Aberdeenshire Carer Support Service

The P&J 275 Charity Spotlight: Nominations open for local charities across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands and Islands

The P&J 275 Charity Spotlight: Nominations open for local charities across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands and Islands Nominate a charity doing incredible work in our communities to see them in the running to become one of The P&J’s official charity partners in 2024.

UPDATE 21/09/23
Unfortunately Quarriers are having to cancel this event. Please look out for our next event in October

For our September male carers group we are planning a trip to Castle Fraser, Sauchen, Inverurie, AB51 7LD, on Tuesday 26th September in the carpark if you are a registered Male Carer please book your place by emailing Morag on [email protected] or Leanne on [email protected] to join the Male Carer Peer Group and to receive regular emails regarding the planned activities

Trips allow Aberdeenshire Carers to recharge and reconnect

Trips allow Aberdeenshire carers to recharge and reconnect Quarriers Aberdeenshire Carer Support Service has organised trips over the summer for carers and their families.

NORTH CARERS CAFE

At: The Bancar hotel - Lonmay
Where: The first Wednesday of each month
When: 10.30 - 11.30
Cost: Free

All unpaid carers welcome. Come along for a fly cup, a scone and a yap with others who are in similar circumstances.

** Thanks to external funding we are able to treat unpaid carers to a lovely brunch/morning tea at the groups over the months of September and October

PAMIS are offering a Coffee & Chat about Postural Care

Kids Eat Free (or for £1) is back for the school summer holidays 2023!

Spikin Autism and More would very much appreciate if Parent Carers could take this survey, which relates to Time 4 You sessions in Aberdeenshire. They are looking to run further sessions and would like to gather feedback from Parent Carers as to when would be most suitable to deliver these.

Should you have any questions or concerns please feel free to get in touch with them: [email protected] / 07799 032968

Link to access survey ⏬
https://www.videoask.com/fudpbsmaw

At the end of a very short video, you'll be asked a multiple choice question. You can answer this by selecting any of the 3 choices provided on screen, i.e. video, voice, or text. Once submitted, the answer will automatically be directed back to Spikin Autism and More. They will only hold a record of the total number for each location to evidence demand and will not be withholding personal details without consent.

SAAM "Time 4 You" Survey Powered by VideoAsk - Build instant trust, put a face on your brand, and have more personal interactions at scale.

Share your views on Dementia Diagnosis and Support in Aberdeenshire

The Young Carers team would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Catalyst Vineyard Church - Peterhead, who wanted to bless the Young Carers of Peterhead this Christmas with gifts including cinema vouchers, smellies, shopping vouchers, and a box of Miniature Heroes, because that’s what they are! 😊

⛄❄🎄 Festive Closures ⛄❄🎄

We will close at 4pm today, Friday 23rd December, and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 28th December.

We will close again at 4pm on Friday 30th December and reopen at 9am on Wednesday 4th January 2023.

Should you require support during the times we are closed please contact one of the emergency services listed below.

Emergency Community Care Service – call 03456 08 12 06, the out-of-hours emergency service which is available through the night and at weekends.

Police Scotland - 999 for emergencies / 101 for non-emergencies

NHS 24 – Call 111

Samaritans - 01224 574488 (call charges apply) / 116 123 (freephone)

Breathing Space - 0800 83 85 87

We wish you a peaceful Christmas 🙏

If you're visiting anyone in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary over Christmas and New Year, here is a handy reminder of the hospital's M&S opening times over this period 🎄

Alzheimer's Scotland's What’s On in January 2023 in Aberdeenshire.

tide's December 2022 Newsletter Welcome to this months newsletter! Please have a read to find out what we've been up to at tide and what you have to look forward to.

The festive season can be a challenging time for carers.

If you need information or support related to your caring role, our telephone Helpline will be open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm as normal over the festive period, including bank holidays.

Get in touch with us on 0808 808 7777
www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/talk-to-us

Police are urging the public to be vigilant following recently received reports of catalytic converter thefts in Aberdeen.

They can be attractive items to thieves due to the precious metals they contain. Vans and SUVs are particularly at risk, as their high clearance makes access to the exhaust system easier.

Here are some measures you may want to consider to reduce the risk of theft:
✔️ Park in a locked garage where possible; alternatively, choose a well-lit, populated area, ideally with CCTV.
❌ Avoid parking half on the pavement and half on the road; this will make it easier for thieves to access the converter.
✔️ In car parks, park alongside other vehicles and face the bonnet towards a wall, if possible, to make accessing the cat convertor more difficult.
✔️ Vehicles with low clearance could be used to block access to those with high clearance.
✔️ Consider using forensic property marking kits (Selectamark / Catloc) which help deter theft and identify stolen cat convertors
✔️ Fit a ‘catloc’ (Secured By Design accredited) to prevent the removal of a cat converter
✔️ Fit a tilt sensor which will activate the car alarm should the vehicle be jacked up.

For more information, please visit the following websites -

Police Scotland: scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/road-safety/protecting-your-car/

Secured by Design: securedbydesign.com

Catloc: catloc.co.uk

Selectamark: selectamark.co.uk/security-marking/

Spot the signs:

Look - Cars are often (but not always) jacked up on their side using a trolley jack.
Listen - for the sound of drilling or cutting from underneath the vehicle.

Please be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour with as detailed a description as possible of any person(s) or vehicle(s) involved. Please call ‘999’ if an emergency and urgent police assistance is required or 101 to report the matter to the police.

Home Safety this Christmas

🏠 Keep your home secure - lock all windows and doors; set your house alarm and switch on your timer lights.
🎁 Don’t leave gifts in view of the windows, and keep cash in your home to a minimum.
💡 Make sure your house looks occupied.
🌍 If you're going away for Christmas, don’t advertise it on social media. Ask a neighbour or friend to keep an eye out while you're away.

As the Christmas break approaches, Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed its arrangements over the coming days.

Our offices will be closed on the public holiday dates of Monday, December 26 and Tuesday, December 27 and for Monday, January 2 and Tuesday, January 3. Essential services will continue to operate as usual.

Emergency out-of-hours support is available via the following numbers:

• Housing repairs and dangerous buildings 03456 08 12 03
• Homelessness 03456 08 12 06
• Social work 03456 08 12 06

Please note, these emergency lines will not deal with routine enquiries.
Routine enquiries can be reported by phone on the following working day, see https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/contact-us/contact-by-phone/
or online at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-services/

Roads emergencies can be reported by calling Police Scotland on 101.

Information about waste and recycling arrangements during the festive period can be found at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/waste/christmas-waste-and-recycling/

Advice and support concerning cost of living challenges can be found at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/communities-and-events/cost-of-living/

From the information provided to Aberdeenshire Council by the teaching trade unions, we have made the decision that primary and special schools will close to all pupils on January 10 and secondary schools will close to all pupils on January 11.

We appreciate that closures inconveniences parents and carers, but the safety and wellbeing of our pupils is our paramount concern.

Strike action will not affect our early learning settings and school lets - groups and clubs that utilise school space - and these will be open and operate as usual.

People are being encouraged to reach out for help over the festive period if they are struggling with the cost of living.

More and more organisations from across the Aberdeenshire Community Planning Partnership are publishing information about warm spaces, food banks or support on offer.

Christmas is famously a time of year when many struggle, but it is also harder to admit to facing challenges. Those can be the mental health impacts of the festive season or the financial ones.

Whilst no one agency can ‘fix’ the issues being faced by communities, there is a concerted effort to make sure that people are aware of support which is out there.

For details of where you can access help and support, visit: https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsID=8958

If you, or someone you know, will be spending Christmas Day alone, a Community Christmas Lunch is being organised for Huntly residents. Transportation will be provided by Huntly Community Minibus so stay warm, enjoy a good meal and some wonderful festive cheer.

Email [email protected] or call 07508 654444 to book a place.

Overview of Scottish Apprenticeships This webinar is aimed at parents and carers

The wraps have come off new accessible toilets at Aden Country Park as part of wider improvements to the north-east tourist attraction.

The new Changing Places facilities will provide greatly improved facilities for those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, and those with physical disabilities, such as muscle-wasting conditions, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy.

The toilets form part of the Accessible Aden Project which is focusing on improvements to both enhance and improve the quality and accessibility of the park’s toilet and parking provisions.

Earlier this year, Aberdeenshire Council was successful in its £375,000 funding application to the VisitScotland Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund after a review of existing infrastructure at the north-east attraction.

More here: https://online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/apps/news/release.aspx?newsID=8955

A chilly night in store this evening with road surface temperatures falling below zero with the risk of icy patches and hoar frost.

Showers will be wintry over the ski roads later today with some snow also possible towards the end of tonight and tomorrow morning.

Treatment of all 32 primary routes will begin at 3.30pm and again from 5.30am tomorrow morning.

Make sure you get all the latest updates on gritting treatment by downloading the myaberdeenshire app at https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/my/mobile-app/

You can also follow roads updates from the team on Twitter

Hi folks!

Grampian Opportunities will close for the Christmas Holidays on Friday 23rd December 2022 & will reopen on Monday 9th January 2023.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Community Larder will be open on a limited timetable during the 2 weeks holidays, please see poster below for full details.

NHS Grampian Emergency Dental Service Festive Holiday Period 2022/2023

If you have an urgent dental need outwith the public holidays, you should contact your dental practice directly in the first instance.

Unregistered patients and visitors to the region can access dental advice and treatment, if required, by contacting Dental Information and Advice Line (DIAL) on 0345 45 65 990.

The out-of-hours and public holiday services are accessed via NHS 24 on 111.

Full details at: www.nhsgrampian.org/service-hub/dental-services

Please note, Inverurie opening for Friday 23rd is 1-3pm.

There will be hot chocolate and festive treats at the Catch Up Community Cafe tomorrow (Tuesday) from 10am - 12 at Johnshaven Village Hall. Refreshments are free of charge and all are welcome!
Plus another chance to fill up a goody bag for someone local that will appreciate a little Christmas gift.

‘I would suggest being open and honest with friends and relatives about dementia, discuss what might happen.

‘I know how difficult this can be as my dad used to spit out his food in restaurants, however, they are not reacting in this way on purpose. It’s really important to include them as much as possible though.’

Social events, such as Christmas, can be challenging for people affected by dementia.

Some of the members of Talking Point, an online community for people affected by dementia, have shared their advice for someone who is anxious because of how dementia affects a family member’s behaviour around social events.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3hqlurs

Respite for carers & Befriending service ✨

Age Peterhead is a volunteer-led group that for 54 years has provided a range of services to older and disabled people in Peterhead and the local area.

They can provide a sitter/companion to keep an elderly or infirm person company, allowing their carer or family members to have some time out to do other essential tasks.

Aberdeenshire Council's Social Work Department have a service level agreement in place, referring clients to them to provide a sitter. Private referrals are also accepted.

Their volunteers are subject to references and disclosure checks.
They have found that many clients don't necessarily need a lot of help, but may just need some companionship. So, if this is something that you or your cared-for would benefit from, Age Peterhead can help. One of their sitters can visit either on a one-off occasion or on a regular basis, becoming a trusted, friendly face and someone to share interests with.

From navigating the benefits system to supporting someone who has been isolated, they are there to help.

For further details, contact their office on 01779 472331 / [email protected]

Exercise should be for everyone 😊 That’s why we try to offer a wide range of exercise classes to suit all abilities. From health walks, light, and gentle exercise classes, all the way up to more intense Kettles and Les Mills BODYPUMP classes. Take your first step towards a healthier life by signing up today: http://bit.ly/SPAbook

Something new is coming to the vinery..

Introducing ... ❄🧤🧣 Winter Warmer Wednesday's! 🧣🧤❄

Throughout winter, we will be keeping our doors open and offering a friendly, warm space with free Wi-Fi, warm drinks and soups. We hope to have reading materials and a warm inviting environment for people to relax, recharge and warm up. All Are Welcome!

💚 All Donations Welcome & Greatly Appreciated! 💚

Parents' Guide to Looking After Yourself | Mental Health Support Supporting your child with their mental health can feel difficult, but we have tips and advice on how you can look after yourself and your child.

The Scottish Government has published updated Statutory Guidance which describes how Local Authorities should implement Self-Directed Support. The new guidance explains that Local Authorities should:

- Treat supported people with dignity and respect at all times.
- Offer the four SDS options and explain what each of them mean and how they will meet the person’s needs. This must be explained in a balanced and fair way.
- Make sure that supported people are involved in decisions about their care and support.
- Make sure that supported people have enough information to understand what is available and make the choices which are right for them.
- Make sure that supported people have the chance to ask questions about any part of their support. They must also be given enough time and information to understand and be part of decisions about their support, particularly when it is being stopped or changed.

Read the guidance here: https://www.gov.scot/publications/statutory-guidance-accompany-social-care-self-directed-support-scotland-act-2013-2/

Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013: statutory guidance Update to Scottish Government statutory guidance originally published in 2014 which retains some of what was in the original guidance but has some important differences.

Enjoy your weekend 👏👏👏

Here is the latest edition of the Garioch Food Map 🥕🥔🍞🍊