Learning Disabilities Federation (North Tyneside)

The Carers Forum meetings for the remainder of the year are published.

All meetings take place at: 9:45am - 12:45pm, including a light lunch at the Oxford Centre, West Farm Avenue Longbenton NE12 6LT.

Click here for the dates and times of the Carers Forum meetings.

From June 2010 Companion Cards are available for Tyne and Wear residents who receive the higher rate care component of the Disability Living Allowance and/or high rate Attendance Allowance who would only be able to use local public transport with the assistance of a companion.

You must have qualified for and received a Concessionary Travel Pass to be able to apply for a Companion Card.

The companion travelling with a cardholder will be able to travel free of charge on local buses in Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham at the times at which concessionary travel is available (after 9.30am Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and public holidays). The companion will pay full fare for journeys outside Tyne and Wear, Northumberland and Durham.

We are pleased to inform you that the Macmillan bus is coming to North Shields at the Linskill Centre on the 7^th July 2010 between 10-4. We are trying to raise awareness about cancer for people with learning disabilities.  Anyone is more than welcome to come to the event as there will be plenty of information and support for all.

For more information click Macmillan Bus

If you are a carer providing (or you intend to provide) a substantial amount of care on a regular basis, you have a statutory right to a carers’ assessment.

On Wednesday 16th June as part of a celebration of National Carers’ Week, the Council and the Carers’ Centre are holding a conference specifically to look at carers’ assessments. Taking part in a carers’ assessment is an opportunity for you to take time to think about your needs and what impact your caring role has on your life.

Click Carers Conference 2010 for more details.

A new independent commission will be established to advise the Government on the future funding of long-term care and the NHS will be reformed to improve patient outcomes, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley announced today.

Here is a link to a statement from the new government about their plans for social care in the future:

Full story at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/MediaCentre/Pressreleases/DH_116236

For the first time, it will be possible for an unpaid carer looking after a loved one to build up a full basic State Pension based entirely on National Insurance credits. The Department for Work and Pensions and Carers UK are calling on carers across the country to find out if they could benefit.

April 2010 will see the introduction of the new Carer's Credit that will count towards their basic and second State Pension. People may not recognise the help they give, unpaid, to a disabled, ill or family member as 'caring' but they are being encouraged to come forward if they are looking after someone for at least 20 hours a week, as they could benefit from the new Credit.

Minister of State for Pensions and Ageing Society Angela Eagle said: "We want people to tell us if they, or people they know, are looking after somebody for more than 20 hours a week, so they benefit from this change. The State Pension is everyone's foundation of financial security in later life and therefore, it's only right that caring for others should be counted towards it."

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: "We know saving for your retirement years won't be your priority when you suddenly find yourself caring for a loved one. But there are simple steps you can take to secure your State Pension that will protect your long-term future as you care for others."

If you think this might be you, you can contact the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0845 608 4321 or Textphone on 0845 604 5312.

Click here for more information from Carer's UK.

And click Carers Credit application pack to download the application forms.