Marion MacNeil writes -

TECHNOLOGY BRINGS RIGHT INFORMATION TO CARERS

Thousands of people in the Highland area are missing out on the support they are entitled to whilst looking after a sick or disabled relative at home.  Many people do not realise that they are carers or that as such there are support services which they can turn to if they need help. In fact, Carers Rights Day on 3rd December was all about providing information for carers to ensure they can access the help to which they are entitled.

Highland Carers Project produce an Information Pack for Carers in Highland which contains factsheets on various issues such as Housing, Paying for Services and Council Tax Discounts.  For the first time this pack is now available on CD-Rom, just in time for Carers Rights Day, an awareness day organised by Carers Scotland in partnership with Scottish Gas.

The CD will be distributed to over 300 local organisations including Citizens Advice Bureaux, Community Care Fora, Highland Council Service Points, Community Care Teams and Libraries throughout Highland.  The same facility will also be available on the internet at www.hccf.org.uk/projects/PRT so that G.P.'s, Hospital staff and other agencies will also have access to the factsheets for carers on issues such as Carers Assessments, Respite and Direct Payments.

Marion MacNeil, Information Worker for Highland Carers Project said,

"In this way, we hope to ensure that wherever there is a carer looking after someone who cannot manage on their own, any professional who comes into contact with them will have the resources to provide the carer with information on whatever they need to know."

Anyone who looks after a sick or disabled person on an unpaid basis is a carer and as such is entitled to get help.  We are urging all carers to seek advice on the help they are entitled to, by contacting the Carers Project Helpline on Tel: 08457 660026.  They might be entitled to claim Carers Allowance or a discount on their Council Tax or they could have a Carers Support Plan drawn up."

Contact Details

For further details on The Princess Royal Trust Highland Carers Project, please contact

Marion MacNeil, Information Worker on 01463 718817 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Highland Carers Project, Highland House, 20 Longman Road, Inverness IV1 1RY

Fax: 01463 718818 or E-mail: carers@hccf.org.uk  Website: www.hccf.org.uk/projects/PRT

Carers are people who look after a relative, friend or neighbour.  They may not see themselves as carers and often carry out their role with the minimum of intervention and formal support. The decision to care can be a commitment to future poverty, giving up income, employment and pension prospects. Many carers end up with health problems themselves and it is important to ensure that carers have the support they need. Young carers can lose out on education as well as their social development.

The Princess Royal Trust Highland Carers Project provides information about carers' rights to services, benefits and all other matters related to caring through a local call rate Helpline.  The project has an Advocacy Service, which is able to assist carers with complex problems. The Highland Carers Project aims to involve carers in the planning and delivery of community care services as well as supporting carers groups throughout the Highland area. Highland Carers is a project of the Highland Community Care Forum.

Marion MacNeil

Information Worker

Highland Carers Project

Tel: 01463 718817

Fax: 01463 718818