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Do you provide care or support to a parent, child, partner, relative, neighbour or friend who has an illness, disability, addiction or is older and frail? If the answer is yes, then you are a carer. There's lot of support available from Dudley Carers Hub.

Dudley Carers Hub

Dudley Carers Hub and Wellbeing Service, run by Dudley Council, supports unpaid carers of all ages.

Dudley carers hub logoWe offer information, advice and a range of support to anyone caring for a family member or friend. Many people who provide care often do not recognise themselves as a carer, and aren't aware of the support available to them.  We aim to empower carers to make informed choices and provide specialist advice and support including: 

  • Information on financial and legal rights
  • Advice on respite services
  • Advice on accessing social care and health and wellbeing services
  • Emotional support
  • A specialist Dudley Young Carers Service
  • Support with getting out and about, including social groups and carers groups
  • Help with arranging a carers assessment
  • Specialist training courses for carers

There are two hubs located at Queens Cross Network in Dudley and Brett Young Centre in Halesowen.

Call or email us for more information or to book an appointment.

We are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

If you need support outside these hours you should call Dudley's adult social care emergency duty team.
We are open 5pm to 9am, Monday to Sunday, including Bank Holidays.

You can find out more about support for carers in Dudley in the booklet below.

Forward Carers

Forward Carers is a social enterprise company which works in partnership with Dudley Carers Hub helping the hubs provide carer support and services.

Forward Carers provides personalised, face to face preventative support tailored to the needs of adult carers and young carers.

It offers a range of workshops and training sessions on topics such as legal rights and stress management, as well as community peer support groups for carers to share experiences, find support from other carers and build strong support networks.

Forward Carers also work with Action for Children developing and delivering a young carers service.

Support for Young Carers

Forward Carers also work with Action for Children developing and delivering a young carers service for young carers aged under 18, who live in Dudley borough.

This includes young carers support groups, educational workshops, and lots of fun social and recreational activities designed support young people who are juggling a caring role, helping them to develop resilience, and supporting their health and wellbeing.

 

The Dudley Carer magazine and e-bulletins

Carers registered to the hub can subscribe to our magazine, The Dudley Carer. It provides lots of up to date, useful information, tips and hints for local carers. 

For the latest edition see download link below.

Peace of Mind emergency card scheme

Should something happen to you, you can have peace of mind that the person you care for will be supportedAny carer living in the Dudley borough who supports an adult can join the basic scheme, contact Dudley Carers Hub to apply.

How does it work?

  • Your information is recorded on the Dudley Telecare service database
  • We send you a card and key fob with your unique code number and emergency telephone number
  • If you, the carer, have an emergency they will contact your nominees to inform them support is required

To help you plan for any emergencies you can download our contingency planning toolkit below or call 01384 818723 to request a paper copy.

Benefits advice

Benefits advice is important for many carers. Dudley Carers Hub can give some basic benefits advice but take a look at the council's Benefits page for more detailed information.

Cost of living support for carers

Dudley Carers Hub can provide support to carers who may be struggling to meet basic day to day living costs such as food and energy costs. The hub can offer support and information including checks for eligible benefits ( Carers Allowance, Council Tax Reduction) or energy and water discount schemes.  We can also provide practical help including:

  • advice on saving money on utilities such as energy
  • applying for eligible welfare benefits and discounts 
  • access to available grants including Household Support Fund vouchers to purchase essentials i.e. washing machine, mattress, oil filled radiators
  • support and training to access online services, including learning practical skills and being safe and confident, we may also be able to provide access to a tablet or laptop 
  • our slow cooker project can support carers with meal planning and healthy eating’ on a budget, carers may also be eligible for a free slow cooker to get them started,
  • identification of other helpful organisations

For more information on the cost of living support available from the carers hub call 01384 818723 or email dudleycarershub@dudley.gov.uk   

Adult social care in Dudley portal

A quick and easy way for anyone living in Dudley borough to find out all about adult social care and support. Dudley Adults Portal includes a dedicated area for carers. Carers can access information and support, including registering as a carer and completing a carers self assessment online.

Professionals can also use the portal as there is a dedicated area for them to use - so it truly is a one stop shop.

What's on for carers

There's lots going on for carers, from fish and chips on a relaxing cruise down our canal network, to informative sessions on how to 'get connected' to technologies and services to help make your caring role easier, to weekly social meet ups, there is something for everyone. There is a regular programme of weekly and monthly activities and get togethers.

Weekly sessions  

Carers can drop in to our weekly carers sessions held at our Brett Young hub. There are a range of information sessions and activities for people to participate in if they wish, including:

  • Wellbeing Wednesdays  – wellbeing advice sessions, dementia carers group, monthly reminiscences cafe
  • Time Out Thursdays  - including Tea & I.T. (digital and online support), Wellbeing and Relaxation  

Brett Young Carers Hub, Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen, B63 3TB. Cal us on 01384 818723

We have launched some new carers groups for 2024, these include an evening carers cafe, digital skills for carers and a carers crafting group.

August/Sept 2024 activities

During August and September we are hosting:

  • A garden party at Brett Young Carers Hub - all carers and the people they support are most welcome - 20 August 11-3pm 
  • Information session for carers - all about migrating to universal credit - 4 September - 10-12pm
  • People's Panel - lets talk about getting digital - 16 September 10.30-1.30pm
  • A day trip to Blists Hill for carers - 25 September 9.30- 3pm

You can find an information flyer about each of these activities in the downloads list below, or call the Carers Hub for more details.

Carers and professionals can sign up to receive a monthly activities programme - just give us a call or drop us an email.

Caring for me and you - self management programme

A self management programme for carers, these sessions run for 2.5 hours per week for 6 weeks. They are friendly group sessions run by trained volunteers, who also manage their own health conditions and caring situations.  The course aims to support carers to

  • look after their own health and wellbeing, while caring
  • take more control over their caring situation,
  • seek support and get others involved
  • increase their confidence

The next programme for Urdu/Punjabi and Hindi speakers starts Thursday 5th September, (running to Thursday 10th October 2024), 10am to 12.30pm at:  Brett Young Carers Hub, Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen, B63 3TB.

 

A new programme - Caring for Me and You specifically for people caring for someone with dementia is currently being planned, for more information get in took on the details below. 

For more information, to book on a place email smp@dudleycabx.org or call us at the hub.

Mobilise

Online support for carers across Dudley borough from Mobilise - working in partnership with Dudley Carers Hub. Sign up to receive free online support from Mobilise and join a supportive community especially for carers.

Options+ leisure card

If you receive Carers Allowance or another qualifying benefit, the Options+ Card entitles you to discounted rates at local leisure centres.

Respite and short breaks

Find out more about respite and short breaks support for carers.

Contact Us

Queens Cross Carers Hub
Wellington Road
Dudley
DY1 1RB
(by appointment only)

Brett Young Carers Hub
Old Hawne Lane
Halesowen
B63 3TB