5 minute read
Support for carers
The Worcestershire Travel Wallet is an exciting scheme which supports people with various disabilities to make the best use of public transport. It aims to help people overcome some of the daily communication barriers that they may face.
Under this scheme, if you have a disability, you will be provided with a recognisable plastic wallet which will enable you to organise your tickets/travel pass. It also enables you to display simple messages that you can show to drivers/ticket staff to assist in your journey. Some of these messages will be simple requests for patience, such as ‘please wait for me to find a seat’ and others might be more specific to your particular journey, such as ‘could you let me know when we get to the college’. You can show these cards when seeking assistance with your journey, whether this is when boarding a bus, buying tickets, on a train platform or in other circumstances.
The idea initially came from the Worcestershire People’s Parliament, which is an organisation comprised of people with learning disabilities and is fully supported by Worcestershire County Council as being of value to people with a wide range of disabilities or age-related frailty.
To request a wallet and a set of message cards, contact the Adult Contact Team. Tel: 01905 768053 Email: adultteam@worcestershire.gov.uk
Who is a carer?
A carer is anyone (including children and adults) who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
• Do you provide care to a family member, partner or friend?
• Do they need help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction?
• Are they unable to cope without your support?
• Is the care you give unpaid?
If the answer is ‘yes’ to these questions, then you are a ‘carer’. There is support for you if you need it or just want someone to talk to. You are not on your own.
Worcestershire’s ‘Carers Hub’
Worcestershire County Council has a duty to provide information, advice and support and promote the wellbeing of carers. We do this via the ‘Carers Hub’ which provides a single point of contact for all carers. The Carers Hub offers a range of support that may be required through your caring journey and beyond. Our aim is to empower and build resilience of carers in order to maintain the caring role where appropriate and help to manage the impact of the role on the carer’s life.
If further support is required, carers are also entitled to a carers’ assessment. This looks at the impact of caring on you as a result of your caring role and identifies any eligible needs you might have. It looks at how these needs can be met through a carers’ support plan.
What support is available?
The Carers Hub is provided by the Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC). WAC supports carers no matter what your level of caregiving or support requirements are.
Support provided includes:
• Full range of information, advice and support (helpline, web chats, website, face-to-face, drop-in and group based).
• Emergency, contingency and future planning.
• Training/information and wellbeing sessions.
• Employment, education and volunteering opportunities.
• Engaging with the local community, awareness raising and partnership working.
The Carers Hub works with various services to support carers to identify the resources already available to them from their family, friends and community networks and put support in place to complement these where necessary.
Young carers
Young carers can access support from YSS (Youth Support Services). The support available includes signposting, one-to-one support and youth clubs for young people with a caring role at home.
Worcestershire Association of Carers
Tel: 0300 012 4272 (Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 7.00pm; and Saturday, 9.00am to 12.00pm. Check webpage for any changes in earlier or later opening times). Email: mail@carersworcs.org.uk Web: www.carersworcs.org.uk/worcestershire-
integrated-carers-hub Worcestershire Young Carers
Tel: 01905 619886 (Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm). Email: youngcarers@yss.org.uk Web:
www.yss.org.uk/worcestershire-young-carers
Resource for those supporting disabled children
My Family, Our Needs is an online resource providing impartial information for parents, carers and practitioners supporting children from birth to 25 years with additional needs.
As well as guidance, policy and signposting, there is a lifestyle section for parents covering topics such as health and wellbeing, work, family and relationships. Visit www.myfamilyourneeds.co.uk
Search for care in your area
www.carechoices.co.uk
With so many providers to choose from, where do you start?
• Find care providers quickly and easily • Search by location and care need • Information on care quality • Links to inspection reports • Additional information, photos and web links • Brochure requests
About us
Caremark is a home care provider offering care and support to people in their own homes and community. We are here to support you manage daily tasks so you can enjoy your life to the fullest. Our dedicated care team are here to assist you to remain as independent as possible, with the dignity you deserve. Caremark understands that you are unique and takes great care to match carers and customers, ensure compatibility, empathy and mutual respect. Your care package will be tailored to your specific needs.
Our Services
• All aspects of personal care • Assistance with daily living • Meal preparation and assistance with daily nutrition • General companionship • Respite care for carers • Support to maintain your safety and security • Assistance with medication
Free no obligation care needs assessment by senior member of staff. Please contact us for more information.
Habito is a 24/7 live in care and support service for customers who would like to continue living in their own home but would like some care and support with day-to-day living. Habito gives you greater choice and control during your day and means you can enjoy much more flexibility.
