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Hafal & Carers

Hafal Crossroads provides practical help, information, advice and support to unpaid Carers living in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys. Find out more at: hafal.org/crossroads

CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH A SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS

Being a carer can be very stressful at times, however, with the right information and support, carers can minimise the difficulties they face.

Hafal provides a range of services and support specifically for carers. These include:

  • Family support:

    working closely with carers and family members to provide the best support for clients;

  • Advocacy:

    supporting carers by representing their interests;

  • Breaks for carers:

    engaging a person being cared for in an activity so that carers can take a break;

  • Accessible information and advice:

    providing carers with the latest news and information relevant to them;

  • Mutual support:

    enabling carers to support each other through carers’ groups;

  • Giving carers a voice:

    especially in the planning of local services;

  • Awareness raising:

    highlighting carers’ rights, such as the right to have a needs assessment.

The Hafal resources below are designed to help carers. They offer information, tips, insights and case studies of how carers can manage.The links below also provide information on your local Hafal project and how you can get involved.

THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND WELL-BEING (WALES) ACT 2014

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 became law in April 2016. View a brief video here about how it affects your rights and entitlements as a carer.

View our online overview of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act here.

The Act gives carers new rights to have their needs assessed. This form provides mental health carers with a template which they can use to request a Carer’s Assessment – or an updated one if they have had one in the past – and ensure that it comprehensively deals with their needs.

CARERS’ PRIORITIES FOR RESEARCH AND CAMPAIGNING

Mental health carers from across Wales met at the Hafal’s 2015 AGM carers’ event to move their forward their research and campaigning agenda. Carers generated over 150 ideas for and then voted for their top 10 priorities.

Download our discussion paper – Caring for Mental Health in Wales – which aims to generate discussion about the needs and challenges faced by people caring for someone with a mental illness.

ADVICE AND WHERE TO GET HELP

Our ‘Support for Mental Health Carers in Wales’ leaflet will provide you with the information you need to find out where you can get support and advice from Hafal.

‘Support for Mental Health Carers in Wales’

Hafal has produced a ‘Ten Point Plan’ based on the tips we’ve had from over 400carer Members at Hafal. The Plan is based on real experience and sets out the positive steps you can take as a carer to move forward and support the person you care for.

‘Ten Point Plan’

You can also contact the following organisations:-

Carers Wales https://www.carersuk.org/wales/about-us

Diverse Cymru https://www.diversecymru.org.uk/

Bipolar UK https://www.bipolaruk.org/

King’s College London provide a free online course ‘Caring for People with Psychosis and Schizophrenia’: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/caring-psychosis-schizophrenia?utm_campaign=Share+Links&utm_medium=futurelearn-just_enrolled&utm_source=email

 

CARERS’ FEEDBACK

An account of what it’s like caring for a young person with a serious mental illness.

Jane on what it’s been like caring for her husband

Read our carers’ special journal which includes interviews with carers plus key information on the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act.

CARER’S ALLOWANCE

In 2013 over £60 million of Carer’s Allowance in Wales went unclaimed. To make sure you’re not missing out on money you are entitled to as a mental health carer please visit: https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/overview