Do you care for someone with a learning disability in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole?
We support carers of people with learning disabilities to share their experiences with BCP Council and the NHS in order to improve services.
We facilitate meetings where you can share what it’s really like to be a carer. You don’t need lots of time or experience, just the desire to share your ideas.
This includes the Family Carers Forum on Zoom, where family carers are able to raise issues and talk about their experiences and we also have guest speakers at some of the meetings; from Adult Social Care Leads, NHS Dorset, Local Authority (Councillors) and sometimes charities.
Carers Forum meeting minutes and updates of local consultations and co-production work are sent to all members of the Carers Forum.
Once you register your interest there is no expectation for you to commit to attending the meetings regularly, you can also provide feedback direct to us outside of meetings, by email or phone.
Contact our Carers Representation Coordinator, Sini Lucas, if you would like a chat, advice or to become involved.
South West Advocacy Network (SWAN) is a charity specialising in delivering independent advocacy. We have developed a model which ensures everyone, including the most vulnerable members of our communities, have the same rights and opportunities as their fellow citizens.
Our Pan Dorset Advocacy Service is independent, free at the point of delivery, confidential and non judgemental. Alongside our core service we will be co-producing and delivering Self Advocacy Workshops, empowering individuals who do not meet the criteria for statutory advocacy to develop self-advocacy skills.
Side by Side is an online peer support community where you can:
Whether you’re feeling good right now or having a hard time, the Side by Side community is a safe place to share experiences and listen to others. The community is available to all, 24/7.
The reliable choice to find the Care Home or Care Solution that’s best for you – get information, guidance and reviews.
We have worked for more than 25 years with local authorities to produce their social care information guides.
This site brings together these guides, easy to digest information and a searchable database of care providers in one place.
Whether you’re paying for your own care, funded by the local authority, or if you’re a carer or family member looking for help. We are here to support you to feel empowered and informed to make your own choices.
Support group for those with Dementia and their carers. Held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month between 2-4pm at St Marks Church (Highcliffe). Please contact Sally on 07541331881 for further information
St Mark’s Church, Hinton Wood Avenue, Highcliffe, BH23 5AA
We provide free courses designed and delivered by healthcare professionals, that will help you develop skills and build confidence to navigate the highs and lows. Learning how to make your life manageable and maintain your own health and well-being is vital when you’re caring for someone with dementia. We’ll give you practical tips that you can use every day.
We give you the opportunity to meet and connect with people in a similar situation, and we’re here to listen, too. Sometimes you just need to get things off your chest and talk to others in the same situation. It feels easier when you know there’s someone to share the load.
7-14 Great Dover Street London, SE1 4YR
Carers across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are invited to take some time out for themselves and to enjoy the company of others.
Walking into Wellness is offering accessible walks around Hengistbury Head with a chance to rejuvenate, relax and unwind from caring duties. The walks are cost free and finish with complimentary tea and cake at the Hiker Café.
If you are a carer, or know a carer that would enjoy Walking into Wellness, contact Amanda on the email address below for more details and to book your space. For future dates throughout this year and next, email Amanda or follow Nature Connection Dorset on Facebook or Instagram.
FACE run an afternoon group at 2pm, first Thursday of the month and is a peer led group with occasional speakers talking about caring issues. Refreshments are provided and there is no charge. Carers are welcome to just turn up or arrange a one to one meeting either at home or meet up for coffee.
Immanuel Church Halls 120 Southbourne Road Bournemouth Dorset BH6 3QJ
Young carers are children or young people aged between 5 and 18 who provide significant, regular or ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who is mentally ill, physically ill or disabled. As a young carer you must be giving support and help on a regular basis. We will assess any young person who meets our eligibility criteria to see what kind of support you need.
Our support includes:
-providing respite and time out from your caring role, such as organising activities for young carers during the school holidays
-signposting to any extra support that you as the young carer, or the cared-for person needs such as agencies
-acting as an advocate in school if necessary
-offering one-to-one support where appropriate
Many people living with Dementia feel that having support along their journey will maximise independent living and prevent a crisis. At Help & Care, we are committed to supporting you to live well with Dementia.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group & Age UK, as an integral part of the revised Dementia Services Pathway for Dorset.
If you or a loved one have had a recent diagnosis, you will have been offered the support of a Dementia Coordinator by the Memory Advisory Service.
Help & Care’s Dementia Co-ordinators provide post-diagnostic support for people with a diagnosis of dementia, their families and carers. This includes dedicated Early Onset Dementia support and more general information on dementia with signposting to local agencies.
This service can be referred into by the Memory Advisory Service, another professional or by a self referral.
A49, Aerodrome Studios Christchurch, Dorset BH23 3TS
Parent Carer Foundation is an independent and inclusive charity for parents and carers, which is solely run by volunteers. Our work recognises anyone living with the challenges of being a carer (children and adults), caring for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, life limited, disabled or has mental health needs.
We empower and support parent/carers of children and adults from any age with any type of disabilities with or without a diagnosis making sure their voices are being heard. Our vision is that all parents/carers count and should access the help they need to live a more improve and fulfil lives. Your feedback is to sent to the relevant organisation, within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole including BCP Local Authority, CCG, NHS and local/ national organisations.
National helpline offering information and guidance on a range of subjects including welfare benefits and financial support, carers’ rights in the workplace, carers’ assessments and getting further practical support, services available to carers and those they care for, and how to make complaints effectively and challenging decisions.
Helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm.
What is the Family Carer Support Service?
Hft’s Family Carer Support Service (FCSS) is a free information and support service for family carers with an autistic relative or a relative with a learning disability. To avail of our service, their relative must be aged 16 years or older and living in England.
We can help in the following ways:
-Ongoing one-to-one support via telephone and email
-Email and letter writing
-Resources designed to simplify complicated topics
-Bespoke workshops about subjects affecting family carers and their relative
-Information and guidance with common topics
5/6 Brook Office Park , Folly Brook Road, Emersons Green, Bristol BS16 7FL
If you provide support, unpaid, for a family member or friend in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, the Carers Support Service can help.
The Carers Support Service is a small, friendly and helpful team, organising support and services through the Carers Resource, Information and Support Programme (CRISP), a service funded by BCP Council and Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group. CRISP provides support to help carers continue in their caring role while looking after their own health and wellbeing.
We are here to to offer advice, information and emotional support. We also have a free Carers Information Service to keep you up to date with social events, training courses, new services, and anything else we think might be helpful for you to know about through a bi-monthly newsletter.
Carer Support Dorset supports all unpaid carers in the Dorset Council area.
Our services include:
The Leonardo Trust is an independent charity set up in 2001 to help people in Dorset who are voluntary carers for sick or disabled relatives or friends. We appreciate that being a full-time carer is hard work and that getting time off can be difficult and everyone needs some time to themselves for short periods of rest and relaxation. If finding the money for a few hours extra respite care or to pay for whatever you would like to do to relax is difficult, we may be able to help you. The Leonardo Trust was originally created by our founder, who herself was a full time voluntary carer, and has experienced the challenges and issues so really appreciates that having help with certain aspects of life can really make a difference.
The Group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at: The Canford Magna Centre in Oakley Lane, Canford Magna, Nr Wimborne, Dorset
