Carers

A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. The people they care for may be frail, ill, disabled or have a mental health problem, learning disability or issues with substance misuse.

Anyone can become a carer; carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age.

Many carers do not consider themselves to be a carer; they are just looking after their mother, son, or best friend, just getting on with it and doing what anyone else would in the same situation.

We recognise that carers are extremely important within families and communities and often help those they care for to live independently for longer.

Becoming a carer can be bewildering, confusing and frightening so this part of the website has information and links to local and national organisations that can offer advice and support to carers.

Click on the menu on the left to see what information is available.

Go to General Information for Carers to find out about a special website that contains useful carers information including a range of 'fact sheets.'