At the Carers’ Centre we are committed not only to supporting carers but also to making sure carers issues feature and remain on the agendas of local authorities, policymakers and inclusion in social work degree programmes at local universities.

This is done in several different ways from effective networking by our dedicated Development Workers to direct consultation with local carers either via regular questionnaires or through our Local Carers’ Forum.

» Local Carers’ Forum

The Local Carers’ Forum takes place once every two months at the Carers’ Centre and is a chance for you to:

• Meet likeminded people in the same situation as you
• Talk about things that are important to you with other people who understand
• Find out interesting and relevant information
• Have your voice heard
  At each meeting there is usually a health and social care professional invited along to give carers information about new services, developments and to consult with carers to find out their views about current provision and shaping future provision. An important function of the Local Carers’ Forum is to gather carers views and experieces to be fed into the Lancashire Carers ’ Forum.

» Lancashire Carers’ Forum

The Lancashire Carers’ Forum, held at County Hall in Preston, offers a unique platform from which carers can express their views, good or bad, directly to executives within Adult and Community services.

The Forums are very carer led with Jackie Dewhurst, a former carer, as chair, a collection of representatives from regional carers organisations and, of course a stronghold of carers with aspirations for better services.

Lancashire County Council are eager to improve services for carers and feel the best way to achieve this is to look at these services from a carers point of view. The Forum is a very positive step towards improved services for carers, more efficient health and social care and having your say in future developments.

» Asian Carers’ Forum

The Asian Carers Forum functions in exactly the same way as the Lancashire Carers Forum only, with the needs of Asian carers in mind. Issues faced by Asian carers are covered with interpreters on hand, if required.

» Attending the Carers Forums

The Local and Lancashire Carers Forums are open to anybody who is a carer. We can provide transport to a small number of carers wishing to attend the Lancashire Carers Forum if you are unable to make your own way there. We do not expect anybody to stand up and speak if they do not want to, you can come along just to listen if you prefer. Some people may find it difficult to stand up in front of a crowd and speak their mind; we understand this and would like to offer you our voice. If you have any comments you would like us to take forward at the Lancashire Carers ’ Forum or would simply like more information then please email susan@prtwlcarers.org.uk or contact Lorraine on 01695 711243.

» Lancashire Parent Carer Forum

The aim of the group is to provide a County forum which will focus upon the particular concerns and issues affecting Parent Carers, who provide unpaid care for children with a disability and to enable their views and concerns to be taken forward within the Directorate for Children and Young People and other appropriate organizations.

The Chair and Deputy Chair are both Parent Carers.  The agenda for the meetings include issues that are unable to be resolved at local level, concerns that have been resolved at local level, good practice from all areas, relevant information from the local authority and any possible Government agendas that could affect parent carers in Lancashire.

If you would like information or even to attend these meetings please contact Sue Gaskell on 01695 711243 or email susang@prtwlcarers.org.uk

» West Lancashire Parent Carer Forum

This forum is held locally on a regular basis throughout West Lancashire allowing families to provide regular feedback about their views and how these may shape future service delivery.

Any concerns and/or issues raised within these meetings will either be resolved locally or fed back to the Lancashire Parent Carer Forum.

» Patient Opinion

If you've experienced health care recently, either as a patient yourself or as a carer or friend of someone else, Patient Opinion want to know how it was. What was good? What could have been better? Perhaps you want to share a suggestion or tip instead? Or send someone a thank you? Or moan about something that wasn't right? This is our NHS - Let’s make it better! Share your opinion at www.patientopinion.org.uk or telephone 0845 113 0012. Patient Opinion is a not-for-profit organisation run for the benefit of patients and staff.