North Staffs Carers' Forum
The Carers' Forum is made up of nineteen carers/ex-carers. We meet bi-monthly at our Burslem offices. The members are a highly valuable group, who are consulted by service providers to inform strategic direction for the improvement of services. Our Forum has been consulting with professionals for twelve years. In light of the modernisation of Health and Social Care Services, I would like to invite new carers to apply for membership of the Forum.
The Aims of the Forum are:
- To bring together a group of Carers and ex-Carers of people who have disabilities.
- To empower Carers to work in partnership with other Carers and Professionals.
- To provide a link between the Forum and Service Providers.
- To enable a wider circle of Carers to actively participate in the planning and monitoring of services provided by Health Services and Local authorities.
- To advise planning and commissioning.
- To provide a potential source of innovative ideas.
Here are some of our Forum Members.
Sue Tams
I trained as a nurse at the city general Hospital and then worked locally, until my retirement in 2005, in various roles including Ward Sister, Health Visitor and lately as Community Nurse Manager. I am the main Carer for my husband Chris who has, for the last twenty years, suffered from Huntington's Disease. He is cared for at home.Huntington's Disease is an inherited progressive brain disorder, which causes both mental and physical problems. At this time there is no cure available. The disease is always fatal.
We have a daughter and two grandchildren who are at risk of inheriting Huntington's Disease. I am the chairperson of the North staffs Huntington's Disease Association
I have been a member of the Carers' Forum since it was set up as the Carers' Panel, more than ten years ago, I enjoy being a member and have gained a tremendous amount of relevant knowledge, which has benefited my family and others whom I have been able to pass it on to.
As a Carer, I feel that I have also been able, through the work of the Forum, to engage with senior people who provide services and bring to their notice the deficits and successes of services.
Joan M. Jackson
I am seventy-six years old and very aware of what goes on in the world. I try to help where ever I can. Some people may call me "Bossy".I cared for my father after my mother passed away. I also cared for my father-in-law. I had both my mother and father-in-law live with us. My dad lived until he was 82 years old. He was a great dad and granddad. My mother-in-law lived with us until her death in a nursing home, after she had broken one hip and then the other. I nursed my husband at home during the last few years of his life. He had been ill since his 56th birthday and died at 81 years of age.
He was a wonderful husband and never complained when he was in agony.
As you can see I have a lot of experience in caring!Mike E. Lawton
I retired from work at 53 years of age and 1 year later my wife started with the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. I cared for her at home for six years, until I could no longer cope and then she went to live in residential care.I visited every day for the next six years, for 2 to 3 hours, to give her lunch and try to communicate. My wife passed away three years ago.
I have been a member of the North Staffs Carers' forum for many years. I have been a member of the Alzheimer's Carers for twelve years and have recently become a member of the Alzheimer's Society. I continue to care for people with the problem and I champion their Carers!!!
Mary- Anne Rapson
I am a 33year old lone parent, who cares for my 11 year-old son who has Tourettes Syndrome, Asperger's Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and more.Raymond Fenton
My wife and I have been caring for our daughter Gillian for the past 48 years. She had brain damage at birth, which has left her with a severe learning disability as well as physical disabilities.We are both 75 years old and with the help of the city of Stoke on Trent home care services and stair lifts and hoists, we manage ok.
Gillian attends day care services during the week and also attends N.H.S respite for 42 nights a year, which allows us to have a break.
Joining the NSCA Forum has helped greatly in giving information on the many issues relating to caring.
Sandra Lewis
I'm Sandra Lewis. I live in Wolstanton with my husband Eric. I have been Eric's Carer for over20 years. Eric had a car accident and then later had a brain haemorrhage and surgery.He now spends much of his time in a wheelchair, but can walk with a frame or stick.
I have a lot of experience in using services for Carers.
FORUM DATES FOR 2008
January 9th - Shelley Yates, Carers Assessment Worker Tunstall Social Services
February 6th - Updates from County Council Carers Strategy
March 5th - Alex Brett Head of Patient Involvement
April 3rd - Changing Lives Agenda, Staffordshire County Council
May 1st - Young Peoples Services - City
June 4th - Association Update
July 2nd - Mark Palethorpe, Older Peoples Services - City
August - Day Trip
September 10th - Colin Marsh (provisionally) Head of service - LD
October - TBA
November - Update on Carers Strategy - City
December - Christmas Meal
Meetings are to be held at the WRVS in Hanley 10.30 am until 12.00 Midday
North Staffs Carers Association is a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Registered Number 3313461.
Registered Office: Unit 2, Burslem Enterprise Centre, Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke on Trent, ST6 1JQ
Tel: 01782 834 836 (answerphone out of hours) Fax: 01782 831 610
North Staffs Carers Association is a registered charity. Charity number 1062548This web site is supported by funding from Staffordshire County Council and Stoke on Trent City Council.
