Helping older people in Gloucestershire feel more independent, secure and have a better quality of life.

By the community, for the community

If you would like any more information about this article or any other matter please contact:

Sue Colquhoun  on  07810 630 145

Contact:  Sue Colquhoun  on   07810 630 145

Carers Gloucestershire Telephone: 01452 386283


Gloucestershire Young Carers  - a support network for young carers across the county. They work with young carers to ensure that service providers understand their needs and respond appropriately. Telephone: 01452 733060


Healthwatch Gloucestershire- free phone 0800 652 5193


Carers UK -  a charity set up to help millions of people who care for family or friends. Telephone: 0808 8087777


The Carers Trust - a charity for, with and about carers which works to improve support services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or who has mental health or addiction problems. Telephone: 0844 800 4361  


June News from your Village Agent


There’s lots going on around the county this month, and one big event on June 5th marks “Walk in my Shoes” to celebrate Carers Week from 6th to 12th June.


Join Carers Gloucestershire for a day supporting Gloucestershire’s unpaid carers, who last year saved the local economy an incredible £540 million!


It takes place in Pittville Park, Cheltenham on Sunday 5th June 2016. The event will see people from across the county swapping footwear with their family, friends and colleagues to walk a mile around the beautiful Pittville Park to show their support for local unpaid carers. Registration is £10 for adults and £5 for children, which includes your ‘Walk a mile in my Shoes’ t-shirt and goody bag (under 16s can register for free if they don’t want a T-shirt).


If you are one of the 63,000 unpaid carers in Gloucestershire, please contact Carers Gloucestershire if you haven’t already registered with them. In addition to providing information, advice, support in the form of groups, days out, counselling and a bespoke support line, Carers Gloucestershire also provide the “Positive Caring” programmes.


These are free local sessions giving carers the opportunity to meet other carers in similar circumstances to gain and share knowledge and information. Open to all adult carers, whether you are the main carer or not, or whether you live with the person supported, or not. The sessions are run across the county both in the day and evening and are 2 ½ hours long.


The programme covers health and well-being, emotions and stress, practicalities of caring, finance and resources, how to access services and support, how we juggle caring with other demands.


As a carer, there can be additional worry about what would happen if you were to become ill yourself. That’s why there is “The Emergency Carers Scheme” which works on two levels of need. You can find out more by having a carer’s assessment which will also check you have the right benefits, getting respite care, and you can discuss issues that might cause concern such as arranging power of attorney in the future.


Most of our local charities which focus on physical and mental health conditions will also offer more specific information to support you as a carer. If you need help to find their details, please contact your local Village or Community Agent, or contact Healthwatch Gloucestershire, and they will be delighted to see how they can help you.


No. 157  Jun-July   2016

Eastington Community News Magazine.  Community news for and by the people of Eastington, Gloucestershire