Agenda item

Northamptonshire Carers supported over 60,000 carers across the county, aged from 5 years to 102!  Many supporting people with more than 1 long term condition and also having health issues of their own.  The Charity was set up over 30 years ago and now had over 90 staff and 100 volunteers.

Dawn stated that there were over 8,200 people with a dementia diagnosis in the county.  Not everyone wanted to be diagnosed and labelled but others did as it opened the door for support and medication where necessary.  She said she was glad to see Pete who did so much to raise awareness as  hearing from those with lived experience was extremely valuable and Pete was doing some amazing work.  There was a backlog of people waiting for a diagnoses due to the pandemic which  had now been taken p as a piece of work to see how they could be supported whilst waiting.  Also the whole experience of diagnoses was being improved and brought down to  9 day process.  Working with memory assessment to set up hubs, one in Brackley and one in Corby where people could access tests, activities etc.  Support was also given out in the community for those with dementia, carers assessments, medication where appropriate, signposting to support.  But what about the carers?  Their needs were always put to the bottom of the list.  Northamptonshire Carers took a holistic look at the Carer’s individual needs, from breaks, gym memberships,  help with benefits and all sorts of activities.  Recently these activities had to be over Zoom but they had still managed a whole variety of activities from bird watching to sit and keep fit.  Face to face activities were picking up and it was intended to have a blended approach in future.   The choir was dementia friendly and open to Carers and the people they were supporting.

Dawn highlighted the need to bust myths around dementia, it was not just an old persons condition, and it was important that people were supported to lead good, fulfilling lives.  The hub of everything was the helpline details below.

Central point of contact: Northamptonshire Carers’ Support Line

01933 677907 (Mon –Fri 9am -5pm)  carers@northamptonshire-carers.org

This service is open to Carers, families, people with dementia as well as professionals.

Graeme stated that Northants Sport had worked with the Charity on several occasions and if there were any gyms/organisations that they had not had a good response from to let him know and he could help start the conversation also anything gaps that might be identified.

Pete started that Carers were bot only fully aware of the work still to do, but also the relationship between the wellbeing of the Carer and that of the person they were looking after.  Lockdown had been such a challenging and tough time for Carers, not being able to have any respite from the person they were caring for.  He also asked if the provision for carers from social prescribing had been explored.  Dawn stated that they had been awarded the contract for Wellingborough.  It was not linked to GP surgeries and there were strict criteria and would be community based for both carer and patient.

https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/Pages/Events/Category/2021-carers-week

2021 Carers Week

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.