Carers Bucks
Carers Bucks is an independent charity established in 2004 to support unpaid, family carers in Buckinghamshire. Carers Bucks sole aim is to support and promote the wellbeing of family carers. We support carers of all ages and in different caring roles, including young carers, parents of children with a physical or learning disability, older carers, carers looking after someone with Dementia, carers from the black and minority ethnic community and those looking after someone with mental health problems, including depression. Carers Bucks currently supports over 8000 carers in Buckinghamshire, of which almost a third are caring for someone affected by Dementia. Almost half of the carers who attend our monthly support groups across Buckinghamshire, are caring for someone with Dementia.

- Updated:
- 4 May 2017
- Location:
- South East
- Sectors:
- Charity
- Local Alliances:
- Buckinghamshire Dementia Action Alliance, Aylesbury Town Dementia Action Alliance
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?
Carers Bucks’ skilled and experienced staff help carers looking after someone with dementia by providing:
- up to date information and advice
- support to find the help a carer needs
- emotional support
- support to ensure carers voices are heard
- learning and development to help in their caring role
- advice and information on using telecare
- access to our Emergency Fund if a caring role is at risk of breaking down
- links with other family carers through 20 support groups
- services to the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic community
2. What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
-
Many who care for a loved one do not recognise themselves as carers. We know that almost a third of carers registered with us are caring for someone with dementia so there are many more that we are not reaching. We want to identify these hidden carers and offer them support.
There can be a natural tension between family carers and their loved ones. Whilst our role is to support the carer it is important that we consider and are mindful at all times of the needs of cared for and how that impacts on the life of the carer and their wellbeing. We therefore strive to work in a holistic way in terms of how we deliver our support and to this end we work closely and collaboratively with other agencies and voluntary organisations such as the Alzheimer’s society.
Carers of people with dementia tell us that they cannot leave the house as the cared for person will not have carers in. The cared for person does not see themselves as having any issues or difficulties and continually refuse support to enable the carer to take a much needed break. Although the carer is with the cared for day and night the carers feel very lonely and isolated, this can affect the care they are able to continue to give.
Member website
www.carersbucks.org2. Actions
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Improve our understanding of Dementia and work towards our staff becoming Dementia Champions
Arrange a variety of targeted and bespoke training for all Carers Bucks staff, including the Alzheimer's Society Dementia Awareness Training, and commissioning specialist training.
- Status:
- Delivery, Planning
-
Identifying Hidden Carers
Develop targeted campaigns to help identify hidden carers with particular focus on elderly carers and those caring for someone with dementia. Work with Alzheimer’s Society to ensure that carers are referred onto us when people with memory issues access the Memory Support Service
- Status:
- Planning
-
Support for Dementia Carers
Provide information and support to those providing unpaid care to someone with Dementia, through:
• a regular support group for those caring for someone with Young Onset Dementia
• advice and information on topics such as Lasting Power of Attorney and wills
• emotional support
• benefits advice and help with paperwork
• support to find the right care services
• help to get a break.
Work to develop new services, workshops and support for those caring for someone with dementia – with particular focus on older carers.
- Status:
- Planning, Delivery
-
Raise Dementia awareness through our own marketing tools
Add logos and links to our website. Provide information on Dementia awareness and Dementia Friendly Communities initiatives via our newsletter and social media. Provide targeted information through leaflets and emails to registered carers on our database who are caring for someone with dementia.
- Status:
- Delivery, Planning
-
Champion the views and concerns of those caring for someone with Dementia
We will achieve this through membership of the Dementia Partnership Board, by actively supporting the development of a Dementia Network Group and ensuring that the views and concerns of those caring for someone with Dementia are raised and remain on the agenda of Statutory Services in Buckinghamshire
- Status:
- Planning, Delivery