March 2019
Confidence for carers (Sat)
Many carers can find themselves without the time to do the things they enjoy, feeling isolated or not listened too. This can impact on their confidence. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on their own confidence levels and think about what would boost them. Weekly Breakdown Think about what confidence is, what helps shape our confidence levels and how to boost them. What carers will get from this course An increased understanding…
Find out more »April 2019
Accessing support services
It can be hard to know who can provide carers or the people they care for with appropriate support. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This session is ideal for carers at the beginning of their caring journey or thinking about accessing support for the first time. Weekly Breakdown We will look at how can health and social care support carers and people with health problems to live well in their own homes. What carers will get from…
Find out more »The Habits of Happiness
Caring can be emotionally challenging, this course helps us to explore a range of techniques to help us maintain good emotional health while caring. Duration: 6 weeks (9th April - 14th May) Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their lifestyle, mood and stress levels. Weekly Breakdown An experienced and professional tutor shares techniques and tools taken from the science of happiness and neuroscience, these help with a greater understanding of the power…
Find out more »Advanced Stress Management
This is a stress management course for carers who have already attended one of VOCAL’s Introduction to Stress Management courses and want to learn more develop their skills further. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress. Weekly Breakdown This course refreshes knowledge of stress management theory and offers the chance to explore new strategies to manage stress. What carers will get from this course Identified ways…
Find out more »Creativity, Interaction and Dementia
It can be hard to help someone with dementia to engage in conversation and activities. This workshop supports carers to develop techniques to make this easier. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers supporting someone with dementia. Weekly Breakdown A workshop designed to support carers to learn tips and techniques to engage someone with dementia in activities using poetry, stories and photos. What carers will get from this course Practical stills to enable carers to interact with someone…
Find out more »Preparing to make a change
Sometimes life can be challenging especially when we have caring roles and we can be unsure what changes would make a difference or how we would go about making those changes. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are interested to making changes and exploring what is involved. Weekly Breakdown Explore what is working well and what is currently challenging. What would make life better and how can we make changes to improve things. Each participant will…
Find out more »Finding Balance (April)
Would you like to feel less stressed? Are you interested in finding out more about how to get the best out of other people and conversations? Do you want to make changes to your situation? Do you want more time for yourself? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this course is for you. Duration: 2 weeks (25th April & 2nd May) Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on their lifestyle and…
Find out more »Remembering yourself and caring for someone with Dementia
Caring for a loved one may lead to feelings of guilt, sadness, confusion or anger however, it can be difficult to share these feelings with someone with dementia, leaving carers feeling very isolated. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who want to explore their feelings and stay well while caring for someone with dementia. Weekly Breakdown This workshop led by Heart and Minds has been designed to help carers build their emotional resilience, strengthen and develop coping…
Find out more »May 2019
Crafty Carers
Craft sessions for fun and relaxation. Duration: 4 weeks (8th May - 29th May) Who is this course for? Carers who enjoy craft or want to relax. No previous experience required. Weekly Breakdown Each week there will be the opportunity to try a new craft technique and make items for your home or gifts. What carers will get from this course A chance to try new things. Relaxation. Improved craft skills.
Find out more »Help in the home and garden
Caring can be a challenging and time consuming and often we find some day to day tasks we run out of time for or we are no longer able to complete. Many carers are juggling more than one home and garden which can make things particularly difficult. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are interested in getting some help to manage their homes and gardens. Weekly Breakdown The course will look at the kinds of tasks…
Find out more »Carers Information Day
Becoming a carer can be a sharp learning curve for many of us. We can find ourselves in the position where we want/need to learn about lots of new things. This training day helps carers answer some of their key questions Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This day is ideal for carers at the beginning of their caring journey or thinking about accessing support for the first time. Weekly Breakdown VOCAL Services – more about what we…
Find out more »Stress Management (Carers Hub)
Modern life can be stressful and caring roles particularly so. Many carers can find it difficult to manage stress levels which can have negative effects. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on and explore their relationship with stress. Weekly Breakdown This session is designed to help carers to understand stress and its impact, stress triggers, develop techniques to plan for and manage stressful situations. What carers will get from this course Identified…
Find out more »Caring for a child with additional needs and thinking about behaviour
Parents of children with additional needs often tell us that they find some of the accompanying behaviour difficult to deal with. This course explores methods of coping with this behaviour and to develop personal coping strategies. Duration: 2 weeks (16th May & 23rd May) Who is this course for? This course is designed for parents/carers of someone under 16 with additional support needs. Weekly Breakdown Week 1 How Do We Feel About the Behaviour Unpredictable or challenging behaviour can generate…
Find out more »Moving to Long Term Care
There are quite a few practical and financial things to think about when someone moves to a care home. This course provides lots of information about the processes. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for carers who are interested in understanding what happens and how are things funded when someone moves into a care home. Weekly Breakdown Information on deciding to move, assessments and selecting a care home and paying for a place in a…
Find out more »Caring for someone with dementia and understanding medication
A session exploring how medication is used in the treatment of dementia and behaviour associated with dementia. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is appropriate for anyone caring for someone with dementia. Weekly Breakdown Lead by a dementia specialist pharmacist this course provides information on how different medications are used to treat dementia and its symptoms, as well as information about how to safely take medication, side effects and drug interactions. What carers will get from…
Find out more »Music for carers
Music can be therapeutic, helping both our minds and bodies. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are looking to relax and enjoy a free music performance. Weekly Breakdown Led by professional musicians this session is for fun and relaxation. Before the session carers who have booked a place will be asked what kind of music they might like to hear, and we will try our best to accommodate this. There may even be a chance to…
Find out more »Good Footcare
Are you supporting someone else to look after their feet? Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are supporting someone else to maintain healthy feet. Weekly Breakdown This Seminar provides information for carers who are supporting good footcare and includes practical demonstrations of cutting and filing nails and other footcare techniques. What carers will get from this course Practical information and support about good foot health. A safe environment to learn, ask questions and share experiences.
Find out more »Finding Balance (May)
Would you like to feel less stressed? Are you interested in finding out more about how to get the best out of other people and conversations? Do you want to make changes to your situation? Do you want more time for yourself? If you answered yes to any of these questions then this course is for you. Duration: 2 weeks (22nd May & 29th May) Who is this course for? Carers who would like to reflect on their lifestyle and…
Find out more »Finding your voice
Do you need to get your voice heard? Do you attend meetings about your caring? Do you want to make changes? Duration: 2 weeks (24th May & 31st May) Who is this course for? Carers who would like to improve their communication skills and confidence in communication. Weekly Breakdown Being a carer can mean we need to talk to others (professionals and family) about our needs and wishes, and those of the people we support. Self-advocacy and communication courses will…
Find out more »Caring for a child with additional needs and thinking about sleep
Parents of children with additional needs often tell us that they find some of the accompanying sleep disruption difficult to deal with. This course explores methods of coping with this behaviour and to develop personal coping strategies. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is designed for parents/carers of someone under 18 with additional support needs. Weekly Breakdown Led by an expert from Sleep Scotland this seminar supports parents and carers to think about sleep and how…
Find out more »June 2019
Music for carers and the people they support
Music can be therapeutic, helping both our minds and bodies. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers and the people they support who are looking to relax and enjoy a free music performance. Weekly Breakdown Led by professional musicians this session is for fun and relaxation. Before the session carers who have booked a place will be asked what kind of music they might like to hear, and we will try our best to accommodate this. There may…
Find out more »Understanding Dementia
This course provides information about what dementia is, treatments and coping strategies, money matters and decision making as well as support for carers. Duration: 5 weeks (4th June - 2nd July) Who is this course for? This course is tailored specifically to carers supporting someone with moderate dementia. Weekly Breakdown Week One: Understanding Dementia Week Two: Accessing Support Week Three: Money Matters Week Four: Changing Relationships Week Five: Looking After Yourself What carers will get from this course The course…
Find out more »Aromatherapy
Join a qualified Aromatherapist to learn about the basics of the aromatherapy and mix some basic lotions for use at home. Duration: 4 weeks (5th June - 26th June) Who is this course for? This course is for any carer. Weekly Breakdown A theoretical and practical session for carers interested in learning more about aromatherapy. What carers will get from this course <liAn opportunity to meet others in similar caring roles. A chance to reflect on health. An opportunity to…
Find out more »Break Ready
Many carers feel they need a break from their caring role, to recharge their batteries, pursue interests or to complete chores. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are interested in taking a break for an hour or two or for several days. Weekly Breakdown This seminar looks at how we can access breaks and how we can make sure we are ‘break ready’ and maximise the impact of any breaks we access. What carers will get…
Find out more »Planning for Emergencies
This course addresses carers concerns about what would happen in an emergency situation and provides space and resources for practical action planning. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for anyone caring for someone with concerns about what would happen in an emergency. Weekly Breakdown The tutor will lead the group through a series of exercises to help them reflect on their situation, possible challenges and solutions and create a personal emergency plan. What carers will…
Find out more »Continence management
Would you like to know more about continence management? Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers of adults with continence issues or who are concerned that continence issues might arise. Weekly Breakdown This free seminar led by a NHS Continence Specialist will help you understand the causes of difficulties, the supplies and equipment available, and answer questions. What carers will get from this course Practical information and support about continence issues. A safe environment to learn, ask questions…
Find out more »Anticipatory Care Planning
This course helps carers to understand the role of an anticipatory care plan, who to share it with and what to include in it. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for anyone caring for someone with concerns about how to express their or the person they supports wishes of medical treatment and care. Weekly Breakdown The tutor will lead the group through a series of exercises to help them reflect on their situation and write…
Find out more »Introduction to Universal Credit
Every year carers and the people they support miss out on millions of pounds as they do not understand what their entitlements are. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are not currently claiming benefits who may claim universal credit for themselves or for the person they support. Weekly Breakdown Universal credit is a welfare benefit to assist with living costs, shortly it will replace a number of benefits that carers or the people they support receive…
Find out more »Getting to know your tablet
Many of use have access to technology which could make some tasks quicker or easier but we don’t all know how to fully utilise it. Duration: 3 weeks (20th June - 4th July) Who is this course for? Carers who own tablets but are not sure they are getting the most out of it. Weekly Breakdown Week 1 – getting started, accessing Wi-Fi, maximising internet searches and some useful websites Week 2 – apps and correspondence Week 3 – shopping…
Find out more »Your support Your choice
The way that services are being provided and arranged is changing as Self Directed Support is being introduced carers and the people they support will be offered the option to arrange their own packages of care. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who are supporting someone who receives a package of care/services to help them live them at home and carers who would like to access a package of care. Weekly Breakdown Would you like more or…
Find out more »Drama workshop
Would you like to explore the theatre, either on or off stage? As a way to take a break from your caring role or as a way to explore your caring experience. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is for anyone regardless of their experience or confidence on or off stage. There will be a role or a job for anyone interested. Weekly Breakdown We will look at different drama techniques and styles, including mime, improvisation…
Find out more »Words that change minds
Do you often find yourself misunderstood by someone with whom you are communicating to? Words that Change Minds is based on the Language and Behaviour Profile (LAB Profile); an easy to learn tool which illustrates how each person is unique. The LAB Profile will enable you to understand and predict from someone's language in everyday conversation, how they will behave in a given situation. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? Carers who would like to be able to…
Find out more »September 2019
Living and Dying well
Losing a loved one is difficult but it is a reality that many carers, family members and friends will eventually face. Whether death is expected or sudden there will be lots to deal with. This short course helps carers to prepare for some of the decisions and arrangements they will have to make. Carers attending the course will build a personalised file to refer to when someone dies. Duration: 4 weeks (24th September - 15th October) Who is this course…
Find out more »Caring for someone who has had a stroke
Becoming a carer can be a sharp learning curve for many of us. We can find ourselves in the position where we want/need to learn about lots of new things. This course helps carers answer some key questions. Duration: 1 week Who is this course for? This course is ideal for carers who are supporting someone who has had a stroke. Weekly Breakdown This course will provide information about strokes, treatment, communication and mobility what you may expect in the…
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