Carers' Days 2012

This page contains information on

• Dates and session topics
• Carers' Day programme
• Travelling to the Anniversary Centre
• More information

If you are a carer, you will know that caring can be very rewarding, but it can also be hard work and sometimes stressful. You may find that you have questions about how best to manage the unexpected changes that serious illness can bring. We hold a monthly Carers’ Day in the Anniversary Centre at St Christopher’s (on a different day of the week each month).  There is no charge to attend Carers’ Days.

Each day has been designed to include topics that carers frequently ask us about.  There are two sessions on each of the days featuring a different topic of interest (such as understanding what medicines are commonly used in palliative care or what to do if your family member or friend’s appetite is poor) and plenty of opportunity to ask questions. 

There is time for lunch in the Anniversary Centre café and each day ends with a relaxation session with one of our complementary therapists and tea.

Dates and session topics

Monday 30 January 2012

• 11.00am Why won’t they eat? (Dietician Farzana Bhunnoo)  

Farzana will talk about why many people with serious illnesses lose their appetite and will offer some helpful suggestions.

• 1.30pm Safe care for your relative (Physiotherapist Helena Talbot-Rice)

This session will give advice and tips on helping your relative to move around safely and avoid falls.

Tuesday 28 February 2012

• 11am Family Care (Social Worker Gill O’Halloran )

An opportunity to talk about your own needs and issues that you are facing as a carer.

• 1.30pm Supporting the person who cannot communicate well (Speech and Language therapist Keith Newman) 

Keith will lead this session on ways to improve communication between you and the person you care for.

Wednesday 28 March 2012

• 11am What benefits are available? (Welfare officer Aida Shoush)

This session will give advice and information on benefits and how to claim them.

• 1.30pm Looking after my spirit (Chaplain Andrew Goodhead)

This session is an exploration of how we can take care of our own spiritual needs and how to find resources for this.

Thursday 26 April 2012

• 11am Understanding medicines (Pharmacist Margaret Gibbs)  

Margaret will talk about some of the medicines used in palliative care and how they work.

• 1.30pm Making the most of every day (Occupational Therapist Frances Cane)

An opportunity to talk with Frances about helpful aids for daily living and how to help your relative manage safely at home.

Friday 25 May 2012

• 11am Support after bereavement (Bereavement coordinator Jan Fish)  

Jan will talk about the bereavement service offered by St Christopher’s.

• 1.30pm Living creatively (Arts Team)

A time to express your own creativity and share common concerns with other carers

Carers’ Day programme

10.00 am       Coffee and welcome

11.00 am       First topic (followed by questions and answers)

12.30 pm       Break for lunch (3 courses available for £5.00 from the Anniversary Centre Cafe)

1.30 pm         Second topic

2.30 pm         Relaxation with our complementary therapists

3.15 pm         Afternoon tea and discussion (Tea and cake for £1.75 available from the Anniversary Centre Cafe)

4.00 pm         End

There is no charge to attend one of these days and you don’t need to book in advance, just turn up and book in at reception when you get there. 

If however, you are bringing the person you care for with you on the day; it would be helpful if you could let us know in advance.  Thank you.

Travelling to the Anniversary Centre

We are unable to provide transport to or from the carers’ days. There is parking in our car park at the front of the building and in nearby streets. 

The 176 and 197 buses stop outside the hospice and the nearest rail stations are Sydenham and Penge West.

If you are unable to leave the person for whom you are caring, please bring them with you. If you are coming on the day when your relative or friend attends the Anniversary Centre, it may be possible for you to travel with them, please call reception on 0208 768 4500 for further information.