Volunteer for the carers break service
Being a carer is a demanding task and as a practice we want to ensure that you are receiving all the support that is available to you. If you are a carer it is important to let us know so we can add you to our ‘Carers’ register’. This means that we can offer you a more flexible appointment service if required.
A carer is someone, who provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, disability or addiction. A carer may be an adult, a child or a young person.
A young carer is anyone under 18, whose life is in some way restricted because of the need to take responsibility for the care of someone who is ill, has a disability, is experiencing mental distress or is affected by substance misuse.
A parent carer is a parent of a disabled child providing substantial and regular care beyond what is usually expected for a similarly aged child. When a disabled young person reaches age 19, the parent carer does not stop being a parent, but in legal and policy terms is considered to be the carer of an adult.
Carers will be of all ages and situations; many balance their caring role with work, training and child care; many care for someone who does not live in the same house and may travel some distance e.g. across the city, to care.
Carers Assessment
As a carer, you are entitled to an assessment of your needs. This is done by a social worker or it is often possible to do a self assessment online. It is a gateway to services, support, information and advice.
To arrange for a carers assessment you can contact:
Bristol: 0117 922 2700
South Gloucestershire: 01454 868007
The Carers Emergency Card
For people who care for adults or children who depend on them because of an illness or disability.
The Carers Emergency Card is a free service that provides up to 72 hours of emergency support to the person cared for in the event of an accident or emergency that prevents the carer from looking after their loved one.
Each Carers Emergency Card displays a Personal Identification Number (no other personal information) and The Emergency Communications Team telephone number to call in the event of an emergency.
If the carer is taken seriously ill or has an accident, anyone who finds them can ring The Emergency Communications Team telephone number on the card.
The Emergency Communications Team will call the carer’s nominated contacts; if these contacts are unavailable they will inform health professionals, emergency services r home care, as appropriate.
To apply for a South Glos card (person cared for lives in South Glos) card call The Carers Support Centre CarersLine on 0117 965 2200.
To apply for a Bristol card (person cared for lives in Bristol) call Bristol City Council’s Care Direct on 0117 922 2700.
There is a wide range of support organisations that you can access. A lot of these can be found in your local telephone directory or the internet.
Alternatively you can contact the main organisations below who can direct you to the most appropriate information to help you understand benefits, carer assessments, support for young carers and other services available for carers.
The Carers Support Centre
http://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk
Carers Line: 0117 965 2200 (opening times are 10am–1pm Mon–Sat)
Bristol and South Glos Young Carers
www.bristolyoungcarers.co.uk
http://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk
Carers Line: 0117 965 2200 (opening times are 10am–1pm Mon–Sat)
Well Aware
Local health and wellbeing information
www.wellaware.org.uk
Carers UK
www.carersuk.org
Carers Direct
www.nhs.uk/carersdirect
Tel: 0808 802 02 02
Carers in employment
The 2006 Work and Families act gives carers the right to request flexible working hours and employers must give the request serious consideration. In addition, carers have a right to emergency leave to care for the person dependent on them. For further information and advice, contact: http://www.carers.org/help-directory/carers–and–employment