You deserve a break this year - you've earned it!

Complimentary Therapies

This year we are arranging complimentary therapies for all our carers to say a big "THANK YOU". Please register your interest at our support group meetings throughout 2010. Bristol Black Carers support group meetings occur every 3rd Monday of the month. Register your interest by contacting the office: 0117 3144664 (register your interest early to avoid disappointment).

JANUARY 2010

CANCER AND ASTHMA SUPPORT - Support Group Meeting - held 18th January
In January, we held the first of this year's themed support group meetings. This month we focussed on Asthma and Cancer Support for carers.

NHS - National Cancer Network
Paula Lloyd (NHS-National Cancer Network) addressed the group on new services available:

• National Panel - set up to help increase utility of services within Black Minority Ethnic communities, to provide a feedback platform through a national panel.
• Information Prescription - information service developed for cancer patients and their carers.

Paula invited members of the group to apply to become panel members. As a member, you will be on a panel that commands attention from chief executives of the NHS to the Prime Minister. You will be approached four times a year for feedback. Please contact Bristol Black Carer's if you are interested in becoming a panel member.

The Information Prescription can be accessed through the NHS website for medical and recreational information. Please contact Bristol Black Carers if you want to access this service.

Asthma, UK
Liz Johnson (Volunteer, Asthma UK), raised awareness of triggers, symptoms and treatment for asthma sufferers.

What they do:

• Asthma UK work closely with healthcare professionals to help manage asthmatic patients symptoms and assist carers.
• The charity funds research into improving the management of asthma symptoms.

Contact your local GP's surgery for advice and an asthma management plan. Asthma UK, has a helpline that serves BME communities with 22 different languages. The charity has a website www.asthma.org.uk which, also has an interactive children's section with video games and forums for bloggers.

We thank all those who attended and hope you enjoyed the complimentary therapies as well as the delicious food on offer.

FEBRUARY 2010

THIS MONTH ONLY - "Facilitated Breaks Are Up For Grabs!"

We are working in partnership with statutory organisations to offer our carers the opportunity to take a prescribed break.

If interested, please contact the office to take advantage of this service. A thirty minute session will be arranged where you can discuss your immediate needs with the facilitated break project support worker. If successful you will be given financial support towards anything from a break/activity, or an essential item such as a washing machine or boiler.

HEALTH AND WELLBING - Support Group Meeting - 22nd February
Therapists will be addressing the group about the benefits of the complimentary therapies on offer; Reflexology and Massage.

FEBRUARY BEGINS OUR YEAR OF FEELING GREAT - BRISTOL BLACK CARERS COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES WILL BE ON OFFER

Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.

Below we list the many benefits that reflexology helps to relieve.

The benefits of reflexology include:

• Relaxation
• Pain reduction
• Ameliorate symptoms for health concerns
• Rejuvenation of tired feet
• Improvement in blood flow
• Impact on physiological measures (e.g. blood pressure and cholesterol; measurements by ECG, EEG, and fMRI)
• Beneficial for post-operative recovery and pain reduction
• Enhancement of medical care (e.g. cancer, phantom limb pain, and hemodialysis patients)
• Complement to cancer care (pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety)
• Easier birthing / delivery / post-partum recovery

A Reflexologist uses hands only to apply pressure to the feet. For each person the application and the effect of the therapy is unique. Sensitive, trained hands may detect imbalances in the feet, and by working on these points the Reflexologist can release blockages and restore the free flow of energy to the whole body. Tensions are eased, and circulation and elimination might be improved. This gentle therapy encourages the body to heal itself, often counteracting a lifetime of misuse.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FURTHER EVENTS FROM BRISOL BLACK CARERS DURING 2010.