Support for Unpaid Carers – 0121 803 6830
Do you care for someone living in Sandwell, Birmingham or the Black Country?
A carer can be anyone of any age or background, who provides regular and on-going care and emotional support to another person. You could be a family member, friend, neighbour, or you may be a foster carer.
Caring can make you feel isolated and worried, and can put an enormous amount of pressure on you, especially if you often find it hard to access support, or the right kind of support.
We are very pleased to share that our Crossroads Carers Assistance Line (CAL) is expanding to identify and support even more unpaid carers across Sandwell, Birmingham and the Black Country, in particular, those who have up to now, encountered barriers to accessing support to help them care for their loved one.
Crossroads Caring for Carers is the only affiliated partner of the Carers Trust within the Sandwell and Black Country area that will be part of the delivery of the new Making Carers Count project. This is with thanks to the Carers Trust for approving funding to allow us to continue to support unpaid Carers within their role.
Through Making Carers Count, CAL aims to break down a range of barriers and challenges faced by informal carers from under-represented groups, including LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, males and young people.
Carers Assistance Line
Call 0121 803 6830
We aim to provide a service that will allow carers to feel more supported and listened to, ensuring they receive the help they desire.
The Crossroads Carers Assistance Line provides a caring, listening ear and can support you in many practical ways, including –
- Confidential, one-to-one support
- Advice, information and guidance over the phone or face-to-face
- Signposting to other specialist support services and/or groups provided by Crossroads and other organisations
- Help to reinstate previous/pre-COVID care arrangements or facilitate new arrangements
- Advice on how to gain a Carers Assessment from the Local Authority
- Wellbeing support
- Coaching/mentoring
- Support and practical training provided in the home, by our in-house trainer, for carers of people with complex needs
- Access to Carers Trust Emergency Fund
- Regular Carer Support Groups. Native languages spoken where possible. See below for more details.
Who can access the service?
The service is free to access and open to all carers of any age living in Birmingham or the Black Country (which includes – Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall and Wolverhampton).
Make a referral now
Call our free Carers Assistance Line on – 0121 803 6830
Monday – Thursday, 8.30am – 4.30pm and Friday, 8.30am – 4pm.
Please download and complete the referral form below and return it to CAL@crossroads-caringforcarers.org.
Download CAL Referral Form here.
Or please call 0121 803 6830 or complete our online form and someone will call you back.
Carer Support Groups
Our Carers Assistance Line team run regular face-to-face support groups for unpaid carers of any age or background living in Sandwell, Birmingham or the Black Country.
Get free advice and chat to others over a cuppa in a relaxed and friendly environment. Speak to fellow carers, share experiences, ask questions, or just listen.
The groups take place in at an accessible venue in Oldbury and community languages are spoken where possible.
When: Every 1st and 2nd Tuesday and 3rd Thursday of each month
Time: 10am – 12pm
Where: Oak Tree Centre, Tame Road, Oldbury, B68 0JP
For more information about the groups call 0121 803 6830 or email CAL@sandwellcrosroads.org.
BBC Radio WM Interview
Listen to Parvinder Bhogal from the CAL team, speaking to Paul Franks on BBC Radio WM about the service.