Dudley

	Caring for carers Focused and fundamental, the FCT’s Dudley Community Support Service is helping people with significant mental health problems to lead happier, independent lives - and that goes for carers too. Lisa Clayton, manager of the Stourbridge branch, (pictured left) said: “We try to see the strain and stress that carers are under and to have a holistic approach to the family and give any carers the opportunity to have a listening ear.” The service currently provides at least 2 hours of support a week to 115 people to help them achieve their agreed goals. Lisa added: “We do not juggle priorities. We ensure we establish a consistent and dependable pattern of service with clients and we maintain it.” The service also takes several carers to visit their loved ones who are in residential placements some distance away. In the past few years carers have been taken to the theatre, given short individual holidays and other activities which they find extremely supportive, particularly in meeting others with similar problems.
What we can do to help
Our service is provided between 8am and 9.30pm, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Well trained, friendly, supportive staff. Support and care for people with mental health problems to help them to lead independent lives in their own homes. Provide domiciliary support service for people aged 18 plus who have significant mental health problems. An intensive service for clients, when needed, for a specific period. Hospital discharge service for people with mental health problems under the age of 65. Families and carers receive a supportive response to their problems.
	Dudley’s winning team... The Dudley Community Support Service has a team of 14 people, plus one very committed volunteer. They all share one common goal - to do the best they can for their clients and their carers and to be as supportive as possible. The team works hard to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable people and most members become “befrienders” rather than support workers. There is a close working relationship with community mental health teams with support workers being very much part of the multi-disciplinary approach to mental health issues.