Please let the Practice know if you are a carer!
Carers are people who regularly provide voluntary care for relatives, a friend or a neighbour who cannot manage or who would struggle without their help.
Did you know that there are over half a million carers in Scotland.
If you are a carer the Insch Medical Practice wants to do more to help you!
CARERS REGISTER
We ask all carers to please let us know if they have taken on this role, and then we seek your permission to record this information, in order that we can write to you periodically if there is information or activities that we feel may be of help or interest.
YOUNG CARERS
If you are a young carer (aged under 18) we think you have special needs. We think you may benefit from having someone to talk to or having time to be with your friends.
A website has been developed by CAIR Scotland for young carers living in Aberdeenshire. www.youngcarersaberdeenshire.org.uk
CARERS NOTICE BOARD
We have a dedicated notice board for Carers in our waiting room with information and contact details of various local and national support agencies. Please come and browse this notice board!
The NHS Helpline (0800 22 44 88) will be able to tell you:
- What financial help is available
- Details of local carers groups
- Contact points for carers organisations in Scotland
Funding for Carers
The Scottish Government has made the Creative Breaks Fund available to help support carers (including young carers) through enabling better access to short breaks or respite care. It recognises that not all carers are able to access short breaks and the vital role breaks play in sustaining carers and those they care for. The funds will seek to support a ‘preventative’ approach to short break provision, recognising the importance of planned breaks in promoting good health and well being.
There are many ways you can enjoy a short break ~ visit a relative, attend a special family occasion, book a holiday or enjoy a weekend away. These breaks can mean the carer and cared for spending some quality time together or apart.
Book pampering sessions, relax and enjoy ~ reflexology, yoga, aromatherapy, reiki, visits from a mobile hairdresser or a beauty therapist etc.
Take the opportunity to try out something different ~ arts and crafts lessons, sauna sessions or book a local gym membership etc.
Alternatively why not try an outdoor activity such as fishing, driving lessons, social activities etc. the lists could go on!
· The Creative Breaks funding is available for carers aged 18 – 64
· Funding for Carers aged 65 and over or any carers caring for someone in that age group can apply for Creative Breaks funding allocated from the Change Fund.
To get more information on Creative Breaks or to apply for funding:
· Phone Aberdeenshire Carers Services on 01779 490894 or 01261 818143
· Contact your local VSA Carers Support and Development Worker
· Email: Janice.Duthie@vsa.org.uk or Sandra.Andrew@vsa.org.uk
· Visit our website at www.vsa.org.uk
· For young carers funding please contact cairscotland on 01467 620582
VSA will work in partnership with other statutory and voluntary sector providers to ensure that the funding is allocated to carers using a robust and open referral and allocation process.
(Other sources for funding available for carers caring for someone aged 20 or younger from the Family Fund Take a Break scheme 01904 571093)