Support for Carers

[Services for Carers | Family Carer Training Programme | Belfast Carers Centre | Care Mentor Scheme | Pamper Days | Carer Complementary Therapy]

Introduction Carers services aim to support the health and wellbeing of carers through recognition of their role. This is done through a number of carer initiatives (listed below) which provide the opportunity for carers to have their needs assessed, have one to one support from another carer, information, training and breaks from their caring role. For more information on services available to carers click on one of the links above.

How to access the service Referrals can be made through the Carers Co-ordinator or people can self refer. Eligibility Criteria Carer services are open to all carers who may bebefit from them. Contact: Name: Margaret Mcdonald Job Title: Carers Co-ordinator Location: Glen Villa, Knockbracken Healthcare Park Tel ext: 028 9056 4937 Email: margaret.mcdonald@sebt.n-i.nhs.uk

Services for Carers Carers services aim to support the health and wellbeing of carers through recognition of their role. This is done through a number of carer initiatives which provide the opportunity for carers to have their needs assessed, have one to one support from another carer, information, training and breaks from their caring role. How to access the service Referrals can be made through the Carers Co-ordinator or people can self refer. Eligibility Criteria Carer services are open to all carers who may bebefit from them. Contact: Name: Margaret Mcdonald Job Title: Carers Co-ordinator Location: Glen Villa, Knockbracken Healthcare Park Tel ext: 028 9056 4937 Email: margaret.mcdonald@sebt.n-i.nhs.uk

Family Carer Training Programme Provides individual training for carers around parctical caring skills such as manual handling and personal care. Support is also provided around stress management and confidence building. Training and support can be provided in the carers home or if the training is outside the home a sitting service is provided as part of the project. How to access the service Referral forms are available from the Carers Co-ordinator on Tel: 028 9056 4937. People can refer through another healthcare professional. Eligibility criteria The family carer Training Programme is open to carers who have an identified training need. Contact Name: Margaret McDonald Job Title: Carers Co-ordinator Location: Glen villa, Knockbracken Healthcare Park Tel ext: 028 9056 4937 Email: margaret.mcdonald@sebt.n-i.nhs.uk

Belfast Carers Centre Belfast Carers centre provides confidential information, advice and support on issues related to the caring role. This includes advice on benefits, access to carer bursaries and the chance to meet other carers and receive social support. How to access the service Referrals can be made by contacting the Centre directly on Tel: 028 9043 4700. People can self refer. Eligibility criteria Any carer can contact the Centre. Contact Name: Ricky Devlin Job Title: Cenrtre Manager Location: 2nd Floor, 58 Howard Street, belfast, BT1 6PJ Tel ext: 028 9043 4700 Email: info@carerscentre.org

Care Mentor Scheme A team of trained and experienced carers provide information and support to carers who are either new to the role or experiencing difficulties. These volunteers called Carer Mentors provide listening support and encourage carers to look after their own health needs. They usually meet the carer on a fortnightly basis for a period of up to six months. They can meet inside or outside the carers home. How to access the service Referral forms for the Carer Mentor Scheme are availiable from the Carers Co-ordinator on Tel: 028 9056 4937. Referral Process Anyone is free to refer themselves to the Carer Mentor Scheme. Eligibility Criteria The Carer Mentor Scheme is open to carers who would benefit from one to one support. Contact: Name: Margaret McDonald Job Title: Carers Co-ordinator Location: Glen villa, Knockbracken Healthcare Park Tel ext: 028 9056 4937 Email: margaret.mcdonald@sebt.n-i.nhs.uk

Pamper Days Carer Pamper days are organised every two months where groups of carers are taken to Drumalis in larne by the sea. The programme for the day includes relaxation, individual complementary therapy treatments and home cooked food. Transport is provided to and from Drumalis free of charge. Carers support weekends are provided to give carers a longer break. Again the programme incluses relaxation, complementary therapies and opportunities to meet other carers. This support is provided outside of belfast. Free transport is provided for carers. How to access this service Referrals can be made by contacting the Carers Co-ordinator on Tel: 028 9056 4937. People can self refer. Eligibility Criteria The pamper Days and Carer Support Weekends are open to carers who are under stress and would benefit from this support.

Carer Complementary Therapy Courses of six complementary treatments are offered to carers. Treatments can be provided in the carers home or can be accessed outside the home at a time and place to suit the carer. Treatments include aromatherapy massage, indian head massage, reflexology and other treatments depending on what the carer finds beneficial. How to access the service Referrals can be made by contacting the Carers co-ordinator on Tel: 028 9056 4937. People can self refer. Eligibility criteria The courses are open to carers who are under stress and would benefit from this support. Contact Name: Margaret McDonald Job Title: Carers co-ordinator Location Glen villa, Knockbracken Healthcare Park Tel ext: 028 9056 4937 Email: margaret.mcdonald@sebt.n-i.nhs.uk