Renewing the York Carers Strategy

The work to renew the Strategy and agree priorities up to 2011 continues.  It is hoped that health, social care and other local agencies will sign up to the Strategy.  The membership of the group is under review, and a proposal to organise the work to develop services and support according to the five Outcomes from the National Strategy.  A revised draft of the Strategy will be taken to the December meeting of the Group.

Carers Emergency Card

York Carers Centre oversees this scheme, with the 24 hour call out service being provided by York Warden Call.  Currently 120 carers have registered and have a Carers Emergency Card.  Work to promote the scheme within Primary Care settings, including GPs surgeries, and to inform the emergency services about the card and its use is now underway.  The scheme will be extended to parent carers and young carers in 2009, and work is now underway to plan the changes required to implement this.

Contact: Carers Emergency Card Office on (01904) 656985

The Flexible Carers Support Scheme

Carers can apply for this grant following a Carers Assessment of Need. The scheme continues to grow in popularity with 143 applications in the half year period April to September 2008.  There is agreement to increase the funding available for the scheme in this and the next financial year.  However, the demand for the scheme is expected to increase and the decision has been made to lower the total amount available to carers to £300 from January 2009, from the current amount of £400.

Contact CYC's Advice and Information Team on (01904) 554141 to request a Carers Assessment and for more information about the Flexible Carer Support Scheme.

York Carers Centre

A shadow board of trustees has been formed in order for York Carers Centre to become an independent organisation. The plan is for the new organisation to be set up from April 2009, and work to a new service specification for services commissioned by City of York Council, and North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust. The new organisation will also be able to attract external funding, in order to develop services for carers in York. The staff team at the Centre have settled into their new premises at Priory Street and continue to offer services and support to carers whilst these changes take place.

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.

Contact York Carers Centre, 17 Priory Street, York YO1 6ET on (01904) 715490

York Carers Forum

The Forum is a carer led group who held their inaugural AGM on 27 October.  All unpaid carers are invited to join the group as members, and are very welcome at the group's regular meetings. The next members meeting is on 24 November, 1pm to 3pm at City Mills, Skeldergate, York. There will be a Christmas party on 1 December 1pm to 3pm also at City Mills. In 2009 meetings will continue to be held on the 4th Monday of the month.

York Carers Forum is a carer led group for all carers in York. Please contact Katie Smith on 01904 422437 or email yorkcarersforum@tiscali.co.uk

Events for Carers Rights Day Friday 5 December 2008

This year's theme is: 'Making the most of your money'

York Carers Forum: 10am to 4pm stall in Parliament Street outside Marks and Spencer

Information for carers and fundraising stall contact York Carers Forum on 422437 or email yorkcarersforum@tiscali.co.uk

York Carers Centre: 'Making the most of your money' 10am to 1pm. 

Information event in the Hall, Priory Street Centre, Priory Street, York.  All welcome.  Format will be short information workshops.  Contact York Carers Centre on 715490 for more information or email enquiries@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk

For further information please contact:
Frances Perry, Carers Strategy Manager on (01904) 554188 email frances.perry@york.gov.uk