1. Mental Health Carer Support Service Kerry Main & David Harper Gateshead Crossroads Caring for Carers is a company limited by guarantee registered in England number 3245594 Registered Office: The Old School, Smailes Lane, Highfield, Rowlands Gill, NE39 2DB. Registered Charity number 1059917. The Crossroads Care trade mark is a collective mark.

2. Who We Are The Mental Health Carer Support Service provides practical and emotional support to carers living throughout Gateshead who care for a friend, partner or relative who is affected by Mental ill Health.

3. Who is a Carer and who could access this service? A Carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends whose health or wellbeing could suffer without support. This could be caring for a relative, friend, partner or child who is ill, disabled, or has problems with their mental health or substance misuse. Princes Royal Trust, 2012

4. Carers Comments Without this service speaking for myself I dont think I could cope. They are supportive and I would be lost without the service. – Carer As a carer the service has certainly helped me emotionally when I feel down its nice to be able to pick up the phone and talk to someone – Carer Being a mental health carer is one of the hardest things I have had to do. I need to learn to adjust in my new role. With Crossroads help Im sure I will get there – Carer

5. Intended Outcomes For carers to have choice and control, improved relationships, independence, To support carers enabling them to manage and cope with their caring role, balancing family life, employment and personal circumstances To improve carers emotional and physical wellbeing To tailor the support to meet carers individual needs To help carers feel valued by professionals

6. What do we do? Work with carers of Adults affected by Mental ill Health including Dual Diagnosis –Psychosis, Anxiety Disorders, Phobias, Bipolar Disorder Provide a range of support options to suit individual carer needs. Signpost carers to other agencies to provide a holistic care package for each individual carer Arrange a visit either at home or at a location to suit carers needs

7. How to Access our Service Self referral GP Referral Community Mental Health Team Involvement Worker Social Services Other voluntary and statutory providers o Referral by telephone, fax, or email o We aim to answer all referrals with 72 hours

8. How We Can Help Provide information for you in all aspects of their caring role Provide 1:1 emotional & practical support Provide support through group meetings and activities Encourage carers to think about their own health and well being Help carers access educational and social opportunities Encourage carer peer support

9. Working Partnerships The service works in partnership with both statutory and voluntary services including GPs, Health and Social Services Attending regular meetings with other professionals feeding back carers experiences Supporting carers to attend Drop In sessions

10. Get Involved and Drop In Mental Health Carers Forum – meetings take place on 1st Wednesday in the month, from 5.30 – 7.30pm at Gateshead Carers Association PALS Drop-in meeting takes place on 1st Wednesday in the month, from 11 – 12 at the Dryden Road Clinic Blaydon Carers Drop In – meets on 2nd Tuesday of the month from 10 -12 in the community Room at the Blaydon Centre (opposite Blaydon Shopping Centre) Tranwell Carers Drop In – meets on the 4th Thursday of the month from 5.30 – 7pm at The Nook, Tranwell Unit - Gateshead

11. Thankyou for your time Any Questions? Princes Royal Trust. (2012) [Online] Available from http://www.carers.org/what-carerhttp://www.carers.org/what-carer