  |
CARERS of
WEST LOTHIAN |
 |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cares of West Lothian Outreach Project
March 2004 Update by Kirsty Archibald-
Outreach
Support Worker
August 2002 saw the start of the Carers Outreach Project. Carers of West Lothian was awarded 3 year funding from the Community Fund. The project aims to find 1000 'hidden' Carers and offer them emotional and practical support, working especially closely with the local GP Practices.
Our first year was mainly spent establishing links with Health Centre, Hospital, Council and Voluntary Agency Staff.
We have been setting up and manning display stands at various locations, such as Dedridge Health Centre, The Almondvale Shopping Centre and St John's Hospital.
Initially the Outreach Project was based at Bangour Village Hospital, but with the closure of Bangour, staff have moved in to the main Carers Centre at Strathbrock Partnership Centre, Broxburn. There have been a couple of staff changes. Gillian Adams left and Annmarie Keast is now the Outreach Development Worker. Towards the end of April 2004 we will be welcoming Ann Haughie to the team as an additional Carer Support Worker. Ann previously worked as a Social Worker, and so I think most of the staff will be eager to 'pick' her brains!
Mail Shots have proved to be the most successful way to target Carers that we have not previously been in contact with. Working closely with Health Centre Staff a letter is sent to patients from their GP, included with the letter is a form for the patient to complete if they are a Carer and wish information from Carers of West Lothian. The Carer completes the form and returns it to Carers of West Lothian in a freepost envelope. Initially we then send the Carer a comprehensive Information Pack. Once the majority of forms are back we telephone the Carer to enquire if there is any outstanding issues that they would like some help with.
Some of the issues that Carers wish to discuss when we telephone range from bathing needs; accessing funds for equipment, respite issues to just wanting someone to chat to. A lot of Carers do not require assistance at the time but find it a comfort to know we are there if required.
There has been great response from the mail shots. Three that have been fully completed are Linlithgow Medical Group Practice, Dedridge Health Centre and Crossroads, targeting different age ranges at each. In total, the number of Carers identified to date, mainly from mail shots is 426. Discussions are now taking place to have appointment times for Carers at Dedridge and Linlithgow Health Centres so that Carers can come into their Health Centres for a chat with staff from Carers of West Lothian. We will write to all identified Carers when times and dates have been finalised.
home | about | services | forum | contact | news | consult | funding | links
© Copyright 2004 Carers of West Lothian.