Advocare - Caring for Carers

Advocare is a small group of carers and former carers who have been working for some years to help unpaid family caregivers and enable them to have a free voice. Run by carers for carers, Advocare - Caring for Carers is as far as we know the only independent, not for profit organisation of its kind in the country.

Anyone over the age of eighteen who is or has been an unpaid family carer may become a member of Advocare.

Why come to us?

Having been carers ourselves we appreciate some of the demands and stresses involved in looking after frail, sick or disabled loved ones. Carers can speak openly to us in the knowledge that we will do our utmost to protect them and their loved-one from any backlash. Our unique insights enable us to help people to be as happy and stress-free as possible whilst caring and to pick up the threads of their own lives again when their caregiving role has ended.

The following are some of the practical issues we've recently been helping carers to deal with:

• Requesting a Carers Assessment;
• Inclusion on the Carers Register;
• Arranging Lasting Power of Attorney;
• Obtaining reliable, appropriate home care;
• Small-scale financial help;
• The Disability Related Expenditure assessment;
• What to do when the care provided is unsatisfactory;
• Obtaining respite care;
• Accessing free NHS funded continuing health care;
• The option for vulnerable people receiving long-term nursing care at home;
• The Deferred Payment Charge;
• How to deal with issues of abuse or neglect by paid care workers;
• Complaints processes.

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790)

We are keenly aware of the 'invisible' unmet needs of carers. By caring for carers appropriately we can help them head off a crisis and prevent the premature or unwanted institutionalisation of their loved ones. Unfortunately by the time people come to us they are usually at their wits' end after trying everyone else. We want to reach carers before they reach crisis point to prevent them from becoming patients themselves.

Our Caring for Carers service

Our Caring for Carers service is free to all members of Advocare. We value unpaid carers for who they are and for the work they do. As well as offering a friendly, confidential listening ear we help carers to see that they do have options and encourage self-advocacy.

When advocating on behalf of the the carer we can often open up fresh channels of communication within officialdom. We can ask questions on the carer's behalf by writing letters, prepare reports regarding their rights and those of their loved one and provide support at meetings if required. Through Advocare the carer can work from a different standpoint: in authentically conveying the carer's perspective to the relevant authorities we can usually bring about better understanding.

Our Caring for Carers service has three main therapeutic aspects:

• Our free carer-centred workshops. Sessions are held in Poole according to demand.
• Advocare's Assert programme. This programme is free to carers and former carers and enables them to get back in touch with 'who they are'. Our Assert programme runs periodically in Poole.
• Advocare's independent therapy service. Our fully qualified UKCP registered psychotherapist has a special interest in safeguarding the wellbeing of carers and former carers. We make referrals to his clinic in Westbourne, which is central to Bournemouth and Poole, on a private basis.

Our Advocarers Group

Advocarers are members of Advocare who seek to use their collective wisdom and experience to improve the 'lot' of fellow-carers and usually meet once a month in Poole. The Advocarers group provides carers and former carers with an opportunity to meet and make new friends with other members of Advocare. Sometimes we arrange an American-style lunch if we have a guest speaker or a workshop. From time to time we organise informal social gatherings where we can exchange news and views and find out how members are getting on.

Advocarers do not need to attend all the meetings, but are aware that someone is always there to 'phone if they feel stressed or in need of a friendly, supportive listening ear. Some members find it helpful to air their burning issues through the Advocarers Forum. There are training opportunities for those who are interested. Advocarers also act as a reference group on strategies for moving Advocare forward.

If any of the above is of interest to you, please contact Cathey on our Caring for Carers line: (01202) 737592. We look forward to perhaps meeting you soon.

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