Have-Your-Say

Plan Together Database Co-Ordinator

Hi, I’m Mandy Burkitt - a new member of the George Hardwick Foundation team, working with Parent Carers in North East Lincolnshire.

What will The Plan Together Database do for you and your family?

Being on the Plan Together Database will give you the chance to comment on the services you do and don’t receive in North East Lincolnshire. You will be able to tell us what you and your child think will make a difference and about services that are not meeting your needs.

Call into the new North East Lincolnshire Carer’s Centre in Grimsby, I look forward to meeting you and hearing your views.

Are you caring for someone misusing drugs or alcohol?

Caring for a substance misuser is often a very frustrating role. Dealing with drug and alcohol misuse has demoralising effects upon the family, leading to feelings of anger, loneliness and isolation.

Drug and alcohol misuse is prevalent within Society and is a growing problem both within Stockton and North East Lincolnshire.

We have recently employed a Substance Misuse Advice and Information Worker at our centre in North East Lincolnshire to work directly with carers and families of drug and alcohol misusers, and professionals within the local community.

Karen can offer confidential telephone, one to one and group support; practical and emotional support; links into the drug and alcohol treatment agencies; advocacy (opening important pathways to debt advice, solicitors and counselling); formal and informal education; drop in facilities; and crisis intervention.

We are also able to extend our support services to families and friends who care for a substance misuse at our centres in Stockton-on-Tees.

Do you care for a child or young person?

The George Hardwick Foundation is committed to supporting the Aiming High for Disabled Children programme that was launched by DSCF and The Department of Health in 2007.

We work with closely parent carer groups and organisations in Stockton and North East Lincolnshire. In North East Lincolnshire we have a dedicated “Plan Together Coordinator” who works with children with additional needs and their families.

NEW Counselling Students

The George Hardwick Foundation would like to welcome our new psychology students who have just embarked on a years placement with us.

The George Hardwick Foundation offers placement opportunities to Post Graduate Psychology Students from Teesside University every year.

The students are closely monitored and supervised by our in-house counsellor, Debbie Wilson and our consultant, Jean Stuart to ensure client and volunteer safety. Past volunteers have commented that the opportunities this placement has offered them have proven “invaluable” in their future careers.

NEW Medical Students

The George Hardwick Foundation would like to welcome our three new medical students who have just embarked on a years placement with us.

The George Hardwick Foundation offers placement opportunities to Medical Students from Durham University every year. The aim of the placement programme is to provide medical students with a better understanding of “the patient” as a whole i.e. looking at the family / carers / financial implications for all / emotional implications for all… etc.

We hope that this will encourage our future medical professionals to have a better understanding of the patients needs and of the needs of the families and friends of their patients.

Housebound Library Services for Carers

Tuesday 14th July 2009.

The George Hardwick Foundation Stockton Carers’ Centre, 23-27b Bishopton Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1PS.