The theme of the week is the importance of friendships during lockdown. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have all been living in lockdown. This means that many people with a learning disability are feeling isolated, as they have been unable to see their friends and families.

We know that people with a learning disability already experience high levels of loneliness and social isolation and that this will only have been made worse by the lockdown.

We want to show the importance of friendships to help with tackling isolation, as well as exploring the different ways of maintaining friendships during this unusual time.

To find out more about how to get involved, visit Mencap's website.

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

This year, people across the country are continuing to face new challenges as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and who need support. They need to be recognised for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, and provided with information, support and understanding.

Carers Hub Lambeth have been doing their bit to Make Caring Visible. 

In the run up to Carers Week, carers, staff and trustees shares quotes and photos about what caring means to them.

Today, they have also launched the Carers Week 2020 video showcasing young carers and adult carers' thoughts about What Caring Means to Me.

The LGA and ADASS have published an FAQ on Covid-19 and safeguarding adults. This FAQ covers a range of issues, including:

• duties and responsibilities to adult safeguarding
• Supporting staff, carers and volunteers
• Issues for Safeguarding Adults Boards
• Safeguarding issues regarding specific areas of abuse or neglect

The full FAQ document can be found here.

Dying Matters Week begins today and to mark the week, Lambeth Advance Care Planning Consortium has a range of initiatives to support yo in thinking abot advance planning.

Dying Matters Week events

Healthwatch Lambeth is hosting two zoom Death Cafes, informal chats with local people about any aspect of death and dying you’d like to explore – join by internet or phone on:

• Monday 11 May, 3-5pm
• Thursday 14 May, 5-7pm

To book your place, register online  or call 07943 986 256.

Carers Hub Lambeth is running an Advance Care Planning Information Session for unpaid/informal carers on how to record your future treatment and care wishes – join by internet or phone

• Friday 15 May, afternoon

To register your interest, contact the Carers Hub team, email: connect@carershub.org.uk, tel: 020 7501 8970.

For more information on advance care planning read Healthwatch Lambeth's latest post about having your say during Dying Matters Week.

Advance Care Planning Champions             

The Consortium are looking for volunteers to help run stalls and workshops across Lambeth to raise awareness about how people can plan ahead and record their future treatment and care wishes.  Team members will receive training and support every step of the way, and have the chance to help devise alternative ways to deliver activities during the covid-19 pandemic.  

For more information about the consortium’s work, visit their website.