Carers Champions Plymouth Service

Carers Champions Plymouth Service

This service offers valuable support to thousands of people across Plymouth who juggle caring responsibilities for friends, family and neighbours. Many people take on this responsibility as part of their commitment to the person they care for and do not even consider themselves carers, or access help. Our service aims to identify these carers.

What we can offer:

  • Drop In sessions in citywide locations where carers can visit for practical and emotional support and information
  • Floating Support for carers in the community or their own home - daytime and evening appointments available.
  • Signposting to Carers helplines and specialist services eg advocacy, carers assessments, Simply Counselling, Plymouth City Council’s out of hours service
  • Help and support to get a carers assessment or an assessment of the person you look after
  • Opportunities for peer support and self help and access to support groups or help in setting up new groups
  • Administrative support to carers groups
  • Up to date information on issues relating to carers, from finance to employment issues etc via our carers newsletter and information sheets
  • Help and support to carers to look after their own physical and emotional health
  • Training opportunities for carers on topics they find most helpful
  • Awareness raising on carers needs – for professionals
  • A positive partnership approach to supporting carers across the city
  • Help with completing benefit applications/information about benefits and finance you may be entitled to, e.g., Attendance Allowance, Direct Payments, and Carers Allowance.

What we want to develop

  • New befriending and respite opportunities
  • Supported and sponsored opportunities for social activities
  • New funding opportunities to respond to unmet needs
  • New opportunities for carer events and raising the profile of carers issues/needs across Plymouth.

Carers Assessments

If you provide regular and substantial care to someone else, then you may be entitled to a carers assessment. This is an opportunity to discuss your needs with someone, as well as the needs of the person that you care for.  During your assessment, your support needs will be looked at, to see what might help you to carry on with your caring role. To request a carers assessment, you can either ring Plymouth City Council on 668000, and ask for Adult Social Care, OR we can request one on your behalf. Please contact us on 211348. Someone from Plymouth City Council will usually get back in touch with you, within five working days to arrange your carers assessment.

Benefits Help

Carers Champions have support available for carers who have benefit and/or money and debt issues. Carers Champions have access to a Welfare Benefits and Money Advice Worker who can help you and can signpost you to other specialist services.

If you register with Carers Champions Plymouth, you can get help with your Benefits -

  • Benefit Checks
  • Help with Claims
  • Support if you think the DWP have made a mistake

To make an appointment please contact the team on Tel: 01752 211348

Relief Fund

  • Are you a carer registered with Carers Champions?
  • Are you experiencing a personal financial emergency?
  • Have you tried all other possibilities (e.g. a carers grant or the DWP’s social fund) but been refused?

If you can answer YES to all these questions you may be eligible for the Carers Champions Relief Fund.

Please contact Carers Champions on Tel: (01752) 211348 for further information.

A bit about the organisations behind Carers Champions ...

Colebrook Housing Society -

Colebrook Housing Society has been established since 1983. We are a not for profit organisation providing a range of support services to vulnerable people in Devon and Cornwall. Primarily we work with people who have mental health needs and / or people with learning disabilities. However in recent years we have expanded our work in the wider community and we can now extend the support and services we offer to any vulnerable group, particularly those who experience high levels of social exclusion.

Colebrook works hard to provide high quality services that meet the individual needs of our clients. We provide –

  • Supported Accommodation and Floating Support Services
  • Drop in facilities
  • Community services e.g. Out of Hours
  • Welfare benefits and money advice
  • Volunteering and work opportunities
  • Community development opportunities

We believe that each person:

  • Has the right to be respected
  • Has the right to receive the support they need in order to become an integrated member of the community.
  • Has the right to make choices about their life and lifestyle.
  • Has the right to expect the organisation to challenge negative views and to promote positive images.
  • Is a unique individual who should be a valued member of society.

If you would like to know more information please contact us on (01752) 205210.

Floating Support for Carers in the Community -

Carers can talk to staff to arrange a convenient appointment at a suitable venue.   These appointments may be arranged for times outside office hours.