Have your say
At Carers Count, we know how important and beneficial it is that the views of all carers are heard when decisions are being made about the services they access.
Help us shape carer services in Kirklees by participating in our various engagement opportunities. We invite you to join our meetings and forums throughout the year, where you can share your feedback on important issues affecting carers. Your voice can help inform decision-makers within local services for carers in your area.
The Kirklees Mental Health Carers Forum is set up by carers, run by carers, for carers. All carers in Kirklees are welcome to join these bi-monthly hybrid meetings, which are held in-person and via Zoom.
Aims and objectives
The aim is to foster a supportive collective voice for carers, where they can comfortably share their views, concerns, and experiences. This initiative will serve as a Carers Expert Group, providing valuable insights on proposed changes to Kirklees Mental Health Services, including dementia services. It offers carers the opportunity to hear from professionals about updates to existing services, discuss their thoughts with staff, and engage in meaningful conversations about new developments and plans. Ultimately, it aims to empower carers to contribute to the agenda and help shape positive changes.
What the forum has achieved so far
Since its establishment, the forum has welcomed many senior directors and managers who share insights about the Trust (SWYPFT), Kirklees Council, and Social Services. This is a valuable opportunity for carers to influence service development, ask questions, and connect with fellow carers in a supportive and friendly environment.
Departments which have accepted our feedback from a carer’s perspective and made changes to planned transformations within the Trust include:
- Adult Community Services Transformation
- Older Peoples Services Transformation
- Rehab and Recovery Transformation
- Single Point of Access
- Forum members have been invited to follow-up sessions to ensure that their points are implemented.
Carers Count Action was initially set up to give carers across the region their own voice to help shape the way that Carers Count services are delivered and to provide feedback on the support currently available and in the future.
Taking its lead from the highly successful Kirklees Mental Health Carers Forum – which has been fundamental in helping to implement changes in local services – Carers Count Action is run in partnership with carers and we welcome all carers from across Kirklees to engage with us and help us to improve the services we offer.
Aims and objectives
- To be a collective voice for carers
- To allow carers a safe and friendly space to share their views, concerns and experiences of Carers Count services – good or bad
- To provide an opportunity for carers to hear about changes to existing Carers Count services from the professionals who are planning and making the changes
- To enable carers to hear about proposed changes to Carers Count services before they take effect
- To open up a direct dialogue between service professionals and carers to openly discuss new developments and plans, and to have a positive impact on services
- To offer carers the chance to help set the agenda for the meetings
- To ensure that Carers Count is accountable for implementing the changes agreed upon
Carers Count provides the facilities to host the meeting (on Zoom and face-to-face) and follow-up minutes are sent to all attendees. Forum members are also invited back to follow-up sessions wherever possible.
“The forum is so important as it offers us carers the rare opportunity to share our feedback openly in a safe and non-judgmental space. It also allows us to help to shape the Carers Count services and support available to us all going forward.”–Jane, carer
“I’ve found it helpful in allowing me to share experiences and best practices with others in the area, speak to professionals that I wouldn’t usually have access to and find out how best to access the support out there.”–Bilal, carer
Kirklees DEEP Group (Dementia Voices)
The Kirklees DEEP Group is a supportive community for individuals with dementia in Kirklees, providing a space to share experiences and offer mutual support. You can find out more here: DEEP
PCAN – Parents of Children with Additional Needs Making a Difference in Kirklees
PCAN are an independent, parent-led forum in Kirklees for all parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs aged from birth to 25 years. To get involved visit: Join Us | PCAN
Work for us
Are you looking to make a difference in the lives of carers in Kirklees?
If you are looking for aa new and fulfilling career, consider joining our dedicated team at Carers Count. We are passionate about supporting carers and enhancing their wellbeing, and we’re looking for individuals who share that commitment.
You will have the opportunity to directly impact the lives of carers by providing essential support, resources, and advocacy. You’ll work alongside a team of compassionate professionals, gain valuable experience, and help create a positive change in the community.
Carers Count is a service run and managed by Cloverleaf Advocacy. Founded as a small organisation in 1995, Cloverleaf Advocacy has grown and developed into a regional charity with a strong reputation for delivering innovative and high-quality advocacy services and carer support services.
Our core values are not just words but are fundamental to the way we work with each other, and with the people the organisation supports, whether it be through advocacy, carers support, group work, information and advice or any other activities.
We encourage and support colleagues to have a high degree of autonomy and freedom in their roles and teams. We want people to try new things, learn from mistakes, contribute to, and help make operational decisions. This is part of what makes Cloverleaf a great place to work.
We welcome employees from all backgrounds and with diverse types of knowledge, skills, and experience.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating, and valuing diversity, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity.
Cloverleaf Advocacy is a Disability Confident Employer. We will invite applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria of the Person Specification to interview.
You can view our latest vacancies on the Cloverleaf website here.
For a confidential discussion about support during the recruitment process or any reasonable adjustments you may require, please contact our HR Team on 01924 454875 or HR@Cloverleaf-Advocacy.co.uk.
- Competitive salary
- Home Workers’ Allowance (where applicable)
- Contributory pension scheme
- A minimum of 28 days annual leave, plus eight statutory/bank holiday (FTE)
- Regular support and supervision
- Flexible working
- Parent and carer-friendly policies
- Birthday leave and wellbeing day
- Healthcare and contributory pension schemes
- Employee assistance programme – offering a free and confidential helpline
- Perkbox rewards platform
- Excellent training and development opportunities
- And much more!
Volunteer for us
Do you have a few spare hours each week that you’d like to put to good use?
If so, we invite you to consider volunteering with us at Carers Count! Your time and skills can make a meaningful difference in the lives of carers in our community. Come and join our team and provide valuable support to carers in Kirklees.
As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to support individuals who provide care for their loved ones, helping them access vital resources and services. Whether you’re assisting with events, providing administrative support, or simply being a friendly face to listen and share experiences, your contributions can have a lasting impact.
From helping you gain valuable new skills and experience to boosting your confidence. There are so many benefits to giving your time to help others.
In addition to the feel-good factor that comes from helping others, studies have shown that volunteering also improves volunteers’ wellbeing!
Training is provided for all roles. And although experience is always helpful – it is not always essential.
Many of our volunteers have personal experience as carers, and some continue in that role. However, you don’t need to be a carer to apply; we welcome anyone who is passionate, caring, and eager to help others.
To find out more our roles, please contact us using the contact form.
We’re particularly interested in recruiting a Telephone Companion Volunteer. This role would involve calling carers on the phone to provide a listening ear, emotional support, and signposting to relevant resources.
For more details on this role, please see our blog post here: https://carerscountkirklees.org.uk/join-carers-count-as-a-telephone-companion-volunteer/
Donate
Did you know that you can help carers across Kirklees for as little as £2?
Whether you’re making a one-time donation or setting up a regular direct debit, your support for Carers Count can profoundly impact the lives of thousands of carers in Kirklees. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us provide essential resources and support, reminding those who care for others that they are not alone on this journey.
There are an estimated 42,000 people in Kirklees caring for a friend or family member who is ill, frail or disabled. They give their time, energy, and care freely, many for more than 35 hours a week. Most unpaid carers find their role rewarding. But it can also be tiring. Your support will help them take a much-needed break from their caring role, giving them time to recharge their batteries and manage their own health and wellbeing, so they can continue caring, or learn a new skill to improve their (or the person they care for) quality of life.
£2 will buy a carer a cup of coffee or tea during our wellbeing groups, which provide carers with a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities.
£5 will buy materials and supplies for our weekly groups (reducing the financial pressure on carers). Groups offer time for carers to relax, be mindful, and improve their mental health through creative practices.
£10 will give two carers the chance to take part in a wellbeing session, helping them stay healthy and allowing them to keep caring for their loved ones.
You can donate to us via the donate button at the top of the page or by following the link here: Help support unpaid carers in Kirklees!
Fundraising
There are countless ways to fundraise for Carers Count, whether it’s through a sponsored walk, a bake sale, giving up your favourite treats for Lent, or even a sponsored silence. The possibilities are endless, and often the most effective fundraisers are the simplest ones.
If you would like to fundraise for Carers Count or share your ideas with us, get in touch today.
Feedback
“Getting feedback from the people who access our services is something we really want to spend some time focusing on to help us shape and deliver the services we provide.”
At Carers Count, our mission is to provide the best possible support and services for those who dedicate their time to caring for their loved ones.
We understand that being a carer can come with its own unique challenges and the level of support people need, and the types of groups people would like to attend can vary from person to person.
Your feedback is valuable to us. It can help us determine what we are doing well and where we can make changes. Your insights and experiences can help us identify gaps in our training, events and support groups and ensure we are offering the support and activities that carers need and want.
We receive some lovely feedback at times from carers we have assisted, and, for the most part, this is super positive. It is always wonderful to hear the good stuff.
However, we would also like to hear if something hasn’t gone quite right or if you have ideas or suggestions about things we could change or do differently. We’re always happy to listen.
Carers Count needs to suit you – the carers who use it!
You can do this by contacting Yakub Rawat – our Network and Involvement Worker. His email address is: yakub.rawat@carerscount.org.uk or by using our contact page.
We would love to gather a contacts list for a group of carers who were able and willing to feed in and contribute suggestions and ideas on a regular basis to help us shape the service. If this sounds like something you could help us with, please contact us to put your name forward and we will be in touch.
