Free Tailored support for Carers of older people in the Belfast Trust Area. Carers Wellbeing Service

The free Carers Wellbeing Service is here to support any adult carer in the Belfast Trust area who is 18 years or over, who cares for an older person who is 50 years old or over. 

Are you wondering who classifies as a caregiver?

Here’s what you can ask yourself:

• Are you or anyone you know, concerned about the health and wellbeing of an older person?
• Have you or someone you know, been helping an aging relative or friend with health and life tasks, even just a little bit? (Like by looking up health information online, contacting the GP, picking up prescriptions or for instance, doing their grocery shopping, filling in forms or any other tasks that they may have difficulty in completing)
• Are you or someone you know, regularly checking in with an older neighbour?
• The definition of a “Caregiver” is a general term referring to anyone who provides care for a person who needs extra help. 
• You do not need to be a registered carer to avail of this service. 

If so, you or the person you are thinking of are considered a caregiver, and suitable for this service.

What is the Carer Wellbeing Service?

This service focuses to provide support for Caregivers.

The aim is to provide a short or long-term (up to one year) tailored support which will help you develop tools to best manage the stress of caring for an older person. Whether this is a new responsibility or one that has been fulfilled for many years, you can avail of our support – this may be in the form of bespoke one to one support: within a group setting or by sharing of information.

This service aims to provide timely advice for caregivers, tailored to their individual circumstances and accessible in a way that suits your situation.

What can you expect from the Carer Wellbeing Service?

Once a referral is received, the Carer Wellbeing Co-ordinator within Age NI will undertake a holistic assessment by considering mental and social factors, rather than just the symptoms, to tailor the support to the Carer. 

This can vary from:

• One-to-one wellbeing support.
• Digital / Online support. For example, help to get online and joining online groups.
• Exploration of what may help you improve your overall wellbeing.  Exploration of additional support groups, which will help you develop confidence, awareness, and joy in your everyday life.
• Access to Carer’s Information Sessions.
• Signposting to activities/ community and voluntary organisations in your area.

• Free benefits check along with support to complete benefit forms.        

The free support is tailored to each individual needs' and can be accessed face to face, online or by telephone.