Information and advice

Information and advice to support your caring role

Carers Oxfordshire is a service provided on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council in partnership with Action for Carers Oxfordshire, Rethink and Guidepost Trust. The service's aims are:

• to make it easier for carers to find their way into the system,
• to listen to carers’ needs 
• to give  information, advice and support to carers.

Carers Oxfordshire will provide:

• information aimed at your own personal situation enabling you to feel supported in your caring role. This could be about about benefits and entitlements, support services, carers’ breaks, employment, looking after yourself, training opportunities to support you in your caring role and much more.
• an emergency carers service.
• advice and support over the phone and face to face in community settings, GP surgeries and at home where appropriate, including support to complete carers' self assessments.
• signposting to other organisations and services which can also help.
• information about support groups and connections to your nearest one or support to establish a new group in your area
• information about how to have your voice heard through Voices of Experience.
• wellbeing courses for carers.

Advice centres and local organisations

These organisations usually offer free and confidential advice on a variety of issues including:

• legal
• money matters
• housing matters
• consumer
• employment
• welfare benefits

Advocacy

 There are a number of organisations in Oxfordshire who provide local independent advocacy services, and cover the specific needs of people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, physical disabilities and sensory impairment, and of older people.

An advocate can:

• Listen to you
• Help you to plan any action you may need or wish to take
• Write letters and make telephone calls with you, or for you
• Ensure your views are heard by attending meetings/reviews with you
• Obtain information for you, or put you in touch with someone who can
• Spend time with you preparing for meetings
• Investigate alternative sources of support
• Increase communication levels between you and others
• Find out what your rights are
• Liaise with relevant agencies

Other sources of help

• Oxfordshire LINK- is a network of local people and groups who have joined forces to improve health and social care services they're independent of the local council and the NHS and exist throughout England, telephone 01993 862855
• Oxfordshire County Council Social and Health Care Team  can be contacted if there is a social care emergency for a child or an adult 0345 050 7666
• Oxfordshire Family Information Service– offers parents and Carers’ information on a range of topics such as childcare, early years, help with childcare costs, family support, resources for disabled children, and activities telephone 08452 262636
• Asylum welcome – free, confidential information, help and guidance for refugees, asylum seekers and immigration detainees in Oxford and Oxfordshire. Telephone 01865 722082.
• NHS Oxfordshire - Address: NHS Oxfordshire, Jubilee House, 5510 John Smith Drive, Oxford, Business Park South, Cowley, Oxford OX4 2LH, Tel: 01865 336 800

National

• Carers UK– Carer’ organisation lobbying and providing information, research and support for Carers.  Go to www.carersuk.org
  Address: Carers UK, 20 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4LX
  Tel: 0808 808 7777 (Carers Office), 020 7378 4999 (Office)
  Email: info@carersuk.org
• Age UK– Leading charity concerned with the needs and aspirations of older people, telephone: 0800 169 6565 (8am -7pm)
• Carers Direct– The Government’s new online resource and helpline for Carers’ information, telephone: 0808 802 0202
• Contact a family- provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability, telephone 0808 808 3555
• Princess Royal Trust for Carers– Provides support through network of Carers’ centre’s, information, research, lobbying. Tel: 0844 800 4361
• Contact the Elderly– Seeks to reduce isolation for older people with dementia and their Carers,  telephone 0800 716543
• Alzheimer’s Society– provides advice and support to people with dementia and their Carers, telephonehelpline 0845 300 0336
• The Benefits Enquiry Line– for people with disabilities and their Carers, telephone 0800 882 200
• Rethink Carer Support Service (Mental Health)– Carers of Adults of working age with Mental illness may benefit from specialist support, telephone 01865 455877

Remember…it is important to let your GP know you are a Carer, so that your health needs as a carer can be taken into account.

Stressful situations

Sometimes situations are stressful and complicated. Some people are particularly vulnerable to being hurt or abused because they have a disability, illness or impairment and need help and support. Sometimes their carers are vulnerable to abuse or neglect as well due to their youth, health or the relationship with the cared for person or pressures in the overall situation. This can result in isolation and problems being kept hidden from view. For more information:

For adults see: www.safefromharm.org.uk or contact the Social and Health Care Team on 0345 050 7666

For children see: www.oscb.org.uk or contact the Social & Health Care Team on 0345 050 7666

Please note: The organisations listed on this page are not endorsed or recommended by Oxfordshire County Council and the contact details are provided for information only.

Please feel free to contact any of the organisations on this fact sheet yourself. If required, Carers Oxfordshire can also help you further. You can contact them on 0345 050 7666, Monday to Thursday 08:30-17:00, Friday 08:30-16:00

National organisations

• Age UK– advice national 0800 169 6565
• Carers UK Tel:  0808 808 777
• Carers Direct Tel:0808 802 0202