Where to get help?

Who can help you?

There are many organisations and people you can contact for advice and help.

If you have worries about medication, side effects and treatment:

  • talk about it with your relative's care co-ordinator if they have one.
  • talk with your GP.
  • discuss with your relative about attending the next review with his/her mental health team.
  • find reliable information on the Mental Health Care Website.

If the person you care for has nothing to do in the day and you cannot find anything to interest them:

  • discuss with your relative's care co-ordinator.
  • there are a number of local centres which provide activities where your relative can meet other people both during the day and in the evening:
  • some are voluntary organisations offering leisure, vocational or educational oportunites (e.g. The Stuart Low Trust  and The Mary Ward Centre). Some are within Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust Rehabilitation and Recovery Service (e.g. The Hanley Road Education and Employment Project).
  • Follow this link for further information on education and employment opportunities in Camden and Islington.

Street

If you have problems with money or benefits:

If you have any legal questions connected with your relative (e.g. hospital treatment)

The Camden and Islington Mental Health Carers Directory

Contains all the crucial information you need, including a rough guide to mental health problems and treatment and a guide to local mental health services.

The directory should be invaluable to you if you need to get in touch with the right professional or team. It also tells you about organisations that support carers of people who use mental health services.

If you would like a copy of the directory, call your local Community Mental Health Team, Islington Carers Centre (020 7263 9080) or Making Space in Camden (020 7530 6431). Alternatively please click here for an electronic copy.

If you are concerned about employment

Contact your local Jobcentre Plus which now offers specific work focused support for carers. This support can help you to balance your caring responsibilities with paid work or preparation for paid work, such as training.

You will be put in touch with a specialist carers' personal adviser who will help you to think about your options and draw up an action plan. The plan could include free training courses delivered by Jobcentre Plus, with funding for replacement care to enable you to attend. You will also be offered a "Better-off-in-work calculation". This works out how much better off you would be in work and explains other financial help such as tax credits that you might be entitled to when you start work.

Next Page