In County Durham we have carers advocates who help unpaid carers over the age of 18 to be more involved and have their voices heard in decisions that affect them. They may be able to help you with:
- Helping carers to understand their rights and how to exercise them.
- Supporting carers to access a Carers Assessment.
- Supporting carers to communicate their own needs to people making decisions.
- Attending meetings with carers.
- Making a social care complaint.
- Helping carers to find other services that might be able to help them (signposting).
For more information visit Cloverleaf Advocacy or call 01924 454875. You can also email them at enquiries@cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk.
There are also other advocacy services available to carers including:
Durham County Carers Support
Durham County Carers Support have an Informal Advocacy Support service that can help carers:
- To be more involved and have their voices heard in decisions that affect them and their families.
- Make sure that their opinion and experiences are properly heard by Health, Social Care and other organisations.
- Contact organisations on your behalf if you’re not comfortable doing this and make sure that you are not forgotten about as a carer.
Durham County Carers Support can also refer you onto formal advocacy if you need it. Visit their Informal Advocacy Support page for more information or call 0300 005 1213.
Carers Federation
The Carers Federation can help support individuals complaining about the NHS.
For more information visit their website or freephone 0808 802 3000.
Rethink Advocacy
Rethink Advocacy provides a specialist mental health advocacy service for people aged 18 or over, are registered with a County Durham GP and are accessing mental health services or consider themselves to have a mental health issue. For more information on this service, please visit their website at Rethink Advocacy