Who we are
Barnsley Carers Service is a free service for unpaid carers. We work closely with a wide range of professional health and care services, Barnsley Council, charities, and community groups to provide support, advice and training designed to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of local carers.
Our team provides carers aged 18 and over with tailored resources designed to improve their lives, health, and wellbeing. We help carers to find balance in their busy lives and to access the support they need and are entitled to.
We offer information and advice, drop-in support, groups, events and activities, education, benefits and financial advice, training and so much more. We are also able to continue supporting people who have stopped caring, for whatever reason.
Carer input and feedback are important to us, and we encourage carers to share their experiences and knowledge to help shape the future of the service. We want to ensure that we continue to deliver what local carers want and need, which is why we play an active role in the Barnsley Carers Forum.
Barnsley Carers Service is run and managed by Cloverleaf Advocacy. a not-for-profit organisation that has been helping people to be heard since 1995.
About Barnsley Carers Service
Barnsley Carers Service leaflet
Barnsley Carers Forum
The Barnsley Carers Forum is on hand to offer support and record all minutes and actions. A representative from the Council also attends. The forum is run and led by carers who set the agenda for each meeting. Barnsley Carers Service are on hand to offer support and minute the minutes and actions and a representative from the Council also attends.
The group meets on the third Monday of every month from 12 pm – 2 pm at Shaw Lane Sports Club, Shaw Lane, Barnsley, S70 6HZ.
All carers are invited to attend to provide feedback on their experiences and help to shape the future of carers services.
Please contact us if you’d like further information.
“The forum is so important as it offers carers the opportunity to share our feedback openly in a safe and non-judgmental space. It also allows us to help to shape the services and support available to us all going forward.”
Useful links:
Barnsley Council: Support for carers (barnsley.gov.uk)
FAQs
It is estimated that over 28,000 people are looking after and caring for an ill, frail, or disabled family member or friend in Barnsley.
Carers can be anyone who provides unpaid care for relatives or friends who are ill, frail, have a disability, have mental health or substance misuse issues. This care could be provided 24/7, or just for a few hours a week. It might involve helping someone get washed and dressed, going shopping for someone, cooking meals if they are unable to, or making sure the person they care for is safe.
Many people do not realise that they are carers.
No. There is a difference between being a ‘carer’ and being employed by an organisation in a job role such as ‘care worker,’ ‘support worker,’ or ‘healthcare assistant,’ etc. The term ‘carer’ should always refer to a person caring for someone on an unpaid basis or claiming benefits like Carer’s Allowance. Therefore, many carers are juggling their caring role alongside their careers.
A parent carer is a parent who is caring for a child under 18 who has additional needs. For example; the child may be on the autistic spectrum, have a physical disability, learning difficulties or mental health issues. You do not have to be living with the child to be classed as a parent carer.
Any adult who is caring for another person in Barnsley can access the service, whether you are caring for someone over the age of 18 or for a child. It is a free, independent support service. If we can’t help directly, we will try and find a service that can.
We can provide you with advice and information on a range of issues, including:
- Where and how to get help
- What you, and the person you care for, are entitled to
- Carers Assessments
- Personal Budgets and Direct Payments
- Welfare benefits
- Employment and education
- Support groups and day trips
- Counselling and one to one support
- Carer breaks
A carer’s assessment is completed by the local council to help you look at what support you need in your role as a carer. The assessment is a chance for you to discuss how your caring responsibilities affect you.
It will look at:
- Whether you’re willing and able to carry on providing care
- Whether your caring responsibilities have any impact on your wellbeing
- Whether you need any support and what that support is
- What you’d like to achieve in your day-to-day life, e.g., you might want more time to take part in activities you enjoy.
Barnsley informal carers can access small one-off support payments of up to £300. This is to recognise their work and to support them in their role as an informal carer. This is available only once annually following the completion of a simple form.
Carers can use this payment in a variety of ways to support them in their caring role. This could include a short break, domestic items including washing machines, domestic help, travel costs/driving lessons, and access to courses or materials to develop carer skills. Or for leisure to fund a hobby, short-term care or sitting service.
For an informal carer to be eligible to request a carers support payment, the looked after person must either be in receipt of support from adult social care or likely to have eligible care and support needs in accordance with the Care Act Criteria.
Work with Us
Barnsley Carers Service is run and managed by Cloverleaf Advocacy.
Founded as a small local organisation in 1995, Cloverleaf Advocacy has grown and developed into a regional charity with a strong reputation for delivering innovative and high-quality advocacy and carer support services, alongside a range of other projects designed to help people be included, involved, supported, and valued within their communities.
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.
What we offer
- 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!
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 on the Person Specification to interview.
You can view our latest vacancies on the Cloverleaf Advocacy jobs web page.
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.
Volunteer
Come and join our team – we need more caring volunteers!
We are incredibly blessed at Barnsley Carers Service to have an amazing and dedicated team of volunteers. We love to show our appreciation for their continued support and invaluable contribution.
Many of our volunteering team were, and still are, carers themselves. Lots of people have joined the service over the years before moving on to paid employment.
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’ well-being!
We are always in need of volunteers to support our various groups, such as Coffee and Chat, Carers Allotment and Arts and Crafts. Volunteers also play an essential part in our service feedback forums and local authority consultations.
If you would like to support unpaid carers in Barnsley, we have a number of different roles for volunteers.
Some of the roles we have are below, but please ring for a chat if you would like to know more:
- Peer Support Volunteers: Befriending, making calls and meeting with a carer to support them, maybe someone with similar interests to you.
- Telephone Befriending: make weekly calls to carers, some volunteers support more than one person.
- Group Volunteers: help out at carers groups, from allotment maintenance and Yarnies to Coffee and Chat.
- Information and Advice: Help carers to apply for a blue badge or attendance allowance, or refer them for specialist advice
- Promotional Events/ Networking: Come along to some of our events to promote the service and meet with other volunteers and carers. Join the Barnsley Carers Forum.
Training is provided for all roles. And although experience is always helpful – it is not always essential. We provide internal and external training for all of our volunteers. As well as supporting you in your role, we can also help you to gain professional qualifications and expand your knowledge to help you in your professional and personal life.
Whatever your background or experience, we can find a role that suits your time and interests. We are always on the lookout for new volunteers!
If you’d like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Adele for an informal chat:
email: adele.lacy@cloverleaf-advocacy.co.uk
mobile: 07761 039006
