Carers

Young Carers

A young carer is someone aged 18 and under who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. Older young carers are also known as young adult carers and are 16-25 years old.

Whilst many young carers are hidden, they may display signs in school or college that indicate they need support. This could include regular lateness and or low attendance, tiredness and or low attention span or a change in behaviour, becoming aggressive or angry, withdrawn, or quieter than usual. Always considering if someone is a young carer is a good starting point.

 

Family Carers

A Family Carer is someone, who, without payment, 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, addiction or disability.

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

How are you coping currently by being a carer?

Is there any external support you would need to support you in your role as a carer?

Do you find you have enough time for yourself, among your other responsibilities?

Do you have any contact with friends, family or support services to discuss any difficulties you may been going through?

How much sleep do you currently get, on average?

Are there moments where you feel angry towards the person you are supporting and in turn feel guilty because of it?

 

Assist

Depression

Depression is a treatable condition that has often been found amongst carers. If you suffer from a loss of appetite, poor sleep, low mood, hopelessness or lack of enjoyment, you must speak to your GP. This is particularly important if the depression leads to thoughts of death and self-harm.

Treatment can be effective in bringing relief from these unpleasant symptoms and feelings. There are specific support / therapeutic groups for carers. These groups offer a chance to share experiences and gain some emotional support from other people in a similar role / situation. Individual therapy is available for carers to support them through this journey. This support could be accessed through Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT). You can self-refer or ask your GP to make a referral. If you are caring for someone with memory problems, the Memory Service can also offer some support to carers. Medication may also be an option in dealing with depressive feelings.

How do you cope with depression? 
You may find that you withdraw from friends and family and reduce your usual daily activities. It is important to keep yourself active. Try to do one small enjoyable activity a day. 

Anger

Carers may feel angry about many aspects of their situation - the unfairness, the responsibilities and the change in lifestyle. Anger is more likely to appear when you are tired, alone or unwell. The experience can reawaken strong feelings that have their roots in memories buried in the past.

Being a carer can sometimes be a very stressful role. It may not be possible for one person to do it all.

How do you cope with anger?
If it is safe to do so take yourself out of the situation for a period. Why not treat yourself to a regular break? Call a friend or relative who understands - ask them to come and be with you or give you a break. Think about what it is that makes you angry. Writing it all down can be as helpful as having someone to talk to.

Guilt

Being angry with the person you are looking after can make carers feel guilty. You think that you should be able to cope and never get angry with someone who cannot help what they do. 

Some people become carers out of a sense of duty. They may feel guilty because they don’t get any pleasure from their role. Others may have grown to resent the person they are caring for because of their behaviour and the demands that they make. For some, the negative feelings are not new but arise out of a relationship that has been difficult in the past.

Depression, anger and guilt can be very draining – they can take away the humour, erode the enjoyment and make caring much more stressful. Sharing these feelings with other carers can bring some relief as you discover that you are not alone.

Isolation

Caring for someone can lead to isolation. Your lifestyle, including social contacts, can get lost.  

You may want to share information about the condition of the person you are caring for with your family and friends to help them understand. For example, directing them to resources online. It is important that you talk with people close to you about the challenges you face. Share the positives with people too. Joining a network of people in a caring role can be supportive as they can understand some of the struggles you face.

Getting a break

Carers need time for themselves. Sometimes this can be arranged through day care or respite. Alternatively a ‘sitter’, relative or friend may be able to take over the care for a short while.

Use the time to look after yourself. Why not take up one of your hobbies again, or visit family and friends whose company you enjoy. Take a walk in the garden, make a cup of tea and have five minutes to yourself. Carers’ groups can provide helpful information as well as the opportunity to make new friends who share and understand your situation. Details of local caring organisations are listed below under Local Support. 

Act

National Support

Carers Trust

Carers Trust works to transform the lives of unpaid carers.

It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness and influence policy.​ Carers Trust’s vision is that unpaid carers are heard and valued, with access to support, advice and resources to enable them to live fulfilled lives.

On the website you will find a search tab to look up any local support services in your local area

Website: Homepage - Carers Trust

NHS - Support and Benefits for Carers

Includes carer's assessments, support from local councils, respite care and help for young carers.

Carer's asssessments

See if you can get support from your council, such as extra money or a break from caring.

Carers' breaks and respite care

How you can take a break from caring for someone else.

Benefits for carers

Financial support for people who care for others.

Help for young carers

If you are aged 13-19 and you care for someone else there are people who can support you.

Being a young carer: your rights

If you are 18 or under and you care for someone you are entitled to help and support.

Carers UK

Looking after someone can be tough, but you’re not on your own. Carers UK is here to listen, to give you expert information and advice that’s tailored to your situation, to champion your rights and support you in finding new ways to manage at home, at work, or wherever you are.

We give expert advice, information and support.

Caring can be extremely complicated. The maze of rights and entitlements can be complicated. Filling in paperwork can be complicated. Getting a break can be complicated. Our feelings about caring can certainly be complicated.

We're here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don't have to care alone. 

Our expert telephone advice and support service is here if you want to talk about caring. If you're looking for answers, our online information and support is the best place to start.

We connect carers so no-one has to care alone.

Every day 6,000 people become carers. It can be bewildering if you don't know where to turn for help and support.

Through our carers' groups and volunteers we're reaching out in local communities throughout the UK and online.

If you're new to caring, we want to make sure you get the right support from the start.

Website: Home - Carers UK

Local Support and Contact Details