Support for carers
Carers play a vital role in providing care to ill, frail or disabled family members, friends or partners. The care they provide is unpaid. If you are a carer, you are not alone - every day six thousand people take on a caring responsibility.
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust in partnership with Carers NI have developed an A-Z guide to support them in that role. This includes information and contact details for help available from the voluntary sector. Brief details on financial help and information for young carers is outlined in this section of the website.
Carers' Co-ordinator
The Trust has a Carers' Co-ordinator who can help carers by:
- Providing information advice and resources for carers
- Connecting carers with a member of Trust staff for example a social worker or district nurse who could carry out an assessment - please see our guide to who works in health/social services
- To provide information for and to support carers support groups in the Northern Trust area
- To promote, devise and deliver training to enpower and support carers
- To gather informaiton about the needs of carers in order to inform future of Trust services
For more information on all the help and support available to carers contact the Carers' Co-ordinator on 028 2766 1392, email anne.cummings@northerntrust.hscni.net or write to Anne Cummings, Carers' Co-ordinator, Route Complex, 8e Coleraine Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BP.
Carer Assessment
A Carer Assessment can be carried out which gives carers an opportunity to tell us about the care they provide and how it affects their life. For more information see the Carer Assessment leaflet.
Carers Register
The Carers' Co-ordinator has a Carers Register which is only used to contact carers with relevant information about up-coming events, information about Carers Week or consultation events. If you wish your name and address to be held on this register please complete and return the registration form.
Extracare Family Training Programme
If you are an informal (unpaid) carer and need extra support with your caring responsibilities, your social care or health care worker such as a social worker, occupational therapist or district nurse can refer you to the Trust's Family Training Programme. This is a scheme whereby a trained professional will visit your home and provide you with information or training around a variety of issues, depending on your needs. In the past carers have received information/training on stress management, relaxation techniques, moving and handling and back care.
Related links
Carer support groups in the Northern Trust area
Northern Ireland Regional Young Carers Services website
AgeNI leaflet - Live Life Your Way - Supporting people in later life to live independently in their own homes
Publications
DHSSPS A Carer's Guide to Hospital Discharge
DHSSPS Carer's Strategy - Caring for Carers
DHSSPS Complete A-Z for Carers
Balancing Life and Caring - Carers UK leaflet
Looking after someone leaflet
Page last updated:19 December 2012
