Action for Family Carers
Action for Family Carers is a registered charity supporting unpaid Carers across Essex. We provide information, advice, advocacy, practical, emotional and peer support, counselling, training, trips and activities for Adult Carers and Young Carers plus Day Care for vulnerable older people and Activity Groups specifically for people with dementia. We work in schools, hospitals and community settings. We are the Carers Trust Network Partner in Essex.
- Updated:
- 21 January 2021
- Location:
- East of England
- Sectors:
- Charity, Voluntary Sector, Care, Children Young People and Students, Community organisations, Education Sector, GP Surgery, Health, Local DAA Members, Recreation, Schools, Social Care, Voluntary
- Local Alliances:
- Saffron Walden Dementia Action Alliance, Southend, Castle Point and Rochford District Dementia Action Alliance , Pan Essex Dementia Action Alliance , Harlow Dementia Action Alliance , Chelmsford Dementia Action Alliance , Braintree District Dementia Action Alliance , Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance (EFDAA), Colchester Dementia Action Alliance , Tendring Dementia Action Alliance , Uttlesford DAA, Basildon DAA/DFC
1. Action Plan
1. The National Dementia Declaration lists seven outcomes that the DAA are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?
We support Carers of people with dementia by: providing Activity Groups for people with dementia - mentally and physically stimulating activities in a safe and sociable setting identifying and helping to address the needs of Carers to ensure their own health and wellbeing is maintained providing Day Care opportunities for vulnerable older people including people with dementia and to give Carers a break bringing Carers of people with dementia together to provide peer support, sharing of knowledge and experience and to reduce isolation providing befriending and counselling for those Carers that feel they would benefit supporting the involvement of Carers in care planning2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
Covid-19 restrictions Carers don't identify themselves as Carers (seeing themselves as family members - wives, husbands, sons and daughters etc.) and can be unaware of the support that is available to them Older people tend to be less likely to reach out for help There are still negative attitudes towards people with dementia and a lack of understanding of the condition and the different forms it can takeMember website
http://www.affc.org.uk/2. Actions
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Support Carers of people with dementia to continue in their caring role while maintaining their own health and wellbeing
1. Raise awareness about people caring for others with dementia and the support that is available to them
2. Provide information, advice, advocacy, counselling, peer support plus Day Care (Maldon, South Woodham Ferrers) and Activity Groups for people with dementia (Epping, Harlow, Gt Dunmow)
3. Support and engage in partnership activity to develop dementia friendly communities in Essex - active participation in pan-Essex Dementia Action Alliance (CEO) and in local DAAs where possible
- Status:
- Being implemented
2021 - First Quarter Update
Continuing to provide support for people with dementia and their carers though with restrictions on face to face activities due to the pandemic - support being delivered over the phone, via the website and online platforms such as Zoom as well as via local community partnerships. Regular contact being maintained with vulnerable older people.