The role of the Carer Support Worker is primarily to listen; sometimes just having the chance to talk to someone can make a huge difference.  They can refer you to Social Care for help, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy etc. They can assist with benefits advice and put you in touch with the carers groups and the carers phone line.  

Our Carer Support Workers do home visits and see people in the surgeries.

Carer Support Worker, Romina Martinez is based at Chelston Hall Surgery on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  She can be contacted by calling 07785 515979, calling the surgery 01803 605117 via the appointment line or emailing her on romina.martinez@nhs.net.  If you call when Romina is not available, surgery staff will take your details and she will call you back.

Are you caring for a family member or friend? Join Torbay Carers for a wide range of support and activities to help with your caring role.

Please contact Torbay Carers on (01803) 66 66 20, email signposts@nhs.net or visit www.tsdft.uk/carers for information about the support available to you. There is also a Carer Support Worker within your surgery. If you would like to meet with them to discuss your caring situation you can book this through your surgery.

If you are not a registered carer and wish to apply, contact Signposts for Carers on 01803 666620 or by email via our contact form.

The Carers Register is an independently-held, confidential register which can help you access additional support – the carers emergency card, free education courses, a quarterly carers newsletter “Signposts“, and free hospital parking and discounts in local shops.

“If you weren’t there, who would care?”

Have you thought what would happen to the person you care for, if something happened to you? Maybe you have other friends or family who could help, but the Carers Emergency Card is recognised by the hospital and emergency services, so if you weren’t able to call, your back-up plan would be activated.

Across the UK, 6.5 million people support a loved one who may be older, disabled, seriously ill or have mental health needs or addiction issues. That’s 1 in 8 adults (over 25)/ young adult carers (18-25)/ young carers (under 18) who care, unpaid, for family and friends.

These Carers may or may not receive Carers Allowance and they can be any age, but there is a huge range of support for all them.

The first port of call for Carer advice is the Carer Support Workers based in each surgery. 

They can provide advice on:

• How to access a carer's assessment
• Practical support
• Emotional Support
• Benefits
• Getting a break
• Referring for finance and benefits advice 
• Specialist referrals to drug and alcohol and mental health workers
• Planning ahead

They are here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

It is difficult sometimes to see yourself as a carer. The role change often comes slowly when you find you are doing much more than you were and the needs of your loved ones increase. We support carers of all ages, and there are also specialist Young Carer and Young Adult Carer groups that we can refer you to.

There are a number of organisations both national and local to help you in your caring role.   

Signpost for Carers Information Line (01803) 666620 or Email direct to: signposts@nhs.net

Funding for care - Further information regarding how your care is funded is available from NHS Choices. Click HERE to see more.

Benefits Advice for Carers - For help with completing benefit forms please contact the following:

• Bay Benefits @ Carers Aid Torbay on 07530 790354.
• John Dudley @ The Windmill Centre 01803 314876
• Citizens Advice Bureau - 29, Palace Avenue, Paignton TQ3 3EQ - Phone 0300 3309026 - Website: http://www.citizensadvicetorbay.org.uk/

The Carers register enables you to carry a Carers Passport and gives you access to free education courses, a Safely Home bracelet and the 'Signposts' newsletter.

If you have an accident you may not be able to tell people you have someone at home who is relying on you. This card is used to alert people to this.

It entitles you to park for free at Torbay, Newton Abbot and Totnes hospitals provided you are there for your cared for person, and entitles you to receive certain discounts in Torbay. 

Speak to one of our Carers Support Workers for more information.