Carers Link Lowdown

In this episode Katy chats to two new(ish) member of Carers Link's staff - Claire and Veronica.Claire works on our wellbeing project and talks about why you should get in touch, and what she can do to help.Veronica is our new fundraising administrator and discusses how she hope to increase donations to Carers Link. One way is to sign up to do this year's Glasgow Kiltwalk, which you can do at https://www.thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/glasgow. Choose your length and then when you register type Carers Link as your chosen charity.Contact Us:[email protected]@carerslink.org.ukPhone: 08009752131FacebookInstagramOur Groups:InfoOnline Calendar

In this episode Katy talks to Scott, Carers Link's Employability Coordinator, about how our new service can help carers. They chat about the skills that you develop as a carer and how they are relevant to the workplace, as well as coping with working alongside caring.There is also information about how Carers Link can help you in your job hunt, and the steps that you will go through as Scott supports you through the process of applying. This includes identifying your skills and potential jobs, helping you write your CV and complete applications, the interview process and beyond.They also talk about the Carer Positive scheme, and the benefits to employers that employing a carer can have, and how working can benefit carers' wellbeing - physical, mental and financialRESOURCESCarer PositiveContact Scott at [email protected] Us:[email protected]@carerslink.org.ukPhone: 08009752131FacebookInstagramOnline Calendar

In this episode Katy talks to Iain Macdonald from East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau about the cost of living crisis. They discuss tips to minimise energy costs and expenditure as well as explaining the help that is available and how carers can get help to access it.Since the episode was recorded the government announced the energy price guarantee in addition to the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme, and you can read more about that at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support/energy-bills-support-factsheet-8-september-2022East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau website is https://www.cas.org.uk/bureaux/east-dunbartonshire-citizens-advice-bureau, and you can call them on 0141 775 3220 or email [email protected] websites which may be useful include:https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/ https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/Cost-of-Livinghttps://www.turn2us.org.uk/Benefit-guides/Energy-schemes/Extra-help-for-2022https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/Energy-and-Water-BillsMoney Saving Expert - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/heat-the-human-not-the-home-save-energy/Broadband social tariffs - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing/social-tariffsContact Us:[email protected]@carerslink.org.ukPhone: 08009752131FacebookInstagramOur Groups:InfoOnline Calendar

This week we welcomed Shannen Calderwood, our new Wellbeing Worker who came along to talk about her new role, why wellbeing is important, and how she can help carers whose wellbeing needs a boostRESOURCES:You can find out about upcoming Carer Cafes on our latest events calendar The walk we mentioned is on 1st September 2022, and can be booked through our websiteListen to the sleep podcastYou can contact Shannen by emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 975 2131 or 07903 889 858--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact Us:[email protected]@carerslink.org.ukPhone: 08009752131FacebookInstagramOnline Calendar

Another in our occasional office banter episodes, where members of Carers Link staff chat about a topic. This time Katy is joined by Adam, Heather & Jon to talk about all things holidays - our earliest holiday memories, dream holidays and holiday disasters - and you can even find out where the safest place is to sit on a plane. Contact Us:[email protected]@[email protected]:FacebookInstagramOur Groups:InfoOnline Calendar

In the final episode of our short series on Guardianship Katy talks to Fiona, a parent carer who has recently got guardianship for her son, and Martin fills in any final details about the practicalities of being a guardian.We had a number of questions sent in which we didn't have time to answer in the podcast, so have included them here.Is there any option/method where guardianship can be shared between a group like a circle of friends/ community circle? For example, if I were to lose capacity or to die. Yes - you can appoint more than one guardian, and you can remove or add guardians at any time, although it is most easily done when you renew your guardianship.I saw an post on some Facebook page and it suggested that if you had financial guardianship and report back with your financial receipts etc etc that you don't need to fill in annual reports for SDS?Sadly this is not the case, the council rules are different form those around guardianship, and the forms you complete are different.Why do people suggest you need financial powers in order to access SDS as an adult in some Local authorities?Local authorities each have their own rules. For help with SDS in East Dunbartonshire you can contact Take Control.Why do we need to basically pay £700 to be responsible for our own child?If we chose not to take responsibility for our child, the duty of care that would be placed into our local authority would cost much more than £700 so in the long term, we are saving EDC (and all others ) loads of hassle and loads of cash. Why are we paying VAT on this service when we don't pay vat on goods for disabled people?These are very valid questions, but not ones that we can answer - it is a Scottish Government decision. They have recognised the issues and have proposed some changes to the law which will be considered by ministers in September 2022. You can see these at https://consult.gov.scot/mental-health-law-secretariat/scottish-mental-health-law-review/Parent Carers Legal SupportCaesar & Howie solicitorsOffice of the Public Guardian in ScotlandTake ControlCarers Link can offer you an appointment for information and advice at our Legal Clinic. This is free of charge and gives you the chance to have a one-to-one meeting over the phone with a solicitor from Blackadders Solicitors, to ask questions on legal matters.

In this episode, Katy is joined by Martin, a solicitor with Caesar & Howie solicitors, who have launched Parent Carer Legal Support to support parent carers through the process of guardianship.In this second episode on the subject of guardianship, and Katy and Martin talk about the nitty gritty of what you have to do when you apply for guardianship. They also cover how to manage the money aspect, and what you need to do to keep everyone safe.This is the second of three podcasts on the topic - the first was an overview of guardianship - who needs it and what's involved, and in the final episode they will be joined by a parent carer to discuss her experience of applying for and carrying out her guardianship role.Parent Carers Legal SupportCaesar & Howie solicitorsOffice of the Public Guardian in ScotlandCarers Link can offer you an appointment for information and advice at our Legal Clinic. This is free of charge and gives you the chance to have a one-to-one meeting over the phone with a solicitor from Blackadders Solicitors, to ask questions on legal matters.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact Us:[email protected]@carerslink.org.ukPhone: 0800 975 2131FacebookInstagramOur Groups:InfoOnline Calendar

In this episode, Katy is joined by Martin, a solicitor with Caesar & Howie solicitors, who have launched Parent Carer Legal Support to support parent carers through the process of guardianship.This is the first of three episodes on the subject of guardianship, and Katy and Martin talk about what capacity is, and give an overview of the process of guardianship. This is the first of three podcasts on the topic - the second will go into guardianship in more detail, and in the final episode they will be joined by a parent carer to discuss her experience of applying for and carrying out her guardianship role.Parent Carers Legal SupportCaesar & Howie solicitorsOffice of the Public Guardian in ScotlandCarers Link can offer you an appointment for information and advice at our Legal Clinic. This is free of charge and gives you the chance to have a one-to-one meeting over the phone with a solicitor from Blackadders Solicitors, to ask questions on legal matters. Call us on 0800 975 2131 to book your appointment.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact Us:[email protected]@carerslink.org.ukPhone:FacebookInstagramOur Groups:InfoOnline Calendar

In this episode Jon returns to join Katy and talk about technology, and how Carers Link can help you use it. Jon also talks to Shona and Cameron about their experiences of the support our Switched On service can provide and the difference it and our Tech Talk group made to them.You can find out more about the Switched On servicedetails of the Tech Talk groups on our website, and our Technology Helpline number is 07592 040 703 if you are looking for one to one help.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact Us:[email protected]@[email protected]:FacebookInstagramOur Groups:InfoOnline Calendar

Another of our office banter episodes, this one is all about Christmas. There is a Christmas quiz, hosted by Heather (and it will be easy to beat our scores - Catriona won with 3 out of 10) and then thoughts and memories of Christmas past and present.Join us around the virtual water cooler and enjoy the chat.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Contact Us:[email protected]@carerslink.org.ukPhone: 08009752131FacebookInstagramOur Groups:InfoOnline Calendar