Adult Carers Services

Carers Services at Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action

Carers play a vital part in enabling ill, frail and vulnerable people to remain independent and stay in their own homes. Without unpaid, informal Carers it is believed, and rightly so, that social and health services would collapse.

In 2001, Bracknell Forest had an adult population of 89,000 - 9,000 of these adults registered as Carers which is 1 in 10 or 10% of our local population. This is a huge number of people, and because the Census does not include statistics for those under 16 it is difficult to calculate how many Young Carers there are in our borough.

Without help, advice and support Carers can become isolated, depressed and suffer ill-health. If this happens, they may no longer be able or willing to continue caring. By caring for our Carers we care for their dependent which can save time, money and most importantly can make people’s lives better for the future.

Our services are not a core function of Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action. We receive grant funding from the Department of Health via Bracknell Forest Borough Council, to provide a service to Carers.

Our main services include:

• Administering the Individual Carers Grant, this is funds given directly to Carers to enable them to get a break from caring.

• Providing respite in the form of social events, learning events and community events.

• Providing information and advice, via a database of Carers, through a newsletter, our website and various events.

• Providing one to one information, advice and support sessions to Carers of all ages.

• Ensuring that Carers issues are kept high on the local agenda, by representing Carers on strategic boards, and chairing the Carers Strategy Group.

Adult Carers Events

Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action offer several events throughout the year in the form of training/learning and social events. These events are planned to provide you with information to support you in your caring role, and the social events to give you a well deserved break. Some events we have held in the past have included: Understanding Dementia, First Aid, Carers Legal Issues, Carers Pamper day, Carers BBQ and The King of Swing. Bracknell Forest Voluntary Action also administer the Bracknell Branch of Carers UK quarterly lunches.

Our events come with the offer of funding professional respite for your Cared for while you attend and transportation to enable Carers who otherwise would not be able to attend.

Adult Carers' Information Pack

Includes Information on:

Benefits
Local help and support
Information about social care
Where to get legal advice
Hospital directory
Transport to hospital
Health information (i.e. mobile services)
Saving money on your energy bill
Useful contacts

And is available when you register with us as a carer living in Bracknell Forest.

Local Support

There are many local support groups and we are more then happy to help point you in the right direction for the right support. A few of these local support groups are listed below. If you don’t see anything to would suit you, please call us and we will do our very best to find the right support for you.

Alzheimers.org.uk – supporting carers of people with Alzheimers
Crossroads.org.uk - Caring for Carers
Good Neighbours Voluntary car schemes - several locations in the Borough
Headwaythamesvalley.org.uk – for people with acquired brain injury
nhs.uk/Carersdirect - a national information, advice and support service for carers plus a free, confidential helpline seven days a week on 0808 802 0202, providing accurate, relevant information for carers and those who support them.
Parkinsons.org.uk – Information and support for people with Parkinson’s disease
Rethink.org- Supporting people with severe mental illness and their carers
Samaritans.org – Confidential emotional support
thecarer.co.uk which focuses on the practicalities and emotional needs of caring and may be of interest.

Bracknell Forest Social Services

Providing assessments for Carers and their cared for through a carers link worker.

Direct payment scheme, giving you control of your care.

Email Adult.services@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Social Services front desk: 01344 351 500

Or write to:

Carers Link Worker, Community Care, Social Services & Housing
Bracknell Forest Borough Council
Times Square
Market Street
Bracknell, Berkshire
RG12 1JD

Benefits Advice

We are happy to give you personal and confidential benefits advice.

The following links will provide you with further information:

www.Bracknell-forest.gov.uk
www.Direct.gov.uk
www.ageuk.org.uk
www.carers.org
www.Carersuk.org
www.macmillian.org.uk

The following information is available to download:

Adult Carers Grant Application *

Information leaflet for Adult Carers *

Carers Information and Support Network Quarterly Newsletter *

Carer’s Emergency Respite leaflet *