Kingsbridge Carers Link
Are you a Carer?
Carers are people who, without payment, provide help and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who cannot manage on their own due to physical or mental illness, disability, substance misuse or frailty brought on by old age.
Caring roles can include administering medication, lifting and handling, personal or emotional care. Carers should not be confused with paid care workers, care assistants or volunteer care workers.
A “young carer” is defined as being below the age of 18, who carries out significant caring tasks and therefore carries a level of responsibility for another person that would normally be regarded as inappropriate for their age.
Whilst caring can be a hugely rewarding experience, it can be a challenge for carers to find time to take care of their own wellbeing and it can impact significantly on lifestyle. It is estimated that 1 in 6 adults in the UK are now providing unpaid care, suffering higher levels of anxiety and lower life satisfaction than the general population.
How can the Practice help you?
We want to ensure that we identify as many carers as possible amongst our patients, so that we can put you in touch with services that can provide support and offer you access to practical things like flu jabs and health checks.
We also have a carers champion at the Practice – Stephanie Wheat. Stephanie arranges a coffee afternoon every few months where carers can drop in for refreshments and a chat with other carers. We also try to invite guest speakers who can provide information on topics relevant to carers.
If you would like to be included on our carer register, please complete the carer identification form and return it to the Practice. Alternatively you can call us and ask to be added to the register. The register is confidential and we will not share your personal information with anyone else unless you give us consent to do so.
Useful Contacts
North Staffordshire Carers Association
NSC can be contacted direct by carers for help and advice. They provide a drop in service at their Carers Centre Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. They also provide support and activities for young carers. The Carers Centre is located at 1 Duke Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3NR.
You can call them on 01782 793100
or visit www.carersfirst.com for more information.
The Carers Hub
The Carers Hub work across the region providing a free of charge support service to adult and young carers (5-18 year olds). They offer a range of services including carers assessments, groups and courses and can be contacted Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm, Wednesdays from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm and Saturdays from 9.00 am – 12.30 pm.
You can call them 0330 123 1937
Email them on info@thecarershub.co.uk
Or visit www.thecarershub.co.uk
Carers Trust
Carers Trust is a national charity working to improve support, services and recognition for carers. They can provide a range of advice and information and links to online chat forums if you want to connect with other carers in a supportive network.
Visit www.carers.org for more information.
NHS
The NHS website provides advice for carers, including how to access support and benefits. Further information can be viewed via this link:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/
Care and Support Directory
The City of Stoke-on-Trent incorporating Staffordshire Care and Support Directory is a useful guide which includes comprehensive lists of all CQC registered care providers across Stoke and Staffordshire as well as information on funding care, understanding the assessment process, staying independent, dementia care services and much more. To view the current edition of the directory please go to:
https://www.carechoices.co.uk/publication/stoke-on-trent-care-services-directory/