From: “Reading Borough Council” <webmaster@reading.gov.uk>
Date: 29 Mar 2016 10:29 a.m.
Subject: Carers Encouraged to Contact New Carers Service
To: <Racheleden.whitley@gmail.com>
Cc:
Carers Encouraged to Contact New Carers Service
29/03/2016
Reading Borough Council Press Release
A NEW service providing information, advice and support to local carers launches this week.
From Friday 1st April, Reading and West Berkshire Carers Hub will offer a much needed first point of contact for people who provide vital unpaid care to friends, family and neighbours. It will support carers to get the most out of key support services, including carer’s assessments, personal budgets and health-checks.
Adults across Reading and West Berkshire who are providing unpaid/informal support to loved ones who need extra help are encouraged to get in touch with the new service by email to: ask@berkshirecarershub.org or calling: 0118 324 7333.
The organisation behind the new service is a member of the Carers Trust national network of carer support agencies, and is already supporting Reading carers through a range of clubs, breaks and sitting services – known as the Reading Crossroads service. The new provider was inspected by the Care Quality Commission in January 2016 and received a ‘good’ rating.
Reading and West Berkshire Councils, together with the local NHS, awarded the new contract for carer support to the organisation after a rigorous and open bidding process.
Mel Wheeler, Reading and West Berkshire Carers Hub, said: “We are delighted to launch the new hub for carers in Berkshire and we look forward to working closely with the local authorities and local NHS to enable this vital service to reach and help as many people as possible.”
Reading’s Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care, Rachel Eden, said:
“The council recognises the vital role unpaid carers play in our community. Carers deserve the best advice and support in their role as well as help in maintaining their own fulfilling, independent lives.
“When we spoke with carers around Reading, they told us they wanted a service which spoke to their needs and championed their contribution to the community. I believe that this service will do just that and I encourage carers to get in touch with the hub.”
Lead Councillor for Adult Social Care in West Berkshire, Hilary Cole, said:
“Carers give their time and energy to care for others without any expectation of reward or recognition. What they do is remarkable and it is important that not only do we celebrate everything they do to enrich the lives of others but that we support them in doing so.
“I'm very pleased we will be able to keep supporting carers in West Berkshire and have confidence the Reading and West Berkshire Care Hub will deliver a fantastic service for local people.”
Gabrielle Alford, Director of Joint Commissioning for NHS Berkshire, said:
“As our society gets older, the number of people with an unpaid caring role in Reading and West Berkshire is only set to grow. Yet carers can find themselves isolated and unsure what support is available to them. The new Reading and West Berkshire Carers Hub offers a service that’s designed around the wellbeing and needs of carers in the area.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
Reading Borough Council Press Releases can be found online at http://www.reading.gov.uk/mediareleases/
Media Contact: Victoria Buckett
Tel: 0118 937 3957
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