Time to Care: fresh approaches to supporting carers
This conference will mark the end of the Care for the Carers of the Terminally Ill programme, managed by Help the Hospices and funded by the Tubney Charitable Trust. The conference takes place on Wednesday, 26 November 2008 at the MIC Centre in Euston, London.
Find out more about the Time to Care conference and download a booking form.
Valuing and Supporting Carers - August 2008
The work and pensions committee has published its fourth report on valuing and supporting carers. The report includes a recommendation to replace Carer’s Allowance with a two-tiered benefit for carers.
Read the Valuing and supporting carers report.
National Strategy for Carers
The Government announced the National Strategy for Carers on 10 June 2008. The Strategy outlines the Government's ten year vision.
Download the National Strategy for Carers.
Download Help the Hospices' briefing on the National Strategy for Carers.
View Help the Hospices' response to the Strategy.
End of Life Care Strategy
The End of Life Care Strategy, published by the Department of Health in July 2008, includes information about supporting families and carers.
Download a summary of the key points with regard to supporting families and carers.
Download the full End of Life Care Strategy.
Register for Carers Rights Day 2008
Carers Rights Day is organised by Carers UK and takes place on Friday 5th December. Local groups, including hospices, are encouraged to run events to support, inform and speak up for unpaid carers across the country. When you register an event, you receive:
- a free organisers pack, with tips on running events
- an order form for free resources, including flyers, posters and stickers.
Click here to register a Carers Rights Day event
Carers Week 2008: 9-15 June
Help the Hospice was a Carers Week 2008 supporter. Carers Week aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the role and value of carers, and to identify hidden carers.
View further information about Help the Hospices' involvement with Carers Week or go to the Carers Week Website.
Crossroads Caring for Carers
An article about Help the Hospices has been included in the Summer issue of the Crossroads Caring for Carers bulletin, New Directions. The article looks at how Help the Hospices, and local hospices, work collaboratively with Crossroads schemes.
Download the Crossroads article.
International Palliative Care International Family Carer Research Collaboration (IPCFRC)
The aim of the IPCFRC is to develop a strategic approach to family carers in the palliative care setting through establishing international partnerships and promoting information exchange. The collaboration is overseen by a steering committee with representatives from the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.Researchers, from all disciplines, are invited to join the IPCFRC. For further information, and to register as a member, go to www.ipcfrc.unimelb.edu.au
Care for the Carers of the Terminally Ill - Major Grants 2007
Five Major Grants were awarded in December 2007:
- Farleigh Hospice: 'Care 4 U' Carers Project
- Harlington Hospice Association: Carers Together
- The Heart of Kent Hospice: Support for Male Carers
- Springhill Hospice: Carers Advocacy Project
- West Cumbria Hospice at Home: Living for Today
Read more about the 2007 Major Grants projects.
When caring comes to an end
Carers UK has developed a booklet, in partnership with Help the Hospices and ACE National, for people whose caring role has, or is about to, come to an end. The booklet is divided into three main sections:
- When the cared for person moves into residential or nursing care
- When the cared for person dies
- Life after caring
The booklet was launched at the end of October 2007 and is free of charge. Hospices can order copies by downloading a flyer and completing the slip. You can also ring 020 7520 8892 or email t.sealey@helpthehospices.org.uk
Research into information needs and employment issues
Help the Hospices has worked with an information consultancy, info to go, to look at the information needs of carers of the terminally ill, and to collate information about existing information and support services.
Download further information about the information needs literature review or view signposting information (useful contacts).
The Palliative and End-of-Life Care Research Group at the University of Sheffield has also conducted a literature review into employment issues and carers of the terminally ill. Download a summary of the research project.
Care for the Carers of the Terminally Ill - Seedcorn Grants 2007
Four Seedcorn Grants were awarded in June 2007:
- Birmingham St Mary's Hospice: Carer Support and Education
- Hartlepool and District Hospice: Reaching Carers Project
- St Joseph's Hospice, London: Support for People in East London affected by MND
- St Nicholas' Hospice, Bury St Edmonds: Non-Malignant Disease Carers Groups
Read more about the 2007 Seecorn Grants projects.
The aim of the Seedcorn Grants programme is to ‘kick start’ or pilot new initiatives to support people who provide unpaid care for terminally ill family or friends.
For further information about the Major Grants programme please contact the Grants Team on 020 7520 8277 or at grants@helpthehospices.org.uk.
Short-term, flexible working booklets
Help the Hospices and Working Families have developed two booklets on short-term, flexible working solutions - one for carers and one aimed at employers. The launch of the booklets coincides with the new rights for carers of adults to request flexible working.
The legislation means that carers of adults will have the right to request flexible working once per year. However, for many carers, and in particular those looking after someone with a terminal illness, the caring role can be unpredictable and may be short-term.
Download the Flexible Working Booklets - this link also contains information on how to order copies of the booklets.
Work and Families Act - new rights for carers
Carers of adults now have the right to request flexible working. A carer is an employee who is or expects to be caring for an adult who:
- is married to, or the partner or civil partner of the employee; or
- is a near relative of the employee*; or
- lives at the same address as the employee.
* Near relative includes parents, parents-in-law, adult child, adopted adult child, siblings (including in-laws), uncles, aunts or grandparents and step-relatives.
For further information visit the DTI’s website.
New Deal for Carers
The Department of Health launched the £33 million New Deal for Carers on 21 February 2007. This includes:
- £25 million towards short-term respite care for carers to cover emergency situations.
- £3 million towards a national helpline for carers.
- £5 million for an 'Expert Carers Programme', which will provide training to carers./li>
- A review of the 1999 national carers strategy.
View the Department of Health's press release.