Our first priority is to support you to become confident with your finances. We are passionate about what we do, and are incredibly proud of the people we have helped so far with our Carer Money Matters project.
To celebrate the service so far we asked our brilliant Financial Wellbeing Officers to describe what CMM does in 3 words! Here what the team had to say!
‘Listen, Inform, Advise’ – Hannah
‘Supportive, Impactful and Empowering’ – Kelly
‘Support, Empower, Inform’ – Leigh
‘Advice, Support, Signpost’ – Sandra B
‘Approachable, Knowledgeable, Impactful’ – Rebecca
We also asked our team what their favourite experience or interaction has been, as part of the CMM team so far. We’ve had so many enlightening, emotional and impactful experiences supporting carers through their financial worries since setting up this service, but these are just a few that we wanted to highlight.
Hannah said: ‘One of my favourite experiences so far has been working with a carer who came to us early in the Carer Money Matters service. They were feeling overwhelmed by financial worries, including budgeting and felt quite isolated. Over time, through home visits, phone calls and emails, we built a supportive relationship and worked together to bring more structure and stability to their finances through our tools and advice. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see their confidence grow and hear how much the support has meant to them.
They shared: “This is honestly so helpful, just knowing I have someone there has really helped me to stay on track and on top of my finances. This service is just what I needed, thank you for your continued support – lovely to see you today and thanks so much for the help.”‘
Kelly said: ‘Supporting a carer whose life had been turned upside down after her partner was diagnosed with a brain tumour and needed full time care. She was overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted, struggling to process the sudden changes in her world.
I was able to secure funding for her to access specialist counselling, tailored to her needs as a carer. Knowing that this support will help her regain some sense of stability and emotional resilience was a powerful reminder of the real difference we can make.’
Leigh said: ‘Seeing Carers realise that they are an effective part of society and that they have a valid voice. Knowing that we can enable the carer and then let them decide what to do or to take proactive action on their behalf if necessary.
A carer and his wife were unable to fund a small adaption to their shower due to minimal income. I completed a benefit check to make sure that they were getting their entitlements and they were entitled to help with their rent, council tax and Pension Credit, this meant an extra £310 per week, which can be backdated for 3 months, so will enable them to save for the shower adaption. In turn this would entitle them to help with glasses/dentist and Winter Fuel Payment. These are the tangible results that I like seeing. ‘
Sandra B said: ‘Whether it’s a voucher for a supermarket or getting a grant for a carers break for someone who really needs a break, anything that makes a difference to a carer makes what we do so worthwhile and rewarding!
One carer was very emotional on the call and said that just having someone to talk to and listen to her for the very first time made such a huge difference to her life! Applying for benefits can be very daunting and difficult to understand, having us there for advice and support makes such a difference to enable Carers to be able to claim financial support that they are entitled to.
My favourite interaction would be with a Carer who didn’t have enough hot water due to a problem with their boiler, she cares for both of her elderly parents and has a lot of financial pressures and is losing her home. I was able to support her by getting a grant from the Carers Trust towards a Carers break for her to have a break from her caring responsibilities just for a few nights away with her friend. I also was able to support her with some shopping vouchers from the Household Support Fund, a household energy survey, boiler repairs to enable her to have hot water and a new fridge freezer. So combined with a grant for a carers break from the Carers Trust this amounted to approx. £1500 worth of services and support.
I also supported her with an application for Attendance allowance for her mother as she was unable to do this without help. So if this is accepted this will make them up to £440.00 better off each month which will make a huge difference to them. The carer really appreciated me taking to the time to do a home visit, buy her a coffee and support her with the things which she was struggling with. Just having someone to listen to her and be able to offer support emotionally and practically made such a difference tor her life and really cheered her up!’
If you would like to get in touch with us please email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk, or call us on 0800 368 8349.
