Issue 18 March 2022 Accessible
We wish you a happy Easter
Did you know?
According to scholars, this Christian holiday was named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, a fertility goddess and a goddess of dawn and light.
Easter bonnets come from European traditions of wearing flowers on a hat to celebrate spring.
The myth of the Easter Bunny actually dates back to an old German tale about a woman who used to decorate eggs and leave them for her children to find. The first story of a rabbit (later named the Easter Bunny) hiding eggs in a garden was published in 1680.
During the 19th century the Fry family of Bristol produced the first chocolate egg, in 1873. Two years later, Cadbury’s made their first.
80 million Easter eggs are sold each year in the UK. On average, a child will eat eight.
When it comes to eating chocolate bunnies, 76% of people eat the ears first However you eat yours, NSFT would like to wish all carers a Happy Easter.
Carers Allowance to rise in April
There has been a sharp rise in the number of unpaid carers, possibly connected to the pandemic, currently estimated at 4.5 million people in the UK.
A 2021 survey by Carers UK revealed that one in five carers worry about coping financially.
From 11 April, Carer’s Allowance will increase by an estimated £2 per week. The total increase will be 3.1%, in line with the current CPI (consumer price index) and will see rates rise from £67.60 per week to £69.70 per week. Therefore, carers could receive £278.80 per month.
Healthwatch Norfolk community mental health survey
We want to find out if changes made to community mental health care in Norfolk and Waveney is working for you.
If you are over 18 and have been affected by a mental health condition in the last 12 months, or you support an adult who has, we would like to hear about your experiences of treatment and care.
Survey for adults severely affected by mental ill health:
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/norfolkCMHTevaluation/
Survey for carers of adults severely affected by mental ill health:
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/carersadultmentalhealthservices/
Mindfulness courses for carers
The Gatehouse Charity is running online mindfulness courses to support previous or current carers over 18.
Mindfulness can help with the stress and burnout carers can experience, contributing positively to mental and physical wellbeing.
The course involves a weekly meeting with clinical psychologist Adele Pacini. Sessions are for one hour weekly for 10 weeks, 1.30-2.30pm. The next course will start 5 May, the next in September.
For further details, see the community wellbeing section on the The Gatehouse Charity Website (Bury) or visit
www.adelepacini.co.uk.
For any queries email annabelksmindful@gmail.com.
Get involved in staff recruitment
People who use our services and their carers and families have the chance to sign up for training to be involved in recruiting new staff.
The values-based recruitment training is being held to give service users and their families the skills to be involved in interviews and shape the future of NSFT.
We are committed to involving people who use mental health services and their carers or families through the People Participation.
The training will be via Microsoft Teams and anyone who has difficulties accessing this or needs further support can email
people.participation@nsft.nhs.uk.
For more information or details of the next sessions being held please email people.participation@nsft.nhs.uk
Email us direct at carersQAservice@nsft.nhs.uk