Carer Peer Support Group
The Billericay Medical Practice Patient Participation Group invite all Carers to join the Carer Support Group. The meeting is held on the last Monday of every month at the Health Centre at 2pm.
Everyone is welcome.
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Are You a Carer?
If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you
Carers Information Booklet 2023
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UNPAID ADULT CARERS
Essex County Council has launched a new and enhanced five-year offer to support unpaid adult carers.
Through collaborative working, the newly commissioned service will be able to help identify, reach and support more carers.
A key focal point of the new offer is a central contact point for carers run by the Essex Wellbeing Service.
Over a confidential phone call carers can discuss their own health and wellbeing needs as well as their caring role and will receive information, advice and guidance tailored to their needs. Working with CareNav+ partners, EWS can offer carers information and access to:
- local support groups and community agents
- support with social isolation and bereavement
- support with debt, benefits and employment
- services providing home adaptions, personal alarms, home safety and security
- support with stopping smoking, alcohol reduction, weight management and increasing physical activity & mobility.
If more specialist support is required, people will be referred on to either Action for Family Carers (for West and North Essex) and Carers First (for Mid Essex, Castle Point & Rochford and Basildon & Brentwood) who can offer:
- more specialist information, advice and guidance including on emergency & future care planning, lasting power of attorney, carers rights, carers assessment and getting financial support
- help with practical solutions to address specific challenges
- support with emotional wellbeing including counselling
- small grants to enable a person to take a break from the pressures of caring
- opportunities to connect with other carers in their communities for mutual support.
Carers can self-refer by Email: provide.essexwellbeing@nhs.net
Or telephone 0300 303 9988 EWS phonelines are open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7:00pm Saturday 9:00am to 12:00pm
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There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.
- Caring for a parent
Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home
- Telling people
Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.
- Taking a break
Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.
- Housing and carers
Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?
Carers support groups
Finance and Law
Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.
- Benefits for carers
Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
- Benefits for the person you care for
Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to
- Death and benefits
How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
- Managing someone's legal affairs
Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after
- Other benefits
Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
- Personal and household finance
Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
- Social fund
- Tax credits
Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible