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A carer is anyone who contributes to the care of another person, and who may be significantly affected by arrangements made for the care of that person. Carers may be able to make an important contribution to the success of a care plan for a person recovering from mental illness. Carers should therefore be able to share their views with professionals, be listened to and be involved in care planning. Caring for a person with mental health problems can cause great stress and can affect the carer’s quality of life. The caring role can be exhausting, with a sense of constantly being on duty, often accompanied by feelings of loss. Carers may therefore have needs of their own, as well as wanting help for the person in need of care. The following services in Hillingdon aim to provide
particular help to carers.
30 Tabernacle Street, London EC2A4 DD. Phone 020 7330 9100 or 020 8974 6814 (advice) or visit www.nsf.org.uk Rethink (formerly the National Schizophrenia Fellowship) is a national voluntary organisation which supports men and women with a severe mental illness, their families and carers. They can help people who lives are affected by schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses in a variety of ways. They campaign to spread a greater understanding of the problems surrounding mental illness, and to improve opportunities for people with personal experience of these problems. They run an advice line service for anyone who is affected by mental illness from 10am-3pm, and publish a quarterly newsletter for members, and a wide range of books and leaflets. They also have SIB-LINK groups which offer brothers, sisters, children and friends a chance to meet regularly to discuss feelings and experiences, to exchange advice, and to provide support for each other. There is also a hearing voices network. For more information contact the regional office above or the local Family and Carers Support Co-ordinator: Trish Holmwood, Carer Support Project, Oak Farm Clinic, Long Lane, Hillingdon An active branch in Hillingdon offers practical support and advice to its members. If a member of your family is affected by a serious mental illness, or if you can offer help, advice and friendship, you will be made welcome by people who, like you, have direct experience of coping with mental illness. Informal, friendly meetings are held in Uxbridge on the second Tuesday of each month (excluding August) at Christ Church, Meeting Room 7, Redford Way, off Belmont Road. Contact Trish Holmwood as above. 1st Floor, 126 High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1JT. Phone 01895 811206 or visit www.hillingdoncarers.org.uk An independent charity for carers. Has two Carers Support Workers (one of whom is for Asian carers) who are involved in supporting carers groups and in advising individual carers (not just mental health.) Tasman House is a Social Services hostel in Hayes for people recovering from a mental illness. Respite care is also available, aimed particularly at providing a break for carers, by offering a stay of up to two weeks for the person in need of care. This service can be arranged by a person’s care co-ordinator (see below.) Staff in Community Mental Health Teams also offer advice and information to carers of people with mental health problems. Under the the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995, the carer is entitled to a written assessment of their needs in caring for a person. 65 Belmont Road, Uxbridge UB8 1QT. Phone 01895 258 888 Hillingdon Crossroads is an organisation which enables carers to have a few hours break by placing a trained care attendant in the home at the time required. Free to residents of Hillingdon. The following specialist organisations which offer advice
and support to carers:
Hazel Templeton. Phone 01923 824235 The Alzheimer’s Disease Society has three local carers’ support groups, one of which is for people caring for those with dementia under the age of 65. They also give advice and information. Castle Works, 21 St George’s Road, London SE21 6ES. Phone 020 7793
2600 or visit The Manic Depression Fellowship provides support, advice and information for people with manic depression and their families. A local self-help group for people whose lives are affected by any type of phobia. For more information phone Beryl on 01895 444 804. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) carers support group A self-help group for people with an obsessive compulsive disorder. Held at the Pembroke Centre on the first and third Thursday of each month at 8pm. Contact Chris on 07626 948 334 Hillingdon Action Group for Addiction Management (HAGAM) HAGAM has a relatives’ support every Thursday. Contact HAGAM on 01895 207 788. |
Registered Company No. 3009554. |