A carer is anyone who spends a lot of their daily life giving unpaid support to another person. This person could be a relative, partner, friend or a child who is ill, frail, disabled or who has mental health or substance misuse problems.
How do we help and support carers?
You are an important partner in the delivery of care to the people who use our services. We aim to make sure your views are heard and taken into account when planning a care package. You are also entitled to a Carer’s Assessment to make sure we find out about your needs and give you the right support.
What is a Carer’s Assessment?
It is a way of making sure you have the support you need in your caring role and that you are able to have a life of your own.
By asking for an assessment, you are not indicating that you are having difficulty caring or that you wish to stop. The assessment will not judge your ability to care but will allow an opportunity to take into account your needs. You are entitled to a copy of your Carer’s Assessment. You should question anything in it that you do not understand or do not agree with.
How do I get a Carer’s Assessment?
Ask the care coordinator of the person you care for. This will usually be their nurse or social worker. They will help you to arrange an assessment. If you do not have a care coordinator, contact the community team where you have had an appointment. The organisations listed below can also help with this, or any other issues you may have about being a carer.
Carers Satisfaction Survey
We want to find ways to improve the quality of care and support offered to carers of service users who are in contact with Adult Mental Health and Older Peoples’ Mental Health Services.
To enable us to do this, a questionnaire has been devised to help establish what aspects of our service are working well for you and what needs to be improved.
If you are a carer and wish to have your say, please click here. Please be assured, the information you provide will not be shared with anyone.
Useful contacts in Bradford District:
Carers’ Connection Bradford
A service for any carer, offering advice, activities, information and support.
Tel: 01274 323323.
Web: http://www.bdct.nhs.uk/our-community-health-services/allied-health-professionals-planned-care/carers-connection/
Carers Resource
Carers Resource provides a starting point for all carers looking for more information and support.
Bradford: 01274 449 660
Airedale: 01756 700 888
Web: www.carersresource.org
Making Space
Making Space has carer support workers based in community mental health teams across the district. It offers specialist one to one support to carers of someone experiencing mental health difficulties.
Bradford: 01274 228 828
Airedale: 01535 216 020
Web: www.makingspace.co.uk
BAMHAG (Bradford & Airedale Mental Health Advocacy Group)
BAMHAG provides independent, confidential mental health advocacy. It also provides a befriending and liaison service.
Bradford: 01274 770 118
www.bamhag.co.uk
Bradford Young Carer’s Service
Bradford Young Carer’s Service is a partnership Barnardo’s project working with children and young people aged 5-18 years who have a significant responsibility for caring for a family member who experiences mental health problems.
Bradford: 01274 481 183
Web: www.barnardos.org.uk/bradfordyoungcarers
Guideline Bradford
Guideline Bradford is a district wide telephone helpline offering mental health information and support services to people experiencing mental distress, their carers and families, or anyone with concerns about their own or another’s mental well being. Some staff/volunteers can speak Urdu/Gujurati.
Bradford: 01274 594 594
Web: www.mhhp.org.uk/member-helplines/
MENCAP
MENCAP is a voluntary sector organisation for carers who support adults with learning disabilities.
Bradford: 01274 691 010
Web: www.mencap.org.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans opens 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. Calls are charged at local rates.
Bradford: 01274 547 547 or National 08457 90 90 90
Web: www.samaritans.org
National Helplines:
Carers Direct
Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines
Telephone: 0808 802 0202
Web: www.nhs.uk/carersdirect
Carers UK
Wednesday and Thursday 10am-12pm and 2pm – 4pm. Free from UK landlines
Telephone: 0808 808 7777
Web: www.carersuk.org
YoungMinds
Parents Helpline: Advice and information for parents worried about their children’s mental health. This includes teenagers and adolescents.
Telephone: 0808 802 5544
Web: www.youngminds.org.uk
