Mental Health Carer Support Service

1. Mental Health Carer Support Service Kerry Main & David Harper Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers is a company limited by guarantee registered in England number 3245594 Registered Office: The Old School, Smailes Lane, Highfield, Rowlands Gill, NE39 2DB. Registered Charity number 1059917. The Crossroads Care trade mark is a collective mark.

2. Who We Are The Mental Health Carer Support Service provides practical and emotional support to carers living throughout Gateshead who care for a friend, partner or relative who is affected by Mental ill Health.

3. Who is a Carer and who could access this service? • ‘A Carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends whose health or wellbeing could suffer without support. This could be caring for a relative, friend, partner or child who is ill, disabled, or has problems with their mental health or substance misuse ’. • Princes Royal Trust, 2012

4. Carers Comments ‘Without this service speaking for myself I don’t think I could cope. They are supportive and I would be lost without the service’. – Carer‘As a carer the service has certainly helped me emotionally when I feel down it’s nice to be able to pick up the phone and talk to someone’ – Carer ‘Being a mental health carer is one of the hardest things I have had to do. I need to learn to adjust in my new role. With Crossroads help I’m sure I will get there’ – Carer

5. Intended Outcomes • For carers to have choice and control, improved relationships,independence, • To support carers enabling them to manage and cope with their caring role, balancing family life, employment and personal circumstances • To improve carers emotional and physical wellbeing • To tailor the support to meet carers individual needs • To help carers feel valued by professionals

6. What do we do? • Work with carers of Adults affected by Mental ill Health including Dual Diagnosis –Psychosis, Anxiety Disorders, Phobias, Bipolar Disorder • Provide a range of support options to suit individual carer needs. • Signpost carers to other agencies to provide a holistic care package for each individual carer • Arrange a visit either at home or at a location to suit carers needs

7. How to Access our Service • Self referral • GP Referral • Community Mental Health Team • Involvement Worker • Social Services • Other voluntary and statutory providers • Referral by telephone, fax, or email • We aim to answer all referrals with 72 hours

8. How We Can Help • Provide information for you in all aspects of their caring role • Provide 1:1 emotional & practical support • Provide support through group meetings and activities • Encourage carers to think about their ownhealth and well being • Help carers access educational and social opportunities • Encourage carer peer support

9. Working Partnerships • The service works in partnership with both statutory and voluntary services including GP’s, Health and Social Services • Attending regular meetings with other professionals feeding back carers experiences • Supporting carers to attend Drop In sessions

10. Get Involved and Drop In • Mental Health Carers Forum – meetings take place on 1st Wednesday in the month, from 5.30 – 7.30pm at Gateshead Carers’ Association • PALS Drop-in meeting takes place on 1st Wednesday in the month, from 11 – 12 at the Dryden Road Clinic • Blaydon Carers Drop In – meets on 2nd Tuesday of the month from 10 -12 in the community Room at the Blaydon Centre (opposite Blaydon Shopping Centre) • Tranwell Carers Drop In – meets on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5.30 – 7pm at The Nook, TranwellUnit- Gateshead

11. Thankyou for your time Any Questions? Princes Royal Trust. (2012) [Online] Available from http://www.carers.org/what-carer