Working Hard For Carers
MISSION STATEMENT CARERS CENTRE GROUP AWARENESS ABOUT US MEMBERSHIP EVENTS NEWS LETTER RURAL CARERS BEREAVEMENT. LOSS & CHANGE GROUP CONTACT US USEFUL CONTACTS F.ASD HOME
CARERS CENTRE
Our Carers Centre is at 4-8 Regent Road, Morecambe, Lancashire. This is near the promenade and in the Carleton/Alhambra block. We moved in here in November 1999, after occupying our first centre in the Plaza Buildings off Queen street for 18 months. We invite all carers to call in at our centre, including carers who are visiting Morecambe. Our centre is staffed entirely by volunteers, the majority of whom are former carers. We seek to help and support carers at our centre in a number of ways:
INFORMATION
Carers can call in for information about where to get the help they and the person they care for need. This includes details of services and aids available and about various kinds of illness and disability. We have a wide range of leaflets, including the "Carers A-Z Directory". No local carer should be without a copy of this directory, which contains 140 pages of contact addresses and telephone numbers and guidance for carers. It is free to carers, who can also order a copy by email. The latest edition is available in paper format and CD ROM. In addition we have two fact sheets for carers-about getting help from Social Services and about respite care breaks. We can also access information about illness and disability of the person you care for.
MUTUAL SUPPORT
Carers often need to talk to someone who understands what they are going through and there is no one better qualified than another carer or former carer. We encourage carers to share experiences informally with each other (and our volunteers) over a cup of tea or coffee at the centre. Getting help from the statutory services like Social Services and the NHS can sometimes be like walking in a maze. A chat with another carer can often help find the way through.
A SHORT BREAK
You will find full details on our events page. Carers can also obtain up to date information at the centre and make bookings there.
TELEPHONE HELP LINE
We offer a telephone help line for carers to call and obtain information and support . The helpline is staffed by our volunteers whilst the centre is open. Outside these times, we have a 24 hour answer phone service, which is monitored regularly. Carers can leave a message and one of our volunteers will ring them back as soon as possible.
VOLUNTEERS
Our Carers' centre relies very much upon the team of volunteers who staff it. If you could assist us by being a volunteer for 3 hours a week, (click here for an application form) please contact the centre for details of what is involved. We meet all our volunteers' traveling expenses and can provide respite care for the time when a volunteer is out of the house. Full training is given. Our volunteers have their own coffee mornings and team meetings and also have a regular program of social activities.
LANCASTER
We are currently seeking funding to develop the service, watch this space for details.
"I WISH I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THE CARERS CENTRE BEFORE-I NEVER KNEW YOU WOULD GET ANY HELP"
"WHEN EVER I COME INTO THE CENTRE, I FEEL UPLIFTED"
Various support sessions in key location throughout the district for example, general practitioner surgeries, supermarkets, The First Diversity Festival for the Lancaster District and Morecambe's "Bring me Sunshine Festival" and "Finding the Balance event.
Assessment information and support for carers wanting help from Social Services.
"THEY PUT MY MIND AT REST ABOUT HAVING AN ASSESSMENT-PEOPLE REALLY DO WANT TO HELP-THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO PUT MY WIFE IN A HOME JUST HELP ME CARE FOR HER IN OUR OWN HOME WHERE WE WANT TO BE"
Information about benefits
"I COULD HAVE CLAIMED CARERS ALLOWANCE BEFORE BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT"
An A-Z Carers Directory available in paper or CD ROM form to help carers access relevant support information organisations.
Various respite opportunities for carers
LONSDALE DISTRICT CARERS CAN PAY FOR RESPITE FOR YOUR CARED PERSON TO ENABLE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR EVENTS.
Monthly trips out-full and half day.
"A BREAK IS WONDERFUL, JUST TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT I WANT FOR A FEW HOURS-GREAT"
Monthly pamper events
"I NEVER THOUGHT I WAS ANY GOOD AT ART BUT WAS PROUD WHEN I SAW WHAT I HAD MADE"
"I HAVE NEVER BEEN ONE FOR COFFEE MORNINGS BUT IT WAS INTERESTING AND I HAVE MADE SOME NEW FRIENDS"
Phone calls
We keep in touch with our members, particularly those that we don't see very often. We check out that they are OK, what their current worries are, and these give them any new information that may be of interest.
"I'M SO GLAD YOU RANG-I HAVEN'T HAD A FULL NIGHTS SLEEP IN WEEKS-IT WAS GOOD TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO WHO KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE"
Members get a mail out of events each month and our news letter which has contributions from carers, articles, the odd word search, information about services for carers, benefit updates etc.
Carers can use the I.T. facilities at the Morecambe branch and "surf the net" to help get information and keep in touch with other carers.
Therapies
An extensive range of therapies from Back and Shoulder Massage using aromatherapy oils to toe nail painting (we have a part time therapist in the Morecambe Centre on two days a week).
"MY MASSAGE WAS GOOD, GREAT, EXCELLENT"