Category Archives: Carer Events

Review and updates on carer events I attend

Carer of People with Autism & Psychosis – KCL group

Hello fellow unpaid carers. Kings College Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and neuroscience are launching a new group. The groups will be facilitated by Madeleine Oakley who is the Senior Teaching Fellow in Mental Health Studies at Kings College London. Madeline also has experience of care as she is also a family carer of her young adult son who has autism, who has a learning disability and mental health problems.

Please see poster below and you can also contact Madeleine at madeleine.oakley@kcl.ac.uk

Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust The Improvement Showcase Event

Hello fellow carers of Lewisham and Greenwich. Registration for the Lewisham & Greenwich NHS trust’s Improvement Showcase Event is now open.

The event looks to present on bridging the gap between on improving quality healthcare for all.

The event will be opened by CEO Ben Travis

Speakers throughout the day will be LGT Improvement journey so far Louise Crosby, Chief Nurse

“Bridging the gaps in health inequalities- the national picture” presented by Dr Dianne Addei who is Senior Public Health Advisor for the National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Programme by NHS England & Improvement

We also have “What does it truly take to embed a culture of continuous improvement?” This will be presented by Dr Amar Shah, Consultant forensic psychiatrist & Chief Quality Officer from East London NHS FT

Of interest to carers will be a session on “Co-producing improvements” where people can hear about examples of co-production from some of the hospitals patient and carer representatives.

You can register for the event below

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtd-2vrjwiGtFCKetZJlyRPeCwzJBa_y43

Kent & Medway NHS and Kent Community Health NHS FT joint Carers Conference 2022

Welcome fellow carers. Another update from carer ambassador Matthew McKenzie. I thought to do a quick update and feedback to a recent carers conference I have just returned from. The event has such a significance because it was held during carers week 2022.

As you might know already, I speak often about the carer’s policies on Triangle of care. Usually the triangle of care has been taken up by many mental health trusts, but we are seeing an evolution where community and acute NHS trusts are picking up the challenge to focus efforts to families, friends and carers. So on the 9th of June 2022. Kent & Medway NHS & Social Care Partnership Trust and Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust launched their first ever JOINT carers conference.

The conference took place over at the Repton Connect Community Centre over in Ashford. I had a pleasant journey by train as the sun was shining. Of course I did not want to miss the event, because I was involved in co-producing the event with other carers. This is very important for other NHS trusts to co-op carers into planning such events since carers have an idea on what other families, friends and carers would like to hear.

I am blogging about the event, because I dont think I managed to give feedback when I left near the end of the event. So I hope my feedback is useful.

As I arrived at the conference, it was easy to get in because both staff from the 2 NHS trusts recognised me straight away and were smiling. I did catch a hint of nerves as people wonder if something was going to go wrong or fall apart, but as the conference got underway, everything went smoothly.

We had a good turn out at the first ever carer’s conference for the 2 NHS trusts and I was very impressed that both Chief execs (Gordon Flack and Helen Greatorex) of the NHS trusts turned up to open the event. They both admitted that although lots of changes has happened, there was always more to do. What impressed me is that the CEO’s stayed for quite a while at the event and introduced themselves to many staff and carers.

The set up of both on-site and virtual engagement was very impressive, but it is a different experience if you turn up for the event, although I admit some people cannot leave the ‘cared for’ by themselves at times.

We have some excellent activities and workshops listed below

  • Carer stories from Liz
  • Carer experience Video from Kay
  • Workshop on Carer assessments and support (carer’s first charity)
  • Dementia Care from Specialist Nurse
  • A video from MP Helen Whatley who used to be Minister for Care
  • Recovery college presentation
  • Managing Medication
  • Triangle of Care progression and updates
  • Plus close from the Acting Chief exe and CEO

Favourite parts of the event

I would have like to say I loved all of the event, but some things stuck out more and I feel they ought to get a mention. These things would have to be the ‘Carer’s Stories’. If its on video or a brave carer standing up in front of other carers or staff, its always something special. I learn from others all the time and I am sure other carers and professionals learn from those stories. In fact one of the carer stories is used for training staff. It make things that personal and authentic.

Another thing I felt was important was the triangle of care update, especially from Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, since it was the first non-mental health trust to take up the challenge of Triangle of care. Implementing the triangle of care is no easy task. It is not meant to be easy to be honest, but that NHS trust has laid the foundation for others to follow.

The food was very good at the conference and I hope in later conferences we can get something hot. I admit with conferences from South London and Maudsley, I get the feeling they splash out and spoil carers. Still, the food was very good and I did not waste anything. Most importantly, I networked with other carers and we exchanged details to keep in touch. This probably the most important reason for attending a carers conference. Carers ought to network and keep in touch.

Lastly, I took the chance to visit some stalls and found some useful information that can make life easier for unpaid carers, friends and family.

Overall I felt the staff worked very hard to put the first ever joint carer’s conference together and I hope the next conference will be bigger and lay even more foundations for others to follow.

I almost forgot. I did not manage to do a carer poem at the event. So I thought to leave one here, the poem highlights the importance of telling a carer’s story, especially at events like the one I have reviewed.

I tell my story to the crowd
I tell it loud, nice and proud
It is my story that I be telling
Of all my work and all my caring

No sweat, no fear I tell it here
Of all my hopes and all my fears
It started on that fateful morning
Her mental illness came without warning

I told the audience how I was frantic
I alerted the doctor who said “Don’t Panic”
It’s such a long journey of my caring
I am telling my story to be sharing

The audience stared, cheered and cried
And onwards still, I ve nothing to hide
All is laid out with my story to bear
I am doing my best with little to fear

And now my story is at an end
I hope the audience comprehends
I feel accomplished and feel understood
On telling my story, who thought I never would

The importance of carers week 2022

Welcome everyone, especially unpaid fellow carers who are caring for someone.

My name is Matthew McKenzie, carer, author of a Caring Mind and Experiences of Mental health caregiving. I also run many carer peer groups and forums aimed at those providing support to someone suffering mental illness. Plus I am the chair of Carers UK ethnic carers advisory group and the National Triangle of care group regarding principles of carer engagement.

I am here to blog about carers week. For this year, it will be carers week 2022. I have been a long supporter of raising that much needed awareness of carers week not only to those who provide health and social care services to unpaid carers, but raising awareness of caring to the public and even carers themselves, not every knows or understands they are caring.

To watch the video, please play the video below.

  • So what is carers week all about?

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

Organisations that support carers week are too numerous to mention, but the main ones are listed below

  • AgeUK
  • Carers Trust
  • Carers UK
  • Motor Neurone Disease Association
  • Oxfam
  • Rethink Mental Illness
  • The Lewy Body Society
  • So why do I feel Carers Week is so important this year?

Well there are several reasons.

The first is that there are many policies and laws being revamped and changed, this includes the Mental Health Act, The health & Social care Bill, Mental capacity Act and many more. We must raise the awareness that these changes do not exclude carers and their importance.

The other reasons are due to the high cost of living, unpaid care by its very definition IS unpaid, the vulnerable took a knock during the COVID-19 crisis and yet again the vulnerable will take a hit again. Providing support and care in the community should be praised by society and yet many think people should just “Get on with it”.

There are many other reasons, but the video would take so long. Unpaid caring carries stigma, not many would jump to the front of the line and say they are caring for someone suffering psychosis or self harm, because still in society people will be riddiculed. The other side of the coin is that some carers out there do not want the label, but the risk is they might lose out on support. Carers week gives that much needed awareness to say caring should be valued.

Lastly did I mention I am a poet? I am supporting Carers Week 2022 by doing a share and learn session at Carers UK. If you are a carer and want to hear more about my poety, mental health or awareness of ethnic / BAME carers. Please see the link below

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-support/share-and-learn-online-sessions

Carers Week: Support in Southwark: Carers

Do you know Carers Week 2021 starts on monday 7th of June?

The theme for this year is Making Caring Visible and Valued. Which is good news for Southwark since Southwark Healthwatch are running an event where unpaid carers in Southwark can learn about the different types of support available for carers in borough. There will be guest speakers from various services such as Southwark Carers, Mobilise, the Carers Leads from Southwark Council and Coach4Carers to speak to unpaid carers about different ways they support carers.

There will also be a Q&A session after each speaker to answer any questions you may have.

I will be opening the Southwark Healthwatch event and hope to see many carers learn what support they can get for carers week.

To book on the event see the details below

https://www.healthwatchsouthwark.org/event/2021-06-09/support-southwark-carers

Beyond Carers Week 2020

smallerHello everyone and fellow carers. Just a quick blog post now that Carers Week has ended. For those who do not know about Carers Week, basically it is an awareness event that looks to raise the awareness of unpaid carers throughout the week of June 8th – 14th.

Carers Week is an annual awareness campaign to celebrate and recognise the vital contribution made by the UK’s 6.5 million carers.

My view on how Carers Week 2020 went

I am not sure if many people or blogs mention views on post events. I felt Carers Week 2020 really raised the bar for Carers week 2021 due to the amount of activities, events and awareness drives from people, charities and organisations. I have been involved in quite a few carer awareness events over that week.

Continue reading →

LSE research on Carer wellbeing

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Research at the London School of Economics and Political Science want to understand what impact covid19 coronavirus has on mentalhealth, wellbeing and loneliness of carers supporting people with poor mentalhealth. If you are an unpaid carer help LSE by filling in their brief

https://lse.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ItyiAwSrT7xeTj

The survey should take about 15 minutes. All information will be treated in confidence. You can change answers until you submit the questionnaire. It has received ethical clearance from the London School of Economics and Political Science. If you have questions please contact David McDaid Email: d.mcdaid@lse.ac.uk More information at http://eufami.org/2020/04/28/covid-19/

A Look back at 2019

10177241_747738765268892_5890142387668348507_nThanks for dropping by. I am in the midst of compiling my new podcast on the experiences of carers, but in the meantime I thought to do a quick blog on looking back at what I have been up to in 2019.

As usual I have been continuing to run four carer forums each month for the past year. We have had a lot of support from the community and I can only hope it continues in 2020, because the groups will increase to another 4 and an extra borough.

However from each of the 4 carer engagement forums here is the list of those who engaged with carers

Lewisham MH carers forum (2019 speakers)

  • SLaM Hoarding Service
  • Roslyn Byfield is a trained Counseller and therapist,
  • Kathryn Hill (Director of England for Carers Trust)
  • SLaM Engagement lead for Lewisham and Croydon
  • SLaM Patient Advice Liason Service
  • Lewisham Healthwatch
  • Lewisham CCG
  • Ruth Morgan – Clinical Psychologist
  • Aaron Brewer – SLaM Quality Improvement
  • Cllr James Rathborne – Lewisham Mental Health Champion
  • SLaM Head of Nursing

Lambeth MH Carers forum (2019 speakers)

  • Lambeth Healthwatch
  • Eva Klamerus on CoPE online resource for carers
  • Lead for Lambeth Hospital
  • Helen Hayes MP for Dulwich & West Norwood
  • Rebecca Martland researcher from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience
  • Robert Stebbings the Policy and Communications Officer from Adfam
  • Older Adults and Dementia Operations Directorate

Southwark MH carers forum (2019 speakers)

  • Eva Klamerus on CoPE online resource for carers
  • Southwark Healthwatch
  • Kings College Hospital Carers Lead
  • NHS Serious Incident investigator
  • Nicola Gunn Solicitors
  • Southwark CCG on their carers strategy
  • Southwark Council
  • Rebecca Martland researcher from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience

Lewisham BAME MH carers forum (2019 speakers)

  • Lewisham Police MH engagement lead
  • Eva Klamerus on CoPE online resource for carers
  • Lewisham CCG – queries on Lewisham carers strategy
  • Lewisham Council
  • SLaM PALs on SLaM Carers strategy
  • Table Talk on Older Adult community support
  • SLaM pharmacist
  • South Lewisham GP Practice PPG chair
  • SLaM Equality Lead
  • Errol Chambers SLaM Inpatient social worker
  • Clinical Team Leader for Lewisham Community Services

I would like to thank those who took their time out from work to engage with carers and carer representatives in those boroughs.  Special thanks to fellow carers also managing to attend.

Just a quick note that there have been quite a few more attendees particular for Lambeth borough, but I had not managed to always blog those meetings in time.

Other things I have been busy doing in 2019.

Below are a list of events and activities I have been up to in 2019.  The list is not in-depth because there are a lot of things I have missed out, but there is a link below each title which you can click on to read more about different events.

Lewisham Stakeholder event

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Near the end of the year, I was happy to set up a workshop about carers at the Lewisham CCG stakeholder event. It took a bit of work, but many carers from Carers Lewisham supported each other and we all felt the workshop empowered us all. The Lewisham Mental Health Stakeholder event went very well and was attended by many stakeholders, partners and organisations also running their workshops.

Lewisham MH Stakeholder event Link

ADASS Carer celebration festival 2019

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The first London Carers festival took place over in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The event was planned by the Directors of Adult Social Services and other partners. The carers festival was very well planned with many community activites throughout the day. As we all know carers do much for almost next to nothing, so I was proud to attend and observe the festival. I hope the 2020 carers festival will go well and I am wondering what London borough will run it.

ADASS Carer celebration festival 2019 link

HSJ Award Ceremony 2019

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The Health Service Journal awards was a long time in the making, but I am not surprised because the awards cover the whole of the NHS. I was delighted to be one of the judges on picking which part of the UKs System Led Support for Carers and how those systems would incorporate, identify and empower carers. All applicants had excellent case studies, but can be only one winner which was West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, although Manchester Healthcare partnership was highly reccomended.

HSJ Award Ceremony 2019 Link

Carers UK annual conference 2019

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Carers UK (I often mention them) also had their annual conference on developments around the country for carers. I was delighted to be given a chance to speak at the conference in regards to carers empowerment, which I feel is a much needed thing for carers. Carers UK gave me that extra voice for that day and will continue to give carers that needed voice.

Carers UK annual conference 2019 Link

St Andrews Black History Month event

I was not able to blog the event, but I was happy to speak about the “Importance of BAME NHS Staff and the relation to BAME carers in the community”. The event took place of at St Andrews healthcare site. The site was massive and I felt like I walked 3 parks to get to their head quarters. The turnout was very good and the event was planned well. I am awaiting what the outcome is for 2020.

Service User Advocacy Exhibition

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Bethlem’s Museum of the mind has recently put up an exhibition celebrating experiences and voices from the service user and carer community. Part of the exhibition showed my views on why carers should be involved in the NHS and helping to shape mental health services. After all, I have been involved at SLaM for close to 5 years or more, plus I am involved at other mental health trusts and probably counting. The Exhibition opening went smoothly and I have visited the exhibition several times.

Service User Advocacy Exhibition Link

Royal College of Nursing involvement group

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The Royal College of Nursing has taken up the Triangle of Care a policy that aims to connect Health professional, Patient and Carer. The majority of input does come from MH carers as the culture of the health service centers around the patient, this can go double for the mental health system, so a policy from a carers perspective is a welcome result. Due to the RCN taking on the Triangle of Care, other avenues have opened up and one of them is the RCN’s involvement group, which I am a member of.

Royal College of Nursing involvement group Link

Reform of the Mental Health Act Debate

parliament

The reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 has been a long time coming and it was with pleasure to attend the debate of the reform of the MH act over at parliament.  The speaker who led the debate was Neil Coyle MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (also a carer) . I hope MPs to engage with carers regarding the Mental Health Act as many carers worry the reform act still ignores their concerns.

Reform of the Mental Health Act Debate Link

National MH Nurses director forum at Warwick University

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The National Mental Health Nurses director forum (sorry its quite a long title) is a major event in the stakes of Mental Health Trusts. I was happy to speak at the event and got a chance to meet England’s most senior Nurse Ruth May.

The facilities at Warwick University were excellent and I think I was very spoilt. I spoke about the importance of mental health carers and the influence families and carers can bring to the NHS. For 2020 it will be a very important year for NHS England especially with the promises government will bring to the table and the World Health Organisation’s Year of the Nurse and Midwife……watch this space.

National MH Nurses director forum at Warwick University Link

Trauma Matters event

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I have very close links to the WeCoproduce CiC and have known them for a very long time. It is one of the many Patient and carer forums that has similar aspects to the forums I run.

I have known Jane McGrath for many years and she always amazes me with the sheer dedication and organisation of running national events. Due to the terrible events at Glenfield Tower, many people were traumatised from the incident and it was only a matter of time before West London community asked what an earth is Trauma. I attended part of the Trauma Matters event and you can see my blog about it below.

Trauma Matters event Link

SLaM Annual Trust Psychology and Psychotherapy event

Psychology and Psychotherapy mean a lot to me and as far as I know SLaM runs an annual Trust Psychology and Psychotherapy event. I was happy to speak about the importance of Psychology and Psychotherapy at the event along with a patient I have known for a very long time.

SLaM Annual Trust Psychology and Psychotherapy event Link

Triangle of Care regional meetings (Kent & Medway / SWLSG )

meeting

NHS Mental Health trusts involved in the Triangle of Care policy often meet and discuss regional developments. Since I am on the steering group of the Triangle of Care policy, I feel it is so important to attend such meetings to hear updates on how many of the mental health trusts are working towards the triangle of care and engaging with Carers.

One of the regional events impressed me so much that I blogged about it, this meeting was chaired by Kent & Medway Trust.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust host the next meeting, so I am looking forward to how things turn out.

Triangle of Care regional meetings Link

Conclusion

As you can see this has been a busy year for me and I have only mentioned half of what I have been up to as a carer.  Year 2020 looks to be an event bigger year for carer involvement and empowerment and I hope carer engagement to the forums I run continue, because without carers becoming empowered to query how services are, then the family and carer voice goes missing……

Thank you all that believed in me and other unpaid carers.