What we do

• Advice and Information
  - General information or specific to your situation

• Emotional Support
  - For times when you need someone to talk to who understands where you’re coming from

• Liaison with other agencies
  - When you need help finding your way through the mental health services system and communicating your needs to people such as Social Services, Health and the Local Authority

• Signposting
  - Letting you know who else is out there who can help and making referrals if necessary

• Mental Health Carers Packs
  - Provide specific Mental Health Carers Packs— ring CASS on 01785 606675 or
  Making Space on 01925 231402 for more information

• Carers Assessment
  - Carers Assessment Workers from Staffordshire County Council work closely with the carer to make sure that carers get an assessment.
  - There are also Mental Health Carers Assessment workers, who deal with Carers of those with mental health needs

• Strategic Work
  - The CASS Mental Health Workers attend meetings relating to local, county and regional issues such as:
  
  - Local Development Groups—looking at local needs and service provision
  
  - Links with west midlands steering group on mental health
  
  - National Service Framework for Mental Health
  
  - Department of Health information on mental health
  

• Voice for Carers
  - They provide a voice for carers and seek carers views on issues relating to mental health, trying to give a broader spectrum of views. For instance views on mental health service developments.

        Mental Health Carers Project Leaflet

        Poster - East Staffordshire Do you care for a relative or friend with a mental illness?

        Poster - West Staffordshire Do you have a relative or friend with a mental illness?     

Have your say

• Patient Advice and Liaison Service
  The service aims to:
  
  - advise and support patients, their families and carers
  - provide information on NHS services
  - listen to concerns, suggestions or queries
  - help sort out problems listen to concerns, suggestions or queries - help sort out problems
  
  email: pals@ssh-tr.nhs.uk
  
  tel: 01785 221469

• Mental Health Support Group
  These evening groups for working carers, give peer support from other carers

Useful Links

www.rethink.org/carers

www.carers.gov.uk

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Recommended Reading

Rethink Caring and Coping—A Rethink Guide for people new to caring for someone with severe mental illness; Editor Mary Teasdale; Publisher Rethink 2003

Handbook for new informal carers and offers strategies to deal with the practical day to day challenges that are thrown up by the diagnosis of mental illness.

Partners in Care South Staffordshire Healthcare Foundation Trust—Getting more from GP Practices

Contact the team

The two mental health workers provide support and information for people with mental health needs, from the age of 16 – 65.

Diane Robbins 01543 301140                                        Areas covered (East): Lichfield                        Burntwood                      Tamworth Uttoxeter                            Burton	Sharron Pople 01785 606675 Areas covered (West): Stafford Cannock & Rugeley South West      Staffordshire           Staffordshire (Codsall, Kinver & Wombourne)

CARERS ASSOCIATION SOUTHERN STAFFORDSHIRE
The Carers Centre, Austin Friars, Stafford ST17 4AP
Tel: 01785 606675  Fax: 01785 220665   E-MAIL: enquiries@carersinformation.org.uk

Carers Association Southern Staffordshire is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered No:4184030
Registered Office: The Carers Centre, Austin Friars, Stafford. ST17 4AP.
Cass is a Registered Charity 1086979