|
HISTORY OF CARERS IN PARTNERSHIP
Carer in Partnership was initiated through the West Midland Partnership with help from Professor Anthony Sheehan then director – seven years ago. At that time, the service agreement was with Rethink. This came about because many of the carers involved in setting up Carers in Partnership were members of Rethink.
A member of staff from the Rethink carers’ unit in Birmingham, Simon Foster, provided excellent support and has done so throughout the time. Simon’s roles included both administration and development of many projects for which Carers in Partnership is well known.
About three years ago, Simon was joined by Peter Woodhams whose role was to develop and support local active carers’ groups. The local active carers’ groups were instrumental in empowering carers with knowledge and confidence to participate in commissioning services, thus ensuring both the voice of carers and the needs of the families were taken into account in the planning of care.
Early on, members tackled the biggest problem facing families, which was, and can still be, trying to get information about their loved ones’ illness. Without information, carers can not learn how to cope appropriately. The first Guidance Paper entitled “Communications between Informal Carers and Mental Health Workers” followed. This was re-launched in March 2003 with NIMHE. Further Guidance papers followed including:-
- Guidance paper (with West Midlands Partnership 2001) “Involving Users and Carers in Policy and Implementation.”
- “Caring for Someone with a Mental Health Problem who is over 65”
- “Guidance for G.P’s and Primary Care Staff. Families and carers of people with Mental Illness.”
- Guidance Paper (with NIMHE West Midlands). “Involving Users and Carers in training.”
- Guidance Paper (with CSIP West Midlands, 2005). “The Forgotten Generation – The needs of those who, while stable, require care – mentally, physically and socially.”
- Guidance on Carer Involvement in Mental Health Foundation Trusts (with CSIP 2007)
|
