Supporting Carers
Carers provide substantial, unpaid support to Cheshire West Carer Support Service provides someone who needs extra help to manage information, advice, support and services to Carers day-to-day life. They may not live in the same house, across Cheshire West and Chester. and they do not have to be related to the person they look after. Most carers are happy to look after Tel: 0300 102 0008 relations or friends, but sometimes they need extra Email: [email protected] support to continue in their caring role. Caring for someone covers lots of different things, Web: www.cheshirewestcarersupport.co.uk like helping with washing, dressing, eating, or Address: 146 London Road, Northwich, CW9 5HH taking someone to regular appointments.
Who is a Carer?
A carer is someone who, without payment, provides Taking medicines; help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend Getting about at home or outside; or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental Practical help at home, keeping them company; illness, addiction or disability. The carer may be an or adult, child or young person. The carer may be Emotional support or communicating. helping with: All Carers who provide care to someone are entitled Personal care, such as washing and dressing; to an assessment on their own or with the person Going to the toilet, or dealing with incontinence; they care for, regardless of how much caring they do. Eating;
Cheshire West Carer Support Service is delivered on behalf of: Cheshire Carers Centre trading as Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust. Registered charity number 1092606. Company limited by guarantee: 4172914. Registered office: 146 London Road Northwich CW9 5HH
1 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Having a carer’s assessment
If you provide regular unpaid support to someone needs may be. This assessment will consider the who could not manage without it you have the right impact of caring on you. It will also consider what to have your needs assessed by Cheshire West and difficulties you may be facing, how you manage Chester Council, even if the person you care for has them and things that you want to achieve in your refused support services or an assessment of their day-to-day life. It must consider other important own needs. issues, such as whether you are able or willing to This assessment, called a Carer’s Assessment, gives carry on caring, whether you work or want to work, you the chance to tell Adult Social Care what you and whether you want to study or do more socially. need, and to find out what support might be If you have eligible needs, the assessor will discuss available. The Carer’s Assessment explores whether the options available to meet those needs. If your you have eligible needs in your own right. needs are not eligible, you will be given information Cheshire West and Chester Council will assess and advice. Call the Cheshire West Community whether you have needs as a carer and what those Access Team on 0300 123 7034 to find out more. Assistive Technology Assistive Technology and Telecare can make a real difference to people’s lives, not only for those using For more information call the Cheshire West the service to maintain their independence, but also Community Access Team on 0300 123 7034 or their families and loved ones who appreciate the contact our local provider Welbeing: peace of mind that this equipment can bring. Carers Tel: 01323 644422 also feel safe in the knowledge that they will be Email: [email protected] alerted if there is an emergency.
Emergency Card
If you are a carer, you may worry about what would and Welbeing. happen to the person you care for should you find yourself in an emergency situation and unable to To request a form , call 01244 400502 fulfil your caring role. Alternatively contact the helpline on The Carers Emergency Support Service is a 0300 102 0008 or email partnership between Cheshire West and Chester [email protected] Council, Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust Does your GP know you are a Carer?
Each GP practice has a link worker who aims to surgery, complete it and give it to your GP surgery. identify and support carers. Carers are encouraged The surgery will make a note on your medical to register with their doctor as ‘a carer’ to ensure records. their needs are met. For information, advice and or support for To make your GP surgery aware you are a carer, Carers, contact Cheshire and Warrington Carers request a registration form from Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust, or pick one up from your Trust on 0300 102 0008
2 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Having your voice heard
Comments, compliments and complaints
If you receive a care service in your home or you are to clients, residents, relatives and other carers. living in a care home, you should feel able to If you need to make a complaint you should initially comment on, compliment or complain about any tell the manager of the service to see if things can be aspect of your care that affects your happiness or put right. comfort. You can also make comments and suggestions about possible improvements to your You can provide your views on the service you surroundings and the services provided. receive on Cheshire West and Chester Council’s website. Go to www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk All registered providers have a complaints and search for ‘Comment on your care’. procedure, details of which must be made available
Healthwatch
Healthwatch Cheshire West is an independent voice Complaints and Advocacy Service for Cheshire, that helps shape and improve local health and social guiding you through what can be a complicated care services. Healthwatch makes sure that people’s process in making a complaint about NHS services. voices are heard, and it wants to hear about your views, needs and experiences, both positive and Tel: 0300 323 0006 negative, to help people in Cheshire West get the Email: [email protected] best possible health and social care. NHS Independent Advocacy Service Healthwatch monitors local health and social care [email protected] services, finding out what works well and challenging Alternatively, you can write to: Healthwatch service providers to influence service delivery for the Cheshire West, Sension House, Denton better. Find out more at Drive, Northwich, CW9 7LU www.healthwatchcwac.org.uk Healthwatch also provides an NHS Independent Advocacy
In certain circumstances, the law says that you are views and make your own choices. For further entitled to have support with decision-making. information, contact: Advocates can give advice, support and information, helping you to voice your concerns and guiding you Tel: 0333 366 0027 through difficult or challenging times. Email: [email protected] Consider using the services of an advocate if you feel Write to: The Cheshire Advocacy Hub, Sension unsure or concerned when you are faced with making an important decision about your care. House, Denton Drive, Northwich CW9 7LU Advocates are not there to tell you what to do or to For advocacy specifically for carers, please see entry for make decisions for you, but to help you express your Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust
3 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Suspect abuse or neglect of an adult at risk
It is important that we do not limit our view of what • domestic violence; constitutes abuse or neglect, as it can take many • sexual abuse, such as inappropriate touching or forms and the circumstances of the individual case forcing someone to take part in any sexual act against should always be considered. However, the sort of their will; behaviours which could give rise to a safeguarding • psychological abuse; concern include: • financial or material abuse, such as misusing, • physical abuse, such as hitting, pushing or locking withholding or taking someone’s money; someone in a room; • discriminatory abuse, such as ill-treatment due to • verbal abuse; someone’s age, gender, disability or religious beliefs; • emotional abuse, such as bullying, taunting or • neglect and acts of omission, such as not providing humiliating someone; necessary food, care or medicine.
Who might be affected by abuse?
Abuse can happen anywhere and can be carried out and • is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; by anyone. This might be family, friends and and neighbours, paid staff, volunteers, carers, other • as a result of those needs, is unable to protect service users or even strangers. himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the Adults at risk of abuse may, for example: risk of it. • be frail due to age, ill health, physical disability, This means that regardless of whether the local cognitive impairment or a combination of these; authority is providing any services, it must follow up • have a learning disability; any concerns about either evidenced or suspected • have mental health needs, including dementia or a adult abuse. personality disorder; • have a long-term illness/condition; How do I report abuse? • be users of substances or alcohol; If you have heard or seen something that worries • be unable to demonstrate the capacity to make a you, or if you think someone is being abused, tell decision and be in need of care and support. us about it. Telephone 0300 123 7034 or email [email protected] A local authority must intervene when it has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in its area If you believe a crime is being committed or you (whether or not ordinarily resident there): are scared for somebody’s immediate safety then • has needs for care and support (whether or not the call the emergency services on 999 or, if it is not authority is meeting any of those needs); an emergency, call 101.
4 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Cheshire West Carer Support Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Cheshire West Carer Support Service provides support, events, courses, groups, training, advocacy, information, support and advice to carers aged 18+ benefits advice, and much more. See below for across the borough of Cheshire West and Chester. details of each organisation and what they provide. The service comprises seven local organisations who, For initial enquiries, please call the helpline on 0300 between them, offer a comprehensive range of 102 0008.
Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust
Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust are the Lead Wellbeing Wednesdays Provider of the service. They have resource centres in Carer’s training programme Northwich, Chester and Ellesmere Port and provide the core elements of the service including: Carer awareness training for professionals Essentials Fund to pay for white goods, gardening Carers Helpline Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm or decorating Benefits advice, form filling and advocacy Personal Budget to enable carers to take a break Quarterly newsletter Carers in Crisis Fund Events for carers throughout the year Working carers project highlighting Carers Week and Carers Rights Day Early identification of carers in Primary Care Regular Luncheon clubs Weekly drop ins at each resource centre Monthly support groups
Resource Centres
Northwich: 146 London Road, Northwich Chester: The Bluecoat, Upper Northgate Street, CW9 5HH Chester, CH1 4EE Ellesmere Port: Community Hub, 108-112 Telephone: 0300 102 0008 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port [email protected] CH65 0AB
Jo Jewell, Carers Lead Liaison worker based in the Strategic Commissioning Team, works alongside the Strategic Commissioning Team and Health and Social Care and third sector staff to ensure that carer issues are addressed as quickly as possible and that carers are supported by having access to the information, advice and support they need. Jo Jewell can be contacted on 01244 973332 or 07887 874217.
5 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Alzheimer’s Society
As well as one to one support for carers and people groups run in Chester and Hartford. with dementia that provides specialist information In addition to this, they offer a telephone carer (including managing difficult behaviour, and planning befriending service that provides a weekly telephone for the future), advice and emotional support, the call to carers who are unable to attend the office or Alzheimer’s Society also delivers a range of groups groups on a regular basis. and activities that carers can access both individually and with the person with dementia. Activity groups Telephone: 01606 781110 run in Neston and Helsby, and Singing for the Brain [email protected]
The Bren Project
The Bren Project are working together with Cheshire encourage them to become carer friendly, and to and Warrington Carers Trust on the Working Carers support and train those employers so that they can service but, where Cheshire and Warrington Carers work towards a “Carer Friendly” accreditation. Trust focus on supporting working carers with issues relating to either employment or their caring role, Liz Chapman The Bren Project are working with local employers to Telephone: 01244 313473 raise awareness of carers in their workforce, to [email protected]
CarersTrust4All
CarersTrust4All is one of 3 organisations (see also job. They can provide one-to-one personal care at Rural Community Services and Neuromuscular home for the person with care needs for up to 12 Centre) who provide a respite service as part of weeks. Cheshire West Carer Support Service. This enables carers to take a break and to find a balance between Telephone: 0333 323 1990 caring and looking after themselves, particularly if [email protected] they have other commitments, such as family or a
6 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Making Space
As part of this service, Making Space provide support Carers of people with a learning disability can access for both carers of people with mental health issues similar information and wellbeing sessions, along with and carers of people with a learning disability. For support around the transition from children’s services carers of people with mental health issues, they will to adult services. Social events and activities for those provide both information and wellbeing sessions on a carers are also available. one-to-one basis, including help around managing Jane Reeves difficult behaviour and planning for the future. They 01606 606694 also run events and activities to enable those carers [email protected] to develop peer support networks with other carers.
Neuromuscular Centre
The Neuromuscular Centre is one of 3 organisations job. They provide emergency respite care for adults (see also Rural Community Services and with a neuromuscular condition at their centre in CarersTrust4All) who provide a respite service as part Winsford. of Cheshire West Carer Support Service. This enables carers to take a break and to find a balance between Denise Boyall caring and looking after themselves, particularly if Telephone: 01606 860911 they have other commitments, such as family or a [email protected]
Rural Community Services
Rural Community Services is one of 3 organisations provide activities for carers and the person they care (see also Neuromuscular Centre and CarersTrust4All) for in rural West Cheshire. who provide a respite service as part of Cheshire For more information please contact: West Carer Support Service. This enables carers to take a break and to find a balance between caring Jean Toyn and looking after themselves, particularly if they have Telephone: 07563 156 220 other commitments, such as family or a job. They [email protected]
7 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008
Carer Breaks
Cheshire West and Chester Council, in partnership with Hospice of the Good Shepherd West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Vale Roy- Complimentary therapies and counselling sessions with al Clinical Commissioning Group, grant fund twelve organi- little or no waiting time.For carers of people with an ad- sations to deliver breaks and support services for carers vanced life limiting illness. across the borough. Contact us ont us on 0300 102 0008 Making Space for more information. Individual and group breaks offering a range of bespoke Alzheimer’s Society activities, and educational workshops covering a range of Dementia cafes in Ellesmere Port, Winsford and Chester issues such as crisis management, illness versus behaviour, and are also working with local organisations to identify impact and conflict, and relaxation. For carers of people areas/venues for new dementia cafes. with a mental health issue. For carers of people with dementia. Neuromuscular Centre Carers Trust 4 All Baking, crafts and social activities, complementary thera- Young Adult Carer service which enables young adult car- pies, mindfulness, woodworking/craft/gardening clubs, ers to access 1:1 support to manage the transition to adult respite for the person with care needs at the Centre to life successfully, including advice and guidance around em- enable the carer to choose how they spend their day. For ployment, benefits, social care and housing. The service carers of someone with a neuromuscular condition. will also hold regular social meet ups as well as hosting its Neurotherapy Centre own closed social media group to provide peer support. Range of activities for carers, along with respite for the For carers aged 18-25. person they care for at the Neurotherapy Centre. For carers of someone with a neurological condition in- Cheshire Autism Practical Support (ChAPS) cluding MS, Parkinson's, MND and ME. Yoga classes, delivered in Northwich and Winsford that Rural Community Services take place twice a month. Eight week mindfulness cours- es, delivered in Northwich, Chester, and Ellesmere Port. Bespoke breaks for carers that could include community Love Yourself, Heal Your Life ten week courses delivered in activities, social outings, relaxation, or attending personal Northwich. appointments e.g. health or finance. For carers aged 18 For carers of children and young people with an Autistic and over, and living in Rural West Cheshire. Spectrum Condition. The Joshua Tree Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust A variety of family events and activities, as well as wellbe- You Care You Choose – co-produced with carers to deliver ing therapies. a programme of activities that change each month and are For carers of a child with cancer or leukaemia. chosen by the carers. Activities so far have been a trip to St. Luke’s Hospice the ballet, stress and resilience workshop, afternoon tea Time Out group, one to one complementary therapies, and and Pilates to name but a few! For carers aged 18 and Relaxation Plus (two six week courses to enable carers to over. better manage stress and to learn relaxation techniques). For carers of someone affected by a life limiting illness. Cheshire Young Carers
Monthly drop in sessions and activity breaks For carers aged 6-18.
8 Helpline number: 0300 102 0008