Carers
Everyone cares for their family and friends. But some families and friends need extra care and support due to an illness, disability or even age. If you provide that care, you are a carer.
Worcestershire Association of Carers (WAC) has 25 years of experience supporting carers.
WAC is a registered charity providing a range of information, advice and support to carers and is the leading voice for carers across the county.
Support is provided in many areas including; practical support around the caring role, carer wellbeing, getting a break, and understanding legal and financial issues.
The Carers Hub, funded by Worcestershire County Council and run by Worcestershire Association of Carers, helps to raise awareness and co-ordinate support for adult carers across Worcestershire.
Carers in the community are often providing unpaid care for family, friends or neighbours, working long hours and providing round the clock care – many not realising what they are doing makes them a carer at all.
While caring can be hugely rewarding it can also have a significant effect on carers lives. Accessing the support available is vital to help with carers’ physical and mental health, finances and wellbeing, so that they can continue to care and also have lives of their own.
If you are a carer and would like to access support, you can call the Carers Hub helpline on 0300 012 4272. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and 9am to 12pm on Saturday.
Alternatively, you can email us mail@carersworcs.org.uk or visit www.carersworcs.org.uk
where you will find information and guidance for you in your caring role. You can also read more information for carers in Caring News – the magazine for the county’s carers. You can read the latest edition here: www.carersworcs.org.uk/caring-news
Support for Carers
Carers UK helpline and online forum https://www.carersuk.org/home 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm or email advice@carersuk.org
Factsheets Upfront - Carers UK guide to caring aimed at those who are new to caring
Our factsheets | Carers UK Help and support for carers looking after a loved one | Age UK Caring for someone | Advice guide | Independent Age
Support for Carers via Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Association of Carers
Including information on Carers Assessments and respite care https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/adult-social-care/looking-after-someone-carer-support or alternatively, you can call the Worcestershire Carers Hub helpline on 0300 012 4272. Opening hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm and Wednesday 9:00am to 8:00pm. You can also email mail@carersworcs.org.uk or visit www.carersworcs.org.uk where you will find a webchat facility so you can get in touch discreetly or at a time to suit you and a member of the Carers Hub team will come back as soon as possible within opening hours.
Worcestershire Association of Carers https://www.carersworcs.org.uk/ or 0300 012 4272
Provides a wealth of local support, information and training for carers.
Citizens Advice South Worcestershire
For information and advice on a range of issues e.g. benefits, debt, money management and energy bills, housing, pensions. Citizens Advice can carry out benefits checks and offer support to complete application forms. Contact via 0808 278 7891 (Adviceline) – available Monday-Friday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, or email enquiries.malvern@citizensadvicesw.org.uk. You can also access an online benefits calculator and carry out your own check at Turn2us Benefits Calculator Further information can also be found here Sick or disabled people and carers - Citizens Advice. Attendance Allowance is a benefit that is less well known, it is non means tested and available to people who are over state pension age and have a medical condition that makes it hard for them to look after themselves. What is Attendance Allowance - Citizens Advice
Assistive technology
To support independence and wellbeing, more information about what is available and where to purchase it at: https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/adult-social-care/support-stay-independent-and-living-home/assistive-technology-help-you-stay-home
Local Support Groups
● Worcestershire's support service for carers of stroke survivors, https://www.stroke.org.uk/
● Support for people affected by acquired brain injury across Worcestershire https://headwayworcestershire.org.uk/
● Support for blind and partially sighted people to lead independent and fulfilling lives. https://www.sightconcern.co.uk/
● Support for Deaf people to lead full, independent lives. Action Deafness
● Worcestershire's mental health relative and carers support group, https://www.facebook.com/jigsawgroup, call 07503 601737 or email jigsaw.worcs@gmail.com
● Help for Autistic people and their families in Malvern https://skyautismsupport.com/
● Carer’s Support group Christ Church, Avenue Road Malvern WR14 3AY 3rd Thursday of each month 2-4pm (after the lunch time concert). Tea, coffee and biscuits available, £1 suggested donation
Charitable Support National Benevolent Charity Hospital Saturday Fund Grants for Disabled Adults - General Grants https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/
Meal delivery services
Wiltshire Farm Foods
Parsley Box
Blue Badge Applications You can apply online Apply for a Blue Badge | Worcestershire County Council or phone 01905 763763. Support to apply is provided at local libraries. In order to qualify for a badge you must be permanently and substantially disabled and provide evidence of this. A blue badge is valid for three years and costs £10. To apply you will need:
● a passport style photo
● your National Insurance number
● proof of identification
● proof of residency
● proof of eligibility
Mental Health Support:
● Moodmaster provides a range of simple tools and techniques to help people manage life's emotional ups and downs more effectively, cope better with everyday stresses and worries and improve their overall quality of life. Groups available in Malvern. to book a place, call Onside Advocacy: 01905 27525, or email: accesshub@onside-advocacy.org.uk ● Talking Therapies, Worcestershire https://www.talkingtherapies.hwhct.nhs.uk/home ● The Well Counselling Malvern https://www.thewellcounselling.co.uk/ ● Every Mind Matters - NHS
Health and Wellbeing
Try the Five Ways to Wellbeing – simple ideas we can all use to help us feel better
1. Give
Helping others is a good way of helping ourselves to feel better too. It doesn’t have to take much time, it could be as simple as smiling at someone as you pass or giving someone a compliment. There are some ideas to think about in this Action for Happiness Kindness Calendar Action for Happiness
2. Take Notice
● Take time to enjoy the moment and your surroundings.
● Be grateful for the small things. Try to increase feelings of positivity by acknowledging the small things that help us feel better – good food, hearing from a friend, watching a good film or crossing something off your to-do list. Try to write down three things to be grateful for every day.
● Get organised. Put some time aside each day to get through your to-do list and enjoy having the time to complete tasks you’ve been meaning to do for a while. Try decluttering a drawer, cupboard or even a whole room ● Try these relaxation ideas Relaxation exercises - Mind
3. Stay active
● Regular physical activity is good for your mood as well as your fitness. Here are some things you could try (*seek advice from your GP before starting any physical activity if you are unsure) ● Get active - Better Health - NHS ● https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight/ ● Make sure you eat a healthy diet and give your body what it needs to stay well Eat well - NHS
● Try to make time to relax in the evenings and stick to a routine to help you get better sleep. Sleep problems - Every Mind Matters - NHS
● we are undefeatable
4. Keep learning
● Setting goals and learning something new is associated with better levels of wellbeing and increased self-esteem
● Wellbeing and Recovery College are offering online courses, most of which are free Wellbeing and Recovery College
● Try Worcestershire's Digital Library Hub to download free e-books and access online library events https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20786/digital_library
● Try a new recipe, learn a few words in a different language, research something online, teach yourself a skill (first aid, photography etc).
5. Connect
● Making social connections is really important for good wellbeing.
● Call a friend or family member for a chat, or check on a neighbour
● Try joining one of the support groups above or join a group based around an interest like knitting, reading or singing.