Local Account - Being a carer
The following information has been taken from the Local
Account of Adult Social Services in Blackburn with Darwen.
The Local Account gives an overview of the range of social
care services we have offered to local people during 2014/15, as
well as our plans for 2015/16. To view the full Local Account
document click here
The 2011 census tell us that there are 15,756 people in
Blackburn with Darwen who declare themselves to be a
carer.
749 carers have received either an individual or joint
social care assessment from Adult Social Services. The
Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service supports 3,827 carers, most of
whom carry out their caring roles without any direct support from
care services.
Providing unpaid care to an adult or child can be hard,
whether they have a long-term illness or a disability, are elderly
or have mental health problems. Sometimes having a short break,
anything from just a few hours to a few weeks, can mean a
lot.
The Council and its partners provide funding to enable the
Blackburn with Darwen Carers Service to support local carers.
The service provides a 'one stop' carers centre, offering support,
advice and information to all unpaid carers in the
borough.
Spotlight on: Carers Service Helpline
The Carers Service helpline pilot started in October 2014.
Funding was identified through the 'Good Health Fund' managed by
Community and Voluntary Services.
The Carers Service building is open from Monday to Friday
9am-5pm. This works very well for many carers, however there are
carers who struggle to access the service within these hours.
A caring role does not end at 5pm on weekdays. Carers often have
the need for information, support and a listening ear in the
evening. The helpline was aimed at targeting working carers
and isolated carers.
Carers had identified a need for the service to be
available out of hours due to:
- Finding themselves in a crisis and not really knowing who to
turn to, or not getting the support they need from other
services
- Just needing to talk to somebody who understands their
situation (emotional support has been identified as one of the
major requests from carers)
- Working carers who struggle to visit the centre
- Carers who have a full time caring role that are unable to
leave the house or ring during the day time
Achievements 2014/2015
- The Carers Service celebrated 10 years of supporting carers in
the borough at an event in October 2014, which was attended by 100
carers.
- The Carers Service launched a new website in November
2014. The new website is easy to navigate and gives carers
the opportunity to find out about everything the Carers Service
offers to carers. To view the website please visit: www.bwdcarers.org.uk
- In 2014/2015 the Carers Service received 693 referrals, an
increase of 120 from 2013/2014.
- Carers Week 2014 was a huge success, with over 200 participants
taking part in activities throughout the week.
- Carers in Blackburn with Darwen face a wide range of
challenges. A new DVD produced in partnership with students
at Blackburn College has raised awareness of these challenges.
Priorities 2015/2016
- Two new carer support staff are being appointed. The
Health Liaison Worker role will improve relationships and increase
carer referrals in GP surgeries and on hospital wards. The Service
Development Worker will raise the profile of carers in the local
community and business sector.
- The Carers Service is planning to open its own charity shop in
2015/16.
- The Carers Service will work in partnership with Child Action
North West Young Carers Project and local adult and young carers to
continue to provide support to carers of all ages.
In focus: Carers Support for Mr and Mrs J
'Mrs J' is in her 70s and cares for her husband who has advanced
dementia. Mrs J was feeling exhausted due to carrying out an
intensive caring role whilst finding it difficult to come to terms
with her husband's illness. Mr J was displaying new
behaviours such as visiting the bank daily and making unnecessary
withdrawals and attempting to buy the same medication each
day. Mrs J was being contacted by the bank regularly and it
was making her feel very anxious.
Mrs J's husband liked to go for walks each day, however, if he
returned back to the house and his wife wasn't there he would get
very distressed. This resulted in Mrs J never leaving the
house just in case. Her social isolation was having a
negative impact on her own mental health. She wished she
could see her friends but was starting to feel very detached from
them.
The couple were struggling on a low income and finding it hard
to maintain their home and garden. Her daughter was trying to
support her but runs her own business and works long
hours.
The Carers Service made a referral to the Alzheimer's Society on
Mrs J's behalf. They supported Mrs J with her questions and
worries. Mrs J was also offered a place on a course to
improve her knowledge of dementia and how she could support her
husband better. Mrs J was given information about the
services and activities that the Carers Service offer as well as
information about day care facilities and other support groups in
the local area.
Mrs J was encouraged to contact the bank and discuss the
problem. A welfare and benefits adviser visited the family
and helped them to claim Attendance Allowance. A sitting
service was set up so that Mrs J could see her friends again and
this helped her to feel less isolated. Mrs J was offered a
Carers Respite Grant to be able to take a break and concentrate on
her own health and wellbeing. Mrs J was given DASH (Decent
and Safe Homes) and Care Network information so she could seek
support with maintenance required around her
home.
Initially Mrs J said she felt she was drowning in her caring
role and had a very limited support network. Now she has a number
of services supporting her and she knows who to turn to if she
needs more support.
Quotes from people who have used the Carers Service
"The massage sessions have completely helped my physical and
emotional wellbeing. It has helped maintain my chronic back
condition and now I have fewer flare ups. And if my back does play
up I know that the money provided by the Carers Service enables me
to book in for a massage. By maintaining my chronic back condition
I have been able to carry on caring for my dad, complete my day to
day tasks and I am volunteering in my local neighbourhood board and
currently setting up activities for local residents."
"Before I came to the Carers Service it was like being trapped
in four walls, now I feel like I have been released from
prison."
"Just doing this simple activity gave me the confidence to get
out and helped me feel better about myself. I love nature and felt
uplifted after every walk. I came home refreshed and able to
continue."
The Local Account provides an overview of Adult Social Services.