What support can I get as a carer?
What is an unpaid carer?
An unpaid carer is anyone who provides care without pay to someone they know, often a family member or friend.
People can become carers suddenly or gradually. Not everyone thinks of themselves as a carer or realises they have taken on this role.
But you don't have to think of yourself as a carer to be able to get support. Caring for someone can affect your own physical and mental wellbeing, so it's important to be aware of the impact it can have on you and of what your rights are.
What support am I entitled to?
If you're an unpaid carer for a friend or family member who isn't able to do day-to-day activities without your support, for example, due to illness or disability, then you may be entitled to help.
To help you access financial and practical support, we share three steps Carers UK suggests you can take.
1. Get a benefits check
Get a full benefits check to see what financial support you may be entitled to. The Carer's Allowance is the primary carer's benefit, but this could also include tax credits, council tax discounts or help with fuel costs.
You can get a personalised benefits check online. It will take about 20 minutes to complete.
2. Find out about practical support
Caring for a loved one can be both physically and mentally challenging. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has created a guide to help you find the support you need. This support may include equipment to make caregiving easier, information about local support groups, and guidance on how to get a carer's assessment.
3. Connect with others
Caring can be very isolating, but you can connect with people in similar situations in many different ways. There are a number of carer support services in Greenwich:
- Greenwich Carers Centre: The Centre offers social activities, events, workshops, and information sessions. It also hosts training courses for first aid, health and safety, mental health awareness, dementia awareness, employability, safeguarding, professional boundaries, and IT skills.
- Mobilise: Mobilise is an online support tool that connects carers, offers information and advice and can signpost you to carers' support services in Greenwich.
Further information for carers
Royal Borough of Greenwich's new guide also has information on:
- Financial support, including information on all benefits available and carers' grants and schemes you may be able to apply to.
- Practical information, including information on getting a carer's assessment.
- Health guidance, including registering as a carer with your GP.
- Support for workers, including balancing employment and caring for someone.
- Technology and equipment, including information on how technology can help you.
Image by Peter Kindersley via Centre for Ageing Better
