Are you looking after someone?
If you provide unpaid care to a relative or friend of any age, it is likely that you are a carer. Maybe they have a disability or illness, either physical or mental or both. Maybe they are frail and elderly. If the person you care for cannot manage without your help, you would probably be classified as their “carer”. Being a carer entitles you to certain legal rights, financial benefits and services.
THE FED offers support for carers who are coping with what can be a difficult and isolating situation.
Carer support
Our Carers’ Advice Worker provides individual “carer support” (emotional support and practical advice for carers) and carries out “carer assessments”. These identify what services might help to make the caring situation easier to manage. Suggestions might include: a period of respite for the cared-for-person, applying for a carer’s personal grant or ongoing carer support.
Advocating and informing
Our Carers’ Advice Worker can advocate on a carer’s behalf, acting as a spokesperson when dealing with other professionals. The worker can provide information about rights, benefits and opportunities for carers eg training courses.
Respite/sitting service
This flexible service enables carers to have a break from caring for an hour or two at a time. Our carefully matched volunteers can either sit with or take out the cared-for-person. They can also take out the carer, perhaps for coffee, or on errands, either with or without the cared-for-person.
Carers’ personal budgets
Carers may be entitled to a personal budget. Entitlement to this is subject to completing a Local Authority carer’s assessment. This will demonstrate the impact that being a carer has on their life. It will establish if they have additional needs which need to be met.
Carers’ activities
Our carers’ activities programme includes our Pampering Day in June, during National Carers’ Week, and our Chanukah Party. We also hold monthly coffee evenings for carers at the Maccabi Clubhouse in north Manchester.
Should you or someone you know need more information about this service please contact our Referral and Advice Officer, Victoria who is available every weekday from 9.30am – 12.30pm on 0161 772 4800 or email victoria.m@thefed.org.uk
