Carer Centres
Easington District Carers Support - is an independent charity managed by a board of trustees that includes six carers, employing a manager and carer support workers. The service works generically with carers, as well as offering a mental health and substance misuse support service, and a primary care carer support service. There are several support groups that meet monthly. One of these groups is for parents who care for disabled children.
One of the service’s priorities is to emphasise the emotional support needs of carers, recognising that many lose their ability to be themselves as a result of the caring responsibilities. Achieving this support has involved offering trips out to places of interest, accessing alternative therapy sessions and tasters in a whole range of activities from Egyptian belly dancing to glass painting.
Tel: 0191 5869134
Email: easington.carers@ntlbusiness.com
Durham Dales Action For Carers - is an Independent charity affiliated to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. In reflecting the geographical area covered by Wear Valley and Teesdale Carers Centres, the organisation’s name has changed to Durham Dales Action for Carers. Carers’ centres have been retained in both Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland, from which carer support groups are run and staff have their base. The centres aim to provide purposeful consultation and representation for carers, raising awareness of their needs and role, and ensuring effective services are made available.
A manager has overall responsibility for the two centres. Carer support workers and primary care link workers provide one-to-one emotional support, information and advice to carers. The service also offers subsidised complementary therapy sessions, organises trips and social events.
Tel: 01833 630202
Email: office@tccentre.fsnet.co.uk
Durham and Chester-le-Street Carers Support - is a registered independent charity managed by a trustee board, 75% of which are carers. A manager, administrative support and carer support workers staff the service. The specialist work of the support workers includes G.P. liaison and a specific service for carers of adults with learning disabilities, as well as offering advice, support and information in response to the needs of individuals who have identified themselves as carers.
The service works in partnership with carers and other agencies to ensure carers have a voice in the delivery and development of health and social care services. Other key aims include providing practical and emotional support to carers to ensure they can sustain their caring role if they so wish. The service became affiliated to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers early in 2004.
Tel: 0191 3871991
Email: info@dccarers.org
Sedgefield Locality Carers Centre - is a member of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, and an independent charity. A manager runs the day-to-day operations of the centre and a trustee board oversees the service. Support staff working at the centre includes a primary care liaison worker, volunteer co-ordinator, mental health carer support worker and a carers outreach worker.
The aim of the centre is to provide information, support and advice to carers who live in the locality, to enable them to continue to care. Support is also provided to former carers to help them through the bereavement process and get their lives on track. Work is ongoing by the centre to encourage people to recognise themselves as carers and access the support, benefits and services they are entitled to. The centre provides a range of services including home visits, a regular newsletter, carers’ groups, social events and activities.
Tel: 01325 313123
Email: sedgefieldcarers@btconnect.com
Derwentside Carers Centre - is an independent charity run by a trustee board, and affiliated to the Princess Royal Trust. The service operates with a manager, carer support worker, administrative support and a home care co-ordinator. Care workers are also employed to provide domiciliary care services in the home, specifically aimed at enabling carers to take time out as a break from their caring role.
The centre aims to promote the rights of carers and work with other organisations to ensure services are provided to meet their needs. The centre also provides emotional and practical support to carers from home visits, support groups, help with benefits, and access to training such as moving and handling.
Tel: 01207 502688
Email: carerscenter@aol.com
This is not a definitive guide to carer support services. There are many other organisations that provide services to carers of people with particular illnesses or disabilities, including the Alzheimer’s Society and Rethink. Check Community Information Online for more information.
Young Carers Projects
Young Carers are under 18 years of age and have lives that are restricted in some way due to assuming a level of responsibility for another person, which would usually be undertaken by an adult.
There are 2 organisations providing independent support for young carers in County Durham.
Barnardo’s Orchard Young Carers’ Service - provides support services to young carers in Derwentside and Easington. The project aims to make a positive difference primarily to the emotional well being of young carers. They do so by offering young carers the support of a safe environment to explore the impact of their caring role with an objective person, outside their own family, who has knowledge and understanding, and who can act where necessary to achieve positive change. The support offered includes meeting with other young carers, providing advice, advocacy, mediation, accessing community resources and respite. Work also takes place with family members, offering guidance to parents, e.g. about acceptable boundaries of behaviour, leading to parents having a clearer understanding of their children’s needs.
Tel: 0191 2404813
Email: orchard.project@barnardos.org.uk
DISC Young Carers’ Support - works in Sedgefield, Durham, Chester-le-Street, Teesdale and Wear Valley. The project works with a number of local and national agencies to help provide the best possible service to young carers and their families. They work to address the health issues, emotional problems, educational difficulties and social isolation that so often affect young people who take on a caring role. The service continually seeks the views of young people to ensure they continue to provide a service most appropriate to them. The support offered includes young carer support groups, one-to-one support, activities, training, freephone support service and advocacy.
Tel: 01325 313888
Email: youngcarers@disc-vol.org.uk
