Hi Ben,
Carers have been on the 'community health' agenda for some time. The
strongest movements came about from the concerns around the care and after
care of people diagnosed with mental illness and growing to include the
needs of a growing older adult population.
The West Midlands for example, has an interesting history of carers groups
such as the North Birmingham mental health families and friends support
groups to the work of the national black carers forum.
You should also remember that 'carer' is not always a label people will use
when looking after family members or friends. One of the toughest hurdles
is getting people to actually see themselves as carers and not just the
spouse's, children or neighbours doing the right thing.
There is also a growing 'carers' group within religious settings, where
again this is considered to be a community job. These carers tend to target
older adults.
Get in touch with the National Black Care Workers Network on
[log in to unmask] Elaine Powell is the Chair. Other
organisations of interest are generally represented in that network.
The next problem is targeting those who fall outside the 'carers' catchment
area and unfortunately many do.
That should be enough to start you off.
Tessa
-----Original Message-----
From: Benjamin Jones [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 10 September 2001 13:53
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Carers and B&ME communities
hi everyone
long time no speak.
our patient profiling project identifies carers and the cared for.
Carers are not my area of expertise but after a meeting today i realised
that this group and B&ME groups share an awful lot in common. Poor access,
poor quality information, poorly understood issues.
Anything in paticular i should expect with relation to black and minority
ethnic carers?
What are your thoughts and experiences?
in the interest of discussion if you reply can you CC the list so all can
have a chance to participate.
ben
Ben Jones
Patient Profiling Development Officer
PCG Central West
0151 222 2963
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