Carers provide a vital role in looking after those who are sick, disabled or frail. Government policy has led to an increasing emphasis on the needs of Carers and places a duty on Trusts to ensure that Carers are supported in discharging their role.

The 2001 Northern Ireland Household Panel Survey (NIHPS) estimates that 16% of the adult population in Northern Ireland care for a relative or friend who is sick, disabled, vulnerable or frail. It indicates that over one third (38%) of carers assist someone living in the same houshold, more than half (55%) assist someone living in another household, while 7% assist someone in their own household and someone in another household.

The Carers and Direct Payments Act (NI) 2002 states that Carers have a legal right to an assessment of their own needs and service provision to meet these. This is to be done independently from the assessment of the person they care for.

The following underlying principles are the basic foundation to work with carers:

Carers are real and equal partners
Carers must be included and respected as real and equal partners at every level of health and social services planning – from designing a service to individual care planning

Carers need flexible and responsive support
All Carers are individuals with their own needs, caring for people with a huge range of needs and abilities in what can be very complex and emotionally charged relationships. One solution will not fit all, Carers need real choices based on relevant accessible information.

Carers have a right to a life outside caring

Caring should be freely chosen
Carers should be able to determine what level of caring support they can give at any particular time

Government should invest in Carers

To make any real impact on Carers lives, resources must follow the strategy

Young Carers have not been recognised for the role they provide within the family and it is difficult to measure the actual contribution they make. Their caring activities are uncosted and should not be viewed as an appropriate mechanism for the delivery of care in the community.

To respond to the needs of Young Carers there is a requirement not only to understand the demands of the caring role but also the direct impact it can have on the lives of those involved. The weight of caring responsibilities can prove to be so great that there is little opportunity to socialise with friends or join after school clubs and youth groups. Even when this does occur the Young Carer can have great difficulty forgetting the demands of home life.

Caring by young people can have a major influence on life chances and future expectations. It can affect their self-perception; self esteem and the ability to take up opportunities that are available to their peers. It is therefore paramount that Young Carers views on their caring role are sought and that their personal needs are assessed separately from their disabled relative’s needs.

Down Lisburn Trust is hoping to identify young carers living within the Trust’s area. We hope to consult these young carers about their needs so we can develop appropriate services.

If you are a young carer or know someone who is a young carer and would like to be consulted please contact:


Carer Support Groups
	General Carers Groups
			For all carers Ballynahinch Group, meet in Grove House, Ballynahinch first Thursday of month 8.00-9.30 pm Mrs Violet Ridler 028 9756 2883 Mrs Mary Linden 028 9756 3251 Lisburn Group, meet in Lagan Valley Hospital last Wednesday of month 7.30-9.30 pm Mrs Rosemary Spratt 028 9268 3318
	Lisburn Dementia Carers Education Group
			Carers of people who have memory problems or are confused. Tina Gough 028 9266 5141 Ext 2555 Meet in Lagan Valley Hospital first Thursday of month 7.00pm
	Alzheimers Society Support Group
			Carers of people with dementia. Cathy Connolly 028 4461 3489 1 Downpatrick area: Meet in Library, Market Street Downpatrick 1^st Thursday of month 8.00 – 9.15 pm 2 Newcastle Area Meet in Newcastle Centre, Main Street, Newcastle 1^st Monday of month 7.00
	CAUSE for Mental Health
			Carers of people with mental health difficulties Brenda McFall 028 9062 2008 or 07966 809427 2 Groups:
				1 Derriaghy Day Centre, Dunmurry 1st Thursday month 7.00-9.00 pm
				2 Lagan Valley Hospital , Lisburn 1st Thursday month 10.30am - 12noon

	RETHINK for Mental Health
			Carers of people with mental health difficulties. Paul Ennis 028 4461 7964
				Frequency of meetings varies depending on the level of need from carers.

	Down Lisburn Carers Forum On Learning Disability
			Provides support for Carers of people with learning disabilities Liaision Officer Colette McGinnitty 028 9060 2705 Ext6075 Meet 1st Tuesday every month
	Lisburn District MENCAP Society
			Carers of people with learning disabilities. Lisburn Area Jacqueline Wood 07748980002 Meet 2nd Wed of the month in Wallace Day Care Centre, Lisburn.
	MUMS (Mothers Understanding Mothers Support)
			For mothers who have children with learning difficulties/special needs Aleida Millar, 028 44831778 Meet 1st Thursday monthly 7.30-9.30 pm in Sure Start Building, St Patrick’s Avenue, Downpatrick
	Lisburn Downtown Centre Contact Group
			Carers of children with learning difficulties. Margaret Bailey, 028 92672052 Meet 2nd and 4th Tuesday monthly in Downtown Centre, 49 Market Square South, Lisburn.
	PAPA (Parents And Professionals and Autism)
			Carers of people with autism. PAPA Lisburn Clare Hughes, 028 9266 3005 Every 2nd Monday 7.30pm in Warren Children’s Center, Lisburn. PAPA Down Moira Denvir, 028 4461 5307 Meet 2nd last Wednesday monthly 8.30 pm in Murlough Tavern, Dundrum.
	Lisburn Downs Syndrome Support Group
			Carers of people with Downs Syndrome Lisburn Area Rosemary Gorman, 028 926 69742
	Disability Network Carers Group
			Carers of people with disabilities Unit 1 TSL House Bachelors Walk Lisburn Louise Duffy 028 92 667227 Frequency of meetings varies depending in the level of need from carers.
	North and West Belfast Downs Syndrome Association
			Carers of people with Downs Syndrome Grainne Murray 028 90 961435 Meet in Glen Community Centre on a monthly basis
	“Brain Time” Support Group
			Support group for people aged 16-65 years with acquired brain injury family members and carers. Contact Community Brain Injury Team 028 92 633189 or Mary Braittwaite 028 92 633187 Downpatrick area monthly meeting in Downpatrick Library on Tuesday morning. Lisburn area monthly meeting in Thompson House Hospital on Thursday evening.
If you are aware of any other groups for carers running in the Down Lisburn Trust area please forward details to:
			Joan Scott Carers Development Officer Ballynahinch Community Services 45-47 Ballynahinch Street Ballynahinch BT24 8DN Tel: 028 97 565456 Fax: 028 97 562299 joan_scott@dltrust.n-i.nhs.uk

Organisations with specialist workers for carers
	Alzheimers Society
			Cathy Connolly. St Patricks Centre Market Street Downpatrick Tel 028 4461 3489
	Cause for Mental Health (Lisburn Sector)
			Brenda McFall Tel: 028 9062 2008 Carer Advocate Mobile: 079 668 09427 Derriaghy Day Centre Unit 7 The Cutts Dunmurry Industrial Estate Derriaghy
	Chest Heart & Stroke Association (Down & Lisburn Sectors)
			Isobel Milhench Tel: 028 9266 5141 Stroke Family Support Co-Ordinator 0776 421 1535 c/o Social Work Dept Lagan Valley Hospital Lisburn
	Disability Network (Lisburn Sector)
			Stephen Woods Tel: 028 9266 7227 Disability Co-ordinator Unit 1 TSL House Bachelors Walk Lisburn BT28 1 XN
	Down Lisburn Carers Forum on Learning Disability (Down & Lisburn Sectors)
			Colette McGinnitty Tel: 028 9060 2705 ext 6075 Liaison Officer Mobile: 07966 903935 Stewartstown Road Health Centre Stewartstown Road Dunmurry BT17 0FB
	Rethink Mental Health (Down Sector)
			Paul Ennis Operations Officer Tel: 028 4461 7964 Rethink Resource Services 12a English Street Downpatrick
	Huntington’s Disease Project Manager
		Rosie Dargan Department of Medical Genetics Belfast City Hospital Lisburn Road BT9 7AB 028 90 329241
	Speechmatters (Lisburn Sector)
			Marian McKeown Tel: 028 9040 1389 Social Worker (Aphasia) Advocate Speechmatters Knockbracken Health Care Park Saintfield Road Belfast BT8 8BH
Points of Contact for Down Lisburn Trust Staff
	Trust Headquarters Lisburn Health Centre Phone 028 9266 5181 Linenhall Street Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 ILU For emergencies Outside Office Hours (evening and weekends) Phone 028 9056 5444 and ask for emergency Duty Social Worker
	For Older People
			Lisburn
				Team for Older People Lisburn Health Centre Linenhall Street Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 ILU Phone 028 9266 5181
			Dunmurry
				Stewartstown Road Health Centre 212 Stewartstown Road Dunmurry BT17 0FB Phone 028 9060 2705
			Ballynahinch
				Ballynahinch Community Services 45-47 Main Street Ballynahinch Co. Down BT24 8DN Phone 028 9756 5456
			Downpatrick
				Downpatrick Community Services 12/14 Pound Lane Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6HY Phone 028 4461 3811
			Hillsborough
				Hillsborough Health Centre 29 Ballynahinch Street Hillsborough Co. Down BT26 6AW Phone 028 9268 3609
			Newcastle
				Newcastle Community Services 20-22 Park Avenue Newcastle Co. Down BT33 0DY Phone 028 4372 3346
	For Adults With Physical Disabilities
			Lisburn Sector
				Rowan Centre 56 Wallace Avenue Lisburn Co. Antrim BT274AE Phone 028 9260 4031
			Down Sector
				Disability Resource Centre Downshire Hospital Ardglass Road Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6RA Phone 028 4461 6915
	For People With Brain Injury
			Community Brain Injury Team
				Thompson House Hospital 19/21 Magheralave road Lisburn Co. Antrim, BT28 3BP Phone 028 9263 3187
	Services For Children With Disabilities
			Lisburn Sector
				Warren Children’s Centre 61 Woodland Park Lisburn Co. Antrim, BT28 1LQ Phone 028 9260 7528
			Down Sector
				Childrens Disability Team Ward 25 Downshire Hospital Ardglass Road Downpatrick BT30 6RA Phone 028 4461 3311
	For People With Sensory Impairments
			Lisburn Sector
				Rowan Centre 56 Wallace Avenue Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 2EA Phone 028 9260 7746 Mobile 07739879554
			Down Sector
				Disability Resource Centre Downshire Hospital Ardglass Road Downpatrick BT30 6RA Phone 028 4461 6915 Text 028 4461 4744 Mobile 07739879556
	For People With Mental Health Difficulties
			Lisburn Sector
				Mental Health Team Lisburn Health Centre Linenhall Street Lisburn Co. Antrim, BT28 1LU Phone 028 9266 5181
			Down Sector
				Mental Health Team Downshire Hospital Ardglass Road Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6RA Phone 028 4461 3311
	Services For Adults With Learning Disabilities
			Lisburn Sector
				Rowan Centre 56 Wallace Avenue Lisburn Co. Antrim BT27 4AE Phone 028 9260 4031
			Down Sector
				Disability Resource Centre Downshire Hospital Ardglass Road Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6RA Phone 028 4461 6915

The recently implemented Carers and Direct Payments Act (NI) 2002 places new duties on Trusts to carry out separate assessments of the needs of carers who regularly provide a substantial amount of care to a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, disabled or is an older person. Carers have a right to an assessment even if the person they care for has refused an assessment for, or the provision of, services. The new law empowers Trusts to provide services directly to carers to assist them in their caring role or to make Direct Payments available to carers.

Account will be taken of the carer’s circumstances, views, age, general health and well being, and other available supports.

The carer assessment provides carers with an opportunity to find out what help might be available to them. This might include information and training to help with the caring role; emotional support through carer support groups, alternative therapies, etc; practical support in the home; or breaks from caring.

Further information about Carer Assessments can be obtained from the Leaflet entitled “Carers Assessment Leaflet”. Further Information and leaflets can also be obtained locally from Trust Offices; any Health or Social Services professional including GPs; or by telephoning the Trust’s Carers Development Officer at 028 9756 5456

This is a list of some organisations who offer information to carers. Some offer general advice and others offer advice to carers of people with a specific illness, frailty or disability.

1. Belfast Carers Centre
Supports carers through advice and information.
Helpline 028 9043 4700
Fax 028 9024 9999
www.carerscentre.org
email info@carerscentre.org

2. Carers UK
Carers UK is the voice of carers and the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation for carers, www.carersuk.org They also provide information and advice for carers on a range of topics relating to caring specific to Northern Ireland.
Telephone 028 9043 9843
Carers Line 0808 808 7777
Fax 028 9032 9299
www.carersni.org
email info@carersuk.org

1. Age Concern
They provide information and support for people (over 60) and their carers. In some areas, they operate day care centres, lunch clubs, home visits and social activities.
Advice Line 028 9032 5055 (9:30am – 1.00pm)
Email: advice@ageconcernni.org.uk
www.ageconcern.org Email: infor@ageconcernni.org.uk

2. Alzheimer’s Society
Provides information, advice and support for people with Alzheimer’s and their carers. There are carer support groups running in some areas.
Helpline 028 9066 4100
www.alzheimers.org.uk

3. Aware Defeat Depression
Provides information and advice for people who have depression, their families and carers. They have support groups in some areas and also arrange public talks on depression and related topics.
Telephone 028 7126 0602
www.aware-ni.org
Email info@aware-ni.org

4. C.A.U.S.E. for Mental Health
Provides advice and support for people with mental illness, their families and carers. There are a number of local Carer Advocates who run support groups and offer counselling.
Telephone 028 9024 3838 Fax 028 9024 3838
www.cause.org.uk
email info@cause.org.uk

5. Chest, Heart and Stroke Association N.I.
Provides advice for people who have had chest or heart problems or who have had a stroke; as well as their carers.
Helpline 0845 7697299
www.nichsa.com
email mail@nichsa.com

6. Contact A Family
Provides information and advice to families who care for children with a disability or special need.
Helpline 028 9262 7552
www.cafamily.org.uk

7. Disability Action
Provide a wide range of information and advice to people with any disability, their families and carers.
Telephone 028 9029 7880
www.disabilityaction.org
Email information@disabilityaction.org

8. Down’s Syndrome Association
Provides information on Down’s Syndrome. Information pack on Down’s Syndrome and dementia provided.
Telephone 028 9070 4606
www.downs-syndrome.org.uk
Email dsa-ni@yahoo.co.uk

9. Headway
Provides information and support to people who have had a brain injury, as well as carers and families.
Telephone 9020 5777
email headway@ukonline.org

10. Mencap
Provides information, residential, education and employment services, leisure opportunities, individual support and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Helpline 028 9069 1351
www.mencap.org.uk

11. PAPA – The N.I. Autism Charity
Provide information to people with autism, their families and carers.
Telephone 028 9040 1729
www.autismni.org
email info@autismni.org

12. Rethink
Provides information and advice for those with severe mental illness, their family and carers. They also provide community services including employment projects, supported housing, day services and residential care.
Helpline 028 9040 2323
www.rethink.org

13. Speechmatters
Provides information and advice to adults who have speech difficulties, their families and carers.
Telephone 028 9040 1389
www.speechmatters.org
Email info@speechmatters.org

The benefit system is complex and finding out what help is available is not always easy. This sheet gives a brief overview of benefits for carers. You can get further help and advice from a Citizen’s Advice Bureau, an Independent Advice Centre, a Disability Organisation or CarersNI (Tel 028 9043 9843)

• For at least 35 hours a week, you look after someone who gets Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance; and

• You are over 16; and

• You are not studying for more than 21 hours a week; and

• You earn £82 a week or less (after specified deductions); and

• You do not receive one of a list of other benefits paid at a higher rate than Carer’s Allowance (including State Retirement Pension, Incapacity Benefit and Bereavement Benefits); and

• You satisfy UK residence and immigration rules.

You receive a National Insurance Contribution Credit for each week that you qualify for Carer’s Allowance. The credit protects your State Retirement Pension and State Second Pension and may help you to qualify for Incapacity Benefit or contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance in the future.

If you cannot get a Contribution Credit, you may still be able to protect your pension by claiming Home Responsibilities Protection. For more information contact your local Inland Revenue office.

1. Income Support (IS)

This is for people whose income is below minimum levels set by the Government. It is for people under 60 who do not have to sign-on to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance. The minimum level varies with your circumstances. Carers do not have to sign-on if the person they care for gets DLA at the highest or middle rate for personal care or AA. If you are 60 or over see Pension Credit. You cannot claim Income Support if you have more than £8,000 in savings. Claim Income Support from your local social security office.

2. Pension Credit

Pension Credit is a benefit for people aged 60 or over. The Credit has two parts, one is equivalent to Income Support and the other provides extra income for people 65 or over with modest savings or small occupational or personal pensions. Claim on 0808 1006165.

3. Tax Credits

There are two tax credits – Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. Working Tax Credit is for people who are in work. The amount you get depends on your income and personal circumstances. Child Tax Credit is for people with a child under 16 or under 19 if they are in education. You may be able to get extra credit if you have a child with a disability.

4. Rate Rebate

If you leave your home unoccupied (without furniture) and live elsewhere to provide care, the property that you leave may be exempt from rates. Similarly if someone leaves a house empty and comes and lives with you so that you can provide care, their home may be exempt from rates. If you have a low income, you may be able to reduce your rates by claiming Rate Rebate. For more information about Rate Rebate contact your local Rates Agency Office.

This information was compiled in January 2005. Benefits usually are subject to increase in April each year to take account of the rise in cost of living.

During March 2004 we published our Draft Carers Strategy outlining the Trust’s plan for supporting carers. It was a consultation document which was circulated to a wide range of individuals, groups and organisation for their views. The document has been updated and re issued in 2005. We continue to welcome your comments, please contact:

Down Lisburn Trust is currently compiling a list of carers in its area who provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis to a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, disabled or is an older person. The Trust is looking to improve information to carers about a range of carer issues, service developments, carer events, etc.

We are inviting carers to give us their details if they wish their name to be held on the Trusts' carers list. Please complete the form which can be sent electronically to the Trusts' Carers Development Officer joan_scott@dltrust.n-i.nhs.uk or printed and sent by post to Joan Scott at Ballynahinch Community Services, 45-47 Main Street, Ballynahinch, Co Down BT24 8DN.