How our service can help you
The Dementia Carers' Support Service (DCSS) provides support to family or informal carers of people with a diagnosis of dementia at particularly challenging times throughout their caring journey. Carers eligible for support from our service are then matched to volunteers who often have first-hand carer experience.
What can I expect from a volunteer?
Support is offered virtually, by phone or by email. Volunteers can provide:
- Emotional support
- Informational support
- Signposting to other services
- Opportunities for you and the person you care for to meet at our social events
Unfortunately, the service is unable to provide a sitting service or break for the carer.
About our volunteers
Volunteers are often experienced carers, who have a desire to help others. They have knowledge, skills, and qualities that they can pass on to current carers of people with dementia. As CPFT volunteers they undergo the normal recruitment process for volunteers such as assessment of capability, appropriateness, and DBS checks. Volunteers receive training and supervision (both peer group and 1 to 1) and adhere to the policies and procedures of the Trust. Volunteers also receive a work mobile phone and expenses will be remunerated.
Become a volunteer
Starting from as little as a couple of hours a month, or as much time as you can give, you really can make a difference in many ways. Whether you want to build upon your current skills or give some time to your local community, you can support us and make a real difference to dementia carers lives.
If you would like to help, make a difference to dementia carers’ lives please contact us. We would love to hear from you! Please take a look at our volunteer opportunity in more detail and apply by clicking on this link.
Comments from volunteers
"I can only say that giving my time to someone who may be in distress, lonely or disabled in some way, has hopefully benefitted their lives and has certainly enriched mine. I have learnt so much - I am a better person for it!'
“I find volunteering with DCSS very rewarding and love the fact I’m giving something back to other Carers who are just starting out on a Dementia journey with a loved one.”
Contact the service
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Coordinator: Adele Govier and Paige O’Brien
Support worker: Lorraine Riggey
T: 01480 420331
E: CPFTDCSS@cpft.nhs.ukOr write to:
Tracy Donnelly
Dementia Carers' Support Service
New Cottages
Princess of Wales Hospital
Lynn Road, Ely
CB6 1DN.Please note: Due to the limited capacity of our service, we are not able to accept self-referrals, You will therefore need to ask your CPFT care coordinator or the care coordinator of the person you care for to support a referral. This is to ensure we offer the support where it is most needed and because DCSS is a time limited service.
Recommended websites
Referral Information
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How does the service work?
The service covers Cambridge City, South Cambs, East Cambs, Fenland and Huntingdonshire.
Due to the limited capacity of our service, we are not able to accept self-referrals, therefore, you will need to ask your CPFT care coordinator or the care coordinator of the person you care for to support this referral. This is to ensure we offer the support where it is most needed. Our service is a time limited service.
On receipt of a referral, the DCSS coordinator will contact you directly to discuss the service and how best you can be supported. A support plan will be developed, and a volunteer may then be matched and introduced to you.
Carers Information
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A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
At Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, we value the often life-long support carers provide and recognise them as equal care partners. We want to offer as much guidance and reassurance as possible, to help you in your caring role. You can find general information and support for adult carers, young carers and parent carers by following this link.