NEW ‘Carers Information Surgeries’ At Local GP Practices

Devon Carers Link (Northern Area)
The Castle Centre  
25 Castle Street
Barnstaple
North Devon
EX31 1DR
Tel:  01271 372811
Email: l.self@westbankfriends.org

Carers in the Fremington, Ilfracombe and Holsworthy areas can now access free monthly Carers Information Surgeries at their local GP practice. This new service is being co-ordinated by Devon Carers Link which is a voluntary organisation providing information, support and services to anyone giving unpaid care to a family member, partner or friend who needs help because they are ill, frail or have a disability.

If a carer, or the person they are caring for, is a patient at Fremington Medical Centre, Ilfracombe Medical Centre or Holsworthy Medical Centre they can pre-book a 45 minute appointment to speak in confidence to a Carers Worker about support and services to help them in their caring role.

People may just want someone to talk to about the stresses of their situation or they may want to find out more about the type of support services which are available. This includes information on sitting services to enable people to take a break from caring, flexible breaks grants to help carers afford to take time out, Carers Alert Cards, training courses, carers support groups, help for young carers, where to get benefits advice and how to access support from Social Services and other organisations.

More of these monthly Carers Surgeries are planned across North Devon and Torridge in the next few months and details will appear in local GP practices. Carers from any area of Northern Devon can also contact Carers Link by telephone on 08456 435072 for information and support or to arrange alternative appointments with a Carers Worker at or nearby their home.

Carers Information Surgery appointments can be booked on the following numbers:

Fremington Medical Centre: 01271 376655
Holsworthy Medical Centre: 01409 253692
Ilfracombe Medical Centre: 08456 435072

Contact Devon Carers Link on 08456 435072 for further information or see the website at www.devoncarerslink.org 

Carers Link is a devonwide voluntary organisation which is free to join and provides information and support to carers. Carers provide unpaid support to family members, partners or friends who need help because they are ill, frail or have a disability.