Signpost Stockport for Carers is an independent local charity which provides free, confidential information and support to unwaged carers of all ages in the Stockport area. A carer is someone who, without a wage, provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness, addiction or disability. Very often people do not recognise themselves as 'carers'; they are just family members, friends or neighbours who find themselves in a caring situation. A carer may not always live with the person they care for, but their help can often be essential in enabling that person to go on living independently.
Mission and Aims
More than 32,000 people in Stockport provide unpaid care for someone, and this role can often be demanding, both physically and emotionally. It's important for carers to know that their work is recognised by others, and that there are services and benefits available to help support them in their role.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for carers in Stockport. We do this by working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations and by acting independently in the interests of carers throughout Stockport.
Our aim is to raise the profile of carers in Stockport, encouraging a wider recognition of their contribution to society and providing information and support which will assist carers and enable them to fulfil their own needs as individuals.
Engagement and Social Value & Impact
Signpost are best placed to capture the journey that carers are on. By engaging with carers we can gather their feedback, experiences and stories to get an idea of the positive social impact that we are having, as well as the areas in which we can improve and learn from. Through this process of engagement we aim to give carers a voice, so that they have an opportunity, not only, to identify the issues that affect them the most, but also to provide the solutions. By doing this, we want to demonstrate that we are placing carers at the very heart of our plans and policies.
Our Key Objectives Include:
enabling carers to access information which will help them in their caring role.
enabling carers to access appropriate available support according to their needs.
promoting a range of practical and emotional support for carers, including working alongside other voluntary and statutory organisations to provide access to recreational and social group activities.
maximising income to prevent carers falling into poverty.
working with health professionals to increase identification of carers in order that their health and well-being needs can be addressed.
ensuring, by listening to carers, that their needs are presented to relevant statutory and voluntary organisations.
promoting a positive image of carers and generating a deeper understanding and wider recognition of carers’ issues.
enabling young carers to access support in their caring role and to assist their personal development.
Projects and Activities
Here at Signpost we believe that being a carer should not be a barrier to leading a fulfilling life, and we are here to support carers on their journey. Signpost can direct carers to the appropriate sources of support available, and can offer information on services locally and nationally. We can provide emotional and practical support, help carers to fill out benefit forms, and offer opportunities for them to gain companionship and support from other carers.
Changing Times
This project aims to support carers during difficult life transitions including:
When the person being cared for moves into a care home.
When the person being cared for passes away.
With the help of experienced current and ex-carers acting in a volunteer capacity, Changing Times offers support to help carers adapt or move on from being a full time carer, and rediscover their independence. This incorporates a wide variety of support such as practical support with Power of Attorney, making changes to names on utility bills, closing joint bank accounts as well as more general things like making new friends, finding new hobbies or just having something to get out of the house for.
Money Wise
The Money Wise project helps carers in low income households to navigate the disability benefits system and social care systems, empowering them to manage their money and debt, budgeting and planning for the future with an improved understanding and confidence of how to manage their own financial situation.
Carers Connect
The Carers Connect project aims to bring carers together and offer them opportunities to learn and develop certain key skills they may need as part of their caring role - that might include:
Practical tasks involving financial planning, moving and handling or having to cook more.
Emotional skills such as resilience, and learning to cope better with sense of isolation and grief that sometimes comes with the responsibility of caring.
By taking part in Signpost activities or connecting through our closed Facebook page, carers can meet-up and benefit from being in each others company, or ask questions and share experiences in an online forum.
Well-being and Engagement
Carers often do not have the time to access the kinds of opportunities that are available to them in the community. Our Well-being and Engagement service can help carers take their first steps into getting involved in and finding activities that will benefit them the most, whether that's in areas like employment, volunteering, health & well-being or leisure activities. The aim of this project is to keep carers connected to the communities they live in, and feeling fulfilled beyond their role as a carer.
Monthly Groups for Carers
Signpost offers a Carers' Support Group (Dementia) and Signpost Carer Coffee Mornings, which gives carers the chance to get together and talk to other people who understand their situation.
Emotional Support
Being a carer can be an intensely lonely and stressful experience. Carers often become isolated from their previous social circles and support networks just at the time when they most need a friendly voice or sympathetic listening ear. At the same time, when difficult subjects are very personal and close to home, it can be easier to talk to someone outside your circle of friends and family. Signpost has trained counsellors who are there to listen and respond to carers needs, concerns and frustrations, whatever they may be, without judgement.
Benefits Support Service
Residents of Stockport can make the most of our Benefits Support Service. Our experienced benefits team are well-versed in what benefits are available and the eligibility criteria for each, and we also offer home visits to assist carers in completing the correct forms, which makes the whole process much less daunting.
Young Carers Service
Being a young carer can have a big impact on the things that are important to growing up. It can affect a young person’s health, social life and self-confidence. Many young carers struggle to juggle their education and caring which can cause pressure and stress.
In a survey, 39% said that nobody in their school was aware of their caring role.
26% have been bullied at school because of their caring role.
1 in 20 miss school because of their caring role.
Young Carers' School Support Service and Schools Award Scheme
Signpost Young Carers has two school liaison workers. The aim of the school support service is to help schools identify young carers and work together to improve attendance and attainment.
We hold professional events to; provide training on the Young Carers in Schools Award, share information to discuss ideas and share good practice. The schools that are currently involved find the events very useful and their involvement has led to a vast increase in the number of young carers identified who were previously unknown to the school, with targeted interventions leading to significant improvements in attendance and attainment.
The professional events are a chance to share local and national developments and best practice and also include interactive training for school staff, to gain skills in delivering awareness-raising and support activities for young carers in their schools.
Alongside the events, we email out resources and information, and we also support schools to achieve their own nationally-recognised Young Carers in Schools Award. This award offers a comprehensive and accessible framework for developing a whole-school approach to identifying and supporting young carers, with schools able to access an online toolkit and apply for bronze, silver or gold levels of this fantastic award.
Young Carers' Groups
Signpost runs special activity groups for the young carers that we support. These are a chance for young carers to get together and take part in a wide range of activities such as Games' Nights, picnics in the park, trampolining and Christmas Parties. By attending, young carers can make friends with other young people in the same situation and have a break from their caring responsibilities.
