Help for carers

Caring

14 December 2011 10:46

Every day another 6,000 people take on a caring responsibility – that’s more than two million people a year. Carers save the economy £119 billion anually yet thousands of people claim no help at all because they are looking after a husband or wife, son or daughter and they don’t regard themselves as carers.

If you've recently become a carer and don't know where to turn here are some of the charities and organistaions that may be able to help.


Carers UK

Carers UK is a charity set up to help the millions of people who care for family or friends. While caring is part and parcel of life, without the right support the personal costs of caring can be high. Caring can take its toll on your finances, your health, your career and your family and your social life. Carers can fall out of paid work and many rely on low-level benefits, forcing them into poverty.
Carers UK can help you:
• get the best for the person they care for
• make the most of their income
• stay in paid work
• keep healthy
• get in touch with other carers for support
• find a listening ear
• campaign for change.

Visit www.carersuk.org or call 0800 808 7777 to find out about support in your area 

 

Carers Direct

Carers Direct is the official website designed to help you get the help and support you need as a carer. We offer all the information you should need to get the financial help you’re entitled to, as well as advice on getting a break from caring, going to work and much more.
Call the helpline 0808 808 0202 if you need help with your caring role and want to talk to someone about what options are available to you. It's open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles or you can request a free call back.
The helpline advisers can give you information to help you make decisions about your personal support needs and the needs of the person you're looking after. This information includes assessments, benefits, direct payments, individual budgets, time off and maintaining, leaving or going back to work or education. The helpline staff will also tell you how to complain if anything goes wrong with any of the services you use or put you in touch with your local authority or NHS services.
There's loads more advice online at www.nhs.uk/carersdirect


Alzheimers Society

Alzheimer's Society is the leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers working to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Visit www.alzheimers.org.uk or call the helpline 0845 300 0336


Direct Gov

Directgov is the UK government's digital service for people in England and Wales. It delivers information and practical advice about public services, benefits and allowances, bringing them all together in one place.
You can find out how to get a carers' assesment, what support is available,which benefits you can claim or how to find the right care home for a loved one.
Visit the Direct Gov wbsite to find out more.

 

Holidays

Holidays for All offer leisure activities and accommodation throughout the UK and abroad for disabled people – www.holidaysforall.org helpline 08451 249973.

Vitalise is a charity which operates three purpose-built, fully accessible UK holiday centres for disabled people and their carers as well as arranging world-wide holidays - www.vitalise.org.uk  or call 0303 303 0145

 

Action on Hearing Loss

Action on Hearing Loss is the new name for the RNID. They offer support you to help you identify what is most important to you and then help you find services to meet your needs.
Vist the website www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk or call the helpline 0808 808 0123 (textphone 0808 808 9000)

 

RNIB

Sight loss can affect anyone, and we provide information about sight problems, and ways in which blind and partially sighted people can be helped and supported.
If you need help, advice or support, you can contact the RNIB Helpine on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk


Carers in touch

Yours Carers in Touch is a free scheme with hundreds of members. Carers support one another and many people have made lasting friendships. Members of the Yours Bereavement Group have all lost a loved one although members have not all been carers. They support one another, some meet regularly, others go on holiday together. To join either group, send your name, postal address and a few personal details about your situation to rosesmary.sandall@bauermedia.co.uk or write to Rosie Sandall, Yours, Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough, PE2 6EA. You will receive a warm welcome!