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 and Rethink. 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.
Black and minority ethnic carers
There are additional sources of information and support that may be particularly helpful for black and minority ethnic carers - please see additional information below or contact Carers Oxfordshire.
- Commission for Racial Equality http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/
- MECOPP works specifically to: Support Minority Ethnic carers to access supports and services that suit their caring situation. Develop opportunities for the active involvement of Minority Ethnic carers in consultation planning and participate in the decision-making processes which affect their lives. Raise the profile of Minority Ethnic carers and their needs at a national level. Support carers in the Gypsy/Traveller community in rural and urban areas of Scotland. Create opportunities for Minority Ethnic carers to share their views and experiences. Respond to gaps in services. Assist service providers, both statutory and voluntary, in the development of culturally competent services. Website: http://www.mecopp.org.uk/
- Engage toolkit website, suppors black and minority ethnic (BME) young carers and families carers. This site has been funded by the Department of Health in order to provide an understanding of the needs of black and minority ethnic family carers and best practice support. Website: http://www.engagetoolkit.org.uk/
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
Citizens Advice Bureau
South and Vale Carers Centre
Help for young carers.
Tel: 01235 510212 (Contact us Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm)
Email: carers@svcarers.org.uk
Website: www.svcarers.org.uk
Age UK Oxfordshire
- Oxfordshire, City and County
- Tel: 0345 450 1276
Oxfordshire Chinese Community & Advice Centre
- Tel: 01865 204188
The Abingdon Bridge
- Young People aged 13-25 information and support
- Tel: 01235 522375
Independent Advice Centre Wantage
- 16 Market Place Wantage Oxon OX12 8AE 01235 765348
Advice and support for older people
There are a number of groups and organisations - local and national - which provide advice and support to older people. They include:
- Alzheimer's Society: The Alzheimer's Society provides advice and support to people with dementia and their carers. Tel: 020 7306 0606
- Contact the Elderly: Seeks to reduce isolation for older people who live alone, by providing social occasions such as monthly tea parties. Free phone 0800 716543.
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
Oxfordshire Carers' Forum
Getting Heard (previously Oxfordshire Advocacy)
The Relatives and Residents Association advice line
Community advocates
Other sources of help
National
Address: Carers UK, 20 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4LX
Tel: 0808 808 7777 (Carers Office), 020 7378 4999 (Office)
Email: info@carersuk.org
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