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Local Support for Carers
Sources of support in West Sussex
It is vital that parents, family members and carers get emotional and practical support - without this, caring for someone with a learning disability can lead to many difficulties. It can be hard to ask for help, however, especially if you are used to managing and have a lifetime's experience in your role as a parent and carer. Some people find they need more support as they get older; others find that an unexpected change circumstances, such as redundancy, precipitates a need for help.It may help to know that you are not alone. Some 16,000 people in this area have a learning disability, and there are thousands of parents, families and carers in West Sussex. Finding someone who shares your concerns or outlook can be a great help, and offering mutual support can be rewarding, too.
There are several local organisations that offer general advice and a "signposting" service to help you find the right kind of support. These include:
• West Sussex County Council
• West Sussex Carers On Line
• ICIS
• Wellspring
Where do you live?
There are a three carers support services in different parts of the county:
• Carers Support Service North and Mid Sussex
• Carers Support Service in Chichester
• Carers Support Service, Worthing
West Sussex County Council
Find out about many aspects of caring along with practical support measures such as the carer's emergency alert card scheme and the emergency respite care scheme.
www.westsussex.gov.uk
West Sussex Carers On Line
A highly informative website for carers.
www.westsussexcarers.org.uk
ICIS
Littlehampton-based organisation ICIS offers lots of information and a useful "signposting" service towards help for parents and carers, as well as for people with learning disabilities . Call 0800 859929 (free) or 01903 859929 or visit www.icis-info4life.org.uk
Wellspring
Wellspring West Sussex is a registered charity that provides information, dialogue and discussion with and for children and young people with disabilities, and their parents and carers in West Sussex. Useful if you are the parent of a young adult with a learning disability.
www.wellspringwestsussex.org.uk
Try your GP surgery
Your GP surgery may offer support for people identified as carers - this can range from including you on a list of people who are offered the flu jab to offering counselling and sending out regular information. Carers need to be cared for too, so it is worth asking next time you are there.
Oral Health Leaflets
The Access to Healthcare Steering Group have produced 2 leaflets to help carers deal with the issue of Oral Health. One leaflet gives tips on visiting a dentist please click here to view. They have also produced another leaflet that explains about oral health care products please click here to view.
West Sussex Aiming High for Disabled Children (AHDC)
The vision behind AHDC is for all families with disabled children and young people up to the age of 19 to have the support they need to live ordinary family lives, as a matter of course. To find out more please click here .
Easy Countryside Trails in West Sussex
A brochure has be produced detailing countryside walks in West Sussex suitable for all including wheelchair and pushchair users.
If you would like a copy please contact:
West Sussex County Council
PROW
County Hall
West Sussex
PO19 1RG
Telephone: 01243 777620
Email: e-mail@westsussex.gov.uk
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