Ok, you can come out now, it’s all over! The kids are back at school and it’s time to plan your recovery…

Declutter. There’s no denying it, Christmas can be very messy! All that clutter can get you down, so now the children are back at school how about decluttering? Not only will you feel great for doing it, your home will feel calmer and you might be able to donate some of your old things to a local charity. For some top tips on how to de-clutter after Christmas, visit http://www.sunny-d.co.uk/tips/lifestyle-tips/ten-new-years-tips-to-declutter-your-home/

A well-chosen chin wag. Never underestimate the power of a cup of tea and a chat with someone who totally ‘gets it’! Parent carer groups can provide an opportunity to take time for yourself and share your hands holding coffee mugs from aboveexperiences with others in an understanding, supportive environment. There are loads across Brighton and Hove and West Sussex, some general and others that focus on specific conditions. For information on groups in Brighton and Hove , visit the Amaze website http://amazesussex.org.uk/services-and-support/parent-support-groups/ For information on groups in West Sussex, the best place to head to is the Local Offer https://westsussex.local-offer.org/search

Me-time. Now Christmas is over, it’s time to steal some time back for yourself. Your own mental and physical wellbeing is important, but it’s so often neglected when you have a child with special educational needs or disabilities.

Carers Pamper morning – £5 for a full body massage at City Revival on Wednesday 25 January. Get Wednesday 25 January in your diary now and book yourself a slot for some delicious self-indulgence! City Revival is running a very special Carers’ Pamper Morning for Compass Card Brighton and Hove parents and Carers’ Card holders on Wednesday 25 January. There are nine appointments available: Hands massaging a backfour appointments at 9.30am and five appointments at 11.15am. Carers will get a full body massage lasting 60 to 75 minutes for the amazing price of just £5 (which will cover the cost of products). Trained City College students will be waiting to tend to your every need in the treatment rooms at City College Brighton and Hove, Pelham Street, Brighton BN1 4FA. It’s first come, first served, so if you want this special package of treatments, make sure you book sooner rather than later. To book, call City Revival on 01273 667790 and say you’re booking your treatments for the Carers’ Pamper Morning. You can pay on the day, but make sure you take your child’s Compass Card (or a Carers’ Card if you’re in Brighton and Hove) with you to prove your eligibility for the offer. When you arrive at City College, you’ll need to book in at the reception on the ground floor to get a visitors’ badge and then go up to the City Revival reception on the first floor. You’ll then meet your massage therapist and be taken to the treatment rooms on the ninth floor. PLEASE NOTE, providing full professional treatments is an essential part of each student’s training programme, so please, please make sure you turn up on time for your treatment – and if an unexpected emergency means you can’t attend, call City Revival on the number above as soon as you can so another carer can take your place.
• Compass Card Partner Arundel Magic offers a 10% discount for card holders and their families. Selling spiritual, holistic and well being products, you may well find something just for you to enhance your wellbeing.
Intuition Hair & Beauty Salon in Crawley offers some lovely treatments at great prices (while you’re Close up of brown hair being cut with scissorsthere, check whether the salon would be suitable for your child or young person -Compass Card holders get a 25% discount on services or treatments). See the website for more info (http://www.centralsussex.ac.uk/Why-Choose-Us/Great-Facilities/Intuition-Hair-and-Beauty-Training-Salons), or check out the Compass Card app.
• If you want to look after your wellbeing and you’re in West Sussex, you’ll find lots of inspiration on the West Sussex Wellbeing websitewww.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk/ There’s Tai Chi, dance, running , weight loss programmes and more and a lot of the activities are free. Make yourself a cuppa and take a look – it’s well worth exploring!
Fancy taking up running? Even if you’ve never run before, parkrun is a great way to get started. It’s a non-competitive, sociable 5k run and you’re welcome to walk or just do part of the course. Held in open space around the UK, there are parkruns in Brighton, Hove, Worthing, Haywards Heath, Horsham, People running in parkCrawley, Chichester and Bognor Regis. They’re open to all, free, and safe and easy to take part in. To find out about a parkrun near you go to www.parkrun.org.uk/events The Preston Park parkrun in Brighton also includes a 2k junior parkrun for 4 to 14 year olds if you want to take the kids along – see junior parkrun events.
• If you’re not interested in running, walking is great for your health too. Brighton & Hove Council runs a full programme of Healthwalks for all levels, including women-only groups. Find out more here – https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/leisure-and-libraries/sports-and-activity/healthwalks-programme Over in West Sussex, the Mid Sussex Park Rangers run a free programme of Healthy Walks to suit all levels in the beautiful Mid Sussex countryside. For more information, visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/healthywalks If you want to check out other walks, the Walking for Health website covers the whole country –www.walkingforhealth.org.uk
• If your child has Compass Card Brighton and Hove, you’ll automatically qualify for the Carers’ Card in Brighton and Hove. The card, with its dozens of discounted offers, is designed to help you look after your Brighton and Hove Council logo from Carers Cardown health and wellbeing. You can now apply online at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/carers-card Alternatively, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can contact the Integrated Child Development & Disability Team on 01273 295153 if your child is under 18, or the Adult Social Care Access Point on 01273 295555 if your child is over 18.
• Brighton Housing Trust (BHT) has two five week free courses that may be useful if you’re suffering from anxiety or anger. There’s a group for women, ‘Managing Your Anxiety’, from 11am to 12.45pm on five Tuesdays from 14 March and a group for men, ‘Understanding Your Anger’, from 10 to 11.30am on five Fridays from 3 to 31 March. Both are at BHT’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Service, on the second floor, 27-29 North Street, Brighton BN1 1EB. For more information, or to book, call 01273 929471 or email wellbeing@bht.org.uk

A very Happy New Year from the Compass Team at Amaze!