Carers Support (Guildford)

Carers Support (Guildford)
Carers Support (Guildford) offers a range of services to Carers in the Borough, ranging from support
and advocacy for carers’ needs and entitlements, to providing information about caring, benefits
and services, including a regular newsletter, running informal support groups and providing practical
training and various social events for Carers.
In 2014-5 Carers Support (Guildford) provided a service to over 1490 carers, distributed 1,400
newsletters and facilitated 5 carers groups including the newly formed Friendship Group for former
carers. There were 428 New Referrals in the 12 months ending March 31 st 2015. The Carer Advisers
also carried out 420 repeat visits to carers in the same period and put 39 carers forward for a Carer
Break Payment.
The organisation has an excellent reputation in the Borough and in the last three years has
expanded the services it offers carers, two new carers groups, a Friendship Group for former carers
and a programme of Health and Wellbeing activities.
There is a small and lively team of four Carer Advisers (one of whom is the senior) with part time
administrative support. The offices are in Burpham, Guildford.
Carers Support (Guildford) is funded by Surrey County Council to provide independent support for
carers. The service supports all carers; from parents with young children through to families caring
for frail grandparents. (Young Carers are supported by Action for Carers Surrey and the CSG team
make regular referrals to this service.)
The three year grant was awarded from April 2012 and has now been extended for a further year. In
addition in April 2015 the organisation also took on the responsibility for supporting carers who look
after family members and friends with Mental Health issues.
The organisation has also recently been successful in a grant application to the Poyle Guildford
Charities and so in the coming year a part time Carer Adviser is being seconded to work in the Royal
Surrey County Hospital providing a service to carers who are either patients or supporting a patient.
Our current grant arrangements with Surrey County Council do expire on 31st March 2016, however,
we are very confident that we will be successful in the bid process that will take place this autumn.
As a result of additional funding we are seeking to appoint a full time (36 hours over 5 days) Carer
Adviser with a specialism in Mental Health or Parent Carers (although the organisation also
welcomes applications from individuals who wish to work 30 hours over 4 or 5 days a week)
Informal discussions welcome; please contact Karen Lewis, Senior Carer Adviser on 01483 458123.
Application deadline: 11.55 pm on Monday 15th June 2015
Interview Date: Thursday 25th June 2015, full day and will include a presentation on an aspect of the
Care Act and a practical exercise.