Carers Information Pack - Advice and Information

If you would like a PDF version of the full pack or individual sections of it, emailed to you please contact us.

This section lists organisations which can provide general advice and/or information.  Please see other sections of this pack for information on specific topics. 

AGE UK Aims to improve the quality of life of older people and campaigns on issues affecting older people, their carers and families, to improve services and facilities.  Information and advice service for the county on a wide range of issues.  Can provide help to fill in forms, a free Will Writing service in Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Mid Sussex, hospital visiting in Bognor and Worthing and a countywide money advice service.  No longer provides an advocacy service.  www.ageuk.org.uk/westsussex

ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY, COASTAL Provides information, support and advice to people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and their families, including advocacy for the cared-for person.   Can provide relief care assistants who visit families at home giving carers a short break of a few hours, at a modest charge.  Carers group meetings are held in Rustington and Worthing.  Runs the Centre Club, a social day club on a Tuesday for people under 65 in the earlier to moderate stages of dementia, allowing respite for the carer they live with (referral via CMHT).  For younger people with dementia there is the Alz Café, a fun evening of music, good food and guest speakers. http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ 

ALZHEIMERS SOCIETY LGBT CARERS Alzheimer's Society's National Dementia Helpline offers support to all people with dementia and carers including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) community.  Has a relevant factsheet available.www.alzheimers.org.uk/GayCarers 

BME COMMUNITY SERVICES Work to address the needs of groups, families and individuals from black and minority ethnic communities.  Support families and individuals with access to appropriate social and health care services, advocacy, family crisis intervention, drop-in for victims of abuse, befriending, mentoring, life skills training, CV writing support, employment advice, volunteering opportunities, signposting and social activities. www.bme-cs.org.uk 

CARERS UK Carers UK is a campaigning organisation providing information and advice on all aspects of caring to both carers and professionals.  Has a UK-wide network of offices, branches and individuals to offer support to carers and provide vital feedback on local practices and policies towards carers.   Carers Rights information packs are available.  www.carersuk.org 

CARING FOR SOMEONE WEBSITE Government website for carers, providing a single point of access to government information and services.  Topics include caring and support services, money matters including Carer's Allowance, caring for a disabled child, care homes, carers and employment, health and taking a break and what to do if a care home closes.  http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/index.htm

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU (CAB) Provides general help with community care, consumer and general contracts, debt, education, employment, housing, actions against the Police, public law and welfare benefits.  The service is confidential, impartial and independent.   http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

·         Horsham, Lower Tanbridge Way, Horsham
·         Lancing & Sompting, Parish Hall, South Street
·         Littlehampton, 14-16 Anchor Springs
·         Shoreham & Southwick, Pond Road, Shoreham by Sea
·         Worthing, 11 North Street 

DIRECTGOV Aims to provide a single point of access to government services and information.  The section for disabled people and unpaid carers covers topics such as independent living, benefits, health, employment and education.  There is also information on charitable support and links to charities and organisations.  www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople

DISABILITY LAW SERVICE (DLS) Offers confidential, free legal advice to disabled people, their families and carers on matters such as employment, disability discrimination, community care and welfare benefits.  www.dls.org.uk

ETHNIC MINORITY HELPLINE The service offers help and support to individuals and groups in ethnic minority communities.  Can liaise, give advice and write to relevant authorities on behalf of clients, putting people in touch with the right contact.  Provides information on West Sussex County Council services in Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu.  http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/your_council/get_in_touch/contact_us/contact_us_by_phone.aspx

HELP POINTS A single point of contact for any enquiry by the public about any local government or health authority service in West Sussex.  www.westsussex.gov.uk

·         Lancing – Lancing Parish Hall, South Street and Lancing Library, Penstone Park
·         Littlehampton - Arun District Council, Maltravers Road
·         Shoreham by Sea - Adur District Council, Ham Road
·         Storrington – Storrington Library, Ryecroft Lane
·         Worthing - Borough Council, Chapel Road and Worthing Library, Richmond Road

 ICIS (INFORMATION FOR LIFE) Confidential and impartial information service for people of all ages in West Sussex with a difficulty, disability or illness.  Helps people find services offering help on all aspects of daily living via a freephone Enquiry Line and online databases.  ICIS maintains the West Sussex Carers Online website.  
www.icis-info4life.org.uk   www.westsussexcarers.org.uk

 INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSOCIATION (ILA) Aims to support local people with a disability, impairment or caring responsibility by providing a Direct Payments support service to assist people arrange the care and support required.  Direct Payments allow people to take control of how they use the care money provided by WSCC.  Additional services include assisting people to recruit personal assistants, independent payroll service to help with tax, national insurance and payslip paperwork, banking administration and CRB checks.  www.ilawestsussex.org

INFORMATION SHOP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Centres for young people aged 13-25 to obtain information, advice and support on a wide range of topics, from employment and education to health, housing and leisure.  Free counselling service, sexual health advice, Chlamydia testing, pregnancy tests etc. Also offers basic careers advice and internet access.  Run in conjunction with WSCC Youth Service.

• Adur - Lancing Youth Centre, Penhill Road, BN15 8HA, also at Shoreham Civic Centre, and Stepping Stones Children & Family Centre, Fishersgate
• Worthing, Colonnade House, 47 Warwick Street, BN11 3DH

LIBRARY SERVICES IN WEST SUSSEX There are 36 libraries and 3 mobile libraries in West Sussex, offering a variety of services including books DVD and audiobook loans, computer access and courses, photocopying and fax facilities, amongst others.  The Housebound Library Service operates out of Worthing library, for people who are unable to reach their nearest library due to age, illness or disability. www.westsussex.gov.uk

M-CAS (Macmillan and Citizens Advice Service for the West Sussex Coastal Area) Based at Lancing & Sompting CAB office, this is an impartial and confidential advisory service providing home visits for people with cancer, their families, carers and others who may be affected.  Catering for individual needs the service can help with debt, money advice, benefit entitlements, personal problems, housing, employment and many other issues.

WEST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL Help Desks are the initial point of contact in respect of social care.  Trained advisers will tell you what is available through West Sussex County Council and will also give you information about other care services in your area.  The Help Desks are open 9am – 5pm.  www.westsussex.gov.uk

 WEST SUSSEX CARERS ONLINE WEBSITE Website maintained by ICIS, providing information and help for carers and ex-carers in West Sussex.  Offers information about caring and caring concerns, searchable database of local support and services, links to national services, young carers section, news pages, books and other resources, carers stories and more.  www.westsussexcarers.org.uk

This page was last updated 23/04/2012