Help with your caring role
A carer is someone who gives unpaid support to someone with a mental health issue and they rely on that support. This applies even if the person doesn’t live with you.
This term is confusing and not always easy to accept as it is also used for paid care workers so it might be easier to see yourself as a parent, partner or friend.
The word ‘carer’ is, however, used in Government policies, law and generally accepted by professionals. It is worth recognising that it applies to you even if you prefer not to use it, as it can be the key to recognising what help and resources are available to you.
The Carers Trust describes a carer as “anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support".
Anyone can become a carer. Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age. Many feel they are doing what anyone else would do in the same situation: looking after their mother, son, or best friend and just getting on with it.
Self help guides
A range of self-help guides are available to download in several formats, with information on abuse, alcohol, anxiety, bereavement, controlling anger, depression, domestic violence, eating disorders, hearing voices, obsessions and compulsions, panic, post traumatic stress, postnatal sepression, self-harm, shyness, social anxiety, sleeping and more.
Support for carers
Virtual coffee morning
Come and join the conversation Zoom in to Friday with our Carer’s Virtual Coffee Morning. We want you to know that you are valued, appreciated and supported during these difficult times. Make yourself a cuppa and have an informal chat with other carers and carer leads from Norfolk and Suffolk.
Fridays, 10:30 to 12:00 via Zoom
Meeting ID: 860 6791 0795
Password: 4t4nSx
Join here
Virtual Family and Friends Support
Wednesdays 6-7pm
Call: Tiff Cecchini on 07557 179711
Email: tiffany.cecchini@nsft.nhs.uk, 18:00 - 19:00
Family and Friends Support Group
Every Wednesday 19:00 - 20:30
The Board Room, Hellesdon Hospital
Access via Main Reception
For more information contact CarersQAservice@nsft.nhs.uk
Great Yarmouth and Waveney carers group
Tuesdays 19:30 - 20:30 on Microsoft Teams
Call: Howard Tidman on 07557 290169
Join here
Early Intervention in Psychosis Support Groups
Family Forum: An overview of psychosis and early intervention. One-off introductory session
Held on a Monday 17:30 - 19:00
Family Forum: Learning about psychosis and treatment. Four-week course.
Held January, May and September on Thursdays, 17.30 - 18.30
Family and friends drop-in: have a cuppa and a chat with members of the team.
Held the first Tuesday of the month 18:45 - 20:15, Trinity Church Hall, 1 Unthank Road, Norwich.
See poster for details of groups and links
Carers support.pdf 371KB