Help for Carers
Every year over 2 million people become carers. You may be taking on a caring role for the first time and don’t know what to expect. You are not alone.
Choices and rights
It is your choice whether or not to look after your friend or relative. Just because you are unable to care for someone does not mean that you do not care about them. You need to think carefully about how much care you are realistically able to provide and what help you might need. You need to think about how caring might impact on other areas of your life - your job, your wider family, your social life, hobbies and interests.
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1: Help from family and friends
This is a valid way of getting help and many carers rely on family and friends to help with everyday tasks like shopping or cleaning. Don't hold back from asking. Sometimes those around you want to help, but don't want to seem interfering. Do discuss these issues with family and friends because an informal network can make all the difference.

2: Benefits
There are a number of different benefits and tax credits available to carers. Some may be claimed because you are a carer and others may be claimed for different reasons. Follow this link to see the latest benefits advice for carers from CARING UK

3: GP and primary care
Make sure your GP knows you are a carer. GPs are often the gateway to getting all kinds of help in referring to other medical services, community nursing, counselling and your local social services.

4: Private arrangements
You may want to employ homehelp or homecare at some point in time. You will find listings of Home Care Agencies on the listing pages.

5: Help through social services
Social services provide a range of help to carers and disabled people and should be one of your first contacts. They will advise on practical services in the home, aids and equipment, short-term breaks, adaptations to the home and other issues affecting carers. First, call your local social services department and ask for a Carers Assessment. They are available to carers and those being cared for. You can speak to your GP for a referral or contact them directly via your local phone directory. More on Carers Assessments from CARING UK

6: Carers organisations in your area
Usually run by your local authority and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers (also known as Carers Centres). They give support to carers including: support groups, meeting other carers, benefits, general information and advice on caring and the disability or illness that affects the person you care for. Some offer training to assist you in caring e.g. First aid, lifting safely, stress reduction and general interest subjects like computing and cookery. See CARERS UK directory of local and national carers organisations.

7: Voluntary organisations
Many voluntary organisations offer advice and support to disabled people and their carers. For instance: Crossroads provides replacement care to give you a break. Contact a local disabilty project or carers organisation for details on voluntary organisations.

8: Carers' services
Carers' services are there to help the carer look after the person they care for. Examples include: mobile phones to give carers peace of mind when they are away from the person they look after; or help with taxi fares so the carer can get to hospital appointments or work on time; counselling or aletrnative therapies to deal with emotional issues. This support can be provided as a direct payment (see step 9). Contact your social services department to find out what services are available to you.

9: Direct Payments
A Direct Payment is money given to you, or the person you care for, by your social services department. You use the money to buy the services you need, instead of social services providing them directly. The benefit of having a Direct Payment is that it can help you buy support that is both timely and appropriate. Direct Payments can only be spent on the support that you and the person you care for have been assessed as needing. Get a Carers Assessment and speak to your loacl social services about Direct Payments.

10: Job Centre Plus
Job Centre Plus is your local benefits office for people of working age. They administer benefits, provide advice and asssitance with returning to work and also help with training and job searches. Every Job Centre Plus has a disability adviser who can help people with health problems or disabilities overcome barriers to work and training. Call into your local Job Centre to find out more.

and finally...

Join Carers UK
Carers UK is the voice of carers. We continually campaign for a better deal for carers and have a successful record of achievement, built over the last 40 years. We need you on board and we need your voice to achieve more for carers. Join Carers UK and become part of the bigger picture.