Carers information

Are you a carer?

Are you someone who looks after a person with a mental health problem who is helped by a Community Mental Health Team?

To be considered a carer, you do not need to live with the person you look after. You may be a relative, friend, partner or neighbour.

Carers Assessments

A Carers Assessment is your opportunity to:

Find out if social services can provide services that may help you as a carer
Help social services understand the impact caring has on you.

A Carers Assessment can offer advice in the following areas:

Questions about mental illnesses and available treatments
How to care for your relative, friend or partner
How the Mental Health system operates
Benefit entitlement and rights as an employed carer
Local support groups for carers.

For further information, read our:

pdf icon Carers Assessment Information Leaflet

How can I get a Carers Assessment?

If you are interested in having a Carers Assessment, you can contact the cared for persons Social Worker or Community Psychiatric Nurse.

You can also contact your local Social Services department on one of the following numbers:

Kent Social Services
Tel: 08458 247 100
Textphone: 08458 247 905

Medway Social Services
Tel: 01634 306 000
Minicom: 01634 333 111

Carers Drop-in Service

The Carers Drop-in Service is a place where you can come and speak to a Mental Health professional, who will be able to offer advice, answer questions, give you information and assist with a Carers Assessment.

You can access the Carers Drop-in Service if you are a relative, friend or partner of a person who has a Mental Health problem, is aged 16 years and over and who receives care from Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.

You do not have to make an appointment - just come to Priority House in Maidstone when we are there and we will be able to see you.

The service is held on the first and third Tuesday of every month from 2.00pm to 7.00pm.

If you can't get to Priority House, you can telephone to speak with us on 01622 725000 at the times the service is on. Just ask for the Carers Drop-in Service.

To find out more, download the following leaflet:

pdf icon Carers Service for Relatives and Friends

Find out from NHS Choices what help is available from the Carers Trust.

Support Groups

Carer's hands Carers FIRST runs various support groups for carers who support people with additional Mental Health needs.

Managing Care Programme

Second Tuesday of every month
6.30pm - 9.00pm

A family and friends support and education programme.

Support group for parents and carers of someone with an eating disorder

in partnership with BEAT

Last Thursday of the month
7.30pm and 9.00pm

‘TLC’ group - carers can chat and receive support

in partnership with the Tunbridge Wells Community Mental Health Team (TWCMHT) at Highlands House

Last Friday of the month in partnership with the TWCMHT at Highlands House the ‘tlc’ group where carers can chat and receive support

For more information, Call Carers FIRST on 01732 357555 or email info@carersfirst.org.uk.

Canterbury and Coastal Rethink Carers' Support Group

A support group offering group meetings, telephone support and a monthly newsletter.

The group meets on the third Tuesday in the month (except August) 7.30pm to 9.00pm at the Canterbury Umbrella

This support group is primarily for carers living in Canterbury, Herne Bay, Whitstable and Faversham and the surrounding localities.

Contact: 01227 760707 or email rethinkcanterbury@googlemail.com.

Maidstone and Malling Carers Project

A carers support group is held on the last Tuesday of every month (with the exception of December).

A fund is available which carers can apply for to enable them to pursue a hobby/have a break etc. The fund is flexible depending on their needs.

Contact: 01622 685276 or email carers@vam-online.org.uk. Visit the Maidstone and Malling Carers Project website.

Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley MIND Caring for Mental Health Service

Holds four separate Support Groups per month, held in Dartford, Gravesend and Hextable.

The groups are for carers, friends and relatives of people who suffer with a mental health problem. We can also provide one to one support for people who do not feel ready to sit in a group.

At present we are also running a Carers Support Group for people that live with somebody that hears voices. As this is a specialised group it is kept small so please contact Alex (see below) for details.

In addition to the support, we also provide a social group that organises days and evenings out and a Carers Forum where you can have your say about any of the services that you may come into contact with.

For any of the above services or for more information please contact Mrs Alex Kersse, Caring for Mental Health Coordinator on 01322 291380.

Carers' line in Medway

To help carers, Medway Council has launched a free counselling service. Run by Care First, an independent organisation, Carers’ line Medway offers a 24-hour service seven days a week.

Carers who want counselling support will be able to contact the Carers’ line team of fully-trained counsellors in confidence. Carers can talk to a counsellor over the phone, through a web chat facility on the website and can also arrange to meet someone for up to six free sessions of face-to-face counselling, if they need to.

Carers living in Medway can access this free service by phoning 0800 197 4517 or by visiting the Care First website. You will then be asked for a user and password which will put you in contact with Care First web chat or online counselling.

To obtain your user name and password, email: counsellingforcarers@medway.gov.uk

If they need more practical information, carers throughout Medway can also talk to an information specialist via the Carers’ line. Information specialists are Citizens Advice Bureau-trained and experienced and can help carers find answers on a wide range of issues, including (but not limited to): debt, housing, family and personal concern, benefits, legal enquiries, health-related issues, consumer, pensions, pets, travel, transport and holiday problems.

Information specialists are available from 8.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information contact Care First, 1230 Lansdowne Court, Gloucester Business Park, Gloucester, GL3 4AB, telephone 0800 197 4517 or visit the Care first website.