Are you a carer? Are you getting the help and support available? 

It is seen as vital that these seven million are getting the help and support, both practical and financial, that they are entitled to.  

Caring covers a wide range of activities such as helping with washing, dressing and eating, taking to medical appointments, providing and checking of medication, doing housework, giving financial support and keeping company. 

One of the more important forms of help and support available is financial. This can be accessed in a variety of ways but one of the main ways is to get a benefits check. This can be done by Citizens Advice and will check to see if someone is entitled any combination of Carer’s Allowance, tax credits, discounted Council tax and support with fuel and taxi costs alongside other state provided financial support. 

Another form of help and support is practical support. Practical support is important because it can often be physically and mentally demanding caring for one or more people. Types of practical support include providing and giving training on how to use equipment and technology to make the process of giving care easier and safer and help improve the wellbeing of the person/people being cared for as well as information on support groups for carers. An example of training that makes things safer is training on how to safely lift someone. It is important that all carer’s know they’re entitled to an assessment from their local council which may grant them additional support or help from that council.  This assessment might also provide extra people to provide care to allow for the primary carer to take break as well specialist help such as a cleaner and/or a gardener. The assessment is different to the needs assessment people being cared for receive but both of them can be done at the same time if appropriate.  

A further form of help and support comes from connecting with others. This can involve attending a support group in person or virtually or asking on the many online forums that provide help to carers. A carer’s assessment might also provide funding for gym memberships and/or exercise class to reduce stress,  

A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who is partially or fully caring for one or more adults. Due to their young age even more help and support is available to assist them and prevent as much disruption as possible to their education and general process of growing up.  

If you are a resident of Medway and want to find out more information on carers assessments and how to request one, please visit the Medway Council Adult Social Care website. 

In Medway we have Carers First, a local carers support service who understand that caring can be hard, but believe getting the right help shouldn’t be. That's why they work directly with and for unpaid carers to provide personalised information and advice. For more information please visit their website Carers First: Help and support for unpaid carers

Further information on carer rights and support

To find out more about your rights, tailored to your situation, take a look at Upfront - Carers UK's online tool, or read about your rights as a carer.

You can also find useful links and information including local support services at Kent and Medway SAB.