17/03/2020 - LATEST NEWS – Talbot House Service

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic the Talbot House building will be closed until further notice, however the staff will be still working in isolation from their own homes via phone, email, text etc. This is a goodwill gesture because we are aware of the support that Parent Carers will still need even in such bad times. This will continue until we advise you further.

Thank you for your Support

Bernie Wood X

Fundraising Support

Due to the current Corona Covid-19 pandemic we have been unable to fundraise as normal. This has had a major impact on our charity fundraising events at Talbot House Support Centre. Whilst we work from home to still provide the essential support our service users need on a daily basis, we can no longer raise the much need donations, so we ask if possible for you to make donations via BACS so we can continue the work we do for others. We understand these times have been difficult for everyone. A £2 donation monthly would mean a lot or even a one off donation of whatever you can afford. This is greatly appreciated.

The account details are as follows

The Co-operative Bank

Account number – 65391602

Sort Code – 089299

Account name – Talbot House Support Centre

COVID-19 Freephone Helpline Bank Holiday opening hours

If you know someone who needs support with food, medicines, or fuel bills, please share the freephone number 0800 234 6123 and email address: COVIDSupport@manchester.gov.uk

The helpline is open over the May Bank Holiday at the following times:

• Saturday 23 May: 8.30am-5.30pm
• Sunday 24 May: Closed
• Bank Holiday Monday 25 May: 10am-2pm

If you need support with council tax, business rates or bins, visit manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus

Key information for Manchester's parents and pupils

The majority of Manchester schools have remained open to vulnerable pupils and children of key workers during COVID-19 lockdown period and all schools have retained contact and overview with their pupils.

From June 1 onwards, the next step is to increase the numbers of Manchester’s pupils attending school in a way which ensures the safety of staff and pupils. A key focus of this approach will support pupils to re-engage with their schools and learning - and to support their wellbeing and mental health.

There will be a slow and steady approach to more children returning to school, based on keeping staff and pupils safe. This will differ from school to school depending on class size and the building design. Schools will get in contact with parents and carers to advise when their children will be able to return.

So, it’s really important that children ONLY go to school on June 1 if they have had a message from their school. Please do not attend without that notification.

In addition, to help with the transition process for primary pupils to high school, all year 6 children will be sent a reading book with exercises and activities in it which will be part of the work at their new school, so that there is a common, bonding experience for them all. We will also be getting in touch with all Year 11 students to mark the end of their school years and to make sure they know where help and support is available.

 Life as a parent carer during lockdown.

The story told by our very own Bernie Wood, highlighting the some struggles many of our parent carers are facing. Please take a look.

https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2020-04-20/life-as-a-parent-carer-during-lockdown/

Our building is temporarily closed due to Covid-19, however full support is available via telephone support. 

the website will be updated with more information of reopen when we have a date. 

Talbot House supports parents and carers of people who have learning disabilities in Manchester. We are a one stop shop where carers can pop in for a cup of tea and a chat with others in the same boat.  We also offer additional services such as:

• One to one support
• Information about money and benefits
• Training for carers
• Carer's lunches
• Day trips out
• Pampering treatments - nail bar, massage and beauty treatments
• THRIVE - this is our special project for older carers where we assist carers to make plans for the future
• and much more...

We are here to improve the quality of life for parent carers of people with learning disabilities.

People can laugh, cry, identify and support each other here through the sharing of personal experiences and they always leave feeling better than when they came in!

Call us or pop into the centre you will always be made welcome and our tea is second to none!

We are open from 10:00am - 3:00pm Monday to Friday

Please click on our video to find out more about what we do  video

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Manchester International Women's Festival

In this year of 2019 International Women’s Day will be celebrated including 16 Strong Manchester Women and guess who is one of them? Yes yours truly Bernie Wood and I am so excited to be chosen.

Check out my blog to find out more:

Bernie's Blog - Strong Women 2019

Strong Manchester Women Podcast

Bernie was also invited on the Strong Manchester Women podcast. Bernie talks passionately about,

• the reality of giving birth to a disabled child in the 1970’s
• what life’s really like as a parent carer
• using humour as a way to keep going
• the importance of staying healthy in order to be able to help others
• writing to the government to instigate change
• the human-side of caring for a disabled child
• hitting rock bottom and picking herself back up
• visiting Buckingham Palace and what winning awards really mean to her

Further information relating to the Podcast can be found below.

Episode 7- Bernie Wood - Strong Manchester Women Podcast

Trigger Warning – in this episode we discuss some sensitive issues, including suicide. So, if you think that this episode could affect your mental health, then please do skip it.

This can been also be listened to on the below podcast services:

Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Spotify

WE ARE #STRONGMCRWOMEN