Family carers

Signal

Signal provides free advice, guidance and support for all unpaid carers who care for someone in Bracknell Forest. It also provides groups, activities and events as well as learning and training.

Signal is run by The Ark Trust, working in partnership with Wokingham, Bracknell and Districts Mencap and is funded by Bracknell Forest Council.

Visit Signal 4 Bracknell Forest Carers

Checklist

Our checklist for people with dementia and their carers is a great place to start if you are new to caring for someone with dementia.

Explore the checklist

Carers assessment

Carers are entitled to a carers assessment

If you are caring for a person with dementia, you can get information, advice and support from the Community Mental Health Team for Older Adults. You can contact the team on 01189 046900.

Understanding dementia - training course for family carers

The Bracknell Memory Clinic offers a free training course to all carers.  

Topics include:

  • understanding dementia
  • memory and communication
  • understanding new behaviours
  • physical aspects and wellbeing
  • legal issues, welfare and benefits
  • continued support and care

Virtual sessions for this course are now available. To book, please call 01189 046900.

Alternatively, you can complete this course online at your own pace. Visit, the Understanding Dementia Course to get started.

Admiral Nurse - help with young onset dementia

The Admiral Nurse works with family Carers of people who have been diagnosed with young onset dementia. The Admiral Nurse supports carers if things become difficult or challenging, giving them one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions.

For more information visit the Dementia UK website.

NHS Talking Therapies - help for your mental health and wellbeing

Talking Therapies can help you look after your mental health and wellbeing while you’re caring for others.

Free and confidential help is available on the NHS for common concerns such as trouble sleeping, stress, low mood and worry.

You can access support from home or in person depending on your situation. Talk to the team on 0300 365 2000 to find out more. You can also ask your GP to refer you or make a self referral on the Talking Therapies website.

Getting a break

There are different types of breaks for both people with dementia and for carers.

People with dementia may like to consider going for days out with organisations like:

Support with confidence also has a list of self-employed Personal Assistants who offer a range of services including supporting with social activities and sitting services. You may also want to consider local day centres.

There are organisations that provide supported holidays for people with dementia and their carers these include:

Home care agencies can offer services to provide carers with a break. Alternatively care homes may offer ‘respite’ care.

Caring emergencies

Carer emergency support can be put in place if you are taken ill or involved in an accident or incident and there is no one in your support network that can help.

For more information visit Caring emergencies.

More support

Information and advice is also available from:

Contact information

Dementia Adviser

Contact the dementia adviser by:

For out of hours emergency mental health support, phone 0800 129 9999.

For out of hours emergency social care support, phone 01344 351999.