Issue 8: Autumn/Winter 2020
Advice & Support Team, Care
Giving carers a helping hand
If you’re one of the 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK, you may know that giving someone else your time and attention means it can be easy to forget about your own needs.
When you stop to gather your thoughts, have you ever found yourself thinking; “I’m struggling to make ends meet each month”, or “I need some time away from caring”? You may have even thought, “My own mental health is suffering”.
If you’ve ever considered one of these thoughts – you’re not alone. Thankfully, for Freemasons and their families, we have 13 regional Advice & Support Team (AST) advisers on hand to provide guidance and support to help you in your caring role.
Follow AST Team Leader, Gill, as she takes you through how the AST can support you.
1. Help arranging a carer’s assessment
Whatever your situation, your local authority has a duty of care for all carers to carry out an assessment to see what could make your life easier – whether that’s help with taxi fares if you don’t drive, training how to lift safely or even putting you in touch with local support groups. We can contact your local authority or social services on your behalf to arrange for a carer’s assessment to be carried out – remember, even if the person you care for refuses a care needs assessment, you are still entitled to a carer’s assessment.
2. Support discussing respite needs with social services
There are many different types of carer’s breaks or respite care that can be provided by your local social services to support you in taking a break from your caring responsibilities. If you are unsure as to whether you’re eligible for respite, or you don’t know how to access local authority support, we can advise you on the steps involved or help you to make contact with your social services.
3. Identifying benefits to which you or the person you care for may be entitled
We often find that carers are not aware of, and are therefore not claiming, the full range of benefits to which they’re entitled. We can help you to identify any benefits that you may be eligible for and support you in making an application to your local authority or the government. We can also advise you on any benefits for which your loved one may be eligible.
4. Help with making an application to the MCF for support
Every member of the AST has a full understanding of the support available from the MCF and its eligibility criteria. Whether it’s home adaptations, mobility equipment, carer’s breaks or support for daily living expenses, we can advise you on any support you may be eligible for, and can help you to complete a full and thorough application.
5. Directing you to other charities and organisations
There are many other national charities and organisations that can provide advice and guidance, depending on your situation. Organisations like Alzheimer’s Society, Parkinson’s UK, Macmillan and Carers Trust can provide further support specific to your needs, and we can direct you to any other relevant charities or organisations that may be of benefit to you.
6. Refer you to the MCF’s counselling service
Over the years, we’ve seen a common need amongst carers: support for their own mental health. If you’re feeling low, anxious or depressed we can put you in touch with the MCF’s counselling service, which is free of charge and confidential.
Whether you’re a carer, are being cared for, or have finished your caring responsibilities, we’re here to provide advice and support.
Get in touch with the MCF to request a visit from a member of the AST, and together we can explore ways to help make your life that little bit easier.
