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Support for Carers

Please Note: From 1st May 2019 these services for carers (detailed below) previously provided and managed by Volunteer Glasgow have been transferred to the Glasgow Association for Mental Health (GAMH).  After that date the below content is for information on services only, and these services are no longer provided or managed by Volunteer Glasgow.

picture - are you looking after someone - carers information 01413536504

Carers can be wives, husbands, partners, parents, daughters, sons, or neighbours who look after a relative or friend of any age who has: a physical disability, a learning disability, mental ill health, dementia, is dependent on alcohol or drugs, or who is elderly and frail.

As a carer, you may be doing one or more of these:

  • Providing personal care and/or physical Support
  • Medical tasks and/or rehabilitation tasks
  • Household tasks
  • Dealing with professionals
  • Letters, calls, meetings
  • Powers of attorney, guardianship
  • Taking care of financial matters
  • Listening, motivating & encouraging
  • Reducing isolation or helping with social activities
  • Or just being there…..

Caring for someone can be very rewarding, but it can also be very demanding. You may be worried about the person you care for, your finances or your health. You may be tired or under stress and you could benefit from having someone to talk to.

Support for carers is provided (from ages 8 years upwards) by looking at each individual caring situation to establish how you can be supported and to improve your quality of life while you are caring for someone.

Glasgow City Carers Partnership

The GCCP is the one-stop-shop approach for carers to access support services.  It brings together Glasgow City Council (GCC), Glasgow’s Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP), Acute Division of NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, (NHS GG&C), the network of voluntary sector carers centres and condition-specific organisations who have worked together to re-shape carer services and make best use of available resources.

Get yourself a Carers Assessment then get a Support Plan

Through the Glasgow City Carers Partnership, a universal offer of support is available to all identified carers and, once a completed Carers Self- Assessment is received (please see link/download below), carers will be allocated a Carer Support Worker to complete a Carers Assessment and Support Plan.

This is not about judging you; it is required to establish your caring role, discuss your needs and identify support.

What these Carers Services offer you:

  • Information and Advice – the GCCP carers services will help you cut through the bewildering range of services and support available to identify the things that YOU need.  Come to Carers Centre surgeries, phone your Carers Centre, or arrange a home visit.
  • Carer Breaks – get a short break from your caring role or a much needed holiday/activity break and use an approved care provider who will look after the person you care for, ensuring they are safe while you are out.  Short breaks are time-limited, but will allow you a little time out for an activity you may not have attended otherwise or just allow you to spend some time away from your caring role. Or get a Carers Privilege Card which gives a discount on some council services.
  • Income Maximisation – get a welfare benefits check-up to ensure you and the person you care for are on the right level of benefits.  You can also be referred to partners for financial resilience advice, additional benefits applications, or to help you apply for one off grants… for example: to purchase specialised pieces of equipment to assist the caring role.
  • Information Sessions and Training – come along to sessions on mental health first-aid, stress management, challenging behaviour, carer’s rights, confidence building, moving and assisting, personal development, illness-specific awareness sessions, and much more.  You’ll receive help to attend if you need transport or respite care.
  • Emotional Support – Support is offered on a one-to-one basis, or within our carer support groups. You can also be referred to specialist providers offering emotional support, stress management and therapies, and/or be referred for a Carer Health Review which looks at how your caring role is impacting on your health and wellbeing.
  • Having a Voice – A platform is provided to assist carers to help have their voices heard. Carers are encouraged to take part in the many consultation events/forums on offer (at both local and national level) –  for example:  the Carers Forum, which feeds into the Glasgow city-wide planning structure for carers.
  • Community Connections – Through effective signposting, social media, referrals and joint-working with local partners, carers have access to resources and support to access local services and engage in local activities.

How to get carer services:

If you do not live in either the South West or West of the city, you can be quickly signposted to your nearest service.

  • South West Glasgow Carers Centre
    Glasgow Association for Mental Health,
    11 Dava Street,
    Glasgow,
    G51 2JA.

    Telephone: 0141 882 4712
    E-mail: southwestcarers@gamh.org.uk

  • West Glasgow Carers Centre
    1561 Great Western Road,
    Glasgow,
    G13 1HN.

    Telephone: 0141 959 9871
    E-mail: westcarers@gamh.org.uk

All these services are confidential and free of charge.

Please note: All the above Carer Services complete Carer Support Plans on behalf of Glasgow City Council, and by agreeing to a Carer Support Plan you are agreeing to the Plan to be shared with Glasgow City Council.  The relevant privacy statement is available which confirms these details – you can find more details of the council’s role on the website details: www.glasgow.gov.uk/privacy.

Other Links and Useful Websites:

 


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