The Carer Support Service is an integral component of our five-year development strategy, embodying the very essence of our collective vision and aspirations. At the heart of this programme lies our commitment to fostering a stronger and more empowered community of caregivers.
SMS poses unique challenges, and we understand the importance of ensuring that families are equipped with the resources, information, and support they need to provide the best possible care for their loved ones.
Programme Outcomes
- Caregivers no longer feel isolated and alone.
- Expedited response to common enquiries with effective signposting.
- Access to specialist support and equipment for complex issues.
- Improved health and emotional well-being for carers, resulting in reduced stress.
- A holistic approach to managing and caring for SMS individuals, enhancing access to therapies and treatments.
Carer Support Service – Theory of Change Model
Projects and Initiatives
1. Community Wellbeing Service
Our triage-based service aims to implement processes to improve our response rates to incoming enquiries, and enhance emotional and practical support to families dealing with a new SMS diagnosis. We will develop safety measures and crisis intervention processes while collaborating with partners to support counselling. We will provide training for our dedicated volunteers to strengthen the assistance we offer.
Outputs
- Establishing a triage enquiries service with defined processes and procedures.
- Providing introductions and support for families facing a new SMS diagnosis.
- Developing crisis and safeguarding processes to ensure the safety of individuals with SMS.
- Forging partnerships for counseling services (via Service Level Agreements).
- Implementing and reinforcing the RePS (Regional Parent Supporters) programme.
- Training dedicated staff and volunteers to provide comprehensive support.
| Estimated Project Cost | Expected Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|
| £18,360.00 | 2023 – 2024 |
2. Online Resources and Signposting
We will actively promote carer well-being by publishing various online articles, resources, and advice. Additionally, we’re improving our online signposting to make it easier for caregivers to access practical support, while also sharing inspiring stories from SMS families to offer hope and valuable guidance to our community.
Outputs
- Publishing a range of online articles, resources, and advice to promote carer well-being.
- Enhancing online signposting to facilitate access to practical support.
- Sharing inspirational stories from families within the SMS community to provide hope and guidance.
| Estimated Project Cost | Expected Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|
| £12,720.00 | 2024 |
3. Advocacy, Referrals, and Small Grants
We will streamline support by creating an application process and managed service for advocacy, referrals, and small grants. This involves partnering with advocacy providers, establishing service level agreements (SLAs), and collaborating with equipment providers. We’ll also highlight the positive impact of these services by sharing success stories from individuals who have benefited.
Outputs
- Establishing an application process and managed service for advocacy, referrals, and small grants.
- Identifying advocacy providers and establishing SLAs to ensure seamless support.
- Collaborating with equipment providers and setting up SLAs for equipment-related assistance.
- Sharing case studies and success stories from users who have benefited from these services.
| Estimated Project Cost | Expected Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|
| £20,220.00 | 2025 – 2026 |
4. SMS Passport
Our aim is to create an SMS passport prototype to communicate personalised needs and care plans, followed by a pilot scheme with recruited volunteers to assess its effectiveness. We’ll showcase success stories from individuals who have benefited from the SMS Passport to demonstrate the positive impact we anticipate for caregivers, individuals with SMS, and the broader community.
Outputs
- Designing and developing an SMS passport (All about me) prototype to facilitate individualised care.
- Conducting a pilot scheme and recruiting volunteers to test the passport’s effectiveness.
| Estimated Project Cost | Expected Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|
| £17,580.00 | 2026 – 2027 |
We anticipate a total programme cost of £68,880.00 over the next five years.
If you are interested in contributing to our programme or any specific Carer Support Service initiative, please get in touch.
How You Can Support Our Work
