Carers Mental Health Respite Scheme

This scheme aims to provide carers of adults and older people suffering from mental health problems with a break from their caring role.

The scheme is being run by the South Leicestershire Partnership, which is made up of Voluntary Action for South Leicestershire, Oadby & Wigston Community Action, Voluntary Action for Blaby District and ‘Crossroads – Caring for Carers’ Care Agency.

The areas the scheme covers are Harborough District, Oadby and Wigston District and Blaby District.

Quotes from carers who have used the service:
“Having a care attendant has meant that for 1 day a week I can be ‘normal’ and not have to deal with my daughter. Thursday is my day and the peace in the house that day is wonderful!! Many thanks!
(And she loves it too!)”

“I know that my husband is benefiting from the scheme, he gets up very early and wants me to give him a shave and he gets dressed and asked for clean shirt and jeans, has his hair combed. He gets the care worker a cup ready with a teabag. He now asks if she is coming next week and he seems happy to see her. My 4 hours are so packed doing the things I love to do: shopping and meeting friends for a chat without the worry of my husband. It’s great!”

An example of the benefit of the scheme and joined-up working:
Following a service user’s admission, Crossroads were able to continue with the respite while the client was in hospital. The Crossroads care staff went in weekly and took the client out of the hospital for a few hours. The psychiatrist and CPN from the hospital have included the respite service as an important part of the clients treatment and recovery and the client was able to return back home to his wife and family in a relatively short time, 3-4 weeks. The respite has now resumed at home and the Crossroads care staff are going in twice a week for 4 hours to provide carer respite.

A carer can refer themselves to the scheme or be referred by a Carers Worker, G.P. or Mental Health Worker.

Benefits for the carer:

• Time to take a break from their caring role.
• Confidence that a quality service is being provided for the cared person.
• The knowledge that the cared for person is involved in a scheme that gives them the opportunity to meet new people and take part in activities in the community.
• The opportunity to have a say in how the service develops to ensure that it meets their needs.
• Support from their Carers Development Worker, relevant information for carers and the opportunity to attend carers groups.

Benefits for the cared for person

• A high quality care attendant providing a block of care up to 8 hours a week, 7 days a week (including Bank Holidays) from 8 am – 10 pm.
• A listening ear and time to chat.
• Involvement in activities in the community.
• Encouragement with practical tasks such as shopping, light household tasks and the preparation of a meal.
• An opportunity to be involved in how the service develops.

"Research has shown that taking regular short breaks benefits both carers and people experiencing mental health problems".

For further information please contact:
Sarah Lambrianou for Oadby and Wigston, based at Oadby & Wigston Community Action (0116) 2810026 ex 28. Email: slambrianou@vaow.org.uk

Sandra George for Blaby District based at Voluntary Action for Blaby (0116) 27527669

Jacqui Mowson for harborough District based at Voluntary Action for South Leicestershire (01858 433232)