Options - click an option to find out more
Carerslink and Carers Outreach Workers	Poole & Dorset Sitting Service
Strollers Groups	Networks and Events

Help and Care Carers Centre

Help and Care is a Carers Centre based in Bournemouth but providing support services for carers across Dorset.

The Carers Centre can support carers in many different ways depending on your needs and where you live. This includes free support groups at the centre on every second Thursday of the month.

Our services are listed below or click on one of the options above to find out more.

Carerslink

Help and Care provides a one-stop information and support service for Carers of all ages who live in Poole, Bournemouth or the rest of Dorset.

The Carerslink helpline number is: 0845 4500 418 or fax 01202 432299.

The service is open from Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and on Friday from 10am to 4.30pm. Callers outside these hours can leave a message which will be dealt with when the service re-opens.

This gives callers direct access to information on a wide range of services for carers.

Help and Care aims to provide tailor-made support for any person that calls the Carerslink number. Types of support might include;

• A confidential listening ear
• Signposting to other organisations
• Helping carers get all the right benefits
• Support to carers groups
• Linking in with GP practices in Dorset
• Carers information and training courses
• Carers events

Carers Outreach

Help and Care’s outreach team supports Carers who pay their Council Tax to Dorset County Council with training courses, one-off events, running groups or working closely with individuals. To find out if one of our Carers outreach team can help you call us on 0845 4500 418 or email us.

Read our latest Carers Rights Day Report

Poole and Dorset Sitting Service;

The sitting service is part of Help and Care’s Carerslink service and is available to anyone in the Boroughs of Dorset or Poole who looks after a friend or relative with an illness or disability and who cannot be left alone. Help and Care will organise for a care agency to sit with your relative or loved one while you take a well deserved break. To take advantage of this service, the cared for person must be over the age of 18, and must pay council tax to Dorset County Council or the Borough of Poole.

If you live in Bournemouth you may be entitled to a similar service.

Strollers Group

Strollers is a group just for Carers.  It was established in 1997 to meet the needs of Carers in  Bournemouth who enjoy walking and fresh air but have no one to go with.  Walks are roughly 2 – 3 miles through unspoilt countryside, scenic Heritage Coast, farmland, towns and tranquil villages.

These walks are suitable are suitable for all carers who enjoy walking and fresh air.  They are a chance to talk about your situations, or to talk about anything but! No special equipment is required.

The group meets on the 1^st Monday of each month (excluding Bank Holidays) , and they usually start and finish at a local pub where lunch or other refreshments may be purchased.

Hopefully, there are walks to suit all moods and all weather and they will provide opportunities to talk about your situations, or just to forget about caring altogether and talk about other interests. No special equipment is required .

For more information call 0845 4500 418.

If you live in Poole or Dorset you may be able to get involved in a similar service.

Carers Networks

In the very near future Help and Care will be developing Carers Networks. These will be groups of Carers who support each other either through meetings, by telephone or email.

Carers Events

Help and Care often runs events especially for Carers – why not check what is coming up in your area and join us?

Carers can join us at the Carers Centre on the second Thursday of every month to listen to an informative talk, enjoy free refreshmnets and meet other carers. The dates and topics for the next meetings are;

12th July	Grand Opening
9th August	Direct Payments
13th September	Relaxation and Stress Relief
11th October	First Aid
8th November	Legal Matters including Power of Attorney
13th December	Christmas Get Together

Give us a call on 0845 4500 418 to find out how we can help with transport to these events or organise a sitting service to look after your loved one while you attend and take a well earned break.

There are still places available on courses in Christchurch and Blandford in October and November. Why not join us?