Carers' Help and Information

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Getting Information for Carers

The Carers' Directory gives details about where you can go for services, support and advice and includes information about health, social care and voluntary organisations. It also includes help lines, details of carer support groups, website address and email contacts. There is a new section in the Directory called 'Being Prepared for an Emergency'. If you would like to know what Community Care Services provide in Kingston, please see our Support for Carers leaflet by following the links at the bottom of the page.

Ed Davey, MP, is conducting three surveys of different groups in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, affected by disabilities:

·Survey One: adults with disabilities (July 2011)

·Survey Two: children with disabilities (September 2011)

·Survey Three: carers (November 2011)

A link to the carers' survey will be added to this page once live, but until then to find out more, visit Ed's webpage: Campaigning to Improve the lives of Disabled People

Across London, carers have told us they feel confused about personal budgets and how they affect them so London authorities were given some money to produce a guide for carers. Because each local authority works slightly differently, this guide has been put together explaining the facts, but gives carers some suggestions for questions they might like to ask their local authority. Below you will find the print version and the read version, as well as a basic guide to local organisations that was produced to accompany it.

Please click on Caring and Dementia on the left to find a range of Fact / Information Sheets from the Alzheimers Society and the recently produced 'Your Guide to Dementia Services in Kingston' for people with dementia and their family and friends. The guide summarises the different kinds of dementia, what can be done to minimise the impact, hints and tips about staying well, services and support and mcuh more.

Receiving Information by email

If you are caring for someone living in the Royal Borough of Kingston and would like to receive updates via email about events, new services and anything else relating to carers, please email your details to kirstie.cochrane@rbk.kingston.gov.uk, including who you care for, their age, disability or condition. (This helps us to make sure we send you information that will be useful to you and your situation).

Checklist for Carers – Being Prepared in an Emergency

Emergencies can happen at any time of day or night and can be traumatic, confusing and chaotic. Thinking through and planning ahead might help to ease the sense of panic we feel in a crisis. Some carers have a good network of friends and family willing to step in at a moment's notice, other carers have no one they can rely on. This checklist is of things you might wish to consider if something were to happen to you, including what may be needed, getting your own plan in place and preparing people who you might need to call upon. Please use the link below to access the checklist. For your own laminated copy please ring Brenda on 020 8547 6123.

Carers' Emergency Alert Card Scheme

Do you worry about what would happen to the person you care for if you were involved in an accident or emergency situation? Why not join our free Carers' Alert Card Scheme, whereby the details of who you care for, what they need and who to call in an emergency to take your place, are logged with a 24 hour call centre. Use the links below to apply.

Wheelchair loan scheme for carers

We have two wheelchairs available for carers to borrow on short term loan, one is for people up to 18 stone and the other for people up to 22 stone. Both are lightweight to make it easier to transport and safer for carers' backs.

The service aims to assist carers in a crisis, for example if the wheelchair of the person they care for breaks down and there is a time delay in getting it fixed or repaired. However, emergencies don’t happen very often so other carers are able to borrow them occasionally for short periods of time.

SCAMS - protect yourself and the person you care for

Most people know that if it seems too good to be true, it usually is. There is an ever increasing number of conmen and scams around so it is important to do what you can to avoid the traps. This leaflet sets out to advise carers of what they can do to protect themselves and the people they care for. Please click on the link below or contact Brenda on 020 8547 6123 for a copy.

Money to take a break of your choice

(Direct payments for carers scheme)

Carers on a low income and assessed as needing a break, may be entitled to receive a direct payment to spend in a way that suits them best. Some examples of how carers have chosen to spend their direct payment include taking up a new hobby, going on a course, going swimming, to the theatre, having a meal out, taking a day trip or using it to contribute towards gym or golf club membership. Carers can apply to receive Direct Payments for Carers through the appropriate Community Care Services team. See main Carers page for details on how to Get the Support You Need.

Active Leisure Card

If you live in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and you receive Carer's Allowance, you can apply for a Leisure Card. The card gives you discounts at all of our Leisure Centres. Download an application form using the link below.

Handy Person Scheme

This service is for people living in the Royal Borough of Kingston who are mentally ill, disabled or over 65 and on an income related benefit. However, if you provide regular and substantial care for someone living in the borough, are on an income related benefit, also live in the borough and have no one else who could carry out the job that needs doing then you too can use this service.

The sort of jobs the handy person can do includes clearing away overgrowth from the garden, replacing light bulbs, fitting door chains, smoke alarms and minor household repairs and maintenance.

There is no charge but you must pay for any materials needed. Contact 020 8547 6220, leave your name and address and you will be sent a referral form to fill in. If you need help to fill in the form, leave your name and contact telephone number and someone will ring you back.

Carers go free to the Cinema

If the person you care for receives Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, you can go to the cinema with them for free. The card costs £5.50 and is valid for 1 year in many cinemas including the Odeon and the UCI. Visit their website under Related External Links at the bottom of this page for more information.

Where else can I get help?

NHS Choices is a national service providing 24 hour advice about a range of health and social care needs. It continues to run the NHS Direct 24 hour helpine 0845 4647 but now has a dedicated helpline for carers 0808 802 0202 available between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 4pm at weekends. NHS Choices has a well developed website which includes Carers Direct, providing a wealth of information and advice. Visit their website under Related External Links at the bottom of this page for more information.

Kingston Carers Network offers information, support and advice to people who provide care for a friend or relative living in the borough of Kingston. They provide a regular newsletter to keep carers up to date and hold meetings to share information and to let carers have a say about what they need. Visit their website under Related External Links at the bottom of this page for more information.

Kingston Carers' Network
Noble Centre
109a Blagdon Road
New Malden
KT3 4BD
Telephone: 020 3031 2757

Carers UK is the voice of carers and the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation for carers. Visit their website under Related External Links at the bottom of this page for more information.