Carers

What is a Carer?

If you regularly provide unpaid help to a family member, friend or neighbour on a daily basis, then you are a Carer.

Young Carers care for a family member or friend in an unpaid capacity, enabling them to live more independently.

Are You a Carer?

If you are a Carer, please let us know by speaking to one of our Carers Champions (Debbie at Ancaster and Linda at Caythorpe) who are also part of our reception team.  If the Carers Champion is unavailable, any of our receptionists will be happy to help you. We also have a Practice Care Co-ordinator (Georgia) who is able to help with a variety of issues.

Single Point Carer Support Line – 01522 782224 and the Carers First Website

There is a wealth of information on the NHS website about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• NHS Social care telephone helplines and forums

  Useful resources for both patients and carers

• Help for young carers

  Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you’re a carer is important so they understand and can support you.

• Taking a break

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it’s essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.

• Housing and carers

  Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?

Finance and Law

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers

  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

• Benefits for the person you care for

  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to

• Death and benefits

  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

• Managing someone’s legal affairs

  Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after

• Other benefits

  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

• Tax credits

  Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible