Carers

Are You a Carer?

If you are please let us know – we may be able to help you.

It is important that we know if you are a carer, so that we can make sure you receive information, services and the help that is available.

Complete our Carer Registration Form

About Carers

Many carers do not see themselves as carers because they see themselves as a parent, a spouse or partner, a son or daughter, a relative, friend or neighbour. But 1 in 10 of the population is a carer. And as a result many carers often miss out on services, support, advice and benefits which may be available and may help.

Individuals, irrespective of age, who provide or supervise a substantial amount of care on a regular basis to a relative, partner, friend or neighbour who is unable to manage on their own due to factors including illness, disability, frailty, mental distress, impairment or substance abuse. A carer can be a child looking after an older person or parent, or an older person looking after a disabled partner. The definition may be quite wide-ranging.

The term “carer” would not normally apply if the person is:
• a paid carer
• a volunteer from a voluntary agency
• anyone providing personal assistance for payment

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Carers Direct

Telephone: 0808 802 0202

Email: CarersDirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk

Office Hours: Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.

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Information and Support

A guide to care and support:  Information for carers and people who have care & support needs.

Caring for someone: Advice on providing care, medicines etc.

Care after hospital: Providing care for people who have been recently discharged from hospital.

Taking a break: Caring for someone can be a full-time job – find out about accessing breaks and respite care.

Support and benefits for carers: Caring for someone can be a full-time job – find out about accessing breaks and respite care.

Work and Disability: Guidance, support and help with employment issues.

Being a young carer: Advice for carers 18 or under and their entitlement to support

Benefits for the under-65s: Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.

Benefits for the over-65s: Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.

Carer’s Assement: How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

Other benefits: Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring