Do you give help to a relative or friend who is ill, disabled, elderly or who has a mental health problem? Do you need:-
- Information
- Support
- Advice
- Someone to talk to?
Then contact us (See the link in 'Also in')
Who are Carers?
Carers are ordinary people whose lives change because they are looking after relatives or friends who, because of disability, illness or the effects of old age, cannot manage at home without help.
- 1 in 8 people in the UK is a Carer
- 24% of people aged 45-64 are Carers
- 32% of carers provide 20 or more hours of care per week
- Up to 51,000 children may be Carers
It is estimated that there are up to 35,076 Carers in the Wakefield District. Some Carers provide just a few hours care a week, for others it is a 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week job. The person cared for may live with the Carer, just around the corner, or some distance away.
Caring can be rewarding and satisfying but it can also be tiring and stressful.
What can Carers Wakefield and District do for you?
The association offers a confidential information and support service to Carers. We try to help by:-
- Giving you time to talk – in confidence and at your own pace
- Giving you information about the help that is available
- Helping you “through the system” to arrange the support you need
- Putting you in touch with other Carers and Support Groups
- Keeping in touch with you, if you would like us to do so
We have information about:-
- Breaks for Carers
- Equipment
- Services
- Benefits
- Illnesses
- Disabilities
- Other Organisations
The association also:-
- Provides information and support to carers and professionals who work with Carers
- Provides an advocacy service for carers
- Produces a booklet on Carers Groups and other Support Groups in the District
- Organises training for Carers
- Promotes better support for Carers by working with other organisations
- Helps to identify gaps in services and highlights the effect on Carers
- Offers training and awareness-raising for professionals who work with Carers
Carers Resource Room
This is a brand new service for carers and provides a place to relax, meet other carers, get your information needs met and have access to and Information Resource Officer for support and advice.
For more information please contact the association using the contact details above.
Helping Carers to Take a Break - ‘My Time’
The ‘My Time’ fund provides support to carers to help get a break from caring.
The break may be a holiday, a weekend break, a college course, or social outing. As long as the break is a bona-fida break from caring all requests will be considered.
For more information please contact the association (see 'Also In').
