WHO IS A CARER?

A carer can be an adult or a child who cares for a husband, wife, parents, relative, friend or neighbour. They may not necessarily live with the person they care for.

A carer looks after someone who cannot take care of themselves due to some form of illness or disability. It could be a long-term illness, a mental illness, a physical disability, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or confusion, or children with special educational needs.

We can provide:

- Information about community care services, conditions and   disabilities
- Support to help a carer to continue caring for someone
- Advocacy, by liaising with other agencies
- Support groups and telephone support
- Social activities
- Benefits advice
- Raising awareness of carers’ needs

Support Groups

It is important to come forward and say you are a carer. If you care for a family member you will need support to cope with your loved ones. There are a number of carers from ethnic minority communities in a similar position to you who attend the meetings and have found help, support and solace.

To develop this work, five sessional workers were appointed to spearhead this project:

- Marie Rajoo works with the African French speaking community
- Sahar Shamil with Arabic speakers
- Azra Ahmed with Asian carers (Urdu and Punjabi speaking)
- Zahra Ibrahim with Somali and Swahili speakers.  Zahra now provides this service from the Women's Advisory Centre in Barking.
- Sabriye Dilaver with Turkish speakers

A large proportion of carers from the ethnic communities need help and support to cope with their caring responsibilities.  We have therefore set up five support groups which, at the moment, meet monthly in a friendly and informal atmosphere to lend support and advocacy.

These meetings exist for the sole benefit of carers. In addition to the support carers receive from support workers, the group meetings also give them the opportunity to have a break from their caring responsibilities and meet other carers, to share concerns, vent feelings and learn how to overcome difficulties and problems over a cup of tea, coffee or cocoa.

Follow this link to see details of the venues and times of the support groups
Carers of Barking & Dagenham - Support Groups
 
Here are some other ethnic minority community organisations that may be able to provide you with more information.

Arabic Speaking Support Association
Gascoigne Children’s Centre
Gascoigne Road
Barking, IG11 7DR
Tel: 07598 637237

Barking & Dagenham African Welfare Association
BADAWA House
26 Linton Road
Barking, IG11 8HG
Tel: 020 8507 8187

Barking & Dagenham Council for Racial Equality
18 North Street
Barking, IG11 8AW
Tel: 020 8594 2773

Barking & Dagenham
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service
First floor
Roycraft House
15 Linton Road
Barking, IG11 8HE
Tel: 020 8227 2133

Barking & Dagenham Faith Forum
The Salvation Army Hall
240 Ripple Road
Barking, IG11 7DJ
Tel: 020 8594 2964

Barking & Dagenham Women’s Advisory Centre
13 London Road, Barking, IG11 8AA
Tel: 020 8594 3730

Barking & Dagenham Transcultural
Mental Health Service
Hedgecock Centre
Barking Hospital
Upney Lane, Barking, IG11 9LX
Tel: 0844 600 1201

Barking Muslim Social & Cultural Association
7, The Triangle
Tanner St
Barking, IG11 8QA
Tel: 020 8591 4907 / 020 8591 2497

Eaves Women’s Aid
Kingsley Hall
Parsloes Avenue
Dagenham, RM9 5NB
Tel: 0800 980 1993

Gascoigne Aid & Advice Service
128 St Mary’s
Barking, IG11 7TF
Tel: 020 8591 9855

HUBB Mental Health User Group
109 Rose Lane
Chadwell Heath, RM6 5NR
Tel: 020 8590 2666

The Listening Zone (TLZ) Young People’s Counselling & Psychotherapy
20 East Street
Barking, IG11 8EU
Tel: 020 8491 2345

New Testament Assembly (Church & Community Centre)
Suffolk Hall
Suffolk Road
Barking, IG11 7QP
Tel: 020 8507 3006

Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Group of Barking, Dagenham & Havering
Community House
19-21 Eastern Road
Romford, RM1 3NH
Tel: 01708 769864

Singh Sabha Temple
The Gurdwara
100 North Street
Barking, IG11 8JD
Tel 020 8594 3940 / 5934

Translating Interpreting Service
4th Floor, Crown House,
Cambridge Road,
Barking, IG11 8HJ
Tel: 020 8591 0051