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Wakefield

Support for Carers across Wakefield

Caring for someone can be rewarding but it can also be tiring, demanding and stressful. It is really important that carers take care of their own health and well-being.

Ask your doctor to register you as a carer and this will help you access support services.

Carers Wakefield and District offer free, confidential information and support to unpaid carers (18+) and young carers (17-25) living in the Wakefield area.

They provide a wide range of practical local support such as providing information and advice, signposting to other organisations and organising training sessions and information events and activities for carers. They also administer the My Time grant which enables carers to apply for up to £100 to have a break from their caring role.

Support for carers includes:

  • Listening to you and supporting you to navigate the Health and Social Care system.
  • Put you in touch with individuals and organisations that can help you.
  • Arrange for you to meet with other carers.
  • Help you to recognise and realise your own needs and aspirations.
  • Offer you tips and training that can support you in your caring role.
  • Promote carers' rights

You can read the Carers Wakefield and District Summer 2024 newsletter here: Newsletter – Summer 2024 - Wakefield Carers (carerswakefield.org.uk)

For more information you can contact Carers Wakefield and District on:

Carers Wakefield and District run a number of support groups across the district where carers have the opportunity to meet together in a relaxed, informal atmosphere allowing them to meet other carers, access advice and information and have a break from their caring role.

Memory Action Group

A peer support group for people living with dementia and their carers.

At West Wakefield Methodist Church (Lower Hall), Thornes Road, Wakefield, WF2 8QR

Open every Wednesday 2pm – 4pm and every Friday 2pm – 4pm (fourth Friday each month in upper hall for Singalong & Dancing).

For Further information contact Jan on 01924 365213, 07963 568892 or jan.archbold@outlook.com  

Wakefield Discovery and Recovery Colleges

We run short courses and one off workshops across the whole of the Wakefield district to support you to; understand and manage health conditions, find new skills and interests, build strengths and inner resources, engage in physical activity and become an expert in your own self-care.

This includes courses and resources specifically for carers. 

Including: Caring for me & you - Wakefield Recovery and Wellbeing College (wakefieldrecoverycollege.nhs.uk)

Healthwatch Wakefield is your local health and social care champion. They make sure NHS leaders and other decision-makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care.

If you’ve recently visited your GP, or hospital, or used any local health and care service they want to hear from you. They can use your feedback to improve services for everyone and have the power to make NHS leaders and other care providers listen to what you have to say.

Healthwatch's Citizen Panel

If you are a service user, carer or simply have an interest and want to make a difference in adult social care you can either complete the application form below online and email it to Michelle or for an informal chat please contact Michelle on email michelle.poucher@healthwatchwakefield.co.uk or telephone 07542 850661.

Carers UK Digital Resource for Carers

Carers UK has developed the Digital Resource for Carers for those who have to manage their caring responsibilities alongside their work and family. The Digital Resource for Carers brings together specialist digital products and online resources for carers. The resource can help carers to:

  • Find information relevant to you as a carer
  • Help to build a support network
  • Help to manage stress and build personal resilience
  • Manage your caring responsibilities more effectively

By subscribing to the Digital Resource, carers can gain free access to a range of online resources. Carers who live in the Wakefield District can enter the free access code DGTL7298 when registering for an account to access the resources. The Digital Resource for Carers cover areas such as health and wellbeing, practical support, and information about your rights as an unpaid carer who is in employment.

Carers Connect - The Carers UK online community - Free to all members

The Carers UK forum is an online community where carers can discuss, share experiences, and ask questions with other carers. You can talk to someone who also understands what you are going through. The community is available to all Carers UK members, and if you are not a member, you can join for free. Details on how to access the Carers UK forum will then be emailed to you so you can join in on the conversations.

Live Well Wakefield

Offering support to adults in the district who are in need of information, advice and support with coping with everyday life, reducing isolation, support in managing long term conditions (for carers and the cared for), access to social opportunities.

Tel: 01924 255363

Wakefield Alzheimer's Society

Offering 1:1 support for people with dementia, their carers and family members; access to information, advice, and signposting; information workshops; access to a volunteer to help with accessing hobbies/activities; support groups and social events.

Tel: 01924 373264

Drop-in sessions for dementia support

Admiral Nurses and the Alzheimer's Society are holding drop-in sessions every month for carers or people living with dementia looking for support and information.

We talk about:

  • Understanding dementia and ways to cope
  • Local support and services
  • Meeting other people
  • Benefits, paying for care and power of attorney
  • Planning for the future and making decisions

When: Third Thursday of every month, 9.00 - 10.30 and 10.30 - 12.00

Where: Drury Lane Health and Wellbeing Centre, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE

How to book: Call 01924 316 973 and ask to book for 'admiral nurse post diagnostic support session' or email admiralnursewakefield@swyt.nhs.uk with your name and number and you will get a call back.

Helping Hands is a publication Wakefield Council produces for carers and people over the age of 55. It includes lots of up to date information including contact information for services which can provide you with assistance and advice for accessing care, staying fit and healthy, travelling around the district and more.

If you would like to receive a printed copy or discuss anything further about the newsletter, please sign up here or contact helpinghands@wakefield.gov.uk or call 01924 304950.

Helping Hands Spring / Summer 2024

West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership

Working in partnership with NHS organisations, councils, Healthwatch, hospices, charities and the community voluntary and social enterprise sector to improve the health and wellbeing of local people.

For more information about support to carer, click here.

Positive Steps

This course runs throughout the year by Admiral Nurses and is aimed at family carers of people living with dementia. It is held over 10 sessions, each lasting 1 hours. Sessions are twice a week, Monday and Wednesday 5.30-6.30pm, and are run on Microsoft Teams. The course lasts for 5 weeks in total.

It covers topics that carers have told us are important to them, such as:

  • understanding dementia
  • changes in behaviour
  • coping with stress
  • finances
  • planning for the future

It is an opportunity to meet virtually with Admiral Nurses and other carers and ask questions. If you would prefer to attend in person, please contact us as a face to face course is offered regularly too.

If you or someone you know would like to attend, please contact:

Wakefield Admiral Nurses: 01924 316 973 or email admiralnurseswakefield@swyt.nhs.uk

Carers UK has launched a new audio resource service, which is aimed at older carers who do not use the internet to search for information. This is pre-recorded free telephone service containing audio resources on a range of topics that carers may find helpful.

There are three audio resource segments, containing different information on topics including help with finances, information on specific health conditions, support with getting a break from caring, and tips to help improve wellbeing.

You can call the Carers UK on 0800 888 6999 to listen to the different options available, carers should follow the options on the main menu.

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Last updated: 5/15/2023