CARING
Mr De Souza
has been helped
with training and
support
‘It has
given
me a lot’
It is national Carers Week
11-17 June. Caring will
touch each and every
one of us in our lifetime,
whether we become
a carer or need care
ourselves. A local service
is supporting those, often
unsung, heroes who are
caring for others.
F
or some, taking on a caring role
can be sudden: Someone in your
family has an accident or your
child is born with a disability. For
others, caring responsibilities can grow
gradually over time: Your parents cannot
manage on their own any longer or your
partner’s health gradually worsens.
The amount and type of support
that carers provide varies considerably.
It can range from a few hours a week,
such as picking up prescriptions and
preparing meals, to providing care
28
around ealing June 2018
day and night. While caring can be
a rewarding experience, it can also
impact on a person’s health, finances
and relationships.
Francisco DeSouza Rauto of Southall
has been caring for his son who has
severe mental health issues. He wanted
some support and also wanted to get
back into some part-time work. He turned
to Carers Trust Thames, which partners
with Ealing Council to help local carers.
Mr DeSouza Rauto, 57, said: “My
son has been ill since 2015 and my
wife and I had a lot of trouble finding
enough care for him so I started caring
for him in 2016. Last year I came across
Carers Trust Thames and it has been
a lot of support for me. Following the
information given to me I can go to
carer support group meetings every
second Tuesday of the month and share
my problems with other people like
me. It has given me a lot of confidence.
They have also given me support to
help get back into work by learning IT
and computer skills and hopefully I am
now on the road to getting back into
some part-time work.”
The council offers various other kinds
of support, as part of its Better Lives
programme. See the box on this page to
see how to find out how to make contact.
Read more at ealingnewsextra.
co.uk/features/carers-week
SUPPORT FOR CARERS
n For
advice on work support, call Carers Trust Thames Ealing on
020 3137 6194, or email [email protected] or visit
www.carerstrustthames.org.uk
n To find out what other types of support you may be eligible to receive
call the council on 020 8825 8000 or email [email protected] or
visit www.ealing.gov.uk
n Visit a Carers Week event at Sycamore Lodge, Edgecote Close, Acton,
W3 8PH. Call 020 3137 6194 for further details.