Caring for someone in Peterborough (Adults)

As part of our commitment to carers, Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council have recently commissioned a new all age carers service, which will start on 1 August 2020.

We are delighted to be able to work with our partners to provide vital services to carers to support them in their caring role. The new contract will be delivered by

Caring Together (adults)

Making Space (carers of adults with mental health needs) and

Centre 33 (young carers)

You can find further details about the overall service and the organisations delivering this service by viewing a pdf of the All age carers service leaflet

Caring Together

Caring Together is commissioned by Peterborough Council to provide advice, guidance and services to carers. It has recently changed name to 'Caring Together'

Workshops and carer breaks

Current restrictions due to coronavirus mean we are unable to offer the normal face-to-face workshops or trips for young carers, but we are busy planning trips and activities for young carers and young adult carers for Easter holidays and May half term in order to provide them with a much-needed break (with ideas ranging from bowling, to theme parks, to trampolining to visiting the Harry Potter studios).  

We also have a full programme of virtual workshops which continue to run on Zoom for young carers to sign up to.  

Workshops have included boxing and mindfulness, staying healthy with Clubbercise and yoga, mental health and wellbeing sessions, as well as arts and crafts, and comic art skills workshops as ways to help young carers to swich off from the stresses of home. 

Workshops we have planned for February include: 

·        Staying active through Dance 

·        Boxing and mindfulness 

·        Introduction to Makaton  

·        British Sign Language basics through song  

·        Make your own stressball. 

We have even got a couple of virtual escape rooms lined up (one for young carers and one for young adult carers aged 18+)  View a full list of the upcoming virtual activities and workshops planned for the coming months 

To find out more about any of our workshops, and to make sure you get the latest information about workshops, trips and other opportunities for young carers, contact us on 0345 241 0954, email hello@caringtogether.org or sign up to our mailing list 

Young carers and young adult carers survey – COVID-19 One year on – Have your say and have a chance to win a £50 gift card! 

As part of the theme for Young Carers Action Day  ‘Protecting young carers’ futures’, young carers from Norfolk Young Carers Forum and young adult carers from Norfolk and Cambridgeshire have been busy putting together a survey for young carers and for young adult carers. 

This will find out how the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect them, as well as what support or action is needed to help ensure young carers and young adult carers have the best possible futures.  

They are keen to get the views of as many young carers and young adult carers as possible, and so there are 2 £50 giftcards up for grabs – and if a young person is part of a young carers organisation/group, their group will also be entered into a prize draw to win £100 for that group! 

Here are the links for the survey and it should take 5-10 minutes to complete Closing date Sunday 28 February

Young carer Survey

Young adult carers survey 

The closing date for the survey is Sunday 28 February.

Bursaries for young carers/young adult carers 

Over the past year, Caring Together have been able to provide over £20,000 in grants and bursaries to young carers and young adult carers across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk.

This has helped young carers to access home learning, have a break from their caring role, or to buy essentials in an emergency when things have gone wrong at home (e.g. the freezer has broken).

They are delighted that thanks to funding from BBC Children in Need and their own fundraising, they are in a position to support even more young carers and young adult carers over February and March to reduce the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on their health, wellbeing, and education or employment.  

Download information on how to apply

Download the application form   

Young Carers Action Day – Tuesday 16 March 2021 

Young Carers Action Day (YCAD) is an annual event all about young carers, and now also young adult carers. It was formerly known as Young Carers Awareness Day. Young Carers Action Day is an opportunity to make real change for young carers and young adult carers. 

This year’s theme is ‘Protecting young carers’ futures’ – it will recognise the incredible skills that they have developed through being a carer – such as resilience, time management and empathy. But it’s also about making sure that young carers have the same life choices as other children and young people.  

For all of the latest news on Young Carers Action Day 2021 including the COVID-19 One year on survey and the Young Carers Action Day event being planned by some of our young carers and young adult carers view their webpage.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

At Caring Together we provide information and advice, run services in our local communities and campaign for carers’ rights, so that carers have choices.

How we are doing this at the moment has had to change but our purpose and commitment to carers and the people they look after remains the same.

In light of government requests around social distancing, we have taken the difficult decision that we need to cancel all our carers hubs, groups and clubs for the time being.

We will continue to offer support to carers, focusing mainly on those who will be most impacted by these changes with an increased use of phone support, and online information and advice.

We are continuing to take referrals at this time.

We have written to our care customers to reassure them that we have a contingency plan in place in relation to the spread of coronavirus. While we cannot predict what will happen over the next few weeks and months we recognise that they may be concerned about what will happen to their care should our staff be unable to work, and how we are going to support our staff to stay well. As with all staff illness or unavailability, we will endeavour to continue to deliver our care calls as planned but may, on occasion, offer a different care worker or care team member of staff to deliver the call.

We are assessing any office or care staff returning from annual leave before they return to their duties to establish if they should return to work. We and our staff are following the Public Health England guidance, which is on the government website and the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ including about self-isolation. If self-isolation is necessary for any of our staff we will be paying them for this period of time.

We are closely monitoring and following all the updates from the government and relevant authorities that regulate and give guidance to care providers.

You can still contact us on 0345 241 0954 or hello@caringtogether.org

Please keep up to date on keeping yourself well by following the latest NHS advice at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Having a proper break is something lots of us can choose to do at some point in our day.

But for many people who care unpaid for a husband, wife, partner, mother, father, child, sibling or friend because of their illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, having a proper break is simply not possible.

Carers range in age from as young as five years old up to the very elderly. They can be looking after loved ones for long stretches of time and be responsible for them 24/7.

Miriam Martin, chief executive of Caring Together said, “We all need and deserve a break. And we need your help to give carers a break, the break they need and deserve.

“That is why we are asking you to share your breaktime mugshot, donate £3 to Caring Together and nominate three of your friends, work colleagues or family so they can do the same and help to give carers a break.

“£3 is only the cost of buying a coffee, but these donations can add up to make a huge difference to carers.

“With your help carers of all ages and in varying situations can take breaks in all sorts of different ways. Helping them to have some time out and alleviate the stresses and strains they experience day to day in their caring role can improve their own health and wellbeing.

“Sharing your breaktime mugshot also shows carers that they are not alone. That people care about them, and that people want to help give carers a break.”

The type of break a carer needs depends on their personal situation. But they always appreciate it.

Rachel is nine and helps to look after her autistic sister. We provided her mum with a grant to buy toys to give her some time for herself during lockdown. Her mum said, “Thank you so much for Rachel’s grant!! She will adore these items and they will be well used and loved! These will be able to give her some alone time for her to enjoy her own thing and to have a break from everything and everyone and just relax.”

Sarah cares for her sister in law who has additional needs. She has struggled to keep in touch with friends during lockdown, so we helped her buy a tablet so she could join video calls. She said, “Thank you for letting me go to church on the computer, I loved seeing everyone and joining in with the service.”

You can see more at www.caringtogether.org/givecarersabreak

How to share your breaktime mugshot and #GiveCarersABreak

Simply:

1. Take a pic of you and your favourite mug

2. Post it on social media

· tag three of your family, friends or colleagues who deserve a break

· Say you’re donating £3 by texting C4CARERS to 70331

· Use the hashtag #GiveCarersABreak

· Tag in @CaringTogether on Twitter or Instagram.

If you are camera shy you can choose to stay out of the pic and simply make your mug the star of the show.

If you want to do more to #GiveCarersABreak, then we would love to hear from you. Email Nicky Newton on nicky.newton@caringtogether.org.

The difference you make by helping us #GiveCarersABreak

Adult carers

Providing a regular break for an adult carer can be a vital part in sustaining their health and emotional wellbeing.

Having homecare provided once a week, to look after the carer’s loved one, means the carer can take a much-needed break. They may get a rare chance to leave their house to go to the shops or see a friend, or they may just need a chance to sleep, sit quietly in their own garden, read a book or have a quiet coffee.

Young carers and their families

Helping young carers have a mini-break from their responsibilities is very important. We can provide a break based on their own needs and interests.

We can help them to have a break to do an activity many of their friends may take for granted, for example:

· To go to a swimming pool or a gym once a week for a month.

· To be able to do a specific hobby such as playing a musical instrument or become a member of a or group.

· Often family outings are not possible for young carers and their families without the appropriate level of support. A proper funded carers break can make this happen.

Here are just a few examples of how your help adds up to make a difference:

· £50 means we can provide football kit so a young carer can take their place as a member of a Saturday morning junior football team.

· £100 pays for the equipment and materials they need to take up or continue a hobby

· £250 makes sure they can have a day out, with care worker support if needed, for a birthday or similar memorable occasion, for a young carer and their family.

The coronavirus pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has made life even harder for carers with challenges around shielding, restrictions on going to the usual support groups and limitations on the ways family and friends can help.

This makes breaks even harder for carers to get, and even more important.

As a carer, you are entitled to an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care you provide, your financial means or your level of need for support.  You can have an assessment whether or not the person you care for has already undertaken an individual needs assessment, regardless of the outcome.

To have a conversation around the role and support options for carers, contact:

Caring Together
Telephone: 0345 241 0954
Email: hello@caringtogether.org 

As a carer you may be eligible for support from the council, whether or not the adult you care for has eligible needs.

Criteria

These three questions are used to work out whether you are eligible for carers support from the council:

1. Do your needs arise because you are providing necessary care for an adult?
2. Do these needs mean you are unable to achieve any of the tasks or 'outcomes' below?
3. As a result of this, is there likely to be a significant impact on your wellbeing?

You must meet all three of the criteria stated above to be eligible.

Outcomes

We will look at whether you are unable to do any of the following tasks as a result of your caring duties;

• carry out caring responsibilities for a child as well as the adult you are caring for
• provide care to other people you are responsible for
• maintain a habitable and safe home environment for yourself    
• manage your own nutrition
• maintain family or other personal relationships   
• take part in work, training, education or volunteering   
• make use of facilities or services in your local community
• have free time for hobbies and relaxation

What If? scheme has been extended to carers of all ages across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

When you are a carer, knowing that if an emergency happens you already have a plan for how you will manage the situation can help to provide peace of mind and remove one of the many sources of stress.  Not only are we able to give advice on planning, if the person you look after is over 18 in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough you can register a 'What if? Plan' with us.

The What if? service operates 24-hours a day throughout the year.

It can provide urgent support to the person you care for, in the event of you being unable to care.

Please click here to find out more about emergency planning and the What if? Plan.

If you are 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week looking after someone with substantial caring needs, you may be entitled to a carers allowance. Further information can be accessed via carers allowance. 

Additionally, there could also be support with housing costs for you, or the person you care for, which could include extra help from energy suppliers, help with mortgage payments or council tax support. For more information visit Caring Together.

Carers UK has a wide range of useful financial advice for carers.

Family carers of any age can approach their GP for a prescription that provides access to a specialist worker at Caring Together who will support you, offer information and advice and work with you to design a short break from your caring responsibilities.

Information can be found on Caring Together.

Young carers are children and young people under 18, whose lives are affected by caring for a member of their family. They may care for a relative who has a physical or learning disability, a long term illness, a terminal condition, mental ill health, or difficulties with drug or alcohol use.  

Most young carers look after one of their parents or care for a brother or sister. They do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone to get dressed and move about. Young carers may feel good about the help that they give and be proud of the skills they have, however, caring may also impact on:

• their attendance at school or college
• completing homework and gaining qualifications
• taking part in after school club, school trips or residential opportunities
• enjoying time with friends or taking part in hobbies
• their own mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Young people under 18 should not undertake inappropriate or excessive caring roles that have an impact on their development and wellbeing. So that we can effectively support young carers, we:

• identify young carers at the earliest opportunity to ensure support services are developed for a whole family approach
• support young carers to achieve their potential and have equal access as their peers to education, careers choices and broader opportunities
• safeguard young carers from inappropriate and excessive caring responsibilities.

Young carers support

Centre 33 is a local organisation that has been commissioned by us to provide a range of support to help children and young people up to the age of 18 who are caring for a family member. 

You can find further details about the service Centre 33 are delivering by viewing a pdf of the All age carers service leaflet

Support for anyone caring for someone with a mental health condition aged 18 to 65

'Making Space' supports anyone who is caring for someone living with a mental health condition who is aged 18 to 65.

You can find further details about the serviceMaking Space are delivering by viewing a pdf of the All age carers service leaflet

Caring Together provides information, advice and support to anyone aged 18 or over who is caring for someone.

Know your rights - Support for young carers and young adult carers in England

There are different rights for young carers and young adult carers for them to get support depending on their age. In this guide you can find out about what rights you have and how to get more support

Know Your Rights - Support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers in England

If you need to talk to someone about what options are available, Carers Direct advisers can give you information to help make decisions about your personal support needs and the needs of the person you are looking after. 

Three million people (1 in 9 of the workforce) combine caring for a loved one with paid work.

However, the significant demands of caring mean that many are forced to give up work altogether, due to lack of rights, flexibility and high quality services at home. Carers need to be supported so they are able to juggle work and care and to enable them to return to work if they wish.  

Contact Caring Together for support for working carers.

Every two years the Department of Health produces a national survey called ‘Caring for Others’ for Adult Social Care departments to send to people who are caring for someone who uses social care support services. On this page are the results of the 2018/19 survey.  You can find out more on our Adult Social Care Customer Surveys page.

Caring for a loved one who is ill, disabled or older can be valuable and rewarding, but without the right support caring can have an impact on your health, your job, your finances and your social life.

Carers uk and Cambridgeshire County Council have teamed up to give carers in our area access to a wide range of digital tools and essential resources that may help make their caring situation easier.

Register for their FREE digital resources and get the help you need today.

• Visit carersdigital.org
• Create an account using your free access code: DGTL3385
• get free access to all the digital products and online resources, including:

E-Learning Helping carers build resilience

Designed to help carers access advice and information relevant to their situation, find resources and identify sources of support including technology, as well as promote carers’ own health and wellbeing.

Jointly Care co-ordination app

A central place to store and share important information about the person you are caring for. Set up appointments, allocate tasks, save files and notes, manage medication and lots more.

Free publications Carers UK guides

A central place to store and share important information about the person you are caring for. Set up appointments, allocate tasks, save files and notes, manage medication and lots more. Essential reading for carers including: Upfront guide to caring, Looking after someone – Carers Rights Guide and Being heard: A self-advocacy guide for carers

More resources & info Links to local resources

Access links to further resources and sources of information and support for people who are looking after a loved one.

Peterborough City Hospital has signed a carers charter to demonstrate their commitment to working with carers.

Find out more on their webpage.

SCIE have created video-based resources to help people look after someone safely at home.  It may be particularly useful if you are supporting someone during the COVID-19 crisis. 

 Each section has a set of videos designed to give you and the person you care for practical and relevant information to support you day to day. 

Click here to go to the webpage with advice and videos about Caring safely at home.