Workstreams: Caring for Carers
Background
“Caring for Carers” is an innovative training programme devised by the Meriden Programme which has been commissioned by a number of organisations since its conception in 2005. Its aim is to train teams of carers and staff to jointly deliver carer education and support programmes within their local communities. In using a cascade training method, the intention is that participants will go on to deliver locally tailored packages that specifically meet the needs of their families and carers. Delegates sign up to the training on the understanding that they will “roll out” a programme of carer education and support on completion of the initial 3-days training.
Since 2005, the “Caring for Carers” programme has been delivered on several occasions and has been adapted to meet the needs of specific groups of carers. A Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) programme had been produced, and also a substance misuse adaptation, both of which received excellent feedback and evaluation.
Courses have been commissioned by organisations such as CSIP West Midlands, Warwickshire County Council, Stoke City Council and the Irish Health Service Executive.
If you wish to commission a course, or would like further information, see our training pack in the Training and Conferences section or contact Sam Farooq on sam.farooq@bsmhft.nhs.uk
The 3-day Course
The aim of the course is to prepare participants, both carers and professionals, to deliver an eleven-week programme covering information-sharing, coping strategies and support to carers of people experiencing mental health difficulties. This is achieved through experiential learning, and the provision of an extensive range of written materials. A detailed manual has been prepared with eleven modules covering the following topics:
- Introduction – the experience of mental health problems in a family
- Experiences of caring
- Information sharing – assessment and treatments
- Information on local mental health services
- Communication in families
- Communicating with professionals
- Problem solving
- Dealing with crisis and relapse management
- Recovery and hope
- Taking care of your own health
Details of forthcoming courses can be found in our Training and Conferences section section.
Comments from Participants
“Excellent course and a great confidence booster”
“The information provided was top class and the information inside very relevant”
“I thought the presentations were excellent and covered the topics that I was interested in”
“Very, very useful indeed”
“Loved the course. I really feel very confident in using these skills I have learned - not only in the 11-week roll out, but in my home life”
“A personal thanks for putting together one of the first carers training courses specifically aimed at BME carers!”