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WCC - Your Essential Guide to Services for Carers

Services and Support

Recognising you are a carer is the first step to getting the support you need.

If you are looking after a parent, partner, relative or friend, or are still at school and helping to care for your mum, dad or sibling, you may be a carer and eligible for support from the council.

There are a range of council services available that are free of charge, including:

  • An assessment to see how you can be supported
  • A one-off annual payment to spend on the services you feel you need to support you as a carer
  • Events and activities for carers
  • Support groups
  • Information and advice about health, housing, benefits, finance and employment
  • Volunteering opportunities to use your skills to support other carers in return for support for yourself
  • A carer’s emergency card – for use in the event of emergencies

Are You a Carer?

Remember

Let your GP know you are a carer. Being a carer can affect your health and your GP will be able to take this into account when treating you. Pick up a carer’s ID card from Carers Network.

Carer’s Assessments

The first step to using the services available is to have a Carer’s Assessment. You will meet with either the team at Carers Network or the council’s Adults Services department, who will help you look at your own needs and how we can support you.

After your assessment, they will help you to draw up a plan of the support that you need.

Carers Network 020 8960 3033 Westminster Council’s Adults Services 020 7641 2500

Carer’s personal budgets

After your assessment you may be eligible for a one-off annual payment from the council for services to help you.

Your assessment will help you to identify what this money could be best used for. You could:

  • take a short break from your caring role
  • join a gym to help you get active
  • book a course to learn a new skill
  • pay for driving lessons
  • pay for treatments or therapies
  • pay for household items that would help you around the home

Carers Network 020 8960 3033 info@carers-network.co.uk

Getting the Support You Need

Advice, information and support

Carers Network are the first point of contact for advice, information and support to help you in your caring role. They provide telephone, one-to-one and group support and also offer home visits, drop-in sessions, training, events, activities and a newsletter. There is also support for those caring for someone at the end of their life.

Carers Network 020 8960 3033 info@carers-network.co.uk carers-network.co.uk

Short breaks

You could be eligible for a short break or other support to give you a break from your caring role.

Alternatively the person you care for could be given offered a short break away from home or receive support in the community or family home so you can have a break from caring.

Adult Services 020 7641 2500

Carer’s Emergency Card

To provide alternative care arrangements in an emergency.

Carers Network 020 8960 3033 info@carers-network.co.uk

Free events for carers over 50

If you are over 50 you can attend free or low-cost events at Community Hubs including social events, pilates, computer classes, zumba and much more.

Church St and Regent's Park Community Hub 020 8762 3082 penfoldhub@nhhg.org.uk

Queen's Park and Harrow Road; Westbourne; and Churchill Community Hubs 020 8962 4141 westminster.gov.uk/community-hubs

Carers Time Bank

Utilise and share your skills with other carers. For each hour you volunteer you will earn an hour of support from another member.

020 8960 3033 info@carers-network.co.uk

Community Transport

Low-cost transport for residents over 65 or with disabilities. FREE to register and only £1.10 per mile.

020 8964 4928 (1-4pm weekdays) info@westwayct.org.uk westwayct.org.uk

Your Guide to Services

Young Carers

If you are five to 19-years-old and support and care for a family member with a long-term illness or disability, contact the council to find out about the support available to help you learn, develop and thrive while caring for others.

Children’s and Families’ Assessment Team AccesstoChildrensServices@westminster.gov.uk 020 7641 4000

Services for the Person You Care For

This could include:

  • home support services, like help with personal care, washing and dressing
  • day care or day time activities
  • a short respite break
  • trained staff to spend time with the person you care for to allow you to do other things.

To book an assessment for the person you care for, contact Westminster Council’s Adults Services team on 020 7641 2500

Help with Finances

You may be entitled to benefits including a carer’s allowance, currently £62.10 per week. This is a taxable benefit and you do not have to be related to, or live with the person that you care for.

You may also be eligible for a reduction in your council tax, a grant to adapt your home to meet the needs of the person you care for, or help to manage utility bills.

Carer’s allowance carers-network.co.uk/welfare-and-benefits

Council tax reductions westminster.gov.uk/benefits 0800 072 0042

Advice on other help available Carers Network 020 8960 3033

Health advice

Get advice on staying healthy including relaxation techniques, stress management and healthy eating.

0800 988 5560 selfmanagementuk.org

Central London Community Healthcare 020 7641 4001

Working and caring

Holding down a job whilst caring can be difficult. You do not have to tell your employer about your caring responsibilities, but it might help you to manage your two roles if you do.

To get advice on balancing your work arrangements, contact Carers Network 020 8960 3033

Help and Advice

Support Groups

Become a member of the Carer’s Action Forum to discuss services, consultations and how to improve life in Westminster. You can also join a Carers Network support group.

Carers Network 020 8960 3033

Stroke support service – support and information for carers of people who have had a stroke. 020 7641 6627 WRSNeuroTeam@clch.nhs.uk

Westminster Society 398a Harrow Road 020 8968 2690

Discounts

ActiveWestminster card

FREE swimming and discounts on other leisure activities at council leisure centres for:

  • carers (the Carer's Emergency Card is required as ID)
  • young residents aged 0-19
  • residents aged 60+
  • disabled people
  • residents who are seeking work.

Open Westminster

Open Westminster gives you the chance to get free tickets to enjoy the outdoors and the arts. Previous offers include:

  • 250 free tickets for London Zoo
  • 60 free tickets to a tea dance at the Royal Opera House
  • 40 free tickets to an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

Offers are advertised at westminster.gov.uk/citysave and in our Value for Money enewsletter.

Westminster City Save

You can get offers and discounts with a free Westminster City Save card for Westminster residents. With over 70 offers to choose from, it makes getting out and about a lot cheaper.

If you are a ResCard holder you can exchange your card at your local library or leisure centre by filling in a short application form. You will be given a new Westminster City Save card on the spot.

For a full list of offers please visit westminster.gov.uk/citysave or pick up a brochure from your local library.

To register for a card: Apply online westminster.gov.uk/citysave Call 020 7641 6000

Value for Money Friday

Sign up to receive fortnightly Value for Money Friday enewsletters from the council at westminster.gov.uk/vfm and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Find Your Local...

Find your local leisure centre: westminster.gov.uk/active

Find your local library: westminster.gov.uk/libraries 020 7641 6200

Contacts at a Glance

Carer’s allowance benefit: carers-network.co.uk/welfare-and-benefits

Reduction in council tax and eligibility for other benefits: westminster.gov.uk/benefits 0800 072 0042

Free events for carers over 50: Open Age 020 8962 4141

Find your local leisure centre: westminster.gov.uk/active

Find your local library: westminster.gov.uk/libraries 020 7641 6200

Westminster Council: 020 7641 2500

Carers Network: 020 8960 3033 carers-network.co.uk

Children's Services: 020 7641 4000

NHS Carers Direct: 0300 123 1053

Last updated: 01/09/2015