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Am I a Carer?
If you are looking after or helping anyone who is ill, disabled or frail, then you are a carer, no matter how many hours your caring role involves.
Carers can be women, men or children of any age, and come from all social classes, income groups and cultural or ethnic origins.
Carers are unpaid (paid carers are usually called “Care Workers”), and the responsibility of caring can restrict their lives.
The government’s estimate is that one in eight of the population is a carer – the 2001 census showed that there are about 19,500 carers in this western part of West Sussex. There is no typical carer – each carer is an individual.
Because all carers are different, it is important that local services hear the voice of carers. Only in that way can services be responsive to real needs and meet the many situations in which carers find themselves.
Many carers also say that they need recognition of the role they have undertaken. Caring can be very hard work, and may well mean that someone who is ill or disabled can stay at home, rather than being cared for in a residential setting.
The Carers Support Service believes that carers play a vital role in our community, and have a right to support, a say in the services they receive and need, and up-to-date reliable information.
If you have something to say about the services you receive in this area, or would like further information, please do contact us.
Would you like a break from your caring role? Why not apply to the Short Breaks for Carers fund administered here at the Carers Support Service. Telephone 01243 537011 for more detailsCome to one of our events to talk to other carers about their similar situations or just come to relax in a friendly environment.Please see Events for more information.If you need respite care for your cared for, please call the Carers Support Service (CSS) on 01243 537011.We also have Carers Support Groups that run monthly in Bognor Regis, Chichester, Selsey and the Wittering area.They are there to support you through your caring role and organise days outs, tea and chat and speakers both fun and educational.For more information or to come to one of our events or support groups please call the CSS on 01243 537011.Grants for CarersA Princess Royal Trust for Carers Grant may be able to help Carers financially. Click here for more details.We also have information on the Kathleen and Sidney Linkins Memorial Trust Fund offering help to people in need over the age of 60Please call the CSS on 01243 537011 for more informationTop Ten is a list of the organisations that we refer carers to most often.Carers Information Highway is an exercise to help those working with carers assess their information provision. |
