect with nature at Get Walking Lanarkshire's weekly health walks taking place in communities across North and South Lanarkshire.

Please make sure to check on their website: https://ow.ly/VhBC50RvvLm if a walk in your local area is still on as advertised.

Lanarkshire Carers has developed an On-Demand Wellbeing Library, available on our website, which includes short self-help videos and online courses on subjects including mindfulness and guided meditations.

Carers have busy lives and we want everyone to have the opportunity to practise self-care whenever they can. Taking time for self-care can also give you a break away from your caring role.

Visit our On-Demand Wellbeing Library by visiting: https://lanarkshirecarers.org.uk/services/carer-wellbeing

Action for Happiness has a range of Mindful Moments which are guided meditations designed to help you take 5 minutes out from your day that you can watch at any time.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLv8qC1Am9ceMMCgy5fdUA5dbTcYBhmo3t

Mindful Moments (Guided practices) Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

Social media can help us connect with friends, share our lives and interests, stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the world and get support.

But our experience of social media isn’t always positive. Misinformation, peer pressure, content that is distressing and unrealistic representations of others’ lives can all take a toll on our self-esteem and lead to feelings of anxiety.

It’s all about balance and staying aware of our feelings. Here are some great tips from Shout for looking after your mental health when using social media.

Remember, if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, text SHOUT to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained volunteer.

With a new 'right to a break' in development, it has never been more important to put carers voices at the heart of decision-making.

That’s why Shared Care Scotland, the national carer organisation with short breaks and respite at its core, is undertaking a comprehensive survey on unpaid carers’ experiences of short breaks and respite services in Scotland.

The survey will help the organisation understand the needs and experiences of carers to build a picture of short breaks and respite across Scotland.

Visit: https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/policy-practice-development/2024-carers-survey/ to .

This summer, we have already processed over 9,000 individual clothing grant awards, supporting more than 5,500 families.

There is still time to apply, if you think you may be eligible, please visit: https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/form/free-school-meals-and-clothing-g

For any Parent Carers who are unemployed, or in work but looking to upskill and living in South Lanarkshire.

Join Routes To Work South at Juniors Play Cafe in Hamilton on Monday 29 July 2024, from 10am to 1pm for their Making It Work for Parents Summer Event.

To come along, please email Ashleigh from Routes to Work South at [email protected] or Text 07362288560.

Student Awards Agency Scotland will be delivering free online application workshops in July and August, providing valuable information on student funding available.

For more details, dates and to register, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/studentawardsagencyscotlan/

Back to school can be an expensive time for parents, what with new uniforms, new shoes, a new school bag and everything else your child needs for the coming year.

All those extra costs can feel like a real drain but don't worry, Parent Club Scotland has lots of money-saving tips and ideas on their website

Visit: https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/top-tips-saving-school-costs

Join us tomorrow Tuesday 23 July 2024 from 1:30pm for a weekly MorphFit gentle exercise class at the Morphfit Gentle Movement Project in Hamilton.

We all know that keeping active boosts our health and well-being, why not try our gentle exercise class to take some time out from your caring role.

Book a place by visiting: https://lanarkshirecarers.org.uk/training

Is your young person going to college or university?

Applications for student funding are now open. Student Awards Agency Scotland can help provide funding, grants, bursaries and loans.

Apply as early as possible to ensure your funding is in place by the start of your course.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.saas.gov.uk/

Social Security Scotland has 5 family payments to help people who get tax credits or other qualifying benefits to manage the costs of raising a family.

During the summer holidays life can get even more expensive. Social Security Scotland payments can help with, trips away, extra snacks and summer clothing!

Even if you think you are not eligible for any support, it is always worth checking. Your situation may have changed, or the rules around who can claim may have been updated ✔


👪🏻 Scottish Child Payment: over £100 every four weeks that you can get for every child you look after who's under 16 years of age

🍼 Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment: £754.65 for your first child then £377.35 for any child that comes after your first

🧸 Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment: £314.45 payment when your child is between 2 years old and 3 years and 6 months old

📚 Best Start Grant School Age Payment: £314.45 when your child is first old enough to start primary school

🍎 Best Start Foods: a prepaid card to buy healthy food during pregnancy until your kids reach the age of 3

For more information and to find out what payments your family may be entitled to, visit

➡parentclub.scot/articles/financial-support-and-benefits-families

➡ bit.ly/fivefamilypayments

How can we learn to be kinder to ourselves, especially in difficult times?

Self-care isn't selfish, it's essential. It involves learning to treat ourselves like we would a good friend. Rather than continually judging ourselves, we can show ourselves kindness as imperfect humans and learn to cope better with the inevitable struggles of life.

Action for Happiness is hosting a special online event this Tuesday 23 July 2024 from 7pm - 8pm with Dr Kristin Neff, who will share how we can make helpful changes to build our resilience and cope better in hard times - not because we’re selfish, but because we genuinely care about ourselves as well as others.

To find out more and book a place, visit: https://ow.ly/hoQO50SAhGM

Nice weather does occasionally make an appearance in Scotland.

Avoid sunburn and other heat-related health issues by following NHS 24’s summer health tips.

Find out more about how to stay safe in the sun by visiting: nhsinform.scot/summer.

Social media can help us connect with friends, share our lives and interests, stay up-to-date with what’s happening in the world and get support.

But our experience of social media isn’t always positive. Misinformation, peer pressure, content that is distressing and unrealistic representations of others’ lives can all take a toll on our self-esteem and lead to feelings of anxiety.

It’s all about balance and staying aware of our feelings. Here are some great tips from Shout for looking after your mental health when using social media.

Remember, if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, text SHOUT to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained volunteer.

Lanarkshire Carers is recruiting for an HR Coordinator and a Short Breaks Bureau Link Worker.

Before you apply, browse through our website for more information about Lanarkshire Carers and find out why Lanarkshire Carers a great place to work. You'll also find our Annual Report for 2022/2023. This provides a good overview of our work and job roles.

For further information and to download an application pack please visit: https://www.lanarkshirecarers.org.uk/vacancies

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory illness. It can cause severe illness and lead to people being admitted to hospital — especially babies and older adults. The vaccine is the best way to get protected.

If you were born between 2 August 1944 and 31 July 1950, NHS Scotland will send you an appointment letter in the post soon.

Visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/rsv-adult for more information.

It's time. More of the positive feedback that we've received from you this week. We hope everyone has a great weekend!