Courses for carers

An introduction to aromatherapy: how essential oils can help you live a happier, healthier lifestyle.

We will be discussing the importance of good quality oils, learn simple selfcare tips and how to use the oils safely within your home. If you would like or make your own blend during the session, please bring £5 (all oils will be provided).

This course covers the most common emergency first aid situations and provides carers with a chance to discuss their particular needs. The following areas will be covered:

• What action should be taken in the event of an emergency occurring at work
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation methods (CPR) using a Q-CPR Manikin
• How to deal with an unconscious casualty including the Recovery Position
• How to correctly use AED / DEFIB
• Knowing how to deal with a choking casualty
• Knowing how first aid stocks should be maintained and the contents of boxes
• Knowing the basic action to take on a range of other first aid situations

Over this 6 week course we will explore the medium of charcoal, looking first at the various types of charcoal available to use and experimenting with the diversity of this versatile medium.

• Introduction to charcoal techniques
• Light and shadow compositions
• Reductive drawing
• Sketching and blending
• Creating textures with charcoal
• Free choice for final design

The benefits - participating in any type of art is a form of escape, it can be mood changing, making you feel energised, or calm and focused, alleviating pressure and stress. There are no expectations around your abilities, just that you enjoy the journey. No prior knowledge is needed, this is a course for complete beginners or those who want to further experiment with charcoal and enjoy a stress free and relaxed course.

This is by its nature a messy medium to work with, you will get very dirty hands, so please wear old clothes as they may get damaged and/or wear an apron. You may also wish to bring wet wipes.

All equipment provided but you will need to bring an A4 watercolour sketch book (cold pressed) which has a rough texture, as this is the best paper to use with charcoal.

Multiply, slow cooker sessions provided by Eat That Frog

Based on developing confidence with maths using practical cooking sessions. Researching and preparing recipes and exploring batch cooking. Slow cooker provided on completion of 2 sessions.

The 3 sessions will be offered both in person and online, you can apply for which session is most suitable on the application form. You can attend all three, or individual sessions. These are not counted as part of your 3 choices, but please still tick the appropriate boxes.

Dementia and the effects on the brain

In this session we will cover some of the different types of dementia and the signs, and how the memory is affected. We will look at how dementia effects the brain, and the impact this can have on the person including the daily tasks, and how we can support them. There will be time at the end of the session for any questions.

Restore 2

Restore 2 offers carers the chance to understand the soft signs of deterioration in health.

This will cover spotting signs of sepsis and early signs of ill health. We hope that this will help you to ask for help from a GP or Nurse, early in an illness to keep your family at home.

Managing behaviour including meaningful activity

In this session we will cover some of the behaviours that challenge and suggestions that may help to reduce the distress, and agitation, and the benefits of completing a ‘This Is Me’ document. We will look at different meaningful activities, and tips that can help to distract and divert. There will be time at the end of the session for any questions.

Session 1: Accessing Online Services

Introduction to accessing online services including the NHS website, shopping, price comparison websites and paying bills.

Session 2: Staying Safe Online

Useful tips on staying safer online. Learning about passwords and avoiding scams to feel safer when using online accounts and services.

Aged 25 and older

Find out more about the mentoring programme Focus Forward, which can support with identifying barriers, overcoming them and focus on your journey forward. Includes wellbeing, digital and employment hubs and access to social groups and activities.

Mental health can be a difficult topic to understand and address. Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness training equips people with the skills to recognise signs of distress and assess or provide appropriate support. It also helps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourages individuals to seek help when needed. Mental health awareness can make a significant impact on someone’s life, potentially preventing crisis and promoting wellness. Being mindful of your own wellbeing and keeping you in a good mental health state is a skill and this course will help you know how to prioritise your overall wellbeing.

• Identify when you or someone you care for need support with their mental health and know how to provide first level support and intervention
• Understand different common Mental Health conditions and how they can affect someone
• Have awareness of sources of help and support as well as how to seek professional help
• Learn about stress, how it can affect us, how to recognise it, and how to manage it well
• Learn about wellbeing and focus on how to achieve good mental health

Moving and handling refers to the techniques used to lift, push, pull, or carry objects safely without causing injury to oneself or others. Carers, in particular, need to be aware of proper lifting and transferring methods when handling people.

Poor techniques can result in back pain, sprains, and strains, causing long-term harm. To avoid injury, it is essential to follow proper lifting guidelines, including assessing the weight and shape of objects, using the correct equipment, andseeking help when required.

Training and practicing safe lifting and handling techniques can reduce the risk of injury and improve your safety:

• Manual handling (The Legal Aspects)
• The body and what can go wrong during manual handling
• Principles of safe moving & handling
• Understanding moving and handling plans
• Understanding risk and risk assessments

During this session carers can utilise our trainer and her knowledge. You are invited to come prepared with your questions, which will be addressed in an informal group environment. The trainer has skills and knowledge in the following areas:

• Health and social care
• Pressure sores and personal care
• Dementia awareness
• Moving and handling
• All aspects of first aid
• Mental health and wellbeing awareness
• Paediatric first aid
• Medication management

The subject matter is mental capacity, Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and Court of Protection. Also attending will be a wills expert.

At the session we will show you how to navigate the hub and all the resources available to you. We can then take this opportunity to answer your questions.

Please see the Signposts Newsletter for more information (Page 7, Winter edition).

10 week course

This fresh approach to watercolours looks first at the process of painting as a means to calm and de-stress. Many people love the idea of painting but hold themselves back because they are worried about not being good enough or do not feel they are creative.

This watercolours course is accessible to everyone. You will start by painting simple lines, patterns and shapes in calming and dynamic colours – concentrating each week on brush strokes and techniques. You will build up your skill. A small amount of written work is part of this course. You will gain a Level 1 Qualification in Creative Craft, Art and Design.

10 week course

This course is a follow on from the introduction course. You will continue to develop your skills in watercolour. This fresh approach looks first at the process of painting as a means to calm and de-stress. Many people love the idea of painting but hold themselves back from starting because they are worried about not being good enough or not feeling they are creative. Watercolour is accessible to everyone, painting very simple lines, patterns, and shapes in calming or dynamic colours, concentrating on each brush stroke, can have a powerful meditative effect.

Carers can only attend level 2 if they have completed level 1. You will gain a level 2 Award in Creative Craft using Art and Design.

Come and enjoy an exciting talk about Matt Newbury’s wild swimming challenges he’s experienced around the world. Including the escape from Alcatraz and swimming from Robben Island to Cape Town. Time will be made for questions.

Come and try a sea dip! It’s great for your mental health. Dipping in cold water releases the "feel good" chemicals into the brain, it reduces anxiety and boosts your immune system.

Healthscape is proud to offer dips to carers, available in 3 locations:

• Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay
• Preston Beach, Paignton
• Breakwater Beach, Brixham

The following courses are applied for directly on the details provided below and will not be counted as a part of your 3 choices.

Creative Writing for Wellbeing

If you are interested in deepening your relationship with yourself, your community and your surroundings through writing, then this course is for you.

The course will provide you with a friendly, nurturing and fun place to explore creative writing, even if you feel a little shy of writing and self-inquiry. You will be given the opportunity to:

• deepen your sensorial and physical awareness
• explore ways to express yourself using words
• practice a meditation (all bodies welcome)
• have a space to listen and write from the heart
• rest in your true nature

This course will support individual wellbeing, that of the community and the environment. Sharing your experiences in a supported community will help develop self-confidence and give the opportunity to explore meaning in your life. Openness is encouraged but you won’t be asked to share more than you are comfortable with.

Come practice with us, you are welcome!

To join the course phone: 01803 203895 or email: georgie.brown@shekinah.co.uk

Healthy Foundations

A short course on how to best manage your wellbeing. This group will look at nutrition, sleep, mindfulness techniques and offer tools to look at how to put you first.

In our shared experience we will look at techniques to support you in each day to set realistic goals.

To join the course phone: 01803 203895 or email: georgie.brown@shekinah.co.uk

Beginners Guide to Mosaics

Come and have a go and learn the techniques of mosaicking, whilst meeting new people and having fun. You can design your own piece or be part of designing something that will go back into the community. Teaching and Learning Approaches: Workshop format.

To join the course phone: 01803 203895 or email: georgie.brown@shekinah.co.uk

Tai Chi

A series of gentle physical exercises and stretches with each posture naturally lowing into the next, ensuring that your body is in constant motion. Tai Chi is sometimes described as meditation in motion, because it promotes serenity through gentle movements connecting mind and body. Benefits from Tai Chi include body awareness, balance, coordination, strength, and flexibility. Great for beginners.

To join the course phone: 01803 203895 or email: georgie.brown@shekinah.co.uk

Yoga Wellbeing Group

We invite you to start a new journey of self-discovery with BeWell@StepOne wellbeing beginners YOGA programme.

There are many benefits, both physical and psychological. Latest inclusions will encourage consideration of longer, deeper stretches and rehabilitation, attuning to the parasympathetic nervous system to a greater degree. We will look at relaxing (pranayama) with muscle relaxation (yoga nidra) alongside meditation.

The sessions are aimed at all abilities regardless of age/health status, with an aim of inclusivity. All postures will be adapted, and different levels will exist to incorporate everyone in the group. We’d love to meet you. Why not try something new, support your wellbeing and give it a go?

To join the course phone: 01803 203895 or email: georgie.brown@shekinah.co.uk

Cycle Torbay Safer Routes Cycle Sessions

Cycle Torbay are offering FREE cycling sessions for anyone looking to grow their cycling confidence and develop their riding skills. Aimed at intermediate riders, each 2 hour session is facilitated by a qualified cycling instructor and offers opportunities for riders to learn how to use safe and appropriate road positioning, increase confidence for riding on roads and learning how to approach and manoeuvre through various types of road junctions and amongst traffic.

Participants must be aged 18 and over, be able to ride, have a roadworthy bicycle, a helmet and suitable clothing for the varying weather conditions.

To book a space, please contact Jonathan Oliverio by email: info@cycletorbay.co.uk or ring: 07980 111004. For more information, please visit Cycle Torbay.

The following courses are applied for directly on the details provided below and will not be counted as a part of your 3 choices.

BeWell@StepOne
BeWell@StepOne aims to help people who may not have support to manage their mental health.
For more information go to their website: BeWell@StepOne

HOPE
HOPE courses are available across the year, to find out dates and for full course content go to: MyHealth Devon - HOPE

Orange Box also known as Learning Curve
Provide 38 fully funded Level 2 Courses covering a range of subjects from Autism, Health and Social Care, to Counselling.
To find out more call 01492 874530 or go to their website: Orange Box
They do charge for cancellation of a course, should you leave midway: around £120 to £140

Open Learn
The home of free learning from The Open University. If you are looking for a new topic to explore, or want to dig deeper into something you’ve already discovered. Whether it’s a 60 second animated video, a 24 hour course, or beginners French or Spanish, you will find it on OpenLearn for free.
Visit: Open Learn

FutureLearn
FutureLearn have a diverse range of subjects and courses which vary in length. Most are six to ten weeks long, but some are shorter two and three week courses. Courses are free, or you can upgrade, or buy unlimited.
Visit: FutureLearn

Free Courses in England
Free Courses in England is a directory of courses that are available to anyone to undertake FREE of charge, in order to help people succeed in whatever role they are in. Understanding Autism - this course is suitable for anyone who wishes to develop their understanding of autism and the principles of supporting individuals to live healthy and fulflled lives (limited spaces).
Visit: Free Courses in England - Autism

Windsor Castle Community Zooms - The Royal Collection Trust
Community Zoom talks run as part of an inclusion programme, which aims to make the Official Residences of The King and Royal Collection as accessible as possible to visitors with disabilities, and those who wouldn’t normally visit. They work with community partners who support under-represented, disadvantaged and disabled people.

• Wednesday 5 February The King and Commonwealth
• Wednesday 5 March International Women’s Day – Royal Women
• Wednesday 2 April Photographs in the Royal Collection
• Wednesday 7 May The Edwardians

Zoom details for all of these meetings are:

• Time: 2pm
• Join Zoom Meeting – camera on or off: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4407732986 Meeting ID: 440 773 298