York Carers Centre

Mary Martin has been appointed as Interim Manager of the Centre. This is a six month post. The Carers Centre provides an information, advice and support service for carers in York, including a special service for young carers aged 8 to 18 years and young adult carers aged 18 to 25 years. The Centre is planning its move into new offices in the Priory Street Centre. York Council for Voluntary Service is supporting the work to enable the Carers Centre to move out of the Primary Care Trust and become an independent organisation.

Contact: tel: (01904) 724466

Carers Week 9 - 15 June 2008

A group is working in partnership to organise an event for carers on 9 June, 2 - 7pm with the theme of 'Carers can't afford to be ill'. The event is at Priory Street Centre, off Micklegate, York. All are welcome for free taster sessions and health checks, as well as the opening of York Carers Centre new offices, and the launch of the Carers Emergency Card, and the Self-Health Checklist. Refreshments will be served, so do drop in!

Carers groups

York Carers Forum

York Carers Forum is currently adopting a constitution and the next meetings are on May 6 and June 16

Contact: Jackie Chapman tel: (01904) 758577, email: yorkcarersforum@tiscali.co.uk

CANDI  (Children and Inclusion)

CANDI is the newly constituted group for carers of children in York. They are having an official launch during Carers Week, on Thursday 12 June at 6.30 pm at the Guildhall, and a family event on 20 August.

Contact: Ruth Thompson, CANDI Co-ordinator tel: (01904) 780880

Carers Health Steering Group

This is a task group which works on health initiatives and projects that are in the Strategy. It is currently not meeting, but will meet again in the early summer.

The Carers Self-Help Health Checklist 

This is a booklet for carers aimed to help them think about their own health needs, and is currently near completion. It will be launched at the Carers Week event on 9 June.

The Carers Emergency Card 

This scheme means that each carer who registers will be issued with a unique PIN number and card, so that in an emergency, an agreed plan of action can to put in place to care for the person the carer supports. The scheme is being put in place for carers of adults during May. It will be available to carers of children after running for about six months.

Contact: Carers Emergency Card Office tel: (01904) 656985

Inspection of Older People's Services

City of York Council's services for older people are being inspected in June, by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and approximately eight carers will be asked to join a focus group to meet the inspectors as a part of this.

Carers Employment and Life Long Learning Scheme 

This is run by Future Prospects to support carers with training, education and employment issues. The report about the last six months work of the project was presented.

Flexible Carer Support Scheme

This is a direct payment to carers which aims to support and sustain carers in their caring role. Carers can apply for it following a Carers Assessment of Need. The scheme has been running for two full years, with 110 successful applications in the first year, and 150 in the second year. The scheme is valued by carers who say it helps reduce emotional stress and support physical well-being. There has been a sharp rise in applications in April 2008, and though the budget has been doubled to a sum of £70,000 this year, the criteria for eligibility may need to be revised due to increased demands. Carers groups have been asked to advise on how this can be done.

For more information please contact:

Frances Perry, Carers Strategy Manager tel: (01904) 554188, email: frances.perry@york.gov.uk