Information for Professionals

This section is to help Professionals who are considering referring their clients to the Guideposts Carer Support Service. Below is some information about our service but do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further information. You can telephone the office during office hours on 02476 385888 or email us HERE.

Carers

A carer is someone who looks after a relative, friend or neighbour who, due to age, ill-health, disability or addiction is unable to manage without the carer's help.

According to the last census in 2001, there are around 53,000 carers in Warwickshire with around 20% providing more than 50 hours of care per week. Carers can be male or female, any age and around a quarter of carers juggle work with their caring responsibilities.

Many carers do not see themselves as carers. They consider themselves to be doing their duty or caring out of love and devotion. A Carers UK survey in 2006 showed that 65% of carers did not consider themselves as carers in the first year of caring.

Carers want to have the same life chances and opportunities as other people. They need to have:

• Recognition of their contribution
• Good information on services available
• Choice in whether they care and for how long
• Culturally appropriate services
• Respite breaks from caring
• Emotional support and understanding
• Opportunities for training or returning to work
• A voice in the way social and health services are planned and delivered

The Guideposts Carer Support Service

Guideposts is funded by the Adult Health and Community Service of Warwickshire County Council to support Carers in the areas of North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Rugby. Carers in the south of the county are supported by South Warwickshire Carer Support Service. To access their website please click HERE.

Guideposts has two offices. A main office is located at 44-45 Church Street Nuneaton above the new Community Cafe which also acts as a drop-in centre and information point. The information desk is covered every morning by volunteers available to help members of the public and carers with information on health, social and carer issues. There is also a Carer Support worker available for consultation each day in the office.