Families, friends and carers

We greatly value the very important role that carers play in supporting people who use our services. We want to work in partnership with you to provide the best treatment and support. We also recognise that, on occasions, you also need support and have a statutory right to an assessment of your own needs.

We believe you are a carer if you are providing help or support to a child, relative or friend who experiences physical or mental ill health, whether you give practical help or emotional support. This page contains information on carers support groups and organisations in the area, information for carers produced by the Trust and how we work with you. As a Trust we identify with supporting carers at the first point of contact with services.

If you need support regarding any aspect of your role as a carer, including a carer assessment, please contact Northamptonshire Carers.  

We have developed a carer's charter which shows our commitment to you.

As a Trust, we will

  • listen to you without bias or prejudice
  • take what you say seriously
  • recognise you as someone providing support to the person for whom you care and respect you accordingly
  • value you as someone who has relevant and important knowledge about the person you care for
  • ask your opinion, respect and value your views and, where necessary, keep these confidential
  • explain how we will use any information you provide
  • give you the choice on whether you wish to continue with your role as a carer
  • work in partnership with Northamptonshire Carers to support you in your caring role.

You can expect us to

  • involve you in decisions about you and the person you care for (with appropriate consent), including the preparation of their care plan
  • make sure you know whom to contact in an emergency or crisis
  • give you a copy of the care plan (with appropriate consent) and in a format that suits you. This should set out the responsibilities of all the people involved in providing care and will vary depending on the service provided
  • give you the opportunity to tell us if you feel the care plan is not working and involve you in discussions about any actions to address this
  • hold meetings at a time that suits both you and the person you care for
  • respect and be sensitive to your needs and wishes
  • arrange help for you to communicate your views should you require it
  • advise you of action to take if you are unhappy about any aspect of the care we provide.

Support for you as a carer

  • The pop-up boxes below link to a range of local and national agencies available to support carers 

NHFT groups support and initiatives

The Trust works in partnership with Trust staff and carers. By listening to and involving carers, we can provide better care for our patients and service users. Below are some NHFT services either designed specifically for carers or available for carers to access support from.

Find out more about how to get involved at our Trust

Carers Corner

At Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT), we recognise the vital role that relatives/friends (carers) play in sustaining patient recovery in the community.

With this in mind, we invite you to join us for an informal, practical session where you can:

• Meet other carers

• Learn about mental health conditions and treatments

• Find out about support available after discharge

• Find out about support for carers

• Have the opportunity to meet Dr Krishna Yathiraj, Consultant Psychiatrist, Carer Peer support workers and others with lived experience.

Join us:

Complete a Carer's Corner referral form

Weekly on Thursday mornings 10am – 12pm  (Either face to face or online via Teams)

The first Wednesday evening of every month 07:30pm – 09:00pm (Online only)

Alternating between St Marys Hospital and Berrywood Hospital

Kindly email: carerscorner@nhft.nhs.uk for a Teams link

Mental Health Number

NHFT and the mental health charity, Mind, work together to provide a 24/7 mental health support number for the people of Northamptonshire. The Mental Health Number connects callers to trained professionals, who can provide local support or advice or signposting. All of this is available anytime of the day or night, every day of the year.

Call 0800 448 0828 - Lines available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Northamptonshire Talking Therapies

Could you benefit from support by talking to someone or through online programmes working at your own pace? NHS Northamptonshire Talking Therapies works with people across Northamptonshire who are trying to get back on track, although they may feel stressed, low or anxious. Sometimes the service runs specific courses for carers. Visit the Talking Therapies page to find out more. 

Recovery College NHFT

The Recovery College supports people with experience of mental health difficulties to live the life they want to lead and become experts in their own self-care. All courses are co-produced and co-delivered by people with lived experience of mental health difficulties and mental health professionals. This provides a shared environment where those with lived experience and those who provide their support and NHS staff can learn together. Carers are able to attend these courses and there are sometimes specific courses for carers. 

For course dates and to find out more information about enrolling call 03000 270470 (phone lines are open 9am-4.30pm Monday-Friday) or email recovery.college@nhft.nhs.uk

Visit the recovery college webpage to find out more about their forthcoming courses.

Who do I contact in a crisis?

For those under the age of 18 please visit our CAMHS website information.

If you are concerned about an immediate risk of harm, either to yourself or someone else, please phone 999.

Crisis Cafés

Drop-in cafes are run around Northamptonshire by an NHFT professional and a MIND peer support worker. They provide support and safety to anyone in need by offering coping mechanisms and techniques to help reduce the risk of crisis. They also provide advice and support to carers. click here to find the most up to date Crisis Cafes timetable.

More support and information

Northamptonshire Carers

Northamptonshire Carers

Northamptonshire Carers offer support, information and advice to carers and young carers. The website contains information about the support line, carer’s groups, and breaks for carers. They can be reached on 01933 677907.

If you need support regarding any aspect of your role as a carer, including a carer assessment, please visit the Northamptonshire Carers website for more details.

Complete an online carer’s self assessment to find out what impact your caring responsibilities have on you and what support you might need to continue your caring role. They also have monthly carer’s cafes held around the county.

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Other help and support in Northamptonshire

Other help and support in Northamptonshire

Carers’ Voice Northamptonshire

A countywide organisation working with Healthwatch Northamptonshire to improve the services available to carers, and making sure views and opinions are heard. Meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of each month, check their website for more information (reasonable travel and sitting expenses paid for).

‘Out of Hours’ Social Services 

If you have a problem which cannot wait until normal office hours and need to contact Social Services during the evening, night-time or the weekend, the 'Out of Hours' team at West and North Northants Councils can assist. Please phone 0300 126 3000 to access this service in North Northants and 0300 126 7000 in West Northants. An operator will answer the phone and take details of your problem, and your contact details. They will then pass this information over to the duty social worker.  The sort of problems the ‘Out of hours’ team can assist with are:

  • Difficulties with children and young people
  • Older people who are at risk or who need immediate help
  • Support in coping with someone who has severe learning difficulties or mental health problems
  • Mental Health Act assessments
  • Act as an appropriate adult for juveniles and vulnerable adults.

Support Northamptonshire

Providing a range of support services for vulnerable people by working closely with social care and health services. Contact the Single Point of Access customer service team for an assessment.

VoiceAbility

Offering different types of advocacy for mental health, care and support, NHS complaints and experts by experience.

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National help and support

National Help and Support

Carers UK

Provides advice, support and information on a range of subjects including carer’s allowance, getting assessments and financial support.

Carers Trust

Supports carers through a UK-wide network of Network Partners, providing emotional and practical support, carer’s emergency services and information and advice.

Mencap support

Mencap is the leading voice of learning disability. Everything they do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers. Mencap's vision is a world where people with a learning disability are valued equally, listened to and included. 

MIND

Offers a range of services including self-improvement courses, 1 to 1 support, social groups and Mental Health Navigators.

NHS Social care and support guide

If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.

RETHINK

National organisation providing free written information and advice, plus a range of support services including advocacy, carer support groups and crisis services. Support groups are held in Daventry and Wellingborough

The Carers Trust

Provides up to date information and advice for carers on a range of issues

The Silver Line

A free confidential helpline providing information, friendship, regular contact and advice to older people. 24 hours a day/365 days a year. 

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Information for carers of a people detained under a section of the Mental Health Act

Information for carers of a people detained under a section of the Mental Health Act

Most people who receive treatment on our inpatient (meaning they stay overnight) wards for mental health conditions are there beacuse they want to be. They have the same rights as people receiving treatment for physical illnesses.

However, a small number of patients may need to be detained under a section of the Mental Health Act (1983). 

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Information on attending a Coroner's inquest

Information on attending a Coroner's inquest

Guide to Coroner Services

Coroner’s Courts Support Service (CCSS)

Independent voluntary organisation that supports the family and other witnesses attending the Coroner’s Court.

INQUEST

A charity which provides expertise on state related deaths and their investigation. The charity also publishes the INQUEST Handbook, a free guide available in print and online (see recommended books section on their website).

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