Wealden Senior Citizens' Partnership

DIGNITY IN CARE
– THE DIGNITY CHALLENGE
The Dignity in Care Campaign exists to stimulate national debate around the need for people receiving care services to be treated with dignity. The aim is to create a care system where there is a zero tolerance approach to the abuse of and disrespect towards older people. High-quality services that respect people’s dignity should:
1.    Have a zero tolerance of all forms of abuse.
2.    Support people with the same respect you would want for yourself or a member of your family.
3.    Treat each person as an individual by offering a personalised service.
4.    Enable people to maintain the maximum possible level of independence, choice and control.
5.    Listen and support people to express their needs and wants.
6.    Respect people’s right to privacy.
7.    Ensure people feel able to complain without fear of retribution.
8.    Engage with family members and carers as care partners.
9.    Assist people to maintain confidence and a positive self- esteem.
10.    Act to alleviate people’s loneliness and isolation. CONTACT US IF, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE SERVICES PROVIDED IN EAST SUSSEX DO NOT MEASURE UP TO THESE STANDARDS.

NORTH WEALDEN CARERS’ RESPITE SCHEME
This free service may be of help to you!
The British Red Cross Society offers this service specifically designed to support carers. It provides fully trained volunteers to sit with loved ones whilst they take a well-deserved break. This service is suitable for unpaid carers in the community.

How can they help?
They offer a befriending service; shopping facilities, sitting service, assisting with light meals, encouragement and confidence building.
The scheme runs throughout the North Wealden Area, and if you would like to use or find out more about it then please contact:
British Red Cross Society North Wealden Carers Respite Scheme Streatfield Road, Heathfield, TN21 8LA.  Tel: 01435 861100 or 07834 496774

Volunteering!
Caring and responsible volunteers are needed to support these carers. Full training will be given and travel and out of pocket expenses paid. For further information on how you can become a Volunteer for Carers, contact the Service Co-ordinator on the number above.

NEW COMMUNITY TRANSPORT GUIDE
As part of an initiative to raise the profile of community transport throughout East Sussex, a new Community Transport Guide is now available. This takes the form of a bus-map style leaflet and is widely available in libraries, and information centres. It can also be accessed from the County Council website at: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/public/communitytransport

Some new pilot schemes have been set up in Wealden this year. One is an extension of the Wealdlink pre-bookable door-to-door shopping service, which can now pick up passengers from Buxted, Crowborough, Danehill, Forest Row, Groombridge, Hadlow Down, Hartfield, Maresfield, Rotherfield and Uckfield and take them shopping in Crowborough and Tunbridge Wells on certain days. Another is a dial-a-ride service for Uckfield residents, providing access to shopping facilities, doctors, dentists, and the Community Hospital and available on Mondays to Thursdays from 9:50am through to 2:10pm.

Potential users can register their interest in either of these services by calling Community Transport for the Lewes Area 01273 517332, or emailing them on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For information about Wealdlink, visit www.4weald.co.uk

MARGARET HOUSE
A new complex comprising one and two-bedroom, spacious self-contained  apartments for over 60s with care needs, and providing an on-site professional care team available to give 24-hour emergency cover and care, is due for completion in Lealands Drive, Uckfield, this November.
These apartments, commissioned by East Sussex County Council Adult Social Care, will provide comfortable homes for people who value their independence but who require support with daily living and will be available both for rent and to buy. For further information, contact Saxon Weald’s sales team on 01402 226148 (rent) or 01403 226035 (purchase).