Lakeside Carers Event 2025

Dan Noone, from Northants Fire and Rescue gave advice on home safety including fire prevention plus kitchen and electrical safety.

The Fire Safety Team can also do home visits and fit free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

They can also advise in special situations,  such as hoarding which adds further complications and danger in the event of a fire.

Tanya Casey and Suzanne Whatling, advisors from the local Alzheimer’s Society, offer help for those with dementia, mild cognitive impairment and memory problems.

Tanya said: ‘People don’t need to be referred by a GP, then can self-refer to our service. One of our objectives is to get more dementia awareness so that people can go through the diagnostic process if they are showing symptoms and we have a symptoms checklist on our website. We help with strategies -, how to cope day-to-day and how to navigate the social care system. We do signposting to other sources of care. We also run carers information programmes and Memory Matters monthly groups for carers and those living with dementia.’

Kate Connolly, is a nurse at Lakelands Day Care Hospice, based in Corby. They provide palliative and end of life care, for those with cancer, COPD or advanced heart failure. Services include nursing, counselling, a COPD/Heart failure support programme, Hospice at Home Service, bereavement support group and minibus transport. Anyone living within a 15-mile radius of the hospice can apply to attend. Kate said: ‘People love it at Lakelands. They build lovely friendship groups and look out for each other. To be there supporting patients is a very humbling job.’

Maureen Jones and Errol Khan attended from the Department for Work and Pensions. Maureen, a disability employment advisor, said: ‘If people have any queries that are DWP related they just can pop in and see us at the Corby Jobcentre. We offer a range of help and can support with training and upskilling as well.’ Errol said: ‘Each age and cohort has different needs and so we cover most issues and help by guiding people to the most relevant service or information.’

Mary and Josh from Accommodation Concern in Kettering came along. The charity provides advice on housing issues, welfare benefits and debt and can also help if a property is unsuitable or in disrepair.

Jane and Mat Barrett were there to tell carers about HCC Solutions Co Ltd. The company which offers home help and cleaning services was set up in Northampton and is expanding to Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough.

Kate Wheeler, Juliet Barnes and Millie Lawrance combine the expertise of adult social care, Agewell and Northamptonshire Carers. They also work closely with the Collaborative Care Team’s frailty manager, Paula Kelly, They do home assessments and put care packages into place, linking together to make sure people get the most appropriate care. Kate said: ‘It was a beneficial event and we had some lengthy conversations with patients as, when people are in crisis, they don’t know where to turn. We can offer support plus equipment and further signposting if necessary.’