Carers’ News - Stay Hopeful, Stay Connected. ISSUE 23, December 2022
Carers Leads and NSFT staff wish all carers, a happy and healthy Christmas.
Christmas facts:
- The Nativity play is one of the oldest Christmas traditions, with the first reenactment taking place in 1223 AD.
- The first year of Christmas being celebrated on 25 December was in 336,during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine.
- According to Guinness world records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut was a 221 foot Douglas fir that was displayed in 1950 at the Northgate shopping centre in Seattle.
- The traditional three colours of Christmas are green (life and rebirth), red (blood of Christ), gold (light, wealth and royalty).
- Edward Johnson invented the first electric tree lights in 1882.
- Jingle Bells, written in 1857, was originally written for Thanksgiving and called One Horse Open Sleigh.
- The word Christmas comes from the old English Cristes maesse, meaning Christ’s mass.
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has only been around since 1939.
- In December 1965, Jingle Bells was the first song broadcast in space from Gemini 6.
NSFT hosted an event on Carers Rights Day at the King’s Centre in Norwich.
Howard Tidman, Carer Champion and staff governor said: “The day was a success with a steady flow of people attending with various subjects to discuss.”
Organisers hoped everyone who attended found some useful and helpful information.
Get Involved
There are lots of ways you can get involved with NSFT. Opportunities are on our website on the ‘get involved’ pages.
We are also always keen to hear your feedback, good or bad. Check our website or click this feedback link.
New leave rules
Millions of people across the UK who are currently providing unpaid care to dependant family members or friends are entitled to unpaid leave under new laws.
The Carer’s Leave Bill, introduced by Wendy Chamberlain MP and backed by the government, introduces a flexible entitlement of one week’s unpaid leave per year for employees who are providing or arranging care.
Business Minister Dean Russell said: “Carers play a vital role in our society, and it is only right that we support them."
Find more information at www.gov.uk
Carers’ survey
Last year, more than 8,000 people completed the State of Caring Survey, which helped Carers UK campaign successfully on a number of issues.
They secured new rights for carers in the Health and Social Care Act 2022, to campaign for cost of living increases and provide evidence of the need for the right to a carer’s leave and other support within the workplace, and to campaign for breaks and funding for social care.
This is the most extensive survey into carers’ experience in the UK, it may take 20-30 minutes – so grab a cuppa and get comfy!
Hope and joy
Many Salvation Army centres across Norfolk and Suffolk are providing help over the Christmas period. Please check your local centre for further information and details of a ‘Free Christmas meal’.
www.salvationarmy.org.uk
