The Helpline is staffed daily by 4 paid workers,as well as volunteers, and the answerphone for out-of-hours calls is checked hourly. Callers are followed up a while after their enquiry, to check that the information given was helpful and relevant.

The service has recently started using the Helpbox computer information system used by some Social Service offices, containing all the local and national information on community care services, including the voluntary groups. This has increased their ability to provide up-to-date information across the range of issues affecting carers. The Helpline also produces the Carers' Information Pack, which is widely distributed to all of the Doctors' Surgeries, the Hospitals, libraries and to individual carers living in South Devon.

Helpline staff can offer advocacy for a specific problem, and can help with filling out forms (Teignbridge only).

Tel: 01626 889288

"This substantial amount of money means that the Branch will be able to continue to run the Carers' Centre for the next 3 years without any financial worries", says Mavis Russell, the Branch Chair. "We really are on a winning roll. We recently celebrated the Centre's 3rd birthday are were presented with a cheque from the Plymouth Sporting Club for £2,686".

Over 120 carers have been helped since the Centre opened, which operates out of Chapel Place Community Centre, Fore Street, Ivybridge. The doors are open every Tuesday, from 10:00 to 12:30. For further details, please contact Mavis on (01752) 690278

The Centre has a comprehensive range of facilities, including 10 single bedrooms, a specialist sensory room, soft playroom, computer suite and training kitchen. The interior has been specially designed to cater for children who, in addition, have a physical disability. Some nursing needs can also be met. Offering 3,500 overnight stays a year, it will give the children opportunities to develop their life skills, while providing their families with much needed respite.

If you would like to look around the centre on one of their open days, or would just like more information about how you can access the facilities please give the staff at 'Robins' a call on (01803) 840479

These staff have a direct link with the Benefits Agency, so reducing the time and hassle involved for the carers. With their permission, any supporting information for a claim can be obtained directly from the carer's GP. The scheme will run initially from 29 Nov. to 31 March 2000 as a pilot. Any carer living in Torbay can request a visit by calling Nicola Barker on (01803) 208425

Teignbridge

Respite care for elderly/mentally ill & learning disability                                £65,000 Contracts with independent sector for carers' support/respite                    £59,328      Care Manager time                                                                                       £22,000     Administrative support                                                                                   £10,000    Total                                                                                                             £156,328

Torbay

GP Carers' Project                                                                                       £23,000        Voice of Carer training                                                                                  £6,500      South Devon Carers' Helpline                                                                       £5,500      Unspent*                                                                                                      £45,000         Total                                                                                                             £80,000   

(*it appears this portion of the ring fenced money was used to offset the Council's budget deficit on community care services, rather than to directly benefit carers)

South Hams  

(these are the projected figures for 1999/2000, rather than 98/99)

Development Workers                                                                               £35,260        Sitting service contract                                                                             £21,315       SDC Consortium                                                                                         £6,430        Administrative support                                                                                 £5,275          Child care respite                                                                                        £5,000           Ivybridge & District Carers National Association                                           £500        Total                                                                                                          £73,780

Social Services have to be just as transparent in their use of the new Carers' Grant, which is just coming online following the National Strategy. If you have any comments to make about any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

The group usually has a visiting speaker, but there is also plenty of time for people to chat in the friendly atmosphere. If you are interested, or you may know of someone who might benefit, please give Tony Heath a call on (01803) 526808 or Liz Francis on (01803) 654952

South Devon Carers' Consortium has a copy of the video to lend out. Although it is quite long, you can pick out the parts you are more interested in watching. Please call us on the number below if you would like to borrow it.

To meet both needs, we could include an insert which contains more detailed information about things happening in your area, or we could make the newsletter larger to include more for everybody. What would you like? Please let us know about any ideas you may have (answers on a postcard!).