Carers' Resource - Shipley

Kathleen G.

Carers resource groups have been an absolute lifeline for me as a Parent carer. I was made to feel instantly welcome in the groups I have tried so far. All the staff have been amazing, I can't rate them highly enough. I look forward to going to the groups every month, I go to a couple of groups a month and have made new friends and it feels like such a safe space. I would highly recommend them to other carers who need support.

Karen F.

They treat you as an individual, like a friend and have empathy. They spend more time on the phone listening to you than any friend or family have in 6 months. They gave me hope in my darkest days and because they listened, I went from zero to hero for myself and took interest in myself again

Kevin

Poor. Just poor. I ended up feeling far more alone and definitely not supported by them. I just can't believe they get funding at all. In the end I wrote to them to close my case because not having them was easier than coping with another layer of promises not met or far too slow it became too late. I can only imagine it must be paradise to work there.

Cosh R.

Previous review for the Shipley Office pre pandamic has mysteriously disappeared!!! I can also see lots of negative reviews have also gone...!

My review again:

Worst organisation not helpful to carers. Organisation acts like call centre (targets, keep calls to min) with young people not having a clue, not being sympathetic to stressed out carers (having no life skills) and signposting all the time to other services even though they have the funding to provide a service. Non existent activities.

The previous system with a case worker attached has changed since Bradford Council gave them the contract and now it is a call centre signpost to other agencies.

There are no advocacy or benefit advice or any other advice. Grants selected to those they favour. No outreach. Other agencies had to shut up shop when CR won Bradford Councils contract, and now Bradford has only this pathetic excuse of an organisation to help carers.

Furthermore, CR did not provide a carers assessment despite getting LA funding and myself being registered then for 2 years. Under the new Care Act 2014, LA have a statutory duty to make carers assessment which is a care plan for carers. Once needs are identified LA then has to provide services to a carer and meet those needs.
Regrettably, Bradford Council transferred LA power to assess to CR and they have funding for activities, therapy, any services carers need like benefits, advocacy and so forth. This is not what is happening.

CR is nothing but a call centre signposting to other services when they won the contract. Laughable. What is their excuse, they don't have enough money? Well hold on, why the hell did they say they can provide X, Y and Z when they won the contract. Organisations that were there (e.g that provided Advocacy for carers) disappeared because CR was taking over and had the funding.

I guess any performance reviews with the Council, is all politics, like politicians they are blowing their own trumpet. Let me tell you, the organisation is a shambles. There are plenty of signposting agencies like CAB, Turn2Us and National CarersUK. What use is CR? A waste of LA money, not helpful. What is more laughable is external agencies like Social Service signpost you to CR, as they say they have the funding, but CR then signpost you elsewhere, and when you go elsewhere they signpost you back to CR. Round and round the merry go round!

Btw my family member was also registered. Initially, he had a caseworker who left before he got a carers assessment. The caseworker was really nice, said my family member had potential, referred to in-house colleague for careers, training courses. The system now is, you call reception. Intrusive questions are asked before you are referred to the call centre. The call centre like I said, signpost and provide no in-house services (no careers training, activities, I.T etc). You are now not allocated a caseworker that you meet or can speak to whenever, like before CR won the contract. Each time you call, it's the same process and you speak to different people. When you ask to speak to a manager, you get defensive, unprofessional raising voice. That is the treatment stressed out carers get. If you go to the office, it is dead, doesn't have carers popping in for any therapy/knitting/IT courses like before (additional LA funding and duties). The place is just full of call centre staff. Also, no car park space for carers just staff. Neither did myself or family receive a newsletter, or any follow up by CR. Young carers need practical support, not this tick box, funding grabbing organisation

Formal complaints to management were fruitless and tick box exercise for them. They know Carers are tired and just don't have the time.

If anyone wishes to make real changes for carers, contact Bradford District Care Trust Director, go to the panels monthly Directors public board meetings and make your voices heard on funding allocation and carers needs. Also, take yourself off CR registration, as they use no of ppl as members for targets and funding.

Sami K. (.

Brilliant place helpful to know information about been a carer for loved ones or some one else very helpful on phone and have plenty of support available for unpaid carers and activities for those who want to meet new people and chat to minded people in similar situations wel done carers resources.

Mary M.

First visit. Lovely venue, warm welcome and tasty buffet. A nice bit of me time. Thank you

Julz O.

Fantastic organisation I cannot rate Carer's Resource higher as they have been a great support over the years not to just myself but my partner as well and also there is always someone to listen at the other end of the phone. Once again a big thankyou.

Alexander S.

Good place, good people.

If your in here its not by chance. But these people all seem to love thier jobs and that important in a place like this.

Keep up the good work.