CSD is the main organisation supporting carers who care for someone living in the Dorset Council area.
The Carer Support Dorset team are here to support you, whatever the question or issue you’re facing.
Carer Support Dorset is open Monday 9.30am-4.30pm, Tuesday 9.30am-7pm, Wednesday 9.30am-4.30pm, Thursday 9.30am-7pm and Friday 9.30am-4pm.
Call 0800 368 8349 or email [email protected] if you need support or advice on anything related to your caring role.
| Upcoming drop-in sessions |
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| Have a question about caring? Pop along to one of our drop-in sessions to chat to one of our Carer Advisers. Thursday 4 August, 10am-2pm Drop-in session for carers at Gillingham Library, Chantry Fields, Gillingham SP8 4UA. Monday 15 August, 11am-2pm Drop-in session for carers at Sherborne Library, Digby Hall, Sherborne DT9 3AA. Tuesday 16 August, 11am-3pm Drop-in session for carers at Barchester- King’s Park Care Home, 14 Church Rd, Ferndown BH22 9EU. Wednesday 17 August, 10am-4pm Joint drop-in session with Help and Kindness at Weymouth Information Shop, 98 St Mary Street, Weymouth, DT4 8NY. Wednesday 24 August, 10am-2pm Joint drop-in session with Dorset Carers Hub at 48 South Street, Dorchester, DT1 1DQ. Tuesday 30 August, 10am-1pm Joint drop-in with The Blandford Group Practice held at The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AD. Wednesday 31 August, 12noon-4pm Joint drop-in with Rural Mental Health Matters held at Town Hall, Gold Hill Gallery, Shaftesbury, SP7 8JE. We’d welcome carers to discuss joining the new North Dorset Carer Reference Group at this event (please see below). |
| Free workshops and training |
| Physical Intelligence on Thursday 4 August, 10am-11am This online session is a fun introduction to the world of Physical Intelligence, where we can start to gain the ability to detect and actively manage the balance of key chemicals in our bodies so that we can achieve more, stress less, and live and work more happily. Mental Health Awareness on Tuesday 27 September, 2pm-4pm An online session to develop your understanding of mental health and spotting the signs of mental ill health. Rethink Mental Illness – Dealing with Stress and Feelings on Wednesday 28 September, 10am-11am A session on coping with stress and as a carer, what you can do to help. If you would like to join, give us a call on 0800 368 8349 or email [email protected] to find out more and get the joining link. |
| Connect to nature with some free resources |
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| Your Seasons of Stories is a nature and creative community project led by Stepping into Nature. The project co-developed, along with four Dorset based artists and community groups, this beautifully written, illustrated and filmed mix of creative writing and art activities. They are available as downloadable activity booklets, art, templates and short films or as a limited edition physical box of resources. They are great for adults of any age and ability and are adaptable to being done indoors or out, in groups or individually, and with minimal materials. |
| Join the Dorset Carer Reference Group |
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| Help shape services for carers! Join the Dorset Carer Reference group to give feedback and suggestions on services for unpaid carers. The group meets every 6 weeks virtually. The next meetings are: Friday 5 August, 11am-1pm Friday 9 September, 11am-1pm A new face-to-face group is going to be established in north Dorset soon. For more information, or to join either of these groups, please contact us on 0800 368 8349 or email [email protected] |
| Take part in the 2022 State of Caring survey |
| The State of Caring survey 2022 is now live. Run by Carers UK, the State of Caring is the most comprehensive research into the lives and experiences of carers in the UK. It shapes their campaigns and the support and services they provide. Take part and share your views today: |
| Book your free space to manage money confidently with Citizens Advice |
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| Want free, expert help on budgeting, benefits entitlement and financial help? Register for a Citizens Advice maximising money session, held weekly in libraries around Dorset. Call the Dorset Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 and for more cost of living help, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help |
| Covid-19 autumn booster programme to include unpaid carers aged 16-49 |
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| The Department of Health and Social Care have announced that an autumn booster of the COVID-19 vaccine will be offered to the following groups to extend their protection against getting seriously ill: – residents and staff in older adult care homes – frontline health and social care workers – everyone aged 50 and over – people aged 5-49 in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women – household contacts of immunosuppressed people aged 5-49 – unpaid carers aged 16-49 This follows the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Find out more information on the government website. |
A final note from us
The Carer Support Dorset team are here to support you, whatever the question or issue you’re facing. We acknowledge and appreciate the hard work you’re doing in your caring role.
Carer Support Dorset is open Monday 9.30am-4.30pm, Tuesday 9.30am-7pm, Wednesday 9.30am-4.30pm, Thursday 9.30am-7pm and Friday 9.30am-4pm.
Call 0800 368 8349 or email [email protected] if you need support or advice on anything related to your caring role.
| Don’t forget you can contact Dorset Digital Hotline. Anyone can call the Dorset Digital Hotline with an IT question on 01305 221048 (select option 2) weekdays (excluding Bank Holidays) from 10am to 12noon. Support includes: – helping families with digital applications for home schooling – providing help to get online for home shopping – support for all digital NHS services – setting up Skype to keep in contact with friends and family |
