Information for Carers
Are You a Carer?
A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.
Many carers don’t see themselves as carers and it takes them an average of two years to acknowledge their role as a carer. It can be difficult for carers to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person for whom they care.
It’s likely that every one of us will have caring responsibilities at some time in our lives and have to cope with the accompanying challenges.
As a carer, you may be juggling work, studying and other commitments.
There is a lot information on NHS UK about carers and caring. You can find further information below:
- Benefits for carers
- Carers assessment
- Help from social service and charities
- Taking a break
- Help for young carers
Contact Carers Direct
Telephone: 0808 802 0202
Email: CarersDirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk
Office Hours: Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.
Local Support for Carers and their Families
Social Prescribers
Social prescribing - sometimes referred to as community referral – is a means of enabling GPs , nurses and other health and care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. Please speak to reception or a member of our health care team if you would like to be referred. Alternatively you can contact them directly at CONNECT for Health on 01394 332 265 or C4h.suffolk@nhs.net.
- The Worry Tree Cafe, (27 College Road, Framlingham IP13 9EJ) or call 01728 440511
- Suffolk County Council Social Services (Customer First) or telephone 0808 800 4005
- Suffolk County Council Carers Webpage
- Suffolk Family Carers or call 01473 835477
- Suffolk Carers Webpage
- Leiston, Saxmundham and District Citizens Advice Bureau
- Suffolk Carers Card
- The Children’s Society provides guidance and support for young carers.
Support if you are caring for someone with dementia
Financial Support
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
- Personal and household finance
Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
- Paying for care
- Useful telephone numbers
