Do you provide help and support to a partner, relative, child friend or neighbour who could not manage without your help due to physical or mental illness, disability, frailty or addiction? If you do, that means you may be a carer.
Children and young people, parents, daughters, sons, spouses, partners and friends can all be carers.
Complete the online form here or print and complete the attached form and hand it to one of our receptionists.
Contact Care Direct to arrange an assessment for the person you care for, including their physical care requirements, aids around the home, personal alarms, meals on wheels and benefits advice. Care Direct can also arrange a Carers Assessment for additional benefits you may be eligible for as a registered carer. Respite care and sitter services can also be arranged.
This is a charitable organisation providing additional help and support for all aspects of your Carer responsibilites and for the person you care for. This includes help filiing in paperwork, arranging respite care, support groups, counselling and advocacy.
The Carers Emergency Card identifies you as a carer and should be carried at all times. If you are taken seriously ill or you have an accident, anybody who finds you can ring the number of the card and tell the Emergency Communications Team that the person you care for needs help. This team can then provide up to 72 hours of care for that person in their own home. The card does not contain any personal information, only emergency contact number and your carer ID number.
You are legally entitled to request flexible working hours as a carer. Telling your employer allows you to access this and other additional support. Telling friends, family or healthcare professionals can often be a helpful way to share some of the strain that can come with being a carer and ensure your own health needs are met.