The Great Western Hospital has launched a new weekly drop-in session to raise awareness of the support available to local carers.
Members of the public can come along to the Carer’s Cafe to receive expert advice on the services offered to unpaid carers by the Great Western Hospital, Carer Support Wiltshire and the Swindon Carers Centre.
The cafe will take place on Wednesdays from 2pm until 3.30pm in the Refresh Restaurant, on the ground floor of GWH, near the main entrance.
Representatives and volunteers from the organisations will be on hand to answer queries and offer guidance on what is available locally and on a national level.
Rachel Palfreeman, Matron and Carer’s Lead, said: “It’s about giving carers the opportunity to meet and chat with other carers and for us to help with signposting to the support we have on offer.
“We modelled the scheme on what's worked well elsewhere and we hope to see many people coming in to talk to us.”
Information will also be available on the support out there for carers visiting GWH, such as the Carers Passport, which provides access to a range of benefits including free drinks, cheaper parking and discounted food.
There will also be information from Swindon Carers Centre and Carers Support Wiltshire on new initiatives, such as the Emergency Card scheme, which can offer peace of mind to carers that the person they look after will be supported in the event of an emergency.
Melanie Dix, Service Delivery Manager at Swindon Carers Centre, said: “We are really pleased to get involved with this project and to be working in partnership with local organisations.
“Many unpaid carers do not realise that they can access these great services, so it's really important that we make people aware of what's available in Swindon.”
For more information on the Swindon Carers Centre, please visitwww.swindoncarers.org.uk.
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