Who does Gateshead Carers support? Expand We support any unpaid carer who is aged 18 and over and cares for someone who lives in Gateshead. We also support those who work with carers, and those who employ carers. If you are a carer and would like to receive some support, please feel free to contact us! If you are a working carer or an employer of someone who is a working carer, you may want to take a look at our dedicated website, Working Carers and Employers.
Do I have to live in Gateshead to access your services? Expand The person you care for MUST live in Gateshead for you to receive support from us. As a carer you do not have to live in Gateshead yourself.
Can I still access your services if the person I care for has not had a diagnosis or an assessment by social services - for a patient's health care condition or social care needs? Expand Yes, we can help you with ongoing assessments as well as to better understand a health care condition or social care needs. We can also put you in touch with specialist organisations for a particular condition.
Is this a free and confidential service? Expand Our services are free to use and confidential. We are a registered charity and provide a free service thanks to the kindness of our donors. If you would like to help keep our services free, please consider donating if you can.
How do I know if I am a Carer? Expand If you look after a friend, relative, family member or neighbour who has a disability, illness, frailty or addiction and you do not get paid to do this, then you are a carer. If you're still unsure if you identify as a carer, take a look at our What is a Carer page.
I am an employer and need help and advice on supporting working carers in my organisation. Can you help? Expand Yes, we can offer Carer Awareness sessions for relevant staff and guidance on becoming a Carer Friendly Employer. Please visit our dedicated website for Employers and Working Carers http://www.workingcarersandemployers.co.uk/
I care for a relative who has a mental health / substance misuse issue but I also care for their children, can you still offer support? Expand Yes, if you care for the children of a relative (kinship carer) you can access all of our wellbeing services.
I am a wheelchair user, do you have disabled access to your offices? Expand Yes, we have 2 disabled parking bays at the front of our building at John Haswell House as well as a ramped entrance and ground floor 1-2-1 carer rooms.
Can I access counselling through your service? Expand Yes, we have an internal referral system with North East Counselling Service (NECS). We can also refer you externally to other agencies depending upon your needs.
My caring role has ended due to bereavement, can I still access your services? Expand Yes, but please ask your Carer Wellbeing Facilitator.
The person I care for is now in a care home. Can I still access your services? Expand Yes, you are still a carer and are welcome to access our wellbeing services, including putting you in touch with any specialist organisations that may be appropriate around care home arrangements.
Do you offer respite services and short breaks? Expand We do not provide a respite service but we can refer you to a respite service. You may also be interested in our Carer Wellbeing Fund and Befriending services for carers and the cared for person.
Do you offer any specific training for my role as a carer? Expand If you feel that you require training for your caring role e.g. moving and handling, please talk to your Carer Wellbeing Facilitator.
Do you help carers to access financial support and benefits? Expand We can support carers to access specific carer funding that is available. Where possible we will assist you to complete benefits forms but we may refer you onto an agency if we do not have the capacity to help.
Do I need to register as a carer with my GP? Expand We encourage you to do this so that they are aware of your caring role and can give you the support you need or direct you to relevant services.
How do I join an online session? Follow this short step by step guide to joining one of our online sessions. Expand Pick the session you want to join from our groups and activities webpage. Go to Book a Place and enter the number of tickets you require. Press Book. And then Confirm. Enter your name and email address into our form (this is so we can send you an email with the Zoom meeting ID and passcode). Press Complete Purchase. We will send you an automatic email with any information and passcodes you might need to get into the session. Join on the day of the session using the details in the email you received.
Asylum Seekers and Refugees Expand Peace of Mind Website: https://peaceofmindnortheast.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 07595 300326 The Comfrey Project Website: https://peaceofmindnortheast.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 4477801 Text or WhatsApp message: 07795320706 Action Foundation Website: https://actionfoundation.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 2313113 British Red Cross Website: https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-as-a-refugee Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 2737961
LGBTQ+ Expand Be: Trans Support and Community Website: be-north.org.uk Email: [email protected] Northern Heart Website: www.northernheart.co.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 284 5810
Learning Disabilities Expand Your Voice Counts - a local charity that supports people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and people who are at risk of exclusion due to illness or other challenges. They help these vulnerable people to be involved in important decisions about their life making sure their wishes are heard and their rights upheld. Website: www.yvc.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 478 6472 Mencap - a national charity that supports people with a learning disability and their families and carers, ensuring that people with a learning disability are valued equally, listened to and included. Website: www.mencap.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0808 808 1111 Friends Action North East - a local charity based in Newcastle that helps adults in the North East with learning disabilities to make and keep friends. Website: friendsaction.co.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 231 4327 Gateshead Local Offer - a collection of information for children and people aged 0-25 years with special educational needs and disabilities and their families. This includes information about services and support, and advice and guidance on education, health, social care and transport. Website: gateshead-localoffer.org Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 433 3626
Housing Expand Karbon Homes Website: www.karbonhomes.co.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0808 164 0111 Shelter Website: england.shelter.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0808 800 4444 Oasis Community Housing Website: www.oasiscommunityhousing.org Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 477 3535
Gambling Expand NECA Website: neca.co.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 562 3309 GamCare Website: www.gamcare.org.uk Phone Number: 0808 8020 133
Financial Expand Turn2Us Website: www.turn2us.org.uk Online help: turn2us.custhelp.com Citizens Advice Gateshead Website: citizensadvicegateshead.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0808 278 7902 Disability Rights UK Website: www.disabilityrightsuk.org Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0330 995 0400 The Money Advice Service Website: www.moneyhelper.org.uk Online Enquiry Form: www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/contact-us/money-guidance/money-guidance-enquiry-form Phone Number: 0800 138 7777@ WhatsApp Message: 077 0134 2744 National Debtline Website: www.nationaldebtline.org Phone: 0808 808 4000
Children Expand Barnados DIAS - Advice service for parents and young people who have or may have special educational needs or a disability. Website: www.barnardossendiass.org.uk/gateshead-sendiass Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 478 4667 Heel and Toe - Provides a range of therapies to children with physical disabilities and complex needs. Website: heelandtoe.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0191 386 8606 Cerebra - Supporting children with brain conditions. Website: cerebra.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0126 7244200 IPSEA - Improvising education for children with SEN/Disabilities by providing free legally-based advice. Website: www.ipsea.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0300 222 5899 Contact - Supporting families and children with disabilities Website: contact.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0808 808 3555 Family Lives - Provides advice and support to parents and families. Website: www.familylives.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0808 800 2222 Council For Disabled Children - Meeting the needs of disabled children and supporting their aspirations. Website: councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 020 7843 6000 Gingerbread - Supporting lone parents and their children. Website: www.gingerbread.org.uk Phone Number: 0808 802 0925 Young Lives vs Cancer - Day-to-Day support for children with cancer. Website: www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 0300 330 0803