FOR ALL THE FUNDRAISER'S.....YOU ARE WONDERFUL.

This is the thing...there are so many wonderful and inspiring people out there and YOU are one of them.

It is true, and you probably don't hear it very often, you probably don't expect it or you probably don't know what to do with such a compliment because you're not used to it!

If you are about to embark on any kind of fundraising venture please, please, please feel free to post it over on our facebook page,https://www.facebook.com/CarersCoffeePot it's for your charitable cause and we recognise the importance of your chosen charities are very personal to you.

Whether it is to gain awareness or help towards funding research or enabling young,elderly and their families for respite , whatever the need, then please post your info there.

Here at Carers Coffee Pot,we will be getting together with Vintage Norah who will soon be making available vintage awareness pins/jewellery very soon.

 ABOUT VINTAGE NORAH

Think it's best to let Vintage Norah tell you about it. Here is their post from http://vintagenorah.wordpress.com/........

RECRAFTED VINTAGE AWARENESS

So, what to do with all the oddments?

AN EARRING WITH NO CLASP, FAUX PEARLS FROM A BROKEN NECKLACE, PINK LACE ALSO IN THE ‘ODD BOX’!

 It was  inevitable that there were going to be the ‘odd’ earring here and a lonesome button there, even the broken pieces without clips or clasps!!!! I have a boxful...and this is the plan everyone…!

A HATPIN. FLOWER IS AN ODD EARRING. BEAD IS ANOTHER LONER!

There is going to be a little recrafting going on. WhereverI can, I’m going to give these items the new lease of life they all deserve and continue their destiny of adornment!!! (Ooo,that sounded good!!!)

 However, there is a twist…. you see, alot of Norahs gatherings have already gone towards many and various good causes. One of which (in keeping with her faith) was to help a local church raise funds for a trip to Lourdes….something which she would have loved as she took part in one of their parades when she was just a young girl.

CUSTOM ORDER MADE FOR .'LUNG AWARENESS

So, ‘Awareness’ pins/ jewellery will soon be with us. Recrafted Vintage Awareness. It goes without saying that there will be a donation to a chosen charity by ourselves.

There has already been interest by a golf club here to raise funds for their annual chosen charity, which is for Lung awareness.
 Small & large pins, Bag charms even spectacle chainOf course, numbers are limited to the ‘oddments ‘ available, which on the plus side makes them a little more unique.
Keep a look out for more on these over the next couple of weeks.




You can also follow Vintage Norah on facebook https://www.facebook.com/VintageNorah and have a browse around the shop on Etsy.https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/VintageNorah

A LITTLE DIGNITY??? A LOT OF DIGNITY!

If you haven't seen it already on the facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/CarersCoffeePot, one of my pet hates is 'lack' of dignity.

It amazes me , that even now, you hear that something ( which to me is common sense and respect) can be overlooked.

I always took the approach; when caring; that I was a guest in their home. Invited to help at what would be a sensitive time for that person and their families. Manners and respect, always. Surely, this goes hand in hand with maintaining a persons dignity at 'all' time?

 It must be such a soul searching decision to have to make and accept outside care. What concerns or worries would you have? How many 'strangers' would be coming into YOUR home, what if I don't like the carer...what if they don't like me....what about the personnal care, toiletting, feeding....my personal space, me, my home!!!! It goes on doesn't it...and if you are in this profession or find yourself caring for your own, please, please be aware of the concerns or anxieties this person may have.

 Over the years there were those who would do as much as they could before the carer arrived, or they would insist that they had 'managed' to wash/cook/taken meds. Sound familiar? Did you ever question why they may have decided that they could do it. Were they able to or could they have just been too embarrassed to let an 'outsider' assist them to shower and dress.

It takes time to trust, especially with something so personal. By showing respect, maintaining their dignity and 'remembering your manners', will all help for trust to be instated.

Now, I would like to highlight 'DIGNITY CHAMPIONS'....have you heard about it or know how to become one ?

This is their link and this is what they are all about...promoting dignity in care...

http://www.dignityincare.org.uk/Becoming_a_Dignity_Champion/

"Becoming a Dignity Champion

A Dignity Champion is someone who believes passionately that being treated with dignity is a basic human right, not an optional extra. They believe that care services must be compassionate, person centred, as well as efficient, and are willing to try to do something to achieve this. So far over 40,000 people have signed up to be Dignity Champions, all pledging to challenge poor care, to act as good role models and, through specific guidelines issued by the campaign, to educate and inform all those working around them.
A Dignity Champion says:
"I have handed out Dignity Challenge Cards to all staff in my care home - each time we have a team meeting we focus on one of the 10 Dignity Challenges and discuss what we can do to meet that challenge. Each meeting results in us making
changes to the way we provide care."
Dignity Champions are willing to:

• Stand up and challenge disrespectful behaviour
• Act as good role models by treating other people with respect, particularly those who are less able to stand up for themselves
• Speak up about dignity to improve the way that services are organised and delivered
• Influence and inform colleagues
• Listen to and understand the views and experiences of citizens.

Dignity Champions are all committed to taking action, however small, to create a care system that has compassion and respect for those using its services. Each Dignity Champion's role varies depending on their knowledge and influence and the type of work they are involved in. There are many small things that you can do that can have a big impact on people's lives, as well as taking on a more active role if you have the time to do so.
Dignity Champions include health and social care managers and frontline staff. They also include doctors, nurses, dieticians, porters, MPs, councillors, members of local action groups and Local Involvement Networks (LINks), and people from voluntary and advocacy organisations. People who use care services, their relatives and carers, as well as members of the public, are becoming Dignity Champions."


WHAT COULD YOU DO? HAVE A THINK ABOUT IT, THEN DO IT.


On that note I shall finish off with a poem I have put on here before by Emily Dickinson. For me it captures the moment I would meet a new gentleman or lady who required our help.

This Quiet Dust was Gentlemen and Ladies

This quiet dust was gentlemen and ladies
And lads and girls;
Was laughter and ability and sighing,
And frocks and curls;

This passive place a summer's nimble mansion,
Where bloom and bees
Fulfilled their oriental circuit,
Then ceased like these.

Emily Dickinson

THIS WEEKS AWARENESS DATES

HERE THEY ARE, AWARENESS DATES FOR THIS WEEK.


•   20/05/2013 - 24/05/2013 Walk to School Week
•   20/05/2013 - 20/06/2013 National Smile Month
•   31/05/2013 - 31/05/2013 World No Tobacco Day.


WALK ,SMILE AND BREATH EASY!!!!

HAVE YOU SEEN IT?

 Really liking the new look of the facebook page...

 Pop on over and say hello with a thumbs up!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/CarersCoffeePot

AWARENESS DATES FOR MAY & JUNE 2013

TO KEEP AHEAD AND GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO HELP IN RAISING AWARENESS FOR ANY CAUSES CLOSE TO YOUR HEART, HERE ARE THE AWARENESS DATES FOR MAY & JUNE.

A BUSY COUPLE OF MONTHS..... HAVE A LOOK AT THE AWARENESS DATES FOR 2013 PAGE FOR EVEN MORE.

THIS LIST IS WELCOME TO MORE ADDITIONS SO PLEASE SEND A COMMENT FOR YOUR CAUSE TO BE ADDED.

 

MAY
•   01/05/2013 - 01/05/2013 National Tremor Day
•   01/05/2012 - 31/05/2012 National Walking Month


•   01/05/2013 - 31/05/2013 Save a Baby Month
•   01/05/2013 - 31/05/2013 Hughes Syndrome Awareness Month
•   01/05/2013 - 31/05/2013 International ME Awareness Month
•   04/05/2013 - 12/05/2013 Dystonia Awareness Week
•   04/05/2013 - 11/05/2013 - Get Walking week 


•   05/05/2013 - 05/05/2013 Save Lives: Clean your hands
•   05/05/2013 - 05/05/2013 International Day of the Midwife
•   06/05/2013 - 06/05/2013 Misophonia Monday
•   06/05/2013 - 12/05/2013 Sun Awareness Week
•   06/05/2013 - 12/05/2013 Deaf Awareness Week
•   06/05/2013 - 10/05/2013 National Thrombosis Week
•   07/05/2013 - 07/05/2013 World Asthma Day


•   09/05/2013 - 15/05/2013 Cancer Prevention Week
•   13/05/2013 - 17/05/2013 Walk to Work Week


•   17/05/2013 - 17/05/2013 Learning at Work Day


•   17/05/2013 - 17/05/2013 World Hypertention Day


•   18/05/2013 - 24/05/2013 Adult Learners Week


•   06/05/2013 - 10/05/2013 Asthma Awareness Week
•   07/05/2013 - 07/05/2013 World Asthma Day
•   10/05/2013 - 10/05/2013 World Lupus Day
•   11/05/2013 - 18/05/2013 Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week
•   12/05/2013 - 12/05/2013 International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
•   12/05/2013 - 12/05/2013 International Nurses Day
•   12/05/2013 - 18/05/2013 M.E. Awareness Week
•   13/05/2013 - 17/05/2013 Walk to Work Week
•   13/05/2013 - 19/05/2013 Coeliac Awareness Week
•   13/05/2013 - 19/05/2013 Dying Matters Week
•   13/05/2013 - 19/05/2013 Action for Brain Injury Week
•   13/05/2013 - 19/05/2013 Cancer Prevention Week
•   14/05/2013 - 14/05/2013 Stroke Awareness Day
•   15/05/2013 - 15/05/2013 International Day of Families
•   17/05/2013 - 17/05/2013 World Hypertension Day
•   17/05/2013 - 17/05/2013 Fruity Friday
•   17/05/2013 - 17/05/2013 Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day
•   19/05/2013 - 19/05/2013 World Hepatitis Day
•   19/05/2013 - 27/05/2013 Dementia Awareness Week
•   19/05/2013 - 25/05/2013 National Epilepsy Week
•   20/05/2013 - 24/05/2013 Walk to School Week
•   20/05/2013 - 20/06/2013 National Smile Month
•   31/05/2013 - 31/05/2013 World No Tobacco Day

JUNE
•   01/06/2013 - 01/06/2013 Hypoparathyroidism Awareness Day
•   01/06/2013 - 30/06/2013 Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month


•   01/06/2013 - 30/06/2013 SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) Awareness Month
•   01/06/2013 - 30/06/2013 Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness Month
•   01/07/2013 - 07/06/2013 Volunteers Week


•   02/06/2013 - 02/06/2013 The Big Lunch
•   03/06/2013 - 09/06/2013 Heart Rhythm Week
•   08/06/2013 - 08/06/2013 International Tampon Alert Day
•   09/06/2013 - 15/06/2013 Cervical Screening Awareness Week
•   09/06/2013 - 15/06/2013 Diabetes Week
•   10/06/2013 - 16/06/2013 National Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week
•   10/06/2013 - 16/06/2013 Huntington's Disease Awareness Week
•   10/06/2013 - 16/06/2013 National Food Safety Week
•   10/06/2013 - 16/06/2013 National Glaucoma Awareness Week
•   10/06/2013 - 16/06/2013 National Men’s Health Week
•   10/06/2013 - 26/06/2013 Breathe Easy Week
•   10/06/2013 - 17/06/2013 Carers Week
•   14/06/2013 - 14/06/2013 World Blood Donor Day 


•   14/06/2013 - 21/06/2013 Homeopathy Awareness Week
•   15/06/2013 - 23/06/2013 National Bike Week
•   15/06/2013 - 15/06/2013 National Bug Busting Day
•   17/06/2013 - 23/06/2013 National Falls Awareness Week
•   17/06/2013 - 23/06/2013 Refugee Week
•   17/06/2013 - 23/06/2013 Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Week
•   19/06/2013 - 19/06/2013 World Sickle Cell Day
•   20/06/2013 - 26/06/2013 Learning Disability Week


•   21/06/2013 - 21/06/2013 Wrong Trousers Day
•   21/06/2013 - 28/06/2013 National Myeloma Awareness Week
•   22/06/2013 - 30/06/2013 Water Safety Awareness Week
•   23/06/2013 - 29/06/2013 Metabolic Disease Awareness Week
•   24/06/2013 - 30/06/2013 Child Safety Week
•   24/06/2013 - 30/06/2013 Cystic Fibrosis Week
•   26/06/2013 - 26/06/2013 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

DOING FOR OTHERS....

Another share from 'Daily Om'.....It made me think how often do we say or hear there is always someone worse off than yourself!!!!I wonder if that is a selfish thought to have or is it an attempt to be ignorant of our own situation for a while.Does it really make you feel better? Nah! not for me .
I do tend to be able to help others a lot easier at times than sorting myself out.A protective confidence kicks in and I will keep going until things are resolved. However,(even thinking about it I can feel myself curl up!) when it comes to getting things sorted for myself, it takes a lot of rummaging to find the same confidence!!!

At some point we have to face our fears and sort them out.Cringeworthy I know,however, the feeling of resolution tends to make you think..I did it,I can do it,It is now done!!!!

Get your cuppa and read on,



"March 27, 2013 Doing for Others Solace in Service by Madisyn Taylor 

 So many times, when we are being of service to others, we find the answer or solution to our own problems. 

 When we feel bad, often our first instinct is to isolate ourselves and focus on what’s upsetting us. Sometimes we really do need some downtime, but many times the best way to get out of the blues quickly is to turn our attention to other people. In being of service to others, paradoxically, we often find answers to our own questions and solutions to our own problems. We also end up feeling more connected to the people around us, as well as empowered by the experience of helping someone. When we reach out to people we can help, we confirm that we are not alone in our own need for support and inspiration, and we also remind ourselves that we are powerful and capable in certain ways. Even as our own problems or moods get the better of us sometimes, there is always someone else who can use our particular gifts and energy to help them out. They, in turn, remind us that we are not the only people in the world with difficulties or issues. We all struggle with the problems of life, and we all feel overwhelmed from time to time, but we can almost always find solace in service. In the most ideal situation, the person we are helping sheds light on our own dilemma, sometimes with a direct piece of advice, and sometimes without saying anything at all. Sometimes just the act of getting our minds out of the obsessive mode of trying to figure out what to do about our own life does the trick. Many great inventors and artists have found that the inspiration they need to get to the next level in their work comes not when they’re working but when they’re walking around the block or doing dishes. We do ourselves and everyone else a great service when we take a break from our sorrows and extend ourselves to someone in need."

The problem with difficult people....

Lets be honest.. for whatever reason and no matter how hard we may try, we can't always 'get on' with everyone. Whether you can admit it or not, I just want to say ITS OK.

I strongly believe that everyone we meet through out our lives has a lesson to teach.We appear at the right time, as and when we should.Its just a case of recognising what you can take from each experience.

You may learn about how certain situations effect you and how to deal with it.You may discover an emotion appears that you thought you had long buried. Whatever the outcome, accept it,and once you have settled asked the question,'what do I do with this?'

The Daily Om has a great view on this.There is a link a bit further down and you can register to recieve 'Daily Oms'!!! This is their latest  and felt it only fitting.

Carers or not,'dislike' does tend to pop in and out of our lives occasionally,this just may help you to work out what to do with it!!!!

Ps ..I like everyone!!!!!!!!


Taken from the Daily Om
http://www.dailyom.com

" March 22, 2013
Divergent Directions
Coping with People You Dislike
by Madisyn Taylor


When we are forced to deal with people we dislike, a great learning opportunity is being put forth to us.

As much as most of us wish we could exist in harmony with the people we encounter throughout our lives, there will always be individuals we dislike. Some simply rub us the wrong way while others strike us as deliberately unaware. We may judge others as too mean or abrasive for us to interact with them comfortably. Yet no person should be deemed a villain because their beliefs, opinions, mannerisms, and mode of being are not compatible with your own. You need not embrace the rough traits they have chosen to embody. There may be times in which the best course of action involves distancing yourself from someone you dislike. But circumstances may require that you spend time in the company of individuals who awaken your aversion. In such cases, you can ease your discomfort by showing your foe loving compassion while examining your feelings carefully.

The reasons we dislike some individuals are often complex and, at first, indecipherable. Often, we are automatically averse to people who are different because they compel us to question our values, spirituality, culture, and ideologies, threatening to undermine our self-assurance. Realistically, however, those you dislike have no power to weaken your life’s foundations. In fact, your aversion to specific individuals may actually be your response to your fear that specific qualities you see in them also exist within you. Their presence may force you to face internal issues you would rather not confront. If you meet someone who inspired an intense, largely negative response in you, ask yourself why your reaction is so laden with powerful emotions. Remember that you control your feelings and, if necessary, you can minimize this individual’s impact on your well-being by choosing how you will respond to them.

Though you may not have an immediate breakthrough, your willingness to consider your dislike rationally can help you better understand the root of your feelings. Your aversion to certain individuals may not wane over time, yet the comprehension you gain through reflection can help you interact with them sympathetically, benevolently, and with a greater degree of kindness. There is nothing wrong with recognizing that you are incompatible with some people. You may never achieve a shared harmony with those you dislike, but you can nonetheless learn to modulate your reactions to these individuals and, ultimately, to coexist peacefully with them."