West Cumbria Carers
Supporting those who care...
Charity number 1119369 Registered in England No. 6123034
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Being a Carer can have a significant impact on an individual’s life. The caring role is often the main responsibility of only one person, and many Carers feel they are forced to ignore their own health or are unable to take breaks or attend appointments because of a lack of alternative care. Carers often become socially isolated, losing touch with friends and family and many have to give up work, adding to feelings of loneliness and being cut-
A Carer’s main concern is the person they care for, and as a result Carers generally tend to place their own needs at the bottom of their priority lists. However it is vital that Carers take care of themselves in order to maintain their own physical, emotional and mental health, which will also enable them to continue in their caring role.
Volunteers fulfil a number of roles to achieve this:
Respite Sitters regularly visit and sit with the cared for (provided there are no practical care needs), enabling the Carer to have a valuable break, with peace of mind that the person they care for is safely looked after.
Carer Supporters will regularly visit a Carer who needs support, it may be that due to their caring role they have become socially isolated or lost their social support networks. The volunteer will have a chat and provide support, or assist with re-entering the community and becoming socially active again.
Carer Supporters will regularly visit a Carer who needs support, it may be that due to their caring role they have become socially isolated or lost their social support networks. The volunteer will have a chat and provide support, or assist with re-
Drivers can help alleviate transport difficulties and are often needed to help with attending events, support groups or essential appointments.
Counsellors provide one-to-one counselling support to Carers who feel themselves in need of this specialist form of therapy as a result of their caring role.
Volunteers are an essential and valued part of our service. Our volunteers receive free training to ensure they are prepared before they begin volunteering and are given on-going support and training to ensure they are fully supported and confident in their role.
Counsellors provide one-
Volunteers are an essential and valued part of our service. Our volunteers receive free training to ensure they are prepared before they begin volunteering and are given on-
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