Mental Health Services—Carers
Are you a carer?
A carer is anyone who spends time and energy looking after a friend, relative, neighbour or spouse who is ill or disabled. This may be a full-time activity or as little as keeping a regular eye on someone. You may not think of yourself as a carer because you undertake your tasks out of love or friendship. Many carers do not recognise themselves as such and therefore do not always seek information or know where to look for further help.
Your Own Needs as a Carer
It is essential for a carer to be aware of the need to look after their own health and mental well being. Carers are vulnerable to poor health and depression. Regular breaks from caring are advisable. Isolation can be a major problem. It is important for carers to maintain and cultivate connections outside the home.
As part of the Care Programme Approach the mental health services are in a position to meet the needs of carers more effectively than in the past. The CPA care co-ordinator in the community, or primary nurse on a ward, has the role of identifying carers in each case, and then talking to them to see what they need. You may need information, time booked with a psychiatrist, support through carer’s self-help groups, or professional advice, amongst other things. Under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000 you are entitled to an assessment of you own needs as a carer. (This right exists whether or not the person you care for is on the CPA).
A carer’s assessment may lead to a range of services being provided to you, to help you carry on in your caring role. This might include respite for you as a carer through the cared for person going to stay in a residential care home for a week, or financial assistance with transport costs. This funding comes via the carer’s grant which is paid by the government to local authorities.
Emergency Help
For assistance outside office hours contact the Emergency Duty Team.
Telephone 01733 561370
Local Contacts
Age Concern
2 Victoria Street
Chatteris
Cambs
PE16 6AP
Tel: 01480 218643
Email: office@accambs.org
Website: www.accambs.org
Age Concern Day Centre
Ambury Road
Huntingdon
PE18 5EL
Tel: 01480 435624
Referrals taken on advice from Social Workers or by direct application. Open Wednesday 9.30-3.00pm and Friday 9.30-3.00pm. A charge of £3 is made which includes a meal. Age Concern has a support worker for older carers and carers of older people in Huntingdonshire. The support worker provides information, support, and will liaise with other agencies on behalf of carers.
Age Concern Voluntary Visiting Scheme
Oak House
28 New Street
St. Neots
PE19 1AJ
Tel: 01480 476047
Tuesdays and Thursday 9.30 - 1.30pm. Answerphone service at other times
Email:stneots@accambs.org
The scheme offers volunteers to visit isolated, lonely or housebound older people. They visit to offer companionship for an hour or so each week. Each situation is assessed individually, and includes people with mild dementia problems. Referrals are taken from social services, health workers, relatives or from an individual approach.
Age Concern Mental Health Advocacy
L12, South Fens Business Park
Fenton Way
Chatteris
PL16 6US
Tel: 01353 696541
Email: advocacy@accambs.org
Age Concern Cambridgeshire provides a free professional casework Advocacy Service for people over sixty five with mental health
needs. The service also extends to those with early onset dementia. Issues covered by advocacy are many and varied, and are led by
the needs of the individual. Age Concern advocates are independent of the statutory services, and referrals can be made by anyone.
They would also like to hear from anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer advocate. Please contact Karen Barkham or Maggie
Platts.
Alzheimer’s Society
Room 73
The Newtown Centre
Nursery Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3RJ
Tel: 01480 415235
Email: alzheimers@waitrose.com
This free service offers support for people with dementia and their carers, both on a practical and emotional level. The office is open Monday – Friday, answerphone available 24hours. Referrals can be made via agencies, but self referrals are also accepted. To find out about support groups in the area please phone the above number.
Carers’ UK Huntingdonshire
The Maple Centre
6 Oak Drive
Huntingdon
PE29 7HN
Tel: 01480 420615
Aims to listen to Carers, represent their interests and views, identify the most urgent needs of Carers and to develop means of doing something about them, locally and nationally. Offering information and advice, support, a listening ear. Carer's emergency cards and a regular newsletter. Office open Tuesday 10am –2pm.
Crossroads Young Carers Project Huntingdonshire
8 The Meadow
Meadow Lane
St. Ives
Cambs
PE27 4LG
Tel: 0845 241 2125
Email: lucy.franclin@youngcarershunts.org.uk
Young Carers are children and young people whose lives are affected by caring for a family member who has a disability, long term illness, mental health problem or who misuses drugs or alcohol. They may be the main carer or they may share just some of the caring responsibilities. The Young Carers project aims to give young carers the chance to meet with others in similar situations and have a break from caring and some fun. We currently run six groups and offer specialist one to one support, day trips and residentials. The project also runs focus days and short projects.
Drinksense
1 Ferrars Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3DH
Tel: 01480 456956
Email: huntingdon@drinksense.org
Drinksense offers free one-to-one counselling and support for drinkers, their families and carers. Generally people self refer but third party referrals are accepted with the client’s consent. Telephone support can also be arranged. Training and consultancy for paid workers, volunteers, and employers is also available at a cost.
The Spinney Carers Project
The Spinney Surgery
Ramsey Road
St Ives
PE27 4TP
Tel: 0844 477 3603
Email: info@spinney-surgery.org.uk
Website: www.spinney-surgery.org.uk
The Spinney Carers Project aims to raise the awareness of the primary Health Care Team to Carers and their needs, and to involve carers as partners in identifying ways of improving services for carers within the practice. Carers are given better access to information to keep them informed of local initiatives and offered care and support by giving carers time to discuss their problems.
West Anglia Crossroads Caring for Carers
8 The Meadow
Meadow Lane
St. Ives
Cambs
PE27 4LG
Tel: 0845 241 0954
Email: care@westangliacrossroads.org.uk
Provides care support workers to give short, respite or regular breaks to carers of people with physical disabilities, who may also have mental health or drug and alcohol problems. Care is provided at home and can include assistance with preparing meals, shopping, feeding assistance at mealtimes and personal care. The service is available any day, from early morning until late evening after an individual assessment is made by the Manager or Care Co-ordinator to determine need. Crossroads have an open referral system. Free care is available, but can also be purchased by Social Services for individual families.
National Contacts
ADFAM
25 Corsham Street
London N16 DR
Tel: 0207 553 7640
Email: admin@adfam.org.uk
Website: www.adfam.org.uk
Provides information of local services in your area and leaflets for family and friends of drug users. Open Monday – Friday 9.00am-5.00pm.
Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire
61 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YF
Tel: 020 7403 0888
Email: enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Al-Anon offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers. For details of meetings in the Huntingdon area contact the above phone number between 10.00-10.00pm weekdays. Outside these hours please ring the above number for other times.
Carers’ UK
32-36 Loman Street
Southwark
London SE1 0EE
Tel: 0207 922 8000
Advice Line: 0808 8087777
Email: info@carersuk.org
Website: www.carersuk.org
This service can provide advice by letter or telephone. It campaigns for increased support and benefits and produces a carer’s emergency card. The Carers line is open 10.00am-12 noon and 2.00pm-4.00pm, Monday to Friday. They have a range of written materials available for young and older carers.
Depression UK
Self Help Nottingham
Ormiston House
32-36 Pelham Street
Nottingham
NG1 2EG
Email: info@depressionuk.org
Website: www.depressionuk.org
National self-help/mutual aid organisation for those with depression and for family and friends. Contacts via pen-friend scheme, bi-monthly newsletter, leaflets, booklist, some local support groups.
First Steps To Freedom
Helpline: 0845 120 2916
Website: www.first-steps.org
Offers advice, support and counselling to people who suffer from phobias, general anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, eating disorders and people who wish to come off tranquillisers. Can also support their carers. Produces leaflets, booklets, videos & relaxation tapes. Available daily 10am-10pm.
Gamblers Anonymous
P.O. Box 5382
W1A 6SA
Tel: 0207384 3040 (24 hrs advice and support line)
Tel: 0762 694 7800 (free literature)
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Gam-Anon for family and friends of compulsive gamblers is at the same telephone number.
MDF (The BiPolar Organisation)
Castleworks
21 St Georges Road
London
SE1 6ES
Tel: 08456 340 540 (UK only)
Tel: 0044 207 793 2600 (Rest of the world)
Email: mdf@mdf.org.uk
Website: www.mdf.org.uk
The Manic Depression Fellowship is the largest self help organisation in the UK for people who experience episodes of manic depression, and their families. They provide advice, support, specialist literature, and information on local self-help groups. Self-help groups offer members the opportunity to meet other people who have been through similar experiences, and they can help lessen the sense of isolation and provide a safe place. For effective treatment of manic depression, the right combination of medication, support and self-management is essential. By participation in self-help and self-management, members can regain autonomy, well-being and self-esteem.
Miscarriage Association
c/o Clayton Hospital
Northgate
Wakefield
W. Yorks
WF1 3JS
Tel: 01924 200799
Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
They provide support for women and their families around the issue of miscarriage. For your local support group please ring the above number.
National Women and Mental Health Infoline
Threshold
14 St George’s Place
Brighton
BN1 4GB
Tel: 0808 808 6000 (Infoline)
Tel: 01273 626444 (Office)
Email: infoline@thresholdwomen.org.uk
Website: www.bht.org.uk
Contact opening hours are:
- Monday, Wednesday 10am-12pm and 2pm-4.30pm
- Tuesday, Thursday 2pm-4.30pm
- 24 hours answerphone at other times
National infoline is run by women for women. It provides information for women with mental health difficulties and their carers. Women who are emotionally distressed, people working in the mental health field or anyone with an enquiry about women’s mental health. Includes information on self help and support groups, counselling and therapy organisations, statutory services (e.g. day centres), legal centres, medication and complementary therapies. All calls charged at local rate. Service covers UK.
Rethink (National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
5th Floor
Royal London House
22 - 25 Finsbury Square
London EC2A 1DX
Tel: 0845 456 0455
Email: info@rethink.org
Website: www.rethink.org
Anyone affected by mental illness can call their advice line (020 8974 6814) Mondays to Fridays, 10.00am-3.00pm for free independent advice and practical help.
Young Minds
48 - 50 St. John Street
London ECIM 4DG
Tel: 0207 336 8445 (general office)
Email: enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
Email: magazine@youngminds.org.uk
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
This is a national, confidential service for parents and carers who are concerned about the mental health or emotional well-being of a child or young person. Young Minds Parents Information Service provides information and details of local and national advice and helping services, and printed information on a range of mental health issues. Tel 0800 018 2138 (calls charged at local rate).
