Could you be a carer?
If you are looking after a relative, neighbour or friend who, because of illness or disability, or is affected by old age and cannot manage without help, then you are a carer.
As a carer, it is important that you look after your own needs and get the right help, information and support:
Ensure that your GP surgery knows that you are a carer - ask to be added to the Carers Register
As a carer you may be entitled to a Carers' Assessment - for further information contact the Staffordshire County Council Social Care & Health on 0300 111 8000.
Contact the Carers Association Southern Staffordshire (CASS) on 01785 606675 or visit their web site www.carersinformation.org.uk
CASS offers free and confidential advice and emotional support to individual carers, in the south Staffordshire area, either on the telephone, through home visits and a range of printed material (including our newsletter 'Aspects'). Staff can also help you find your way around statutory agencies, such as Health and Social Care and signpost you to other appropriate services.
As well as supporting adult carers who are caring for someone (an adult or child) with a disability or illness (such as a learning disability, sensory impairment, a health problem and/or a disability related to age) CASS provides specialist services for Mental Health carers and people with progressive neurological conditions and their carers. The Young Carers Team will help those carers up to the age of 18.
There are also drop-ins and health and wellbeing activities and courses for carers.
CASS is an independent organisation and a registered Charity.
North Staffs Carers Association are there to help and benefit informal, unpaid Carers in the North Staffordshire area.
They offer information, training and ongoing support, in the most appropriate way, to Carers of all ages, ensuring that each case is treated in a confidential manner.
In addition, they offer information and training to professionals who come into contact with Informal Carers and look to facilitate communication and consultation between informal Carers and the purchasers and providers of services.
North Staffs Carers Association seek and represent the views of Informal Carers on the planning and delivery of services and they continue to strive to identify and implement opportunities to improve their service to Carers.
North Staffs Carers Association
Trent House, 234 Victoria Road, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2LW
Telephone: 01782 793100
North Staffs Carers hold various:
- Workshops
- Activities
- Support Groups
- Training
- Health and Well Being (Massages, Reiki etc)
- Drop In Service
Dates and times for all the above activities can be found on their website, via their Events Calendar
Please visit their website for further information: www.carersfirst.com