The Dementia Carers' Support Service is an innovative new project that aims to link former carers with current carers of people with dementia to offer regular and consistent support as a befriender or buddy.

These experienced dementia carers support volunteers will be able to utilise and share their extensive hands on knowledge and skills. They will have time to listen, give practical advice and help to signpost services in the community when needed.

This service is available throughout the journey of the caring role.

What we require from the volunteers

• Experience as an informal carer of someone with dementia or being close to someone with dementia
• Good listening skills
• Ability to build long-term ‘professional’ befriending relationships with carers and cared-for people
• Ability to empathise while managing own emotions
• Able to travel independently
• To be regularly available to undertake the role
• To meet with a supervisor for a minimum of 10 sessions per year plus take part in group supervision as appropriate.

What we will provide

• Personal satisfaction of sharing wisdom to others and knowing that this will be of help to others
• Reimbursement of travel and telephone costs
• Regular support and supervision
• The chance to be involved in a new project.

Want to know more? Know someone who could benefit from this service?

For an informal discussion or to make a referral please contact
Fe Franklin
Project Co-ordinator (Thursday and Friday)
T 01353 652084
M 07506 579367
E fe.franklin@cpft.nhs.uk

Sally Kitchin
Project Co-ordinator (Monday-Wednesday)
T 01353 652084
M 07432 701833
E sally.kitchin@cpft.nhs.uk

New CPFT project  in conjunction with CAMTED-OP supports carers

The Dementia Carers’ Support Service Project, which aims to link former carers with current carers of people with dementia, has now completed its first recruitment phase. The Dementia Carers’ Support Volunteers will be able to use their knowledge and experience to offer regular and consistent support as a friend or buddy for at least one hour per week and to support the carer and person living with dementia throughout the lifetime of their illness.

The Dementia Carers’ Support Volunteers have attended three certificated workshops facilitated by Rose Elliot who works for CAMTED-OP (Cambridgeshire Training and Education for Older People). CAMTED–OP is a specialist training team provided by the Older People’s Mental Health Division within CPFT. The team consists of trainers from a variety of clinical backgrounds including nursing, speech and language therapy, pharmacy, occupational therapy and clinical psychology.

The three workshops on dementia, carers' experience and supporting carers/families were developed by Rose to underpin the existing wealth of knowledge and experience already gained by the Dementia Carers’ Support Volunteers, who have previously been carers for a loved one living with dementia, and to celebrate their personal growth and development from carers to experienced and valued supporters of other carers.

The workshops are geared to be informal and relaxed and encompass theory, practical information for carers and a booklet on stress management and relaxation skills ranging from a quick STOP! Technique through to a full relaxation session. It is important that the Dementia Carers’ Support Volunteers enjoy their role and do not take on additional stresses in their work. 

The Dementia Carers’ Support Volunteers have arranged to stay in touch with each other and meet regularly as a group for peer support, organised between themselves, and they will also meet regularly with Fe Franklin who manages the project.

This is an exciting time as the first cohort of Dementia Carer’s Support Volunteers are now ready to take on their role.

Fe is continuing to recruit volunteers to the project and Rose will be facilitating the workshops as required.

If you’re interested in taking part in the project, contact Fe Franklin on 01353 652084 or 07506 579367 or e-mail fe.franklin@cpft.nhs.uk

For information on the carers' workshop from CAMTED-OP, contact Rose Elliot on 01223 218541 or e-mail rose.elliot@cpft.nhs.uk