Have you got independent living equipment, such as zimmer frames, walking sticks or bath aids you no longer need?   Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership is calling on you to help others by taking them along to one of Fife Council’s participating Recycling Centres so it can be re-used or re-cycled.
 
The move comes following a successful pilot in Glenrothes last year, which saw an 8% increase in the overall volume of equipment being returned and returned more quickly – that’s around 6,000 pieces of equipment.
 
From the 8 August 2016 the service will be available in the following Fife Council Recycling Centres:
•           Glenrothes
•           Kirkcaldy
•           St Andrews
•           Pittenweem
•           Lochgelly
•           Dunfermline
•           Dalgety Bay
•           Methil
 
Cllr Andrew Rodger, Chair of Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership underlines the financial and health impact that returning equipment can have for those who need support: 
 “Staying safe and independent for as long as possible as we get older is the wish of many.  Equipment such as bath lifts, height adjustable seating, zimmer frames, shower chairs and kitchen trolleys can make a real difference to people’s lives. 
Each year we deliver over 78,000 pieces of equipment to people’s homes but over the years there has been a build of equipment that has never been returned.  At the moment we know there is over 160,000 pieces of assistive equipment sitting in homes across Fife.
 We want to encourage as many people as possible to take items, which are no longer needed, to their nearest participating recycling centre or make an appointment for collection so it can be re-used, re-cycled or turned into cash for re-investment.”
 
To make an appointment for collection:
•           call 01592 583252
•           e-mail Fces.orders@fife.gov.uk
 
Further information can be found on Fife Direct by searching Recycling Centre.
 

Come along and help us celebrate Diversity Week by enjoying some coffee and cake in the company of other Carers and our staff.  It’s free to attend and we would love to see you here.
Fife Carers Centre
Coffee Morning 10:30 – 12:30
Thursday 8th September

Fife Carers Centre 157 Commercial Street Kirkcaldy

Step on Stress are now running classes in the North East Fife area so there are now a few options available if you want to recommend the service. New classes are running in Glenrothes, St Andrews and Cupar and are continuing to run in Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Lochgelly.
Step on Stress is self referral so patients who wish to attend can phone 01383 565442, email fife-UHB.SteponStress@nhs.net or book on our moodcafe website (www.moodcafe.co.uk).
For more information on the service http://www.moodcafe.co.uk/media/28688/sos-leaflet.pdf

The Scottish Government has published a consultation on social security in Scotland, to gather views and inform future decisions including the forthcoming social security bill. It will run from July 29 to October 28. The Scottish Government is committed to working with all those with an interest in the area. You can find more information at http://www.gov.scot/…/fairerscot…/future-powers/Consultation

Throughout the consultation the hashtag ‪#‎scotsocialsecurity‬ will be in use.
• The consultation can be found at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/07/9955
• A shortened version is also available at http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/07/5342
Should you have any queries on the consultation please contact SocialSecurityConsultation@gov.scot

Thousands of pounds are still available to support unpaid carers in Fife to have a break from their caring commitments.

Unpaid carers in Fife can get up to £300 to help them take a break with the Creative Breaks Fund. Carers can't apply for this funding if they were awarded the grant last year.
The Fund which runs until August 2016 and is aimed at carers who would benefit from a break from their caring responsibilities, either with or without the person they care for, has £10,000 remaining.
Fife Voluntary Action, in partnership with Fife Carers Centre, Crossroads and Fife Young Carers, receives Scottish Government money to provide funding to carers who look after people aged 20 and over. The purpose of the fund is to value carers in their vital role, and promote their wellbeing by letting them choose the perfect respite to suit them.
Carers can decide themselves what would provide that ‘break’- be it a straightforward holiday somewhere special; driving lessons to support them getting out and about or even the technology to help them keep in touch with relatives and friends. The unique aspect of the project is that the breaks can be tailored to suit the carer and their lifestyle.
Last year the Creative Breaks Fund supported 87 carers from Fife. This was approximately 12,065 hours of respite for carers and more than 7,355 hours away from their normal routine for carers with their cared-for person. This is a 25% increase in the number of hours supported last year.
Jo Clark, Creative Breaks Coordinator, Fife Voluntary Action, said: “We’re pleased to have helped support thousands of hours or respite for carers in Fife and helped make a difference to their lives. “If you, or someone you know could benefit from this fund, we’d love to hear from you.”
To apply just complete the application form on the Fife Voluntary Action website www.fifevoluntaryaction.org.uk/ or telephone 0800 389 6046.

CARERS PARLIAMENT 2016The fifth Carers Parliament will be held on the 2nd of November 2016. The event will be held at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
As in previous years the aim is to have carers represented from each of the parliamentary constituencies in Scotland. Where several carers apply the names will be selected by ballot.
There are still a few areas in Fife which are not represented, including:
~ Cowdenbeath
~ Dunfermline
~ Kirkcaldy
~ Mid Fife & Glenrothes
Any carers applying from these areas are therefore quite likely to get a place. If you know if any carers who would be interested, please let them know and ask them to fill in the online registration at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/CarersParl2016.
The closing date is the 12th of August.