The Princess Royal Trust Richmond Carers Centre

Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Carers Service

What is The Richmond Carers Centre BME Carers Service?

At Richmond Carers Centre, there is Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Carers Service; run and coordinated by BME Carers Support Worker. Under legislation, BME Carers have a right to an assessment and access to professional support. The BME Carers Service is one of the specialist services currently operated by Richmond Carers Centre to identify BME Carers living in the Richmond borough who often experience additional obstacles when they need to engage with health and social care services.
Specific issues for BME Carers
Carers from all communities face difficulties in caring for someone, however there are some differences in the issues faced by BME communities, such as:
• Communication difficulties, including language barriers
• The need for interpreting and translation services
• Lack of understanding of the health and social care system
• Lack of culturally appropriate and responsive services
• The word Carer does not exist among many black and minority ethnic communities. Many people, therefore, do not see themselves as Carers. They see themselves as mother, father, son, daughter etc who care for a relative who is in need of care due to sickness or disability.
The Centre has limited funds available to support a variety of activities, which enables BME Carers to take a break away from their caring responsibilities.
Such activities aim at meeting the Carer’s individual requirements through services which includes the following:
• Holiday and breaks to individuals - for example education, respite, volunteering and day trips
• One to one support – for Carers needing more in-depth support on an ongoing basis
• Support Groups – an opportunity for people to share their views and experiences
• Drop in Service - at the Richmond Carers Centre every Wednesday from 9.30am-12pm.
(If you would like to speak to someone in another community language you need to inform us well in advance so that we arrange for an interpreter).
• Quarterly newsletter and other information products

• Multi – lingual information products