Top Ten

This page lists just a few of the organisations we get asked about most, and gives you a taste of the information that we can provide you with. To download or look at the full Carers Information Pack, please go to Carers Information Pack also on the main menu.

Carers Support Service - Regis, Chichester & Rural

Offers confidential information on services available, one to one support, advocacy, free news sheet, information about carers groups, details about how to get involved in working for better services for carers, support if you want to comment or complain about services.
1st Floor, 1-2 St Pancras, Chichester PO19 7SJ.
Tel: 01243 537011

Social Services Help Desks

All Social Services locality offices have the Help Desk as the point of contact to their services Trained advisers will tell you what is available through the Social Services Department and will also give you information about other care services in your area.
Social Services Locality Offices open Mon-Fri 9.00a.m.- 5.00p.m.
Social Services Help Desks open 9.30a.m.-1p.m &.2p.m.-4.30p.m

Tel: 01243 642555 (Main switchboard)

Bognor Regis

Durban House, Durban Road, Bognor Regis PO22 9RE

Chichester

1a East Row, Chichester PO19 1PD

Out of Hours Helpline Tel: 01903 694422

Arun Lifeline

Help at the touch of a button - a telephone based link with a 24 hour central control and caring staff to arrange help in emergencies. Available to those in the Arun District Council area.

Opening hours Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.
Contact: Tel: 01903 737970 and ask for Arun Lifeline.

Chichester Community Care Line

Operated and managed by Chichester District Council the service provides an on call alarm system for residents of Chichester District. An alarm unit is installed for a charge and connected to the telephone. The individual can ask for assistance at any time, from the trained staff at the control center, by pressing a button on the alarm pendant that is provided when the system is installed. Other telecare equipment is also available such as fall sensors, movement detectors and keysafes.

Contact: Chichester Community Care Line at Florence Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 2GU on 01243 778688

Citizens Advice Bureau ( C.A.B. )

The Citizens Advice Bureau gives a free, confidential advice service on a wide range of subjects including benefits entitlement, debt, housing, employment and consumer queries, legal problems, immigration and discrimination. It is an independent service and gives advice in an unbiased way. CABs run outreach services in more rural areas. Contact your local Bureau for opening hours and additional services that may be available.

Bognor C.A.B. Tel: 0845 1203700 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Chichester C.A.B Tel: 01243 784231 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm

ICIS (Independent Combined Information Service )

A contact for people in need of help when they are not sure "What to do", "Where to go" or "Who can help" in West Sussex.
Confidential and free service to put people in touch with support, advice, activities, services and care in the community. A wide range of information for people of all ages, with any disability; carers and relatives; friends and professionals.

ICIS, 35 Worthing Road, East Preston Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 1BQ.
Voice or textphone. Freephone 0800 859929 Fax 01903 777601 Mon-Fri 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4pm.

Email enquiries@icis-info4life.org.uk, Website www.icis-info4life.org.uk

Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service (PALS)

This is a confidential service providing advice and support in sorting out any concerns that a patient or carer may have about the care that is being received through an NHS Trust or Primary Care Trust. The service provides information to patients, carers and their families about local health services and puts people in touch with local support groups. They can also tell people about the complaints procedure and signpost them to the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS). Each Trust has their own PALS Manager and you will need to contact the one that is relevant to you.

West Sussex PCT -Phone: 01903 708400

Website: www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk

West Area (Arun, Chichester, Bognor Regis and Midhurst)

01243 534035

email: pals@westsussexpct.nhs.uk

Crossroads Care South Central

A registered charity which supports and provides respite to people who care for a disabled, ill or elderly person at home. The service is provided for carers and cared for, from Climping to Bognor Regis, Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth and surrounding areas.
Tel: 01903 790270

Fax: 0870 8684909

Emergency respite service: 01403 243924

Email: admin@crossroadscaresc.org

Website: www.crossroadscaresc.org

Crossroads Rural Short Breaks Groups

A new facility, available to carers looking after someone over the age of 18 yrs, and who live near one of the groups. Trained staff are able to provide care for a wide range of disabilities, including physical disability, the elderly frail, early or mild dementia and sensory impairment. A wide range of activities are of offer including quizzes, games, guest speakers, discussion groups and crafts. The carer is also welcome to stay if they choose to.
Fernhurst and surrounding villages - The Fernhurst Village Hall every Tuesday from 1.30 to 4.30pm.
Selsey - The Selsey Methodist Church every Thursday from 1.30 - 4.30pm
Five Villages - Yapton & Ford Village Hall every Wednesday 1.30 - 4.30pm
Pagham - Pagham Village Hall every Monday from 1.30pm - 4.30pm.

For further details of venue, the facilities provided and to discuss the needs of the person being cared for, contact: Jackie Axton on 01243 830797.

Community Mental Health Teams

There are teams based at Chichester, Bognor and Midhurst. There are two teams at each location, one for younger people and one for older people (over 65, although the age split between the teams is flexible). Each team consists of Community Psychiatric Nurses, Doctors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapist, Support Worker and Admin Staff.

The older people’s teams work together to provide an assessment and treatment service for people with problems such as dementia or depression. Assessment can be provided at home, at the Day Hospital or in hospital as appropriate. The team can make referrals to a wide variety of other agencies including Day Centres and Home Care. Carer support including residential respite to give the carer a break can also be arranged.

The teams working with younger people (under 65s) are also closely linked with the Day Hospital

The team members are committed to offering an accessible and high quality service to those individuals who suffer some form of mental health problems. In each case a full assessment will be offered and care package tailored to individual needs. This may involve referrals to other appropriate services such as Psychology, Drug and Alcohol support and counselling services .

Referrals are usually through a GP. To contact the CMHTs:

Midhurst (18-65 years) Tel: 01730 811300
Midhurst (over 65 years) Tel: 01730 819130

Chichester (18-65 years) Tel: 01243 623400
Chichester (over 65 years) Tel: 01243 791833

Bognor (18-65 years) Tel: 01243 841041
Bognor (over 65 years) Tel: 01243 623800

Don't forget, full information on a wide range of other services

is available elsewhere on this site, and from the Service.

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 (CSS). Telephone 01243 537011 for more details

Come 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 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 Carers

A 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 60

Please call the CSS on 01243 537011 for more information

Top 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.