Carers Support in South Gloucestershire

Our core services are available in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, to find out about these, go to "About Us". In addition the Carers Centre provides the following services in South Gloucestershire:

Carers Support in South Gloucestershire
Our core services are available in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, to find out about these, go to "About Us". In addition the Carers Centre provides the following services in South Gloucestershire:



Carers Group
"It was so great to find other people who felt like me and really understood"
Carers Groups Provide an Opportunity to:

•Meet other carers, make friends
•Share experiences, tips and information
•Enjoy speakers and activities.

Groups are run monthly, at the Centre, and around South Gloucestershire. Many people living in Downend, Staple Hill and Kingswood find the Centre convenient to travel to, whilst others come from further a field.
At the Carers Centre: The Vassall Centre Gill Avenue:
East Bristol Group: for all carers. Contact Gilly on 0117 9392562 or email gillyg@carers-bs.org.uk 
Evening Mental Health Carers Group : for carers of people experiencing mental distress. Third Wednesday in the month between 7pm and 9pm.


Local Carers Groups
Yate Carers Group, Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month at Yate Library, (via the back door) 44 West Walk, Yate, 1.30 – 3.30pm. For more information contact Penny Snow or Liz Doling by phone or e-mail: pennys@carers-sg.org.uk  lizd@carers-sg.org.uk
Patchway Carers Group, Meets 3rd Tuesday of each month at Patchway Town Council Offices, Rodway Rd, Patchway, 1.30 – 3.30pm. Contact Debbie Fear for more information.
Thornbury Carers Group Meets 1st Friday of each month at Thornbury Council Offices, 1-3pm. Contact Penny Snow for more information.
Severn Beach Group Meets at severn Beach Visitors Centre, Shaft Road, Severn Beach on the 2nd Thursday of the month between 1pm and 3pm.  Contact Penny Snow on 01454 851201 or pennys@carers-sg.org.uk.
For more information about groups we run, or other groups in the area, email the centre carersl@carers-sg.org.uk 

Getting your views heard:
South Gloucestershire Carers Advisory Network, CAN
"We have to change things, for ourselves and other carers"
The Carers Advisory Network brings together carer advisors with senior officers from South Gloucestershire Council and Primary Care Trust through quarterly CAN meetings. The carer advisors act as representatives for carers throughout the South Gloucestershire region. Quarterly open meetings gives all carers the opportunity to share information and opinions with their carer advisors.Carers advisors can also get directly involved in other planning groups such as the Mental Health Local Implementation Team or the Learning Difficulties Partnership Board. Carer advisors receive an hourly allowance for attending meetings. The Carers Advisory Network relates to adult services. To get involved, to find out what is going on, or to let your carer advisors know about issues of concern to you contact Debbie Fear by phone or email: debbief@carers-sg.org.uk

South Gloucestershire "Break for Carers" Volunteer Scheme
"Our volunteer has made a tremendous difference to our family. Her visits provide my father with a few hours peace and quiet which are a great relief to him."
The "Break for Carers" scheme aims to give carers regular short breaks so that they can have time for themselves to shop, do the garden, see a friend etc.
A volunteer is matched with a carer and might typically spend two or three hours a week with the elderly or disabled person being cared for, in their own home. We aim for this to be a positive experience for the carer and their relative. The service is free and is being extended to the rural areas of South Gloucestershire.
Carers and/or professionals can contact Liz Doling at the Carers Centre or email lizd@carers-sg.org.uk 


Please also contact us if you would be willing to donate your time as a volunteer.


Rural Project
"living in a small village makes it even harder to get a break from caring"
A project funded by Age Concern England is extending our services to the rural areas, e.g. around Thornbury, Severn Beach, Pilning, Marshfield etc. We are identifying carers needs and recruiting volunteers to support carers. Contact Penny Snow at the Carers Centre or email pennys@carers-sg.org.uk