We are here to help!

Carers provide unpaid care by looking after an ill, frail or disabled family member, friend or partner.  Many of these selfless people become Carers very suddenly, after a loved one suffers a stroke or an accident, and to some it happens gradually, with the loved one deteriorating slowly but surely.  Often these Carers become so involved in the day to day struggle that they become lonely, isolated and depressed.  This is where a charity like the Selsey Carers & District Carers Support Group comes in. 

S&DCSG reaches out to our carers through personal meetings and a 24/7, 365-day helpline.  Providing this service allows us to offer information, advice, guidance and support.  We also support our carers with the provision of a monthly meeting to share ideas and information and to give help where we can.   

Over the course of the year we produce 3600 newsletters for our carers of which, 600 of these are produced for, and issued to; Local Authorities, i.e. District, Parish, Town Councils, Libraries, Citizen Advice Bureaux, GP’s Surgeries and various shops throughout West Sussex.  The Newsletter is a visual means of support giving our carers up-to-date information on caring matters, welfare benefits, changes relating to statutory care in the community and to inform them of forthcoming fundraising events, special offers, trips, activities and respite breaks.   

The Selsey Carers Support Group is run entirely by a committee of volunteers. The amount of work that goes into just keeping the charity going is staggering.  Wendy Sykes, the Chairman and a full-time Carer herself, works tirelessly to keep the Group’s head above the financial water, constantly seeking out new avenues for grants or donations.  The Events Officer and her team also give up huge amounts of free time to organise community-based fund-raising events, such as Car Boot Sales, Street Collections, Summer Fairs and Christmas Fairs.  The ladies who man our 24-hour Helpline are always there to give advice or information, or simply to listen.   

No-one should underestimate the value of knowing that there is someone out there, who understands what it is to be a Carer.

Let’s not forget, we may all need some sort of care in the future!

 

Carers have a difficult task caring for the sick and housebound members of their family and their role is often stressful making them feel lonely and isolated.

 Invariably they are unaware of their rights, welfare benefits and services available from statutory authorities.