Improving the lives of Carers in Brent
If you care for someone, regardless of your relationship with them, then the Brent Carers Centre is here to help you and your family.
Being a carer is not something that people choose, they do it because they find themselves in a situation where their loved ones, cannot manage without their help and support. Carers care for a member of their family or a close friend who becomes ill, frail, has a mental health condition, a disability or suffers from an addiction.
Carers often fall into financial hard-ship if they have to give up their jobs to care full-time. They become unable to look after their own health and wellbeing as a result of their demanding carer’s role. When a carers’ own health deteriorates or they reach breaking point, this can have a serious impact on them, their families, as well as the economy.
Brent Carers Centre is the leading independent unpaid carer support charity in Brent. Providing support to those who care (including family carers) is a vital part of the service we offer. Please visit our website for more informations.
Independent Age
Whatever happens as we get older, we all want to remain independent and live life on our own terms. That’s why, as well as offering regular friendly contact and a strong campaigning voice, Independent Age can provide you and your family with clear, free and impartial advice on the issues that matter: care and support, money and benefits, health and mobility.
A charity founded over 150 years ago, we’re independent so you can. For more information please visit the website or call the Helpline 0800 319 6789.
Information and advice
Our information can help you get the most out of older age. Read about topics including saving money, getting help at home, staying independent and planning for the future.
Get Support
There are a number of ways we can support you. For instance you can call the Helpline to talk about how we can help, or to arrange a call with one of our expert advisers. You can also arrange to receive a regular phone call or visit from one of our volunteers.
Get Involved
We are helping to build a society where older people can live the lives they aspire to. There are a number of ways you can get involved.
Campaigning
We want the UK to become the best country in the world in which to grow older. We campaign to ensure people can enjoy a financially secure, healthy, active and connected older age.
Dementia Cafés
Elders Voice runs two Dementia Cafés for people living in Brent – one in Kingsbury and the other in Kensal Green. The aim of the service is to provide support to people with dementia and their carers/families in a safe and trusting environment. The cafés are free to attend and activities include arts & crafts, quizzes & games, information sessions and singing. Carers are encouraged to share their experiences and enjoy some respite together.
Attendees also have access to the Elders Voice classes and in the summer months a garden in Kensal Green for those who are green fingered.
The Kingsbury Dementia Café takes place every Wednesday from 2pm – 4pm at St Sebastian & St. Pancras Church Hall, Hay Lane, Kingsbury, NW9 0NG.
The Kensal Green Dementia Café takes place every Friday from 11am – 1pm at Elders Voice, 181 Mortimer Road, Kensal Green, NW10 5TN.
Dementia Cafe – Willesden Sports Centre
On Tuesdays, 1pm to 3pm, Willesden Sports Centre Donnington Road, Willesden, London NW10 3QX. See events in: Dementia, Health and fitness
It’s a place for people with dementia and their carers to relax, socialise, do activities and get support. All ages are welcome. If you would like to attend, come along and see us or contact the site for more information. Spread the word – tell everyone who might be interested!
Website – http://www.1life.co.uk
Contact email – [email protected]
Social Isolation in Brent Initiative (SIBI)
SIBI is a joint initiative funded by Brent Adult Social Care, Brent Public Health, Brent CCG and managed by Brent CVS.
The aim of the project is to target and address social isolation in individuals who are over 18 and identified as being at risk of, or suffering from, social isolation, lack of social contact and low community involvement. Social isolation could occur for a range of reasons but some groups are particularly at risk, such as:
- people with long term illness
- older people living alone and with no access to transport
- people with low income
- people with mental health issues
- people with dementia
- carers/older carers.
SIBI will help identify if there are particular issues contributing to isolation and signpost for assistance, as well as identifying ways of reducing isolation. Just as social isolation affects different people in different ways how it can be resolved will also be different.
Therefore, SIBI will assist people to identify and access a range of activities including:
- social activities such as art classes, gardening, singing or book clubs to give people a range of activities that they can go to independently
- volunteering – isolated people can have a lot of skills and experience that they may be happy to share with others or organisations but simply do not know how to.
How to access SIBI
To access the SIBI service you can visit the CVS website.