YVHSC has a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the complex support needs of carers as we deliver a wide range of carers support services. YVHSC provides Carers Lewisham, a carers hub that provides support to over 1200 carers every year. The hub operates a wide range of services for carers that includes young carers, adult carers, carers supporting those with dementia and carers who are seeking employment opportunities. The organisation also provides a counselling service exclusively for carers along with varied opportunities for peer and social support.
The Adult Carers service specifically provides information advice and support services across the borough to carers aged 18 and over. The service addresses the practical and emotional needs of carers providing a holistic approach to promote overall wellbeing as well as identifying and delivering on specific individual needs in line with the requirements of the Care Act 2014.
The Working for Cares service supports carers to get closer to their employment goals and operates across all London boroughs. The service is funded by the European Social Fund and the Community Fund to facilitate employment pathways for carers. The service is delivered in a partnership between 4 carers centres in London that provide a pan London bespoke employment service to carers or ex carers.
The Young Carers service supports infant carers aged 5-7, young carers aged 8-15 and young adult carers aged 16-24. The focus is on identifying young carers in the borough and providing them with essential support and respite.
The dementia service provides support to carers whose cared for lives within Lewisham and has a diagnosis of dementia. The service is delivered in partnership with the NHS and MIND to provide a Lewisham Hub for support for those living with dementia and those caring for someone with dementia.
The Carers Lewisham Carers Centre provides a hub for carers of all ages to attend social events as well as to gain access to individual support and advice. It offers holistic approach to wellbeing and has subsidised access to alternative therapies including massage therapists and an osteopath. Carers Lewisham are a Network Partner of Carers Trust and a member of Carers UK and Disability UK. One of our aims as an organisation is to raise awareness of carer issues which have become a more urgent focus in the current pandemic. We campaign for carers rights and celebrate Carers Rights Day and Carers Week annually with specific activities hosted to mark both events. We provide support and training to local GP surgeries and schools in terms of carer identification and we deliver our Who Is a Carer? training to many local organisations and companies to support them to understand what defines a carer.
Our Adult Carers service holds the Advice Quality Standard accreditation which marks its excellence in advice delivery