So when I did my first blog post I wanted to tell you all about me and my tribe and our life, then we got lockdown and all thoughts were consumed by the current situation. Some days it felt like I’d got nothing done other than keeping everyone fed. Now have finished our second lockdown and we are watching and waiting on the next steps I’ve hit a writers block. So I have decided to do something a little different, and instead of talking to you about the many things that plague our news feeds and our email daily or the intricacies of my life,Read More →

As 2020 comes to a close, our minds turn to the year we are leaving behind and ever hopeful the year in front will be brighter. No other Christmas or New Year has this been ever more true.   2020 has been one of the hardest years for many in living memory, being unable to socialise, get out of the house for a break has been difficult, more so for us carers. Odd statement ‘more so for us carers’ but it’s one for me that has weight. Many people who don’t care for someone doesn’t understand how difficult being a carer can be, or howRead More →

Dear families,   I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the amazing support you have continued to provide throughout 2020. We all know this year has been difficult with the current pandemic and the additional pressures this has placed on carers across Hartlepool.  Moving into 2021 we will continue to work hard to support you and your family, ensuring your views and experiences help shape services moving forward.    In response to the impact of Covid-19 we have launched many new services including our Tech Loan Service, Cycle and Connect Service, Carer Ambassador Programme, Care for a Call to nameRead More →

So, when we received an email from our CEO, Christine, at the beginning of November to tell us we had been chosen as one of the charities to benefit from this year’s Giving Tree, it’s safe safe to say we had no idea just how overwhelming the response would be. Over 174,000 presents bought from up and down the country and even overseas.  Appearances on local and national TV. Contact from businesses large and small wanting to contribute. We are truly blown away by the support our small charity has received from the wonderful public. The first day Roxanne and I entered the warehouse (IRead More →

We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of the Hartlepool community. Since launch, over 13,000 presents have been bought by kind-hearted people from Hartlepool and across the country for children who may otherwise not receive a gift this year. Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and In Studio have come together to make this year’s Giving Tree virtual and we thank both them, and you, for supporting the appeal. This year’s chosen charities are ourselves and Harbour. Any presents we receive will go to our young carers, some of whom are as young as five, and who care for a loved one. Harbour Harbour works withRead More →

We have listened to the concerns of our carers regarding essential food supplies during lockdown due to shielding or   isolation We understand that many of our carers are supporting highly vulnerable people, and may even be vulnerable themselves, meaning that they have to rely on friends or family members to deliver shopping for them. With this in mind, we want to provide our carers with the tools to do their own grocery shopping online. We know that the idea of online shopping can be daunting and so we want to help make the process as easy as possible. TECH LOAN SERVICE We can loan tabletsRead More →

Thanks to The County Durham Community Fund and Hospital of God at Greatham we are able to offer Christmas Day hampers for registered carers who otherwise perhaps would not have a Christmas dinner this year. The hamper will contain everything a family of four needs to have Christmas lunch with all the trimmings.  We want these to go to our families who will really benefit and so please be advised the priority will be for those who have had a significant change in circumstances this year such as unemployment, change in benefits and bereavement. Please do not be offended if you are asked about yourRead More →

That’s the theme of this year’s Carers Rights Day which takes place tomorrow (26th November) .  Whether you are a new carer or have been caring for someone for a while, Carers UK believe that it’s important that you understand your rights and are able to access the support that is available to you as soon as you need it. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support. Each year, Carers Rights Day helps us: ensure carers are aware of their rights let carers know where to get help and supportRead More →

It is more important than ever before to be looking after ourselves. But drinking too much alcohol can put our health at risk and make us feel worse during the pandemic. COVID-19 has been a worrying time, but drinking most days can weaken our immune system against infectious diseases like Covid. It can also increase the risk of cancer, heart attack, anxiety and stroke. Balance is launching a new campaign “Alcohol – Not the Answer” to encourage people to cut down and take more drink free days. Figures suggest that nearly 400,000 people in the North East and over 8m people nationally have been drinkingRead More →

SANTA’S REINDEER HAVE RUN AWAY AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SAVE CHRISTMAS! (I mean, can you blame them from running away from these two elves?!)   Run/walk/cycle 5k in December and help us get the reindeer back to the North Pole in time for Santa to deliver the presents.   You can complete your 5k any date in December before Christmas Day and it can be done all in one go or over as many days as you like.   £7.50 for adults £5.00 for children £20 for a family of 4   To show his thanks, you will receive a special medal fromRead More →