Help for carers (organisations for free advice and support)

Alison Steadman and Sheridan Smith in the brilliant film CARE.

England has millions of unpaid carers, and many are exhausted and stressed, and don’t know who to turn to for help. For a start, make sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to (both for the patient and carers). This in turn can also help you get access to help for other items like free disability equipment (and not pay VAT on things like incontinence pads) and a Blue Badge for parking.

Know that if you were unaware of benefits help for carers, sometimes you can get backdated pay – but you have to ask for it, it won’t be offered automatically. So always ask at the time of application, to ensure you don’t miss out on essential money you are entitled to, for a nicer life for you and your family.

Here are some wonderful organisations that have free helplines if you struggle. They can walk you through the benefits and grants maze, offer emotional and practical support, and in some cases offer regional help.

Also read more info on how to help our carers. The Cinnamon Trust provides dog walking volunteers for older and disabled residents.

• Carers UK has a main helpline for anyone who is struggling. Helplines are available Monday to Friday on working hours including Bank Holidays, covering benefits and financial support, assessments and how to get support and complain.
• Contact is a charity specifically for people caring for disabled children. It offers hour-long phone conservations for those who need advice, along with local hubs (mostly in London at present).
• Carers Trust is at the heart of building a fairer world for carers. Just enter your postcode to find help available in your area. This includes benefits (including Carer’s Allowance) and possible grants.
• The Care Workers’ Charity offers crisis support (sometimes in the forms of grants) plus some free therapy for qualifying areas
• Carers First is a charity founded by carers, for carers. It offers online support plus local services and groups for personalised support in selected areas. Including specialised support for young carers.

Regional organisations to help carers

• Carers Network is a charity for people living in the most isolated and deprived pockets of the City of Westminster, the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea). Helping over 7000 local unpaid carers.
• Caring Together is a regional organisation that provides help to carers in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.