The Griffon Area Partnership is to launch a new fortnightly group on 14th February 2011 for adult carers in North Walsham and the surrounding area.  The aim of this group is to provide a 'one-stop-shop' group for carers by providing practical workshops alongside stress management sessions and mental well-being sessions to alleviate some of the worries associated with this vital support role.   The sessions will include; stress management; training in first aid; assistance with contingency or emergency plans; benefits advice; specific illness advice, to include medicine and 'lifting and handling'; a natural remedy talk; signposting and general help and advice about caring from experts in the caring professions.  Carers also have the ability to bring their 'cared for'

Rebecca Matthews, Voyager Project Manager at the Griffon Area Partnership said, "There are 6 million registered carers in the United Kingdom, 82,000 of which are in Norfolk; many illnesses require 24 hour care, and many carers look after more than one person.   The carers get little or no assistance either financial or physical, and can often feel completely cut off from the outside world.   The work they do saves the government approximately £87 billion per year* and can leave the carer exhausted and vulnerable to physical and mental illness.  We want to help Carers by providing a place to come and meet other people in the same position and also to engage with experienced professionals from associated organisations who understand their concerns and can provide relevant advice.  It will also be possible to arrange Carers assessments and apply for the 'link work' service (subsidised breaks) at the sessions too."

The Griffon Partnership is to provide funding for Caring4Carers from a grant provided by the Targetfollow fund, provided by Norfolk Community Foundation.  Norwich and District Carers Forum and Norfolk C.A.L.M. are providing a counsellor who has several years experience of working with Carers and the 'Cared for'.

C4C CAFÉ This new group will start on Monday 16^th  2011 at the Cockerel Tearoom on North Street, North Walsham every 1^st and 3^rd Mondays from 10.30 am to 12.00 p.m and is simply a social group where carers can come and mix with people in a similar position to themselves.   There will be no charge.   Respite will be available as normal in the St. Nicholas Rooms.  (Please note that the Cockerel will be open as usual during these sessions.)  Please call Rebecca Matthews for more information on 01692 407509.

Open forum for North Norfolk carers PRESS RELEASE

CARERS in North Norfolk will have the opportunity to get their views across at an open meeting in North Walsham.

The Carers' Council for Norfolk regularly hold open meetings in the community with the aim of encouraging local carers to air their concerns and suggestions to an impartial forum.  The carers council strives to raise the profile of Carers issues and needs, to improve their lives and ensure distribution of services to Carers.  The comments will be forwarded to the main meeting of the carers' council for Norfolk.

The Griffon Area Partnership recently launched the Caring4Carers group and will host this Northern Area Group meeting from 11a.m. until 1.00 p.m. on Monday, April 11^th 2011, in St. Benets Hall, North Walsham.  Anyone who provides unpaid help and support to a relative, friend, partner or child, or who cannot manage because of a disability or illness, is welcome to attend.   Respite care will be available in an adjoining building in the Caring4carers respite group.  Please telephone if personal care is required.  For more information please ring Rebecca Matthews on 01692 407509 or email Gal Travis on gtravisnccc@hotmail.com

New outreach group for Voyager in Cromer

The Griffon Area Partnership is to assist the 'Just Friends' group in Cromer following funding issues.   The new group will be called 'Voyager Just Friends'  and will be run the same way as it has for the past 24 years – every Tuesday from  10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. at the St. John Ambulance Hall in Cromer, everyone welcome.   Please call Rebecca Matthews on (01692) 407509.   Griffon will use funding from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities grant.