A great starting point to find out what help and information is on offer to carers, friends and families both locally and nationally is here on the Meriden Family Programme website – in our directory Helpful Services for Carers, Families and Friends
There will still be a lot of help you can access simply on your phone – either your landline or your mobile – but having access to the internet and possibly to a device such as a smart phone or tablet with a camera, and a microphone, will increase the range of support on offer such as an online video meet up with other carers, or asking for help via a post on a carer support forum.
Using a phone
Once you’ve got the contact number of a helping service, you may need to make an initial call from your landline or mobile.
If you have a smart phone or device, services are increasingly offering video calls where this could be helpful. For example to help build up a rapport with a patient needing help with a mental health issue, or to take a look at a physical symptom such as a rash.
You could also join an online meeting without using video, for example if you are not keen on using video, or you don’t have a camera on your computer or device. If accessing a meeting by phone, the facilitator would give you a number to call, and a meeting ID to join.