UPDATE ON CAMDEN CARERS’ VOICE
Camden Carers Voice burst into life with a launch party on December 2nd 2009.
An initiative of Camden’s Joint Commissioner for Carers and Camden Carers Centre, Camden Carers Voice (CCV) is the fruit of six months work, beginning with a 'scoping' meeting in June followed by a planning meeting in late September. At these meetings carers decided the key ingredients which would be essential to establish a successful and influential Forum.
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
Our meetings will be:
- Practical
- Effective
- Targeted
- Enjoyable
- Sociable
- Inclusive
- and open to all carers/former carers in the borough.
Carers want a strong, influential voice and have a place for mutual support, so Camden Carers Voice will actively campaign and lobby for carers’ rights.
CCV is carer-led, drawing on everyone’s skills, talents and abilities. We have started mapping out these skills so please let us know if you want to add or make any changes to the list above. Also tell us what issues are important for you.
Ongoing support will be provided by Camden Carers Centre for four meetings a year, with Jill Pay having a lead role, along with Barbara Wilson (who is an Independent Facilitator.) You can contact Jill on 020 7428 8950 or email.
At the February meeting the main topic was how to campaign effectively. Those carers present came up with a list of Golden Rules, such as
- Always know your facts;
- Build relationships with the right people;
- Think through the consequences of any action;
- Never moan or whinge or be too generalised on issues.
(If you would like a full set of the notes please contact Jill.)
Some carers volunteered to help out with other projects and initiatives between meetings, such as joining the planning group for the CCC Carers Day on 16 June (during National Carers Week) and meeting with Karen Timperley to discuss having Carer Representatives at strategic level meetings.We will report back on these issues at CCV's next meeting which will be in May. We also hope to have a logo to look at by then.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 13th May, from 10.30 am to 1 pm. The main topic will be Personalisation and Self-Directed Support, as we know this is going to have a big impact on all our lives. Please ring Camden Carers Centre on 020 7428 8950 if you want to get involved and help shape the way CCV will work.
In the words of one Camden carer, who has been involved at all stages, ".... the Forum is for - and open to - every unpaid carer in Camden. We are all different but we share in common our vital role of being carers. We can all get involved and advise on what is going on, because we are what is going on. Together we aim to develop an official group with a powerful voice, one which is influential as well as advisory."
Remember, Sarah-Lou has kick started us with her 'Day in My Life' article, which appears in the Spring CCC Newsletter. We want to build up a collection of these (no more than 250 words) so please do send them in plus any accompanying photographs.