What support is there for carers?

Support for unpaid carers

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.

The Short Breaks service

The Short Breaks service provides bed-based respite and emergency support to people with learning disabilities, who are 18 and over, and are eligible for care in Ealing. People using the service will have been assessed by a social worker from the learning disabilities team initially and a referral will come to Shortbreaks via social worker structure via the council.

We aim to offer a welcoming and friendly environment where people can experience life away from home when they need it. People use the service to stay overnight; this can be a single night or for a longer period. The ground floor area is fully accessible, but the upstairs is only accessible by stairs. Short Breaks is staffed 24 hours a day. Each person will have an assessment by Shortbreak’s to check the needs and support needed when using the service. All staff are trained to the Care Certificate standard which includes safeguarding, medication, moving and handling, fire safety, epilepsy, dysphagia and so on. We then offer an induction period tailored to your needs, so that people can get familiar with the service. If everything goes well, you will then be able to book overnight stays. The Short Breaks Service is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Ealing Carers Partnership service

The Ealing Carers Partnership service provides carers with the opportunity to have a break from their caring role, knowing that their loved one is being cared for by someone with the appropriate training, skills and experience. During this time they can:

  • support the cared for person in their home if unable to go out
  • carry out personal care needs, including medication
  • take them on a social outing to an activity of their choice
  • create a relationship and encourage independence where possible

The service will also be providing a number of wellbeing activities for carers and the person they are caring for. Some of the activities can be attended together if preferred with trained care support staff.

Carers Cafes – 4 different venues host carers cafes each month; a chance to get together and chat:

  • Elm Lodge, Greenford – 1st Thursday of the month
  • Rectory Park Community Centre, Northolt – 3rd Monday of the month
  • West Ealing Library – 3rd Wednesday of the month
  • Perivale Community Centre – 4th Thursday of the month

Respite – working with Harlington Care, the Ealing Carers Partnership offers high quality care support workers who can provide individual support in the home or out in the community:

  • from September, group respite sessions from 10am to 1pm will take place weekly at Sycamore Lodge, Acton. These sessions are aimed at cared for people, but carers are very welcome.
  • free Somatic Therapy – with a certified Somatic coach via Zoom, help is available giving you space to be heard and guided in mindfulness based practices.

Carer’s Corner – working with the NHS Carers Corner provides wellbeing support to carers in an idyllic garden hideaway:

  • every Wednesday 1.30pm to 3.30pm at DIG, 62 Green Lane, W7 2PB

Contact Ealing Carers Partnership for more information: