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Many Carers find that a caring role can become very isolating, that it is difficult to find useful information and there is often no one to talk to who understands what it is like to be a Carer. We are here to help you and some of the services that we can offer are shown below.
1 to 1 support Benefits advice Coping with caring Former carers Information
Practical training Publications Social meetings Support meetings Therapy sessions
1 to 1 support- Having somewhere and someone to talk to about being a Carer is a tremendous benefit, especially to those Carers who feel themselves isolated. You can talk to us on the 'phone, or perhaps arrange to drop in to the office for a chat over a cup of coffee (we can help with transport costs if this is difficult for you). You could also email us on office@mkcarers.org and we will get back to you.
Benefits advice - Often , Carers may not realise that they are entitled to Carers Allowance or Carers' Council Tax Discount or a range of other benefits. The cared for person may also not be aware of their entitlement to benefits. We may be able to help you with this, or to refer you to another appropriate organisation.
Coping with caring- Few Carers have any formal advice or training in how to cope with a caring situation. Our 'Caring for the Carer' courses are friendly and fun but are also aimed at improving your ability to cope with your caring role: how to say NO! for example, without feeling guilty. Many Carers have benefited from these courses which run three times a year. See (Caring for the Carer)
Information- Having access to the most appropriate information; about an illness; about health or social care services, about support organisations, is essential to Carers. We have details of hundreds of national and local organisations who may be able to help you.
Practical training - Some caring roles involve helping people who have mobility problems and this can result in Carers injuring themselves. Around 50% of Carers have been found to have a physical injury which is due to their caring role. We are able to offer training sessions in moving and handling techniques and in how to look after your back! These are part of a range of training options which we are currently able to offer as part of a programme for 2005 & 2006, funded by the European Social fund (ESF).
Publications - We produce a 12 page quarterly newsletter called 'Who Cares?'. It is sent to all the Carers that we are in touch with and includes a wide range of information about national and local events, letters from Carers, book reviews, information about interesting events and much, much, more... Our library has an increasing number of books and videos on a wide range of specific disabilities or illnesses. Most of them are available for loan by Carers.
Social meetings - Our popular monthly 'Coffee Mornings' are open to all Carers and former Carers. They offer a chance to relax over refreshments, talk to other Carers, perhaps get to spend some time on our Carers' computer, or check through our second hand book stall. The 'Crafty Carers' group also provides an for an opportunity to meet up with other Carers socially as well as improving or learning a variety of craft skills. An increasing number of Carers are involved in patchwork quilts, embroidery, card making, cross stitch... We have equipment available to use or learn on as well as other Carers available to provide individual tuition and demonstrations.
Support meetings - With over 70 of these each year there are plenty of opportunities for support FOR YOU, to find out useful information and to get to meet other Carers. There are morning, afternoon and evening meetings, some held at our Central Milton Keynes offices, others in Bletchley and Newport Pagnell. Some of the meetings are specifically for Carers of people with a mental illness, others are for those Carers whose caring role has ended, either through bereavement or the cared for person moving to a long term care home.
Therapy sessions - We are delighted to be able to offer a number of free therapy sessions at many of our support group meetings. The qualified therapists provide a range of therapies, all aimed at providing a pleasant 'stress-busting' experience for you. Although they take place with you remaining fully clothed they are no less effective for that. Why not treat yourself by asking to book a session at one of the support groups. Because of their popularity and the limited number of sessions that is available we do try to give priority to those Carers for whom it would be their first time.
Former carers - Often, when a caring role ends, through bereavement of though a person moving into a long term care setting, there can be difficulties for the Carer in addition to the feelings of loss. These can include; loss of status as a Carer; the withdrawal of financial benefits such as Carers Allowance or Council Tax discount; the necessity, if of working age, to find employment without appropriate skills or references; even the necessity of having to move house. It has also been found that the time needed to work through a bereavement can be longer in the case of a person who had an extensive caring role. We recognise these many difficulties and aim to support former Carers through our special monthly support group meetings and, on a 1 to 1 basis, with individual Carers. We also have information on support available for those seeking to return to work. Whatever your situation, we would be pleased to hear from you.
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