Argos Potters Bar (Inside Sainsbury's)

Carers in Hertfordshire is a charity that supports people providing unpaid help or care to someone close to them who has a physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or addiction. This could involve looking after someone round the clock, a few hours a week or occasionally, whether they live with you or elsewhere. The charity was formed in 1995 and provides free advice, information and a variety of services to carers of all ages – children and adults – who live, work or care in Hertfordshire. Bereaved carers are also supported for up to three years after the death of the person they cared for. Many people don’t see themselves as carers, they are parents, grandparents, children, partners, friends, helping someone close to them stay safe or as well as possible. For example they take them to appointments, give medication or collect prescriptions or assist with personal care, households tasks. However, it is vital that people know they have somewhere to turn to for help, particularly as caring roles are usually unplanned, sudden due to an accident or ill health, and change. The services we provide are free to carers and support is tailored to each person’s needs. Support is provided over the phone, online or in person. Services include: • Information and guidance – Carer Support Advisors answer caring related queries and can assist with planning a caring role or navigating health, social care, voluntary sector services. • Mentoring or support via groups such as Hubs. • Workshops, training courses and events. • Opportunities to have a say and shape health and social care services in Hertfordshire. • Keep in Touch phone welfare calls. • Specialist dementia nurses (Admiral Nurses) providing practical support and help to people caring for someone with dementia. • Carers’ Passport – an ID to show your caring role and access to savings from various businesses. • A Young Carers Service offering activities and help to people 18 and under with caring responsibilities and their families. • A Care Service in Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford - Care Support Workers provide individual packages of care through domiciliary care or Carers' Breaks. • Bereavement support one to one over the phone or face to face in a group. Across Hertfordshire, the charity works alongside GP surgeries, hospitals, voluntary organisations, and councils including Hertfordshire County Council. The aim being to ensure services connect with unpaid carers at an early stage of their caring journey in order to support them and avoid them experiencing a crisis. If you are a carer or bereaved carer, or you want to help as a volunteer, with fundraising or in some other way, please get in touch - email contact@carersinherts.org.uk or call 01992 58 69 69.