Who can I talk to?
Where do you start to look for support? This is a short list of essential contacts to start you off:
- Talk to your GP or other medical professional. Your doctor can refer you to the services you may need.
- Talk to your practice nurse first if you prefer.
- The Adult Services and Children and Families Services Department includes the social worker teams. A social worker can be invaluable in guiding you through what is available to help you maximise your quality of life if required. For general enquiries tel: 686179, or ask your doctor to refer you to the team.
- If in hospital, ask for an appointment with the hospital social worker.
- You can self-refer for physiotherapy. Tel: 642119.
- The Citizens Advice Service is an excellent resource. Find your local branch in the phone directory under Citizens Advice Bureau.
- There are many charitable organisations on the Island. There may be one for your specific condition which will provide an excellent starting point. Circa provide a directory of local charities and an invaluable list of disabled toilets. Tel: 613713. Alternatively look on our Charities section.
- Crossroads Care is a charity specifically supporting carers. Tel: 673103.
- Age Isle of Man offer Computer Lifelong Learning Centres to gain new skills. Tel: 631740
- When it all feels totally overwhelming Samaritans offer a listening ear from their fully trained volunteers. Tel: Freephone 116123
- Isle of Man Health and Care Association promotes health and well-being and assists residents in obtaining access to the best health and social care available Tel:652571 email @iomhaca
- The Community Wellbeing Service offers a range of brief psychological interventions that can help people experiencing common mental health problems like anxiety, stress, panic and depression to support themselves and make positive changes. You must be 16 years or over. find out more at the Community Wellbeing Service, Mental Health Service, Department of Health and Social Care, Ballakermeen Road, Douglas, IM1 4BR. Tel:642540 www.gov.im/dhsc
- Mental health Supporters’ Circle – a friendship group for those supporting someone who is, or has been experiencing mental health issues. They must have been diagnosed or been referred by Mental Health Services. Meet up is first Wednesday of every month at 5.30-7.30pm at the Community Health Centre (top floor), Westmoreland Road, Douglas. A member of the Community Health Team will usually be present. Contact Community Mental Health Service, Westmoreland Road, Douglas IM1 4QA: tel: 686313, email infor@mentalhealthsupporterscircle.im for more information.
Meals Delivered to the Door
Need healthy ready meals delivering? Contact Jan of Wiltshire Farm Foods on tel: 626393. View www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com . Apart from ordinary meals they provide 3 levels of soft diet, down to totally soft. For those with a small appetite their smaller portions include extra nutrients.
Financial
If you are a carer then you can apply for a Carers Assessment, provided you meet the following criteria
Carer is 18 years old
The DHSC must be satisfied that the cared for person is eligible for support within the agreed Fair Access to Care framework
The Carer should be providing both regular and substantial support
To request an assessment please contact the Adult Services Access Team on 686179
The main state benefit that some carers can claim is Carers Allowance. This allowance is for people who regularly spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a disability who receives Disability Living Allowance (Middle or Higher Rate for Personal Care), Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance (paid as an addition to a War Disablement Pension or industrial disablement benefit). View More information here! by using the search facility e.g. carers allowance which will pull up the section required.
See the website www.carers.org which has a good section on flexible working patterns for carers to make it easier for them to carry on working.
Government
For peace of mind during an emergency we suggest using the First Point Community Portal. You create a profile (visible to the emergency services only) and the emergency services can then identify a person, bring them to a place of safety, provide better care and contact their loved ones sooner. See www.firstpoint.signedup.im or telephone 664000. Well worth investigating.
The Carers Strategy has now been approved in Tynwald (July 2024). A very exciting first step to improving the lives of carers and their loved ones on the Island – see
tps://tynwald.im/spfile?file=/business/opqp/sittings/20212026/2024-GD-0042.pdf
If anyone has any questions, contact Crossroads Listening Practitioner on email: lp@crossroadsiom.org
Tel: 673103
Home Care Services
The aim of Home Care Service is to provide personal care and practical support which will enable people to continue living in their own homes. The amount of help provided depends on the needs of the individual service user who is encouraged to stay as active and independent as possible.
Finding the right service to suit needs can assist carers in their role. There are details of seven services on this site including Meals on Wheels and the Blue Badge Scheme for disabled parking permits. The telephone numbers are as follows:
Home Safety Visit Tel: 647300 or 647303
Telephone Adult Services Access Team on 686179 for more information on the services below:
Dementia Care and Support Services
Home Care
Blue Badge Scheme (disabled parking)
Residential Care
The Older Peoples Social Work Team
Moving and Handling
ARC Learning provide training for people who ar new to caring or those who want a refresher. Learn how to make the job easier and protect your back. Check out www.arclearning.im or tel 246054.
Respite Services
Children
Isle of Man Social Care Services – There are two resource centres which provides day care and short term respite care for children with disabilities. They also have an outreach scheme in operation which enables families to receive help and advice in their own homes. There is also a parents support group where parents can go on Tuesday mornings and get information and support from both staff and peers. See www.gov.im/categories/caring-and-support/children-and-families/ for more information or tel: 811933 to contact the Ramsey Centre or tel: 656100 to speak to the Braddan Resource Centre. The Department can be contacted by post at Children and Families, Department of Health and Social Care, 2nd Floor Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas, IM1 2SF.
Crossroads Care (Isle of Man) run a number of valued respite services for carers including the Care at Home Scheme, Holiday Scheme, Social Club and the Young Carers Scheme. See Crossroads or tel: 637103. Crossroads Care At Home service has been recently established to provide home care in tailored packages to support those that wish to remain at home to do so. For more information tel: 673103, email mail@crossroadsiom.org, visit www.crossroadsiom.org or look out for the leaflet.
Hospice Isle of Man have limited provision for respite care for children in Rebecca House, the children’s wing of this facility. It is available to those with life limiting illnesses or other conditions that fit their admission policy when space is available. This gives carers a rest. Contact details are www.hospice.org.im, tel: 647400 for the Childrens Centre and Rebecca House.
The Children’s Centre
The Childrens Centre provides a nurturing and educational environment, helping children, young people (birth-18) to grow whilst reconnecting with the countryside. We also offer services to families who may require extra support. The Children’s Centre farm remains the focus of all the work we do. Carers can self refer using our charitableservicessupport@thechildrenscentr.org.im
The Farm has new accessibility points. For more information please visit The Childrens Centre website on: www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/what-we-do/community-farm Tel: 676076 email: info@thechildrenscentre.org.im
Adult respite provision
Nursing homes in the Isle of Man
With the best will in the world, circumstances may change and a residential or nursing home may become an option to be explored for respite or full-time care. The link above provides details of nursing homes in the Isle of Man offering respite care and if you click on the home you are interested in it will bring up the relevant telephone number for that nursing home with details of what the nursing home can offer.
For those living in the north of the island, a limited respite service in Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital is available only to those that have respite booked at present.
Respite Care is provided at the DHSC’s three Resource Centres on the Island and is accessed via your Social Worker. If you don’t have a Social worker then contact the Adult Services Access Team on 686179 who will be able to advise.
Contact details for the Resource Centres are detailed below:
Cummal Mooar
Queens Promenade
Ramsey
IM8 1EL
Reayrt-ny-Baie
Albert Terrace
Douglas
IM1 3LQ
Southlands
Church Road
Port St Mary
Isle of Man
IM9 5NL
Nursing care – Agreement has been given that one of the DHSC beds at Salisbury Street can be used for pre-bookable Nursing Care respite. If further demand is found it could increase to 2 beds. This will fill a gap in the market as most private Nursing homes were unwilling to provide this service, as they prefer to have permanent residents.
Kings Reach Care Home, Alkest Way Ramsey is a 52 bed home. Tel:816929. The company have committed to keeping some of the EMI Nursing beds for Social Care clients.
Private Home Services
Perhaps you have loved ones who need assistance due to old age or special needs but wish to stay in their own homes. Care agencies can provide home care services to meet these requirements by supplying Care Assistants (female and male carers are available) that are fully experienced, trained, friendly and efficient, covering the whole of the Isle of Man.
It may be that daily visits 2 or 3 hours every day or several times a week from the caring professionals is all that is required to enable someone who is elderly or has special needs to continue living in their own Isle of Man home. You can contact your/the client’s doctor, health visitor, social worker or ring direct to the Home Care Service on tel: 686188 or Home care.
There is a list of care agencies on https://www.homecare.co.uk/homecare/listings.cfm/searchcounty/Isle-of-Man. Below are a few of these:
Care Solutions Limited Home Care Services Isle of Man, tel: 815656 or mobile: 334102
www.adorn.co.im, or tel: 626000 for Adorn Domiciliary Care
Crossroads Care At Home Service tel: 673103, email mail@crossroadsiom.org, visit www.crossroadsiom.org or look out for the leaflet.
www.allcare-nursing.com, tel: 619032for AllCare Nursing Services
For Angels Care Ltd, tel: 880880, email The angels@manx.net
For Brookfield Home Care Services, Ramsey, 818063
For Complete Care, tel: 674119 or Mob: 308459 or view www:completecare.im
For Manx Home Care, tel: 853899 or view www.manxhomecare.com, email office@manxcare.com
Caros Care, tel: 822767 or mobile: 495988
Diligent Care, tel: 481097
Freedom Care, tel: 619977
First Care at Home, Braddan tel: 851787 www.1stcare.im
Helping Hands, tel: 665300
Hope Home Care Ltd tel:827917 or view www.hopehomecare.im
Kos Care, tel: 629122 or mobile: 303355
Quality Care, tel: 620270
For live-in services, off-island company Able Community Care Ltd have contacted us to offer this service amongst other services. Contact Able Community Care Ltd. The Old Parish Rooms, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norwich NR14 8TZ
Web:www.ablecommunitycare.com Tel:+44(0)1603764567 Fax: +44 (0)1603 761655
Charity Support
If you are a carer, your local Crossroads Care scheme can offer you support. Their core service sees a trained carer support worker coming into the home to take over the caring. They also provide other support services. A carer is someone of any age who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. Contact details for Crossroads Care are crossroadsiom.org, or tel: 673103 for more details.
Northern Carers Social Group supports carers of older people with dementia. For more details ring tel: 686182.
Help for carers – If you can’t find what you’re looking for, then simply email support@carers.org.
Care for the Family is a national charity which aims to promote strong family life and to help those who face family difficulties eg divorce, parenting etc, tel: 491043, or view www.careforthefamily.org.uk for more information.
Hospice Isle of Man provides patients with all aspects of palliative care, inpatients beds, day care, a specialist nursing team, Hospice at Home, complementary therapy, lymphoedema service, social worker, bereavement service, counselling and a childrens hospice (Rebecca House). Contact details are www.hospice.org.im, tel: 647400 for the Childrens Centre and Rebecca House.
Many condition-specific charities offer advice and support for those that need it. The Circa Database is an excellent reference list of most charities on-island. See www.circa.org.im, email: enquiries@circa.org.im; tel: 613713.
Connect to Charity provide information via their website www.connect2charity.im. Other contact details are tel: 640655, email: info@connect2charity.
Isle of Man Health and Care Association promotes health and well-being and assists Island residents in obtaining access to the best health and social care available Tel:652571 email:office@iomhaca.im www.iomhaca.im
Mental Health
Mental Health Supporters’ Circle
A friendship group for those supporting someone who is, or has been experiencing mental health issues.
Meeting are 1st Wednesday of every month at 5.30-7.30pm at the Community Health Centre. A member of the Community Mental Health Team will usually be present. To join the group contact Community Mental Health Service, WEstmoreland Road, Douglas, IM1 4QA, tel: 686313, info@mentalhealthsupporterscircle.im
The group will help you understand that mental health conditions are no-one’s fault, learn a range of coping skills for your own well-being, accept that we cannot solve every problem alone, find strength in sharing experiences and know that people do recover and lead meaningful lives.
Praxis Care provides support and accommodation for individuals with mental ill health in the Isle of Man. All tenants are supported by staff and volunteers (staff support is available 24 hours a day on most projects) and are encouraged to live independently whilst receiving the support they need to stay well. View http://www.praxisprovides.com/services/accomodation-support or tel: 815299 for Praxis Care for more information.
Service Users Network (SUN) provides a social club and also invites guest speakers to address subjects of interest to those with an interest in mental health issues, tel: 473944 for more information.
Reach IOM– hopes to provide a bridge for those waiting for an over stretched mental health service appointment with a waiting list of 12 months after referral. Reach IOM has been setup by local Adam Hudgeon looking to combat stigmas around the subject and provide a safe space for people to discuss what they’re experiencing. They aim to provide support and counselling. Contact email is reachiom@gmail.com Tel:247681
Isle Listen aims to equip children and young people with the self-management skills needed to navigate the psychological and emotional challenges of 21st century life. See www.islelisten.im or email getinvolved@islelisten.im for more information.
Counselling Directory is a UK counselling service. See: www.counselling-directory.org.uk e: melissa@counselling-directory.org.uk tel: 0844 803 0252
fb: www.facebook.com/CounsellingDirectory
tw: www.twitter.com/Counselling_UK
Learning Disabilities
The Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Care offer adult learning-disabled short-term day, overnight or weekend respite under their respite services. Contact the Social Work Team (Adult Disabilities) on tel: 686189.
Charity Autism Initiatives has a team based at The Oaks in Ramsey, and provides a community-based outreach service primarily for people with a diagnosis of high functioning autism. The service is outcome focused, and so provides varying levels of support to people dependent on need. It also supports a lively social group every week with a range of fun activities which anyone can access, contact tel: 814801.
24 hour residential provision
Supported living service
Supported employment project
Children and Young person services
The development of a centre for people with autism
Amongst other services, Autism in Mann has monthly meetings that carers can attend to swap tips on coping with Autism tel: 480167.
Action for Autism, tel: 456076.
The Children’s Centre aim is to ensure that the Community Farm is used by as many of the Islands children, young people and families as possible, providing them with a natural environment where they can enhance their wellbeing, learn about the countryside and farming, develop new skills and (where appropriate) gain relevant qualifications. Inclusion groups attend the farm regularly. For further information please call tel: 610540.
The charity collective Project 21, have worked hard together to provide a location providing a purpose-built venue for people with learning disabiliites, Centre 21, now a very busy and popular facility. Tel: 660321 for more information.
Manx Mencap provide disability services. Contact them at Centre 21, Greenfield Road, Douglas, IM2 6ED, tel: 677289.
Elderly
Government Home Services Private Home Services Residential /Respite Services
Government Home Services
Government Home Services aim at helping older people maintain their independence and quality of life at home. Finding the right service to suit needs can assist carers in their role. View www.Isle of Man Government housing care homes. You will then need to search under Home services, Home services providers. The telephone numbers are as follows:
Home Safety Visit Tel: 647300 or 647303
Elderly Mentally Infirm (EMI) Services Tel: 696300
Meals on Wheels Tel: 696300
Home Care Tel: 696300
Blue Badge Scheme (disabled parking) Tel: 696300
Residential Care Tel: 696300
The Older Peoples Social Work Team Tel: 696300
Residential Services
For more information about nursing homes in Isle of Man click here carehome.
With the best will in the world, circumstances may change and a residential or nursing home may become an option to be explored for respite or full-time care. This site provides details of nursing homes in the Isle of Man offering respite care and if you click on the home you are interested in it will bring up the relevant telephone number for that nursing home with details of what the nursing home can offer.
Leonard Cheshire Disability Isle of Man have 2 respite flats in their Supported Living Services residential facility in Ramsey. They principally cater for physically disabled individuals up to the age of 65. They also provide Outreach Services to support individuals in a wide range of activities to ensure that individual potential and independence is achieved. Leonard Cheshire Disability Isle of Man provides innovative services that give disabled people the opportunity to love life their way. Tel:817071
Drug and Alcohol
Care for Drug or Alcohol Addiction (Dash) gives advice, support & information to drug users, their families and the opportunity to meet other parents, tel: 615622.
Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 11am on a Sunday at St Joseph’s Catholic Church (side entrance), Fenella Ave, Willaston, Douglas, and each month there is an open meeting for anyone, including family, children and friends who may know someone with a problem with alcohol, to attend to find out more about the organisation, tel: 663676.
Care for Alcoholics can also be found at the Alcohol Advisory Service (Isle of Man) tel: 627656.