About
Carers’ Support East Kent is a charity that provides Carers with the information and support they need. Our services are available to people who look after a relative or friend, who due to physical or mental illness, age related difficulties, disability or an addiction, cannot manage without their support.
We were established in 2001 and are funded by Kent County Council, the NHS, charitable grants and donations.
Who we help
If you are 16 or over and look after a relative or friend, who could not manage without your support you are a Carer and our services are for you. (You may not think of yourself as a Carer.).
Our services are for Carers who live or work in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Shepway or Thanet districts. For other parts of Kent see www.kentcarersmatter.co.uk
How we help
We provide information, support and signposting to services
by phone, email, online, text and in person.
Information
Find out about services available to Carers, benefits and rights.
Support
A listening ear, drop-ins, support groups, social activities and training workshops.
Carer’s Needs Assessment
Identify and access the support you need as a Carer.
Kent Carer’s Emergency Card
Peace of mind when you are away from the person you look after.
Carers’ Hospital Service
A team supporting Carers at QEQM, William Harvey and Kent & Canterbury Hospitals.
Young Adult Carer Service
A specialist team for 16-24 year old Carers.
Our vision, mission and values
Vision
All Carers are recognised, valued and supported.
Mission
To raise awareness of Carers and provide them with the information and support they need.
Values
We value Carers – Carers are at the centre of everything we do.
We value equality and inclusion – We promote diversity and inclusion.
We value honesty, openness and integrity.
We value quality – We aim to provide an excellent service by listening to Carers and using feedback for continuous service improvement.
We value respect – Carers are treated with respect and sensitivity recognising the dignity and value of each person for whom the service is provided.
Who we are
Our staff
Our staff work across the whole of East Kent.
CEO
Jill Attwell
Finance and Business
Administration
Head of Services
Jennifer Bentley
Systems, IT
and Compliance
Carers’ Service Managers
Manage the team of Carer Support Coordinators and the services we provide for Carers
Carers’ Hub
Calls/emails from Carers come into the Carers’ Hub. Our team of Carer Support Coordinators provide information and support to Carers and connect Carers to the support services we offer.
Carers’ Support Coordinators
Our team of Carer Support Coordinators provideinformation, a range of support and Carers’ Needs Assessments. Carer Support Coordinators are supported by an Admin Support team.
Carers’ Hospital Service
Integrated within the discharge teams at QEQM, Kent & Canterbury, and William Harvey Hospitals, our team of Carer Support Coordinators provide information and support for Carers from East Kent Hospitals.
Young Adult Carers
We have dedicated Carer Support Coordinators who work with Young Adult Carers.
Volunteers
Our team of dedicated volunteers help us to provide a range of support and infomation for Carers.
Mental Health
We have dedicated Carer Support Coordinators who work with Carers looking after someone living with a mental health condition.
Our trustees
The Board of Trustees are the people who have overall control of Carers’ Support East Kent and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do. Trustees use their skills and experience to support the charity, helping it to achieve its aims. They lead the charity and decide how it is run.
Our volunteers
Without our amazing team of volunteers (many of whom also have experience as Carers), we would not be able to provide most of our services. From running drop-ins, support groups, training courses, social activities and much more.
Have your say
We welcome comments and compliments, respond to complaints and are totally committed to involving Carers in everything we do.
Send us a comment, compliment or complaint
Read our compliments and complaints policy
We’re in the process of setting up a Carer Involvement Group. If you’d like to take part get in touch.
Confidentiality
When you contact us, anything you tell us will be treated as confidential and we will not, except in the exceptional circumstances laid out below, tell anyone else what you have said without your permission.
All information you give us about yourself and the person you care for will be kept securely. We adhere to the Data Protection Act 2018 to ensure your personal information is not used inappropriately and is kept safe.
There are circumstances when we may have to share information such as when we are obliged to do so by law:
- Should we think a child might be ‘at risk’ we have a duty to care under the Children’s Act
- Should we think there is an immediate risk to a person’s physical safety
- If we suspect or have knowledge of abuse
- If we believe a crime has been, or may be committed
- There may be a formal legal duty in relation to the Prevention of Terrorism Act