| Katherine Watts - Alzheimers Society, Monday 26th July 2010] Alzheimers Society Chat with Katherine Watts, Monday 26th July 2010
Katherine Watts from Alzheimers Society joined carers in a live chat. Since October 2007, Katherine has taken responsibility for overseeing Talking Point, Alzheimer’s Society’s online support and discussion forum. The service was set up in March 2003 by a handful of people who were passionate about the idea of providing online support to those affected by dementia.
 Read the Katherine Watts web chat (195 KB) |
| Susan Allison-MS Society, Wednesday 16th June 2010] MS Society Chat with Susan Allison, Wednesday 16th June 2010
Strategic Lead for Carers at MS Society, Susan Allison joined us live in our chatroom to meet and chat with carers. Multiple sclerosis is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. Around 100,000 people in the UK have MS. Carers raised questions about MS and the MS Society.
Read the Susan Allison web chat (202 KB) |
| Esther Rantzen, Thursday 9th June 2010]Live Chat with Esther Rantzen, Thursday 9th June 2010
For Carers Week, journalist and TV presenter Esther Rantzen joined us live in our chatroom to meet and chat to carers. Esther, well-known for presenting 'That's Life', a BBC television series has been a long-term supporter of Carers Week. She was the very first celebrity to support the new partnership formed in 2001 - having cared for her husband Desmond, until he died of coronary heart disease in 2000.
Read the Esther Rantzen web chat (383 KB) |
| Stroke, Monday 10th May 2010]Stroke Association, Monday 10th May 2010
Joanna Watson from Stroke Association joined our chat to discuss conditions surrounding stroke and answer any related questions. Joanna who works in the Stroke Information Service answered a range of questions ranging from identifying stroke in patients, preventing stroke from occuring and taking care of stroke patients.
Read the stroke web chat (303 KB) |
| Early-onset dementia, Thursday 21st January 2010]Early-onset dementia, Thursday 21st January 2010
Dr Niruj Agrawal, Consultant Neuropsychiatrist and member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, joined carers in the chatroom to share his expertise and knowedge on early-onset dementia. The chat focused on the lack of awareness and services for people with early-onset dementia and their carers
Read the early-onset dementia webchat (228 KB) |
| Relationships, Thursday 19th November]Relationships, Thursday 19th November 2009
In this chat carers were joined by peer advisors from YouthNet, the young people's charity. The peer advisors usually help young people with their relationship issues so they shared some of their expertise with the Carers.org community. The chat was aimed at the 18-30 age group but all carers were welcome.
Read the Relationships webchat (260 KB) |
| Learning Disabilities, Monday 16th November 2009
The Trust's newly appointed Disabilities Lead, Cath Baker, joined carers for an engaging discussion on the issues affecting carers of people with learning disabilities. The discussion focussed on the services available to carers and how this varies across the UK.
Read the Learning Disabilities webchat (197 KB) |
| National Autistic Society, Wednesday 14th October 2009
Jonathan, Welfare Rights Advisor for the National Autistic Society (NAS), joined carers the day after NAS launched its new campaign, ‘Don’t Write Me Off’. Due to the lack of understanding, services and support available to help adults with autism, thousands live without a job or benefits and are forced to rely on parents and carers for support.
Read the National Autistic Society webchat (161 KB) |
| Macmillan Cancer Support, Tuesday 16th September 2009
Carers Support Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, Charlotte Argyle, joined carers in the chatroom on the day that Macmillan launched a new-look website for people affected by cancer. The event was a great opportunity to find out about the new services Macmillan are offering carers.
Read the Macmillan webchat (284 KB) |
| New Horizons, Thursday 3rd September 2009
The Department of Health is putting together a new 10-year strategy for mental health in England and is calling on carers to have their say by taking part in a public consultation. Carers took part in a hosted web chat with our Mental Health lead, Drew Lindon. The event was a chance for carers to share their views and to have their questions answered by an expert in mental health.
Read the New Horizons webchat (429 KB) |
| End of Summer Party and Quiz, Tuesday 1st September 2009
The party was be an opportunity for carers to meet the new members of the Carers.org team, Sam_S, Ewan, Claudia and Debbie. The winners of the quiz won M&S vouchers worth a total of £100.
Read the Summer Party and Quiz transcript (616 KB) |
| Eve Rank, Thursday 23rd July 2009
Eve Rank is a disability rights activist and campaigner for carers with learning disabilities. Eve is a carer with a learning disability and she looks after her husband Peter who has multiple disabilities as well as a learning disability. The event was an opportunity for carers to meet a fellow carer who is one of the UK's foremost disability rights experts.
Read the webchat with Eve Rank (427 KB) |
| Carers Week Q&A - responses to additional questions
Following the Carers Week Q&A on 9th June, government ministers, Phil Hope and Jonathan Shaw have sent in their written answers to the carers' questions there wasn’t time to answer during the session itself. Questions covered a range of topics but focussed on why carers benefits are so low.
Read the ministers' responses (81 KB)
Read the ministers' responses to outstanding questions (67 KB) |
| Stephen O'Brien MP, 11 June 2009
Conservative MP and Shadow Minster for Health, Stephen O'Brien, joined us in the chat room to respond to questions and comments from carers on all issues related to caring. This was one of two online events for carers, held during Carers Week.
Read the webchat with Stephen O'Brien MP (103 KB) |
| Q&A with Phil Hope MP and Jonathan Shaw MP, 9 June 2009
During Carers Week 2009 we hosted a Question and Answer session in our chatroom with Minister of State for Care Services, Phil Hope and Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw.
Read the Carers Week Q&A with ministers (57 KB) |
| Alzheimer's Society, 23 April 2009
Katherine Watt from the Alzheimer’s Society joined us in the chat room to talk about the Alzheimer’s Society’s online discussion forum, Talking Point, and to answer carers' questions about dementia and Alzheimer's. Katherine runs Talking Point and has worked on help lines for a number of years.
Read the full Alzheimer's Society chat (96 KB) |
| Carers World Radio, 12th March 2009
Carers World Radio presenters Ron Critcher and Patricia Mitchell joined us in the chat room to talk about a range of issue affecting carers, including benefits, service provision across the UK an awareness in the public. Patricia has presented a variety of TV and radio shows. Ron is Carers World Radio producer and editor and has also done lots of TV and radio work.
Read the full Carers World Radio chat (138 KB) |
| Depression UK, 19th February 2009
Depression UK volunteer and committee member, Fred, joined us for a chat focussing both on the work of his charity and the various ways depression can affect carers' lives. Fred has suffered from depression himself. As a child, he witnessed how seriously his mother’s behaviour was affected by her manic depression. And as an adult he cared for her.
Read the full Depression UK chat (104 KB) |
| MS Society, 13 November 2008
Anita Rose, Clinical Psychologist at the MS Society's Walton Centre, joined us in the chat room as guest host. Anita works for the NHS and provides consultancy for the MS Society. She took questions on various aspects of caring for someone with MS.
Read the full MS Society chat (101 KB) |
| Age Concern, 11 September 2008
Sheelagh Donovan, Health and Community Care information specialist at Age Concern England joined us in the chat room as our guest host. Her area of expertise is maintaining your health and using/making the most of NHS services.
Read the full Age Concern chat (103 KB) |
| Summer Party, 21 August 2008
This year's Summer Party was another funpacked and noisy affair. The quiz tested carers' knowledge of pop-culture, the animal kingdom and geography. With two tie-breakers to find our winners it we had everyone on the edges of their seats. The M&S vouchers are now on their way to the winners. You can find details of any upcoming events in the carers newsletter and discussion boards.
Read the full Summer Party chat (93 KB) |
| Dr Ken Checinski, 8 May 2008
Dr Ken Checinski is Senior Lecturer in Addictive Behaviour at St George’s Hospital Medical School, London and Consultant Psychiatrist with the Respond NHS drug and alcohol team in Surrey. He joined us to give advice on drug, alcohol and other addictions affecting you or your family. Find out more about Ken Checinski
Read the full chat with Ken Checinski (64 KB) |
| Luke Clements, leading expert on UK Community Care law, 8 April 2008
A leading expert on UK Community Care law and the rights of disabled people to social and health care support, Luke joined us in the chat room to answer your questions on social and health care issues and their impact on you.
Read more about Luke Clements here
Read the full chat with Luke Clements (57 KB) |
| National Autistic Society, 2 April 2008
An advisor on the Autism Helpline, Sarah Tooke joined us in the chat room to answer carers questions about autism. The NAS provides impartial and confidential information, advice and support to people with autism (including Asperger syndrome), their families, professionals, and researchers.
Read more about National Autistic Society here
Read the full chat with National Autistic Society (84 KB) |
| Denise Robertson MBE, This Morning's Resident Agony Aunt, 4 December 2007
This Morning's well-known agony aunt and author, hosted a chat to offer advice on emotional and practical issues and give carers the opportunity to talk through any issues. Denise has been patron of Sunderland Carers Centre for the last 15 years.
You can contact Denise via Dear Denise.com
Read the full chat with Denise Robertson (109 KB) |
| Dr Chris Steele, GP and Health Expert, 26 November 2007
This Morning's resident health expert, joined us in the chat room so carers could ask his advice on medical and health questions. Dr Chris was also a judge for the Simplyhealth Caring Awards 2007, hosted by the Trust.
Find out more by visiting Dr Chris' website
Read the full chat with Dr Chris Steele (64 KB) |
| Laura Marney, Author, 30 August 2007
Laura joined us in the chat room to talk to carers of people with learning disabilities who had left or were about to leave the parental home to move into their own home. Laura was commissioned to write the piece by Artlink Edinburgh.
Read more about Laura Marney here
Read the full chat with Laura Marney (100 KB) |
| Sheila Dent, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, 9 May 2007
As our former UK Director of Policy and Operations, Sheila had a critical role at The Trust and wanted you to share your real life experiences of caring for when she represented carers and The Trust at meetings with government and policy makers. She joined us in the chat room to talk to carers, hear your views and give you the opportunity to talk about issues that you wanted her to raise.
Read the full chat with Sheila Dent (49 KB) |
| Rethink, 17 April 2007
Rethink hosted a chat giving carers a chance to discuss their views and experiences and ask for advice on mental health issues and caring. Ruth Bettie, a User and Carer Involvement Manager, works with carers of those with mental health issues and those whose lives are directly affected by mental ill health.
Read the full chat with Rethink (82 KB) |
| Mary Jordan, author of The Essential Carer's Guide, 14 March 2007
Author of The Essential Carer's Guide, Mary joined us in the chat room to chat about all different aspects of your caring roles. With extensive experience of the NHS and caring for elderly relatives, Mary wrote this guide to combine all the information carers may need to hand when caring for a relative or friend.
Read the full chat with Mary Jordan (70 KB) |