Lonsdale District Carers

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The Cartmel Centre

Our Carers Centre is at The Cartmel Centre, Morecambe, Lancashire.  We invite all carers to call in at our centre, including carers who are visiting Morecambe.  Our centre is staffed by paid team members and volunteers, the majority of whom are carers or 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 that 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 in the current Newsletter.  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 .  Our information and support service is staffed by volunteers, many of whom are either current or former carers. The volunteers are supported by paid team members.  Outside open drop-in times, we have a 24 hour answer phone service, which is monitored regularly.  Carers can leave a message and one of our team members will ring them back as soon as possible.

See the Contact Us page for opening times.

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' travelling 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 programme 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"

Various support sessions in key locations 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.

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.

Web: www.carersdirectory.co.uk

The Carers Directory is currently being updated, but we can supply a copy on CD ROM or provide information from the paper version we hold at the centre.

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.

BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Members get a mail out of events bi-monthly and a copy of 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 (help is available if needed).

THERAPIES

An extensive range of therapies from Back and Shoulder Massage using aroma therapy 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"

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