Who Cares for the Carers?
Just like the question is poised as to whether there is anyone out there who really watches over the Watchmen, the same can be said of Carers. Who not only are often times unpaid for their work, but are full time, 24-7 carers, with anxiety from the constant threat of emergencies on their case (much like the superheroes they are); it is a heavy burden to carry alone. But are they really alone?
Here is a collection of some the information I could find on supportive organisations or schemes for carers. I have a friend from university who unexpectedly ended up a carer and I wanted him and many other carers to know that just because they have to shoulder the care of another, quite possibly the person who used to care for them, it doesn't mean they no longer deserve any care.
You do deserve care, and there is a lot of care out there, and it's just about finding out about it. I know this from the perspective of a disabled person, that it's difficult to know what to look for when you don't know the terms.
So the more stuff I uncover, the more I will add, and hopefully it will help someone.
And trust me, I do have some more coming after this!
If you find this information useful for yourself or others, please share it! Also don't be afraid to comment!
You do deserve care, and there is a lot of care out there, and it's just about finding out about it. I know this from the perspective of a disabled person, that it's difficult to know what to look for when you don't know the terms.
So the more stuff I uncover, the more I will add, and hopefully it will help someone.
And trust me, I do have some more coming after this!
If you find this information useful for yourself or others, please share it! Also don't be afraid to comment!
According to research by Carers UK, 95% of carers questioned said they regularly cover up or disguise the fact that their health is suffering in order to continue with their caring responsibilities.
Worryingly, one-fifth (19%) of these carers said they ignored feeling ill "all the time". Almost 1 in 4 (24%) of carers say they frequently feel unable to cope with their day-to-day duties due to the physical and emotional stresses of their caring role.
[...]
Carers' own health needs protecting, and they are often so used to looking out for the health of loved-ones that they ignore their own. As a result of this, and the real physical and mental strains of caring, carers are more than twice as likely to suffer from poor health as those who don't have caring responsibilities.
- Carers UK and Lloydspharmacy join forces, www.carersuk.org
2 Contact Us 3 Positive Mental Health Group pals contact details 4 Backdated Information Packs 5 Young Carers Day 6 STaR Service Details 7 Concerns of Young Carers 8 Christmas events 9 Barnardo's 10 Filter Me 11 Buzz Guide - Useful Numbers 12 Frankfurt Christmas Market 13 How many carers are in the UK? 14 Issues Facing Mental Health Carers? 15 LGBT Carers Forum 17 Medication for Mental Health 18 Mental Health and the Triangle of Care 19 Volunteer as a Telephone Carer Supporter (0121 380 4949) 20 Are You a Young Carer? | 21 Self Harm | Personality Disorder 22 Depression 23 Mental Health Charities 24 Tips to Help You Survive the Festive Season and be Mentally Healthy 25 Football and Mental Health 26 Carers UK | Advice Line 27 The Library Project 28 Are you Suited to Being a Carer? 29 Carers Newsletter | Kinship Care Service 30 Useful Websites for Carers 31 10 things to do @ Christmas Market 32 Recovery Hub | Including Women! 33 Positive Mental Health Group Christmas Party 34-36 Carer Support Groups in Birmingham 37 Free home fire safety check poster 38 To Report a Hate Crime 39 Carers feed back sheet |
Carers Week partners provide help and advice for carers
Carers Week is a partnership of 9 national charities, who come together to fund and organise one of the largest national awareness campaigns in the UK. The partners supports carers in a variety or ways. For more information visit www.carersweek.org
All starred (*) phone numbers are free to call from UK landlines.
Carers Week is a partnership of 9 national charities, who come together to fund and organise one of the largest national awareness campaigns in the UK. The partners supports carers in a variety or ways. For more information visit www.carersweek.org
All starred (*) phone numbers are free to call from UK landlines.
Age UK have a vision of a world in which older people flourish. They aim to improve later life for everyone through their information and advice, campaigns, products, training and research. Information line: 0800 169 6565* Independent Age provide a national information and advice service for older people, their families and carers, focusing on three vital areas: social care, welfare benefits and befriending services. Independent Age Advice Service: 0845 262 1863 Macmillan Cancer Support provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support; listen to people affected by cancer and work together for better cancer care. Macmillan Support Line: 0808 808 0000* MS Society; the national charity for some 100,000 people living with Multiple Sclerosis in the UK. They are dedicated to improving treatment and care to people with MS, their families and carers to take control of their lives. And with your support, they are funding the research that they believe will help beat MS for good! MS helpline: 0808 800 8000* | With local Network Partners, Carers Trust work to improve support services and recognition for carers in communities across the UK. They offer practical help, both in and outside the home, desperately needed breaks, information and advice. More info: 0844 800 4361 Carers UK help carers of family members by providing support and advice. Advice line: 0808 808 7777* Marie Curie Cancer Care provide free nursing care to people with any terminal illness in their own homes and emotional support to their families. They also provide specialist care at their 9 Marie Curies Hospices. Marie Cure Cancer Care line: 0800 716 146* For more than 40 years the Parkinson's UK support and research charity have been working to find a cure and improve the lives for everyone affected by Parkinson's. Parkinson's UK Helpline: 0808 800 0303* Getting answers on things that concern you is really important. The Stroke Association provide information, practical advice, emotional support and can put you in touch with carer support groups. Stroke Helpline: 0303 3033 100* |
Other useful contacts
Carer Organisations Providing support to young carers and their families. Site: Barbardos.org.uk Advice line: 0208 550 8822 Carers Northern Ireland Email: [email protected] Site: www.carersni.org Advice line: 020 9043 9843 Carers Scotland Email: [email protected] Site: www.carerscotland.org Advice line: 0141 445 3070 Carers Wales Email: [email protected] Site: www.carerswales.org Advice line: 029 2081 1370 | Support, finance, breaks Connecting carers by telephone to talk to each other. Site: Community-network.org Advice Line: 0845 619 9992 Holidays for people with disabilities and their carers. Site: Vitalise.org.uk Enquiry Line: 0845 345 1970 For more information on the Carers Allowance. Site: Gov.uk/carers-allowance Advice Line: 0800 88 22 00 | Illnesses Specific Improving the quality of life of people with eczema and their carers. Site: eczema.org Advice Line: 0800 089 1122 Helping those caring for somebody with dementia. Site: Alzheimers.org.uk Advice Line: 0845 300 0336 |