What we do and how we do it

• RCC is a well-established local charity focusing primarily on supporting unpaid carers living and caring in the London Borough of Richmond.  We were established in 2002.
• RCC is the only local organisation providing a range of universal services for both adult and young carers.
• RCC is considered the strategic lead for both adult and young carers, and has an excellent reputation for delivery of high quality services. 
• RCC currently supports 1851 carers - 455 young carers aged 5 – 18 years and 1396 adult carers aged 18 plus.  These carers are registered with our organisation.  RCC also has contact with many carers who wish to remain anonymous and not register with our service. 
• RCC is the only local organisation providing a service specifically for young carers. We have significant knowledge and experience relating to working with this vulnerable group. 
• Our core business is about supporting carers of any age – we are carer focused and aim to work with and support carers to satisfy their own identified needs
• Our focus is on enabling carers to continue their caring roles or make decisions about their caring responsibilities, help to improve their health and well being, prevent deterioration and breakdown of caring relationship/s, and reduce their stress. 
• Importantly we give carers the time and space they need to relax and have a break from their often demanding and challenging roles. 
• RCC is here for carers as long as they need us.

Adult carers support services include:

• Telephone support line (free and confidential)
• Information and advice
• Emotional support
• Service navigation
• Light touch advocacy
• Well being service – including complementary therapies, yoga, pilates, stress management, counselling
• Supporting carers to apply for individual grants (financial, educational, having a break)
• Social events
• Breaks and leisure programme
• Well being services – including complementary therapies, counselling, yoga, stress management,  and other physical and mental health and well being activities
• Training programme – workshops for carers to help them cope with the demands of caring and to learn new skills
• Information (eg quarterly newsletter and website)
• Professional awareness raising and increasing the profile of adult carers

Young carers support services includes:

• Information, advice and support for individual young carers and their families
• A comprehensive breaks, activities and support group programme for young carers (after school and holiday periods)
• Mentoring provision in local primary and secondary schools
• Bespoke programmes – for example Achieving Ambitions focusing on supporting older young carers with achieving life ambitions (preparing for work, education applications, interview skills etc)
• Events
• Professional awareness raising and increasing the profile of young carers
• Supporting young carers to access other universal youth services