Registered Office: 01920 484946
Carers Services
The contribution that carers make is often forgotten and taken for granted. Services can be difficult to access and complicated to understand. Information on which services are available can be difficult to get hold of. Carers can also feel isolated by their caring role. In Hertfordshire, Guideposts works with people who are carers for others with mental health issues. We can provide you with information about all sorts of agencies to improve this situation, and listen to and support you whenever you need us.
No matter how many hours you are caring for someone we are here to give you the support you need to help you support others. No question is too small or too insignificant. We always take a person-centred approach to all the work we do with people. This means putting you first.
Being a carer has been described as one of the toughest, but possibly most rewarding challenges of life. We will help you meet that challenge without ever losing sight of the fact that you are also an individual who deserves to be cared for, listened to and supported.
“I have the deepest admiration for carers, for I now know what they have to cope with, in many cases for much longer periods of time than I had to. Few people ask to be carers, in the sense in which you use the word. But being a carer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we love – even though we wish it were a gift we never had to give.” (A carer, via http://www.livingcaringworking.com)
The Carers Group, held on the last Monday evening of the month at Henry Smith House, is for people who look after someone with a mental health problem.
It’s an opportunity to -
• meet other carers and have a social chat
• hear guest speakers
• have private time to talk
• share ideas
• look at problems in different ways
• plan for improved care
• access information
• have mutual support
• let off steam
WHO?
The group is for anyone who cares for someone with mental health problems living in the South West Hertfordshire area (Watford &Bushey, Three Rivers and Hertsmere).
The service is a project run by Guideposts Trust (national provider of Community Care Services) with help from the Watford Housing Support Team (provider of community support to people with mental health problems).
For further information on how to access these services, please contact Lorna on:
Tel: 01923 223554
Fax: 01923 245288
OR
Watford Housing Support Team on:
Tel: 01923 801042
Email: hsh@guidepoststrust.org.uk
WHEN?
The group meets on the last Monday of every month between 7.00pm and 9.00pm
WHERE?
The group meets at Guideposts Trust, Henry Smith House, 3-5 Estcourt Road, Watford, WD17 2PT
Tel: 01923 223554
Fax: 01923 245288
Email: hsh@guidepoststrust.org.uk
HOW?
Carers usually spend the first part of the session catching up with each other, then discuss issues as a group, plan future events and share any new information.
Carers also want to share past experiences and talk about current issues, though there is no pressure, or expectation to give information about oneself, or the person to whom they provide care.
This is also an opportunity for you to meet with the group facilitators on a one to one basis.
Guest speakers from statutory, voluntary and the private sector attend carers meetings on a regular basis. They provide information on their services and developments in community mental health services for carers and service users. This is an opportunity to ask professionals about service availability and support.
For information about other services available to Carers, please contact: Carers in Hertfordshire on 01992 586969 or email contact@carersinherts.org.uk
