Carers Support Service

Our latest newsletter No 103 issued December 2011 can now be viewed on-line. Previous editions of the newsletters can now be viewed in the Newsletters section.

The Carers Support Service provides information and advice to anyone who provides support to a family member, friend or neighbour who has a long term illness or impairment.

The service is free, independent and confidential and includes:

Information

Where to go for support
Local services
Benefits
Newsletters

Advice

How to plan for the future
How to manage difficult situations

Support

Opportunities to meet with other carers
Relaxation
Helpline
Drop-in service
Listening Ear
Signpost to services
Home visits

Training
Training and awareness raising on carers issues

Consultation and involvement

Opportunities for carers to make their views heard
Involvement in local planning groups

Information

Carers Direct is a national information, advice and support service for carers in England. Available online at www.nhs.uk/carersdirect and as a free, confidential helpline seven days a week on 0808 802 0202, it provides accurate, relevant information for carers and those who support them.

Newsletters: The Carers Support Service publishes a regular bi-monthly newsletter to keep carers in touch with local and national events and services. There are also specific newsletters for carers of people with mental ill health or learning disabilities. To subscribe to any of the newsletters use this link: elaine@darlingtondisability.org

A Health Link Service is provided in partnership with Darlington Primary Care Trust. Staff from the service make regular visits to GP surgeries to meet carers, and work alongside staff from GP Practices to identify ways that surgery staff can support carers.

Carers Register: One of the ways that the Carers Support Service keeps in touch with carers is through the Carers Register, which is held and maintained by the service. All information held on the Register is confidential and personal details are not shared with anyone outside Darlington Association on Disability. As well as receiving a regular newsletter, the Register also means that carers can be contacted with news and information relevant to their caring situation. If you are a carer, and you would like your details to be added to the Carers Register please contact us on 01325 357533 or email elaine@darlingtondisability.org

Factsheets for Carers: Please note that Carers Support Service have a number of fact sheets with relevant information for carers. These are:

• Fact Sheet 1: Questions you could ask a Domiciliary Care Agency

• Fact Sheet 2: Checklist for Choosing a Residential Home

• Fact Sheet 3: Services for Carers caring for someone who has mental ill health

• Fact Sheet 4: Welfare Rights. Please visit Durham County Council's website for information too

• Fact Sheet 5: Carers Allowance

• Fact Sheet 6: Checklist for Preparing for an Assessment

• Fact Sheet 7: Tips to help you discuss treatments with your Doctors

• Fact Sheet 8: Activities for Carers of People with mental ill health in Darlington

• Fact Sheet 9: Activities for Carers in Darlington of any age

• Fact Sheet 10: Mental Capacity Act 2005

• Fact Sheet 11: The Rights of a Carer

If you would like a copy of any of these please telephone 01325 357533 or email carers@darlingtondisability.org and we would be happy to send or email copies.

Advice

The Carers Support Service can answer queries about a whole range of issues. Common enquiries include how to get the right services, how to organise taking a break, what happens when someone goes into hospital and what benefits carers may be entitled to. Staff are able to visit carers in their own home, or arrange office visits at times to suit. The service has a helpline (see contact information at the bottom of the page) and e-mail enquiries are welcome.

Support

Darlington Dementia Carers Support Group is held on the first Thursday of the month. A guest speaker attends the group each month; and carers have a chance to meet up for a coffee and chat. This mutual support is very beneficial and helps carers realise they are not alone.

The Relaxation Group meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Come along and unwind from all the everyday stresses of life. Activities include breathing exercises and gentle body movement. This is an ideal way to relax for those who do not want to be involved in strenuous exercise.

The "Circle of Friends" meets up on the third Thursday of the month. This is an informal group, where Carers meet up to have a chat, coffee or to just make new friends. The group is run by the Carers themselves and they decide what they want to do. This may be arranging a day out somewhere, going for a look around the shops or just meeting up with other carers for a cuppa and a catch up.

The Mental Health Carers' Support Group meets on the last Thursday of every month. This group is specifically for people who are caring for someone experiencing mental ill health. We regularly have speakers on a range of issues from the role of a Community Psychiatric Nurse to fun things like gardening and jewellery making.

For more information on any of these groups call us on 01325 357533 or e-mail carers@darlingtondisability.org

Other Carers groups: The Carers Support Service has links with Carers Darlington, a branch of Carers UK. Carers Darlington provides a drop-in service at 50+ Age Concern, Bradbury House twice a week on a Tuesday from 10am to 12 noon, and Friday from 12 noon to 2pm, when carers can relax and enjoy a cup of tea.

Email: The Carers Support Service is now able to support carers via e-mail. If you are interested please contact carers@darlingtondisability.org for more information.

Involvement

If you are a carer and have views about local services or want to get involved in monitoring and shaping local services or in training Care Managers and Health Service staff, the Carers Support Service would like to know. Please contact carers@darlingtondisability.org

For more information or to contact the Carers Support Service

Carers Support Service
Enterprise House
South Entrance
Valley Street North
Darlington
DL1 1GY
Tel 01325 357533
Fax 01325 254848
Email carers@darlingtondisability.org