• Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA) (www.derbyshirecarers.co.uk) support Carers who look after a family member, partner, friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental ill health or an addiction.
Derbyshire Carers Association deliver a support service to all Carers, regardless of age, throughout Derbyshire (but not the city of Derby) through their “Derbyshire All Age Carer Support Service”. The services available are created to support Carers with the practical, physical, and the emotional impact of care giving. Derbyshire Carers Association provide Carers Assessments to identify the support you may need as a Carer and the things that could make your caring role easier for you.
A Carer Personal Budget (formally known as a Carer’s Break Award or Grant) is an amount of money arising from a Carers Assessment, which is to support you in your caring role. It is not means tested and, if you are eligible for this, you have a wide choice about how the money is spent. The budget is made available for you to spend on purchases or activities which improve your quality of life as a Carer.
Derbyshire Carers Association also provide a broad mixture of support, activities, and events for carers. These include advice, newsletters, befriending, peer support groups and Carer training. You can self-refer, or a member of your health care team can make contact on your behalf. Telephone: 01773 833 833 or email info@derbyshirecarers.co.uk.
• If you are a Carer for someone with Dementia, you can find help and support from Derbyshire Dementia Support Service. The service can support both you and your family members through the different stages of dementia. The Dementia Support Service delivers a range of groups for people affected by memory loss or dementia. You don't need an official diagnosis of dementia or be of a certain age to get advice and support from the service. Carers supporting people living with dementia can be referred for support in their own right. You can also get advice and support by contacting the Alzheimer’s Society National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122. This confidential helpline is for Carers, those with dementia and the friends and families of people with dementia.
• Derbyshire County Council provides reliable, relevant, local, up to date information about support and services for Carers on their website. It offers information about Carers Rights and where to get help. www.derbyshire.gov.uk/social-health/adult-care-and-wellbeing/caring-for-someone/carers-in-derbyshire.aspx
• Mobilise are an online service providing help and support which aims to make the lives of Carers easier, less lonely, and frustrating. Mobilise provide a range of free online support including information and advice and the chance to connect with other carers through a closed Facebook group or via daily virtual 'cuppas'. You can visit Mobilise www.mobiliseonline.co.uk, to read about their online support for unpaid Carers.
• Becoming a Carer can have a fundamental impact on your finances and the finances of the wider family unit. Derbyshire Carers Association offer free legal and financial advice, and this covers matters such as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Care Home Fees and Personal Injury. As a Carer you may be entitled to welfare benefits such as Carers Credit or a Carers Allowance. Whilst information can be found at www.gov.uk/carers-credit and www.gov.uk/carers-allowance you can also receive help from Derbyshire Welfare Rights Service, contact them on 01629 531 535 or email: welfarebenefits@derbyshire.gov.uk
• Advocacy – sometimes it can be difficult and feel exhausting when we believe we are not being listened to and when we feel that what’s important to us isn’t being taken seriously by others. When that happens, an independent advocate can be useful to provide support when decisions are being made that we might not agree with and that impact our health (or the health of the person we care for). In Derbyshire, advocacy is provided by Cloverleaf Advocacy, telephone 01924 454875 or e-mail referrals@cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk You can also visit www.cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk/areas/derbyshire for further information.
• Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. People and organisations in Derbyshire and Derby City work together to prevent the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that wellbeing is promoted. Some adults may not be able to take care of themselves very well or protect themselves from abuse or exploitation. If you're worried about yourself or someone else being abused or neglected, please contact Call Derbyshire on 01629 533 190. You can phone Call Derbyshire anonymously without revealing your name. You can also visit their website for more information www.derbyshiresab.org.uk
• Carers UK is a national charity whose mission is to support and make life better for Carers. There is a wealth of information and advice available online. Telephone 0808 808 7777, email advice@carersuk.org or go to www.carersuk.org
• There are more services and support available for Carers:
o Mental Health Carers Community: Chesterfield & North Derbyshire meet on the last Wednesday of every month from 10am-1pm at Chesterfield Fire Station, Spire Walk Business Park, Braidwood Way, Chesterfield, S40 2WH (located behind B&Q). New Carers are always welcome, call 07730 526 219 or email jose.rodgers@nhs.net
o For Carers living in South Derbyshire, the Derby City and South Derbyshire Mental Health Carer’s Forum meets on the third Friday of every month between 11.30am and 2pm at The Oddfellows Hall, 32 Charnwood Street, Derby, DE1 2GU. Contact Sandra on 07779 107 087 or email dcandsderbysmhcf@gmail.com for more information.
o Call the Carers Direct helpline (part of Carers UK) on 0300 123 1053 if you need help with your caring role. They provide free, confidential information and guidance on a number of topics and Carers can also email queries to helpline advisers.
o Age UK have a free advice line 0800 678 1602. They can provide advice on anything from health to housing. The advice line is open 365 days a year, from 8am to 7pm.
o Young Minds Parents Helpline 0808 802 5544 can provide advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25.
o Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young Carers aged 13-18 in the UK https://sidekick.actionforchildren.org.uk/ or text 07888 868 059. You can also email sidekick@actionforchildren.org.uk. You can speak to someone about anything you’d like. It will be confidential and there will never be any judgement.
o NHS Social Care and Support Guide – you can follow this link for information about social care support if you care for someone who needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/help-from-social-services-and-charities/helplines-and-forums
