1. What is a Carer? Am I one? What next?

A ‘Carer’ is a person who cares for a friend, relative or neighbour and is not paid for the care they give, in comparison to a Care Worker who is a paid employee. Recognising yourself as a carer is a very important first step! Each caring situation is very different, and therefore there are many routes you could possibly take. It’s very helpful and advisable to have someone sit down with you and discuss your individual needs. If appropriate it will be recommended that you contact Social Services and ask them for a Carer’s Assessment.

2. What is a Carers’ Assessment?

Carers Assessments are planned meetings with a social worker to discuss your own needs as they relate to your caring role and to fill in a special form. Through a Carers’ Assessment, strategies can be developed to help you carry out your caring responsibilities to the best of your ability bearing in mind whatever other needs you may have to be able to lead a satisfying and balanced life. To request a Carers’ Assessment, contact the Social Work Team most applicable to you:

Social Services/Social Work Teams, details:

West Barnet S/W Team for Adults with Mental Health Problems

Contact: Liz Thomasson / Dave Hyslop
Address: Dennis Scott Unit, Edgware Community Hospital, Middlesex. HA8 0AD
Tel: 020 8951 2070
Fax: 020 8951 2101

• East Barnet S/W Team for Adults with Mental Health Problems

Address: Barnet Psychiatric Unit, Barnet Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Herts, EN5 3DJ
Tel: 020 8216 4919 (SE) / 4981 (NE)
Fax: 020 8216 4596 / 4082

• Barnet S/W Team for Adults with Learning Difficulties

Address: 3rd Floor, 313 Ballards Lane, N. Finchley, N12 8LY
Tel: 020 8492 5460
Fax: 020 8492 5468

• Barnet S/W Team for Adults with Disabilities

Address: Barnet House, 1255 High Rd, Whetstone, N20 OEJ
Tel: 020 8359 4652

• Barnet S/W Team for Disabled Children

Address: Barnet House, 1255 High Road, Whetstone, N20 OE
Tel: 020 8359 4246
Fax: 020 8359 4094

• Barnet S/W Team for the Elderly (65+)

Address: Duty Office, Older Care Group, Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, Hendon, NW4 4BG
Tel: 020 8359 2440 / 2580
Fax: 020 8359 2570

• Barnet S/W Team for Elderly People with Mental Health Problems

Address: Silkstream Unit, Colindale Hospital, Colindale Avenue, NW9 5HG
Tel: 020 8952 2381, ext. 3429

• Barnet Social Services – Medical Social Work Department

Address: Barnet Hospital, 3-5 Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Herts, EN5 3DJ
Tel: 020 8275 2600
Fax: 020 8275 5390

• Barnet Occupational Therapy Team for Adults

Address: Barnet House, 1255 High Road, Whetstone, N20 OEJ
Tel: 020 8359 4539 / 4614 / 4349

• Enfield S/W Team for Adults with Mental Health Problems

Tel: 020 8379 4142
Fax: 020 8379 5094

• Southgate S/W Team for Adults with Mental Health Problems

Tel: 020 8366 9125
Fax: 020 8364 6711

3. How do I get respite for the person I care for?

Through Social Services. If the cared for is not receiving support from the services, the carer should have a Carer’s Assessment and check the available option according to the circumstances. If the cared for is elderly and not receiving support, then respite can be arranged through a needs assessment, from the Social Work team for the elderly.

4. Where can I get Welfare Benefits and Pensions advice over the phone?

• Freephone Welfare Benefits enquiry hotline/advice line: 0800 882200
• Carers Allowance Unit: 01772 899655 (9.00am – 4.30pm Daily)
• Disability Living Allowance Unit: 020 8795 8400
• Pension Credit: 0800 99 1234 (Application Line)
• State Retirement Pension: 0845 300 1084

5. Are there any Befriending services?

1. High Barnet 020 8441 5678
2. Mill Hill 020 8906 3340
3. East Finchley 020 8444 1162
4. Neighbours (N10, N11 & N12) 020 8361 6100
5. Friend in Need Community Centre – East Barnet 020 8449 8225

6. I just need help with things around the house like shopping, gardening and cleaning. I don’t need any personal care. Who can help?

Although we cannot recommend specific agencies we can give you the names of not-for-profit organisations and commercial agencies working locally:

• East Finchley Neighbourhood Contact – 020 8444 1162
• Friend in Need Community Centre – 020 8449 8225
• High Barnet Good Neighbour Scheme - 020 8441 5678
• Mill Hill Churches Good Neighbour Scheme – 020 8906 3340
• Neighbours – 020 8361 6100
• Helping Hands – 020 8275 8378
• Barnet Care and Support Services - 020 8346 0055
• Housing 21, - 8732 7677
• Westminster Homecare, - 8343 8855

7. My wife/husband has had a stroke. As a carer, what financial and practical support am I entitled to?

• Welfare Benefits enquiry hotline/advice line: 0800 882200
• Carers Allowance Unit: 01772 899655 (9.00am – 4.30pm Daily)
• Disability Living Allowance Unit: 020 8795 8400
• Pension Credit: 0800 99 1234 (Application Line)

8. Can you help me with transport to take my elderly mother shopping?

• Community Transport Association
  Address: Unit 15, Leroy House, 436 Essex Rd, Islington, N1 3QP
  Tel: 020 7354 0504

• Barnet Transport Scheme including FIN and Dial a Ride

• Dial-a-ride
  Tel: 020 8829 1249 / 1247

• Red Cross
  Tel: 020 8804 0309

• Tripscope: provide free information and advice about travel and transport for elderly and disabled people, carers, and organisations working on their behalf.

Address: The Vassall, Gill Avenue, Bristol, BS16 2QQ
Tel: 0845 758 5641

• Friend in Need – Community Centre / Community Transport

Address: East Barnet Baptist Church, Crescent Rd, East Barnet, Herts, EN4 8PS
Tel: 020 8449 8225
Fax: 020 8441 2463
E-mail: fin@baptistchurch.free-online.co.uk

• London Transport Information 020 7222 1234

• Transport for London Access and Mobility 020 7941 4500

• Barnet Transport SchemesFreedom Passes:

Assisted Travel Section – 020 8359 4131
Travel Voucher Scheme – 020 8359 4131
Shopmobility Scheme – 020 8202 8095
Barnet Community Transport – 020 8359 5014

9.The hospital says my relative can come home. He/she has multiple care needs and I'm worried I won't be able to cope.

Before your relative is discharged from hospital you should ask ward staff about a discharge assessment meeting. This meeting should include members of the hospital team and a social worker and possibly an occupational therapist. At this meeting you will have an opportunity to express your concerns and to seek advice and help on how you will be able to look after her/him. The Carer Support Team will be on hand to provide a listening ear and to help you with any further advice and support you may need to help you adjust to your caring role.

10. What day Centres are available in the area?

1. Freemantle Trust Day Centres - These are provided through the Barnet Council, and you must first be assessed by a social worker
2. Voluntary Day Centres -These can be contacted directly:

• Alzheimer’s Society, Barnet Branch – 020 8201 0842
• Ann Owens Centre (Age Concern) – 020 8346 8736
• Barnet African-Caribbean Association Day centre – 020 8202 0095
• Barnet Asian Old People’s Association – 020 8202 4414
• Chipping Barnet Day Centre for the Elderly – 020 8449 7501
• Cultural and Recreational Organisation for Tamil Elders
• Cypriot Centre – 020 8445 7070
• Derwent House Daycentre – 020 8202 6494
• Finchley Community Network – 020 8343 3576
• Friend in Need Daycentre (FIN) – 020 8449 8225
• Friern Barnet Day Centre (Age Concern) – 020 8368 4278
• Leonard Sainer Day Centre – 020 8951 3739
• The Meritage Centre (Age Concern) – 020 8203 5040
• Michael Sobell Community Centre (Jewish) – 020 8922 2511
• Sam Beckman Day Centre – 020 8203 0521
• Shri Katchi Leva Patel Community Centre – 020 8202 4963
• Woodside Park Jewish Day Centre – 020 8446 8599