Carers Support Service - Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

Lead service provider/commissioner

Name:

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

Type of knowledge

Type of knowledge:

Project description only

Prevention service description

The service is run by six members of staff working both full and part time. Referrals can be made from health and social care practitioners as well from the third sector professionals and from self-referrals. Support is provided through a range of projects. In addition to one to one assistance and signposting to carer’s assessments and direct payments; the service also produces a carer’s newsletter, an in house counselling and peer support service, advice regarding legal problems and facilitates access to local authority services. The service also regularly runs outreach services and coffee mornings as a means of informal support as well as working with the Past Carers group to support individuals whose caring roles have come to an end.

The Project has strong links with RCT leisure services and offer discounted access to carers to council run leisure facilities in RCT. A key piece of work that has proven very popular amongst local carers is the Carers Emergency card. This is a credit card sized card that carers carry with them and is used as source of identification in case they have an accident or are suddenly taken ill. By ringing the support line number on the card (staffed 24 hours per day and 365 days per year) help can be arranged for both the carer and the person whom they look after.

Intervention/service type:

Befriending, mentoring and peer support; Information and advice; Low-level support; Carers support; Self-care

Target client group(s):

Carers in Wales