Norfolk COPE Carers Project. Video

Norfolk COPE Skilled Carers Project – Subtitled

Supporting carers to COPE
18 March 2011

A training pack has been put together to support carers across Norfolk.

The training pack is being rolled out across Norfolk by SWIFT – a joint initiative funded in partnership between NHS Norfolk, NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney and Norfolk County Council.

A carer is someone who looks after someone else who is ill, frail or disabled. It is estimated that there are as many as 82,000 unpaid carers in Norfolk.

The “COPE” training pack is designed to offer some support and practical guidance to carers who are perhaps new to the caring role or existing carers who feel isolated and alone in that role.

It also serves to signpost carers to support services where they can get help to take the pressure off.

COPE stands for:

C – Coping&Caring: contains a relaxation toolkit and a list of available courses and activities
O – Organisations: a list of organisations from which carers can seek assistance
P – Prevention: a course list of preventative subjects such as first aid and swallowing
E – Employment: support for carers who are considering entering the workplace

If you are a carer and would like to learn more about the services that are available to help you – pick up a pack at your nearest GP practice, job centre or local library.

A short film has also been produced to promote the training pack and raise awareness of the support available for people who are providing unpaid care for a member of their family or a friend. To watch the film, log on to http://tinyurl.com/SWIFT-COPE

Clare Holmes-Urquhart, SWIFT Senior Project Manager, said: “It is important that we raise awareness and celebrate the efforts of the thousands of carers in Norfolk. We also want to make sure that carers are aware of the training and support which is on offer.”

http://www.norfolk.nhs.uk/supporting-carers-cope