What is Carers Lewisham?

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1 What is Carers Lewisham? WHAT IS CARERS LEWISHAM? Carers Lewisham is a local charity funded by Lewisham Council, the Lewisham Clinical Commissioning Group, private trusts, the Lottery, donations and legacies. We have successfully provided information, advice and support to carers in the London Borough of Lewisham since Carers Lewisham is run by and for carers: many of our staff, trustees and volunteers are or have been carers. We currently support over 2,500 carers from the age of 5 and from a variety of backgrounds. We are a member of Carers UK, the user-led national organisation campaigning for Carers rights as well as a network partner of Carers Trust with whom we are a recognised Centre of Excellence. We hold the AQS quality standard. WHO IS A CARER? Anyone who, unpaid, supports practically or emotionally a parent, child, partner, other relative or friend who has a long term mental or physical illness or disability is a carer. HOW DO WE OPERATE? We have dedicated Carers Support Officers working across all neighbourhoods throughout Lewisham. This local service provides carers with more easily accessible advice, information and support, and a variety of social activities near to where they live and look after their loved ones. OUR MISSION Provide advice, information and support to carers and to raise public and professional awareness of carers and their needs. The core elements are: 1. Awareness-raising We work with health, welfare and social care partners to improve their understanding and awareness of carers issues as well as the identification and registration of carers. 2. Information We provide a wide range of tailored and general information to carers in print, digital and social media. 3. Advice and guidance We provide personalised advice and guidance to help carers make betterinformed decisions about their own lives and lifestyles that will help them cope with, and manage their caring role. 4. Support and interventions In addition to specialist Dementia, End-of-Life and Employment services, we provide a wide range of support and intervention services including: accessing respite breaks; wellbeing/relaxation activities; training and education; counselling; peer support and facilitated, specialist support groups (eg mental health); befriending; leisure and social activities; grants and emergency payments; advocacy and casework support regarding welfare benefits, housing, and health and social care services. HOW CAN YOU USE OUR SERVICE? To receive advice and information contact your Neighbourhood Carers Support Officer (see page 3) or reception at If your enquiry can not be dealt with over the phone, you will be able to book a face-to-face appointment with your Carers Support Officer. Unfortunately we do not have capacity to provide support on a drop-in basis.

2 What do we do? 2 ADVICE AND INFORMATION We provide advice and information on subjects of benefit to carers, for example: Your rights as a carer Welfare benefits related to carers, such as Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, Income Support, PIP, Council Tax Benefit, etc. Helping people manage their money (but not debt advice). Social Services support, such as Carers Assessment; Needs Assessments; Link Line, etc. NHS support and services, such as District Nurse, GP services, pharmacy services, SLAM, etc. Accessing help from other sources such as other voluntary organisations (Age UK, Lewisham Disability Coalition, Advice Lewisham, Mind, etc) or the private sector Getting practical help in the home such as private care agencies, etc. Housing, such repairs, aids and adaptation, rehousing, etc. Employment, combining paid work with caring, job brokerage, education & training, volunteering, and problems arising from caring responsibilities. Relationship difficulties arising from caring. Making complaints about services. Accessing holidays, respite and social activities. Managing and understanding the condition of your cared for person (but not treatment thereof). Specialist support for Dementia Carers, Mental Health Carers, Parent Carers, Older Carers, Male Carers, Young Adult Carers (18-25), Young Carers (under 18), carers for someone nearing the end of their life, Unemployed Carers. ADVOCACY We can help you by providing an advocate to help you if you need support to go to a tribunal, case conference, panel etc. LOOK AFTER YOUR PHYSICAL AND EMO- TIONAL HEALTH Someone to talk to who understands Opportunities to meet others in similar situations Counselling and therapy Coping Strategies training Relaxation days, pampering, massage Caring for yourself. THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE We provide help completing Lasting Power of Attorney and forms which allow you to make decisions for your loved one about their personal welfare, finances and property. A BREAK FROM CARING Access money for you to have a holiday or time out from caring Outings and activities for adults and children with caring responsibilities Enjoyable and creative activities at the Carers Centre and at neighbourhood hubs throughout the Borough of Lewisham help you relax for a while and learn a new skill 2

3 Carers Lewisham services & contact details 3 Name and position Contact details Role description Alex Brooks-Johnson Interim CEO Anna Svensson Executive Assistant Andrew Sackey Receptionist Luisa Depaoli Marketing Manager Hannah Mold People Coordinator Cathy Collymore Carers Support Officer Neighbourhood 1 (North): Evelyn, New Cross, Telegraph Hill, Brockley Katrina Garnette Carers Support Officer Neighbourhood 2 (East): Blackheath, Ladywell, Lewisham Central, Lee Green Giovanna Leuzzi Carers Support Officer Neighbourhood 3 (South): Rushey Green, Catford South, Grove Park, Whitefoot, Downham Ulalee Griffiths Carers Support Officer Neighbourhood 4 (West): Bellingham, Sydenham, Perry Vale, Forest Hill, Crofton Park Ann Pownall Dementia Carers Support Officer Maggie Burke Dementia Carers Support Officer Pierrette Mascaux Working for Carers Project Manager E: AlexBrooks-Johnson@carerslewisham.org.uk Strategy E: anna@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: andrew@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: luisa@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: Hannah@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: cathy@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: giovanna@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: jolyon@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: ulalee@@carerslewisham.org.uk T: Monitoring and evaluation Reception Marketing and fundraising HR Counselling General Advice and information Emotional support Practical support Groups and activities E: ann@carerslewisham.org.uk T: Dementia support E: maggie@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: pierrette@carerslewisham.org.uk T: Employment support Sonia Samuels Working for Carers Employment Adviser Chantelle Turner Working for Carers Support Assistant Ivona Huszcza Young Carers Support Officer E: sonia@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: chantelle@carerslewisham.org.uk T: E: ivona@carerslewisham.org.uk T: For unemployed carers 25+ years old featuring one to one support with CV writing, job search as well as group workshops. Support for young carers (8-17 years old) 3

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5 Tell your GP that you are a carer! 5 A carer is anyone who, without payment, looks after a relative, child or friend, who has a learning disability, physical or mental disability or illness, or is frail or elderly and cannot manage without extra help. If you have caring responsibilities, your GP will want to know. Please fill in this card and hand it out to your GP surgery. Thank you I am a carer, please tag my medical records and put my details on your practice carers database Carer Name: Address: Cared for Name: Address: For practice information. Main Carer read codes: Is a carer. 918A Has a carer. 918F Support and donate to Carers Lewisham We will always welcome every carer in Lewisham and work hard to provide the support that they need. However, the funding we receive is still not keeping pace with increasing demand and we need your help. A small contribution will make a huge difference! If you want to support us, you can: Donate! Donations can be made online (visit our website), by post (sending a cheque) or in person. Set up a regular donation! Regular donations allow us to plan for the future, ensuring that we are always able to improve our services. Visit our website or contact us for more details. Volunteer! If you have time or skills to offer please get in touch. Without volunteer support we would not be able to provide the wide range of support we offer to carers in the Borough. 5