| Parent and Carers Group This is an informal support group for anybody caring for a person who has a learning disability. The group offers Carers the opportunity to meet to share experiences, gain useful contacts, shape services and listen to guest speakers who have spoken in the past on subjects such as Wills and Trusts, Mencap's Older Carer's Unit, Links (Local Involvement Network), Carers Assessments and Health Action plans. The meeting are free to attend and take place at Harpenden House, 203 Edwards Lane, Sherwood on a bi-monthly basis (January, March, May July, September and November). The dates and times are arranged to suit the attendees, this usually means avoiding school and college holidays but generally meetings take place Thursdays from 10.00am to 12 noon. Specific dates are published on the Nottingham Mencap website. For more information contact: Barbara Balm at Harpenden House Tel: 0115 920 9524 |
| Discussions with Debbie is an opportunity to meet with Debbie Abrams, OBE, General Manager for Learning Disability Services and to have an informal chat, raise any issues, and ask questions. For more information click on the link below: Discussions with Debbie |
| The latest issue of Family Carers Matters focuses on personalisation and what it means for family carers. To view a copy click on the link below: Family Carers Matters Summer 09 |
| FREE CINEMA TICKETS FOR CARERS If you are a carer accompanying a person with a disability to the cinema you may be entitled to a free ticket. To apply for a card the person with a disability will need to meet one or more of the following criteria: 1) Be in receipt of the disability living allowance or attendance allowance 2) Be a registered blind person The card is valid for 3 years and there is a one-off processing fee of £5.50. Application forms are available from The Card Network on 0845 123 1292 or you can download a form from www.ceacard.co.uk |
| For information regarding subtitles and audio description for cinemas visit www.yourlocalcinema.com |
| Education & Training |
| Leisure & Respite |
| Social Inclusion, Health & Wellbeing |
| Other Interests |

| CARERS |
| A new Carers Credit is being introduced on 6 April 2010. If you care for someone for more than 20 hours per week you will soon be able to build up a full basic state pension. For more information go to: www.direct.gov.uk/pensions |
| Carers Group Meetings 2012 Thursdays at Harpenden House 10am - 12pm 26th January Guest speaker, Greg Payne, who will be delivering a presentation on the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and the Deprivation of Liberty safeguards (DoLs) 22nd March 24th May 19th July 27th September 22nd November |