How to tell if you're a carer

You’re a carer if you’re looking after someone regularly because they’re ill, elderly or disabled – including family members.

Carers help with:

•      washing, dressing or taking medicines
•      Getting out and about and travelling to doctor’s appointments
•      Shopping, cleaning and laundry
•      Paying bills and organising finances

 They can also give emotional support by:

•     Sitting with someone to keep them company
•     Watching over someone if they can’t be left alone.

Benefits for carers: 

You might not think of yourself as a carer. But you probably are if you’re looking after someone regularly, including your spouse or a family member, because they’re ill or disabled. As a carer, you may be entitled to one or more state benefits to help you with the costs.  

See How to claim Carer's Benefits such as Carer's allowance, carer's credit, carers premium or others benefits. 

See How to claim Disability Living Allowance for children. 

Get a care’s assessment

As a carer, you may be eligible for support from your local council. Before you receive any help from your local council, you need to have a carer’s assessment.

Find out how to get a carer's assessment

Carers Hub and Helpine

Worcestershire Carers Hub is supported by Worcestershire County Council and Hereford and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group. The Hub supports unpaid adult carers across the County and builds on Worcestershire Association of Carers current provision, by providing a one stop shop for carers. 

The services that they provide include:

Carer Pathway Advisors

Health and Social Care Engagement and Community & Partnerships

Carer training

Listening Ear

Carer Talk time

Carer Groups

Contacts: 0300 012 4272 / www.carersworcs.org.uk / mail@carersworcs.org.uk

The helpline is open Monday - Friday 9am - 7pm, Saturday 9am - 12 noon.

Useful links / Information for Carers:

Am I a Carer?

Emergency Planning

End of Life Support

Information for Carers

Carer Training

Mental Health Support

Carer Wellbeing

Carer Support Groups

Carer Representatives

Learning Disabilities

Building Health Partnerships: Self Care Project

Upton Carers Group:

Where?

Upton Surgery

Tunnel Hill

Upton-upon-Severn

WR8 0QL, Worcester

Who’s it for?

Adult, unpaid carers

Description:

The carer groups run by Worcestershire Association of Carers are a chance to: take time out for one’s self; meet with other carers who understand what caring is like; share information; make friends and chat. There are a number of informal, friendly groups for carers in locations throughout the county. Each group is run “by and for” carers so they are free to choose what activities, speakers, information sessions they would like to have, or choose to just meet for a coffee and a chat.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Due to the recent outbreak of Coronavirus, all carer groups are currently cancelled.

Please do not turn up to a carer group run by Worcestershire Association of Carers.

Contact:

03000124272

Email this service: mail@carersworcs.org.uk

Visit this site: http://www.carersworcs.org.uk/carer-support-groups

Caring for someone with dementia

Support for young carers

Find out more from Bullying UK

Childline is a free and confidential telephone helpline for children on 0800 11 11.

You can talk to someone on Childline who may be able to give you advice and get you help. They will not tell anyone that you have called.

KIDS is an organisation specially for carers under the age of 18. It runs regular clubs where you can meet other young carers as well as offering support, advice and information.

Action for Children can put you in touch with other young carers. It also has free places for young carers at its residential activity camps.

If you're worried about your own mental health, you can find support through the children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS). There are services all over the country helping young people with mental health conditions.