Monthly Archives: May 2013

Carers hit out as lifeline support service is cut by 75 per cent

WEST NORFOLK: Carers hit out as lifeline is cut

 

Carers say they are saved from depression by a “lifeline” support service which is losing 75 per cent of its funding.

West Norfolk Mind is looking at ways to maintain its carers support service after Norfolk County Council is slashing its budget.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) called for carers to be routinely screened for the signs of depression last week.

The charity has seen funding for the carers service go from £60,000 to £15,000. It supports 70 people who are caring for relatives with mental health issues.

Chief executive Eddie West-Burnham is calling on the county to take note of the RCGP’s comments.

He said: “For some carers, our service means everything. Some say they would not be able to carry on without the support.

The ‘forgotten’ carers battling to cope alone:

Almost two million are missing out on vital support because they do not consider themselves carers

  • Nearly half of carers are worse off by £5,000 a year
  • A quarter of carers have had to spend their savings to cover the costs

By Jenny Hope

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Many carers do not realise they are eligible to support from local authorities and the health service

 

Almost two million carers may be missing out on vital support because they are ‘under the radar’ of official figures, it is feared.

As many as 1.75million of the 6.5million Britons who have responsibilities for looking after loved ones do not consider themselves as carers, says a report.

They are therefore failing to apply for a range of help available to them from local authorities and the health service, as well as charities.

Family duty: A third of carers say they are coping badly with the pressure of looking after loved ones

The demands of the role can affect their health and well-being as well as their finances, with nearly half worse off by £5,000 a year.

The report from the Scottish Widows think-tank the Centre for the Modern Family reveals almost one in three adults – 15million Britons – supports friends or family without financial reward in some way.

Most willingly do so and see the role as part of their family duty.

Students with learning difficulties and disabilities excited about new building

Barnet and Southgate College seeks permission to build new teaching facility for disabled students

A two-storey classroom block for students with learning difficulties and disabilities could be built at Barnet and Southgate College.

The Enfield campus of the college, in High Street, Southgate, has applied for planning consent to build the new facility, which would cater for up to 150 students and 26 full-time carers and staff.

Planning officers have recommended the proposals, which include car parking and landscaping, be approved.

Enfield Council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday to assess the application.

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