Overview Do you help to look after an adult family member, partner or friend? If you are an adult living or caring for someone in Merton you may benefit from our wide range of services. Expand Do you help to look after an adult family member, partner or friend? If you are an adult living or caring for someone in Merton you may benefit from our wide range of services. Carers Support Merton offers a friendly and accessible one-stop-shop for unpaid carers in Merton. We provide specialist information, advice and guidance on a wide range of issues related to caring, including carers rights, financial, housing, employment, future planning and risk/crisis management. As a carer you can participate in our many activities and peer support networks, our specialist groups and events, or use our telephone support and counselling services to stay connected. If you register with us we will keep in touch with you regularly to let you know what’s on. We can give telephone advice and information on any issue related to caring between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. If we are unable to put you through to an advisor straightaway, someone will call you back. Carers Hub carries out formal Carers Assessments on behalf of London Borough of Merton to identify Support Plans for carers, which may include Carers Discretionary Grant or access to a Personal Budget. We provide a Mental Health Carers’ Advisory Service to provide specialist support carers of someone experiencing mental health issues.
New to Caring Groups If you are just beginning to accept that you'll need to provide support to someone in your life, our new to caring groups can provide all the information you will need. Expand If you are just beginning to accept that you’ll need to provide some support to someone in your life, who has developed health problems - or you may have realised that you’re providing care and support on a regular basis then our New to Caring groups are for you. Even if you’ve been caring for a while, you may still find the groups useful if you would like to know more about what is out there for you. Our New to Caring groups offer a safe and confidential space in which you can learn about services and information that can help you, meet other people who’ve begun caring and explore important issues like how you can look after yourself, too. We have an interesting and varied programme designed to cover all the things you’ll need to know! Groups run at regular intervals throughout the year and you’ll attend for 4 weekly sessions lasting no more than 2 hours, giving you plenty of time to develop skills and confidence as a carer and get to know others – many of the carers from our first group are now keeping in touch and meeting up for a drink and a chat, but there’s no ongoing obligation. Venues will vary throughout the year and some of the groups will be in the evening for working carers; all will provide refreshments and a warm welcome from our friendly and skilled support workers. You can book in advance and learn more about our programme here
Carers Assessment A carers assessment can help to identify your needs and get you the help you need to stay well and lead a fulfilling life. Expand The new Care Act (2014) came into force on 1 April 2015 and gave carers important new rights, placing carers on an equal footing to the people they care for. The care provided can be practical or emotional support. These rights include taking into consideration the carer’s health and wellbeing, family relationships and their need to balance their home life with their education or work. In addition, all local authorities must provide advice and information to try to prevent carers’ needs from getting worse. A carer can refuse an assessment, but still has the right to one even if the person they care for refuses services. Carers Support Merton carries out (non-urgent) Carers Assessments and reviews on behalf of the London Borough of Merton. The assessment must consider... whether the carer is willing and able to continue to provide care the impact of caring on their own wellbeing how the provision of support would enable a carer to achieve their desired day to day outcomes how the carer can gain access to resources or support from the wider community Following an assessment our experienced Needs Assessors will assist the carers we assess to develop a Support Plan. We will facilitate the Carers Discretionary Grant, where applicable. If carers’ needs are found to be eligible they are entitled to support, sometimes funded by their local authority. CSM can make suggestions regarding services and support plans for the carer. Merton Council holds the budget and will make the final decision regarding the suggested services. If you would like to know more or to request a Carers Assessment, you can contact us directly to arrange one. “I have just had an assessment done. I have been my son’s carer for the last 27 years unpaid and at this assessment I was asked about my needs. This has never happened before. ” Carer * “It is the only time in the year when I am asked about me. That in itself validates the process in my eyes. We discuss me, how I am coping and what’s available. All our other contact with healthcare professionals centres around my husband. Having that opportunity and someone who understands without me explaining has meant something. ” Carer * “Knowing I have the right to be asked if I am ‘willing and able to continue caring,’ has stopped the crucifying assumption I have a duty to care until I drop.”Carer* * Carers Trust 2016
Life after Caring It can be hard to adjust to changes in your life when your caring role ends. We offer a range of services to help you to cope with your feelings and plan for your future. Expand It can be hard to adjust to changes in your life when your caring role ends. It may be that the person you care for has moved on to a residential or nursing home, is terminally ill, receiving palliative care or has died. Taking care of your relative or friend may have been your main focus for some time and there may be many activities that have been a part of your daily routine that you don’t need to do anymore. Feelings you may have People usually experience a wide range of (sometimes conflicting) emotions. You may suddenly feel a lack of purpose, now that you don’t have someone to look after any more. There may be some aspects of caring that you’ll miss. Or you may feel relieved at the pressure being taken away. You might find that people who had always asked you about the person no longer know what to say. They may talk about everything except your relative or friend who’s died. This could be upsetting, or you may be grateful. It’s likely you’ll have shared experiences with the person that no one else knows about. If they’ve moved to care /nursing home or died it can seem as if part of your own life has disappeared too. You may feel lonely and you may need support to deal with feelings of bereavement. Living your own life again This is likely to be a painful time for you and you may not feel like taking up activities that you used to enjoy, just yet. But it’s good to rediscover your own needs and interests after putting yourself second for such a long time. When you feel ready, you may begin to think about going back to work, taking a course, volunteering or rebuilding your life in the community. You might like to discover activities and social events you could get involved in. Carers support Merton is able to offer a range of Life After Caring services, tailored to your needs at this time in your caring journey. Group Coaching sessions Bereavement Counselling Support to rebuild a life of your own
Information, Advice & Guidance We offer information, advice and guidance on a range of issues including Carer's rights, benefits, financial & legal entitlements, housing & employment. Expand Carers often have to learn new skills, cope with new challenges in their lives and gain access to services they have never used before. We are here to help with information, advice and guidance on all aspects of caring. This includes Carers’ rights, benefits, financial & legal entitlements, housing & employment. “The regular emails and information have helped to know that there is so much on offer and gives you a feeling that help is out there and someone cares.” “If I have any question about any aspect of care, I can ask Daniela or Debbie. They can then guide me.” “l now realise that, l as a carer have needs, and its alright to get help.” We specialise in offering responsive, confidential and flexible support for carers to enable them to negotiate the complex and changing world of public and health services. We can help claim benefits, or to get help with Carers Assessments or Power of Attorney. We help carers learn skills, maintain their own health, plan for the future, or deal with emotional issues, amongst many other things. When you need additional help we can represent your concerns to external agencies or refer you to specialist advice services. Our quarterly Information Days are proving a great success, with interesting and informative displays about all our services as well as local health, social care and community partners who come along to advise you. You can visit as many or as few of the stands as you like, pick up leaflets to take home or talk to helpful staff and advisors. When you want a break or to chat, sit down in our Time For You Cafe area and enjoy a cake and a cuppa! You can telephone the office between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday on 0208 646 7515 to ask for information or advice.
Health & Wellbeing As a Carer it is important to look after your own health and well being if you are going to be able to continue to offer care and support to your loved one. We offer a range of services and activities to help. Expand We provide a range of health and well being activities to support you in deciding how best to look after yourself, both physically and emotionally. We can help you to think about ways to look after yourself such as eating well, taking regular exercise, moderating alcohol, avoiding smoking, making sure you get enough sleep, getting regular check-ups and spending time in the fresh air or in a green space. Carers of people living with life-long, long-term or life-limiting health conditions tell us how much they gain from identifying how they are affected and developing strategies to help them to stay as fit and well as they can. “Doing the Experts Patient Programme gave me more control of my personal life and health.” ”The opportunity to be 'cared for' at the 'Time for you Day' makes me feel special and valued.”
Employment, Education and Training If you are still working or in education/training alongside caring, or you would like to be, we can offer information, advice and support to help you to achieve your personal goals. Expand Many carers combine their caring responsibilities with paid employment (or would like to) and our advisors can offer specific advice and support to enable you to meet your personal goals towards education, training and employment. If your caring role makes it difficult to do the work, study, training or activities (such as adult classes) you want to do, then our advisors could help you explore possible changes in your working conditions (such as flexible working), learning aids or different ways of spending free time if you can no longer do the things you used to do. We can put you in touch with agencies who can help with job search and finding training or volunteering opportunities. Our experienced team can also help you negotiate with your current employer to explore possible changes to your working patterns or conditions which may support you better in balancing employment with your caring role. In addition, we work in partnership with Carers Trust to facilitate opportunities for carers to take part in their Working For Carers programme: Employment and Training Advice for unpaid carers aged 25 and over One-to-one advice and support Workshops and group sessions Employment, volunteering and training opportunities
Support Groups & Social Activities Carers tell us that they really value the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation & and to have time away from their caring role. Expand Carers tell us how much they value the opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances, coming together to learn, to relax, to get out and about or just to socialise. We run a range of support groups and activities throughout the year. “I’ve realised that you have to take time out and recharge your battery, l do matter. It is nice to have somewhere to go and interact with other carers.” “It is meeting, talking & listening to others in a similar situation that gives ideas that can be used at home. Plus just to get out to talk about your problems and fears really helps.” “Knowing that you are not alone and there are people who can help if you need it. Just getting out of the house is good. Having an excuse to do so is essential.” “These activities have given me a taster of the type of hobbies that I would like to peruse. This then would give me a more fulfilling life rather than just feel that my role in life is just a carer.” “The opportunity to have some ‘me time’, has given me the chance to recharge my batteries and come back home more refreshed and focussed to deal with any ongoing issues.” “The mental health Cafe has been a real help, giving me the opportunity to talk to like minded people who are going through similar situations.” Click Here to find out more about our current social activities and support groups.