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 and other sources of support for carers and the person they care for
  • Help and support to get a carers assessment or an assessment of the needs 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.

As an organisation, we want to be guided by carers; we need your input and feedback about what you think of Carers Champions service and what you want from it. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email them to us at carers@colebrookhousing.co.uk or phone us on 01752 211348.

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. Please note, due to demand, a waiting list has been introduced.

Relief Fund

Carers Champions Relief Fund is a limited pot of monies made available by Colebrook Housing Society and Plymouth City Council, to help carers who have financial needs which cannot be met by statutory services i.e. health and adult social care or through use of other monies e.g Social Fund, Direct payments, special grants etc.

Here are a couple of carers who have benefited from the Relief Fund:-

  • BG had some money to help sort out the garden “ Its lovely to have a space I can go to relax,  the grandchildren now also have some outdoor space” 
  • AH had the funds to buy a new fridge freezer “I would like to say thank you very much for the funding that I have received, it has helped me tremendously, I don’t know what I would have done without it.”
  • “Thank you very much for helping us out with the new bed we needed, its made such a difference already being able to have a proper nights sleep”
  • “CC has helped me to finance a memory foam mattress. she said 'how lovely everyone was'
  • “I would like to thank you so much for the much for the appreciated financial help you gave us”
  • Thank you very much for the money you gave us for the wheelchair it has made a great difference to my husbands life, he can now get out more and enjoy life thanks to you.  Thanks Again

How to apply

To apply for monies from the Carers Champions Relief Fund:

  • Applicants must be registered with Carers Champions
  • Must have a financial need which cannot be met by statutory services

How much can I apply for?

  • Grants are not expected to exceed £200 – these are one off payments and unless there are exceptional circumstances carers cannot receive monies more than once during the lifetime of the fund.

What is the Fund for?

Monies from the fund can be used:

  • To part pay towards or pay for works in a carers’ home e.g. essential repairs to toilets, decoration after improvement works or adaptations, fitting of security locks 
  • To purchase an essential piece of equipment e.g. mobile phone, bedding or part funding on essential items e.g. washing machine  
  • For help towards costs of a short break  e.g. transport costs, accommodation
  • Help towards payment of gas / electricity bills / heating
  • To support a carer through costs incurred in returning to work e.g. delays in receiving first salary payment

For more information or to apply for the Relief Fund please call the Carers Champions team on 01752 211348 or email carers@colebrookhousing.co.uk


A bit about the organisations behind Carers Champions ...

Colebrook Housing Society -

The organisation exists for the benefit of the community, to promote social inclusion and independence for vulnerable people and the local communities of Plymouth and surrounding areas

Established since 1983 Colebrook Housing Society is a not for profit organisation providing a range of local community services; from support services to vulnerable people to housing related support and from adult carers services to community consultation and health and social care services.

We are committed to working within our local communities to ensure we:

  • are socially inclusive in all that we do.
  • work with individuals to ensure their individual support needs are met.
  • value equality and diversity and challenge discrimination at all levels.
  • work with our partners and stakeholders alongside local or national strategies to play an active role in service development locally.
  • govern our organisation and its resources efficiently to ensure our future and the future of our services for our local people.

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.