If you look after or help someone who has a mental or physical illness or disability, this leaflet is for you...
Information for carers in Swansea
Are you a carer?
A carer is somebody who looks after a relative or friend who cannot manage at home without help because of mental or physical illness or disability and/or the effects of old age. The help they provide is unpaid.
This leaflet has been written to give you an idea of the services which are available for carers in Swansea.
Most of the help received by people in society who need support comes from friends or relatives acting as carers. A substantial numbers of these are children and young people.
As a carer, you do a very difficult and demanding job. The physical and emotional demands involved in caring for somebody else can lead to strain, isolation and even illness (mental or physical). You need to have your own needs for help and support recognised.
The organisations listed in this leaflet can all, in their different ways, help you in your caring role. Some of the things they can provide include:
- Listening to you
- Help with looking after yourself
- Information to help you with caring tasks
- A break from your caring role
If you are not sure where to start, the Swansea Carers Centre may be able to help you. You can contact them on 01792 653344
The voluntary sector
The voluntary sector is made up of a large number of voluntary and charitable organisations which provides information and support of particular interest to carers. This includes information on particular illnesses or disabilities (e.g. disability equipment), welfare benefits, support groups, training or listening, or emotional support.
Swansea Social Services
Swansea Social Services provides personal support and social care services to people who are vulnerable and in need of support and/or protection.
Many of these services are intended to help support carers in their caring role. Carers legislation entitles carers over the age of 16 to have an assessment in their own right (a 'carer's needs assessment'). This assessment is carried out by Social Services.
The health service
Swansea Local Health Board work with ABM University NHS Trust in providing health services for the people of Swansea.
Health services are provided locally by GPs, dentists, opticians and pharmacists. There is an increasing range of services offered by practice nurses.
ABM University NHS Trust provides hospital services as well as other community-based s ervices and mental health services (e.g. Community Psychiatric Nurses).
Your local voluntary services
The organisations listed below are available to provide advice, information or support to carers.
Please note that these organisations are not all available at all times
Carers' Organisations
Swansea Carers Centre - 01792 653344 http://www.carers.org/swansea
Carers Wales (Clydach Branch) - 01792 845788
Carers Wales (Swansea Branch) - 01792 41800
Carers Wales Website http://www.carerswales.org/home
Crossroads SNPT: Caring for Carers - 01792 846351 http://www.crossroads.org.uk
Children
Contact a Family Wales - 02920 498001
NCH Cymru (Swansea) - 01792 299330
Special Needs Advisory Project (SNAP CYMRU) - 01792 457305
Young Carers Project (Crossroads SNPT) - 01792 846351
HIV/AIDS
AIDS Trust Cymru - 01792 461848
Terence Higgins Trust Cymru - 01792 477540
Learning Disability
Mencap Participation Project - 01792 653666
Mental Health
Alzheimer's Society ( Swansea and Lliw Valley) - 01792 461848
HAFAL (Swansea) - 01792 816600
MDF the BiPolar Organisation Cymru - 08456 340080
Mental Health Forum - 01792 642755
Swansea MIND - 01792 642999
Older People
Age Concern Swansea - 01792 641164
Stroke Association - 0845 303 3100
Physical and Sensory Disability
Disability Information & Advice Line (DIAL) - 01792 455565
Mobility Advice and Vehicle Information Service (MAVIS) - 02920 555130
BWSTLER Community Transport - 01792 463675
Swansea Disability Forum - 01792 544018
Swansea Disability Initiative - 01792 544018
RNIB Helpline - 0845766 9999
Royal National Institution for the Deaf (RNID) - 02920 333034
Swansea Vale Resource Centre - 01792 785020
Substance Misuse
Al-Anon Family Groups Helpline - 0207 4030888
Swansea Drugs Project - 01792 472002
West Glamorgan Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse - 01792 472519
Wales Helpline DAN 24/7 - 0800 6335588
Other Useful Organisations
Cancer Information and Support - 01792 655025
Care & Repair - 01792 460999
Citizen's Advice Bureau - 08444 772020
Disabled Benefit Enquiry Line - 0800 882200
Benefit Enquiry (changed circumstances) - 0845 600 3016
Mentro Allan - 01792 635483
Samaritans (National) - 08457 909090
Samaritans (Swansea) - 01792 655999
Swansea Shopmobility - 01792 461785
Your local health services
Child and Family Services
Access and Information Team - 01792 635700
Child Disability Team - 01792 515050
Children's Partnership Team - 01792 612155
Children's Information Service - 01792 517222
Elderly People and Disabled Adults
Intake Team - 01792 636519
Intake Team (Text) - 01792 275412
Learning Disability Services
Community Support Team - 01792 614100
Mental Health
Bonymaen, Mayhill - 01792 517853
Fforestfach, Penlan, Blaenymaes, Gorseinon, Loughor - 01792 899909
Morriston, Llansamlet, Birchgrove, Lower Swansea Valley - 01792 841435
West Swansea, Gower and Townhill, Central Swansea, St.Thomas - 01792 469600
Other Useful Social Services Contacts
Comments and Complaints - 01792 637345
Emergency Duty Team (out of hours) - 01792 775501
Vulnerable Adults (for concerns about abuse /neglect) (POVA) - 01792 636854
Your local health services
Primary Care
Lists and details of GPs (General Practitioners), Dentists, Opticians, Pharmacists, Nursing advice and health related information are available from:
NHS Direct Wales (24 hours a day) - 0845 4647
Community Health Services
Chiropody, Continence Advisory Service, family planning, speech therapy and children's audiology can all be contacted via Orchard Street Clinic on 01792 651501. If you want to contact any Community Clinics contact the Switchboard at Central Clinic.
Hospitals
Fairwood Hospital - 01792 203192
Cefn Coed Hospital - 01792 561155
Morriston Hospital - 01792 702222
Singleton Hospital - 01792 205666
Community Health Council
Community Health Councils are commonly referred to as 'the local health watchdog'. Swansea's CHC can be contacted on 324201.
Information for Carer's online http://www.direct.gov./uk/en/CaringForSomeone
Your local housing services
Housing Renewals and Adaptation - 01792 635330
Housing Options (Office Hours) - 01792 533100
Conucil Tax/Housing Benefit - 01792 635353
Complaints and comments
Voluntary Organisations
Please contact individual organisations for their complaints procedures.
Social Services
Complaints Officer - 01792 637645
Health
Complaints Manager - 01792 784800
Housing
Customer Care Officer - 01792 635025
Swansea Carers Action Group
Swansea Carers Action Group involves representatives of the voluntary sector, health, housing and social services. This group works to improve support and services for all carers in Swansea.
Please ring the Commissioning Support Unit of social services on 01792 636693 to get in touch with Swansea Carers Action Group.
You should also use this number to order further copies of this leaflet or to obtain copies in other languages / formats.
Disclaimer: While Swansea Carers Action Group is committed to working in partnership to improve services for carers, the inclusion of any given organisation in this leaflet should not be understood to imply endorsement of its aims, objectives and / or actions by any of the organisations involved. This list is not exhaustive. May 2008
Last Updated: 28 January 2009