All unpaid carers, care home and homecare workers are being urged to get boosted now against COVID-19 to protect the most vulnerable this winter. This follows the publication of the Vivaldi 3 study, which adds further evidence to the importance of a booster vaccine for both carers and care home residents. All carers and recipients of care are being offered priority access at vaccine sites. Where operationally viable, NHS England has requested that vaccination centres offer priority access for frontline staff, including unpaid carers and social care staff, which includes access to queue management and priority lines. This makes it as easy as possible for anyone who is receiving or giving care, whether paid or unpaid, to get their booster this winter. Staff may be asked to show a valid ID for priority access. Unpaid carers can use a letter issued to the care sector as proof of ID. Vaccination sites are also making reasonable adjustments for pregnant women, the clinically vulnerable, including those with learning disabilities and autism and severe mental illness, as well as for their carers. Announcement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/carers-urged-to-get-covid-19-booster-now Book vaccination www.nhs.uk/covidvaccination Many...

Omega News Media Release Omega the National Association for End of Life Care is relaunching its popular bereavement support programme in Stourbridge, with a drop-in taster session on Friday 13th August 2021. This free series of facilitator-led, small group workshops is designed for people who are at least 6 months on from losing someone. You might still be finding it hard to move forward with your changed life or you just might want to learn something new, and adapt the way you think about your future. The programme gives participants an opportunity to share experiences with those in a similar situation, to explore coping skills and learn what others have done, and to gain support from people who understand their circumstances. Omega Bereavement Programme Team Leader Jane Hunt, who runs the programme with her co-facilitator Chrissie Harris, said she was “delighted that the lifting of lockdown allows us to get back to face-to-face work. We’ve had to delay these sessions and it’s been a long wait. Chrissie and I will make sure that everyone who comes along will get a warm and empathetic welcome. “This kind of engagement needs a degree of sensitivity that just isn’t possible via video meetings. Our clients are at their most comfortable when they can sit down for a cup of tea and a chat.” Anyone interested can pop in to meet Jane and Chrissie, and find out more about the programme on Friday 13th August at St James’s Church Hall, Belfry Drive, Wollaston, Stourbridge, DY8 3SE. You can drop in anytime between 2pm and 4pm. There is no need to book for the taster session, but it is helpful if you do. You can also call Omega for more information, or to register your interest in the programme, on 01743 245 088. Email: info@omega.uk.net Many...

From bump to 19 years the Solihull Approach courses help parents and care givers feel more confident, calmer and have a better relationship with their child. These online courses for parents & parents-to-be, worth over £100, have been prepaid for ALL Dudley families! It’s for mums, dads, grandparents, or anyone involved in raising a child or supporting families that do. There’s even a course just for teenagers themselves. To get your access code go...

Dudley Council is expanding its adult social care service with the return of mental health social care to the authority in the New Year to care and support people with mental health problems in the borough. The return of the service to the local authority, which was previously run by the NHS, will see around 50 staff re-join the Adult Social Care team. The transition is currently under way and the team will be formally welcomed to the local authority in January. Councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet lead for adult social care, said: “I look forward to welcoming the mental health social care team back to Dudley in January. “The team will be a very important addition to the council, and I am sure that their expertise and skills will help provide the best care and support for vulnerable people in our borough. “The current coronavirus crisis has highlighted the importance of caring for our mental health, just as we would our physical wellbeing. The return of this service shows Dudley takes the mental health of residents across the borough incredibly seriously.” Anyone wishing to contact the authority’s mental health services team should contact 0300 555...

Please see attached details of Shropshire-based charity Omega, the National Association for End of Life Care, 12 Days of Christmas Virtual Run / Walk Challenge to help them tackle loneliness this Christmas. Omega 12 Days of Christmas...

The council’s Dudley Carers Hub and Wellbeing Service is hosting a ‘Know your Rights’ event through an online zoom meeting from 11am to 12.30pm on 26...