Support for carers
Carers are the main support line for many people, they may be a friend or relative who regularly help, looks after or supports someone over the age of 18 who wouldn’t be able to manage everyday life without their help.
Carers under the age of 18 are sometimes called ‘Young Carers’.
Who you may be looking after
You may be caring for a partner, relative, friend or neighbour. For example, it may be someone who:
- has a physical or learning disability
- has a mental health condition
- is living with dementia
- has sight, hearing or communication difficulties
- has a long-term health condition
- misuses drugs or alcohol
A carer doesn’t have to be living with the person they care for, and the help they give doesn’t have to be physical.
Things you may help do
You may be helping with:
- shopping, personal finances
- paperwork and administration
- transportation
- personal care, such as washing and dressing
- going to the toilet or dealing with incontinence
- eating or taking medicines
- getting about at home or outside
- practical things, like companionship
- counselling, emotional support or communicating
- attending appointments
Services for carers
Find out what help is available for carers and people who look after someone.
Financial aid is also available to carers. You can get £67.60 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
- You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
- You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
- If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
Find out more about financial aid.
Emotional support for carers
Looking after a friend or loved one can sometimes being extremely challenging leaving you feeling alone, angry or upset. This is perfectly natural.
Southend carers help carers and people who look after someone. They are your first point of contact for information, advice and guidance. They can offer emotional as well as practical support.
You can fill in your details on the online form and someone from their team will aim to contact you within 5 working days.
Southend Carers Hub
If you are an adult over 18, you could be one of the 1 in 8 adults currently providing unpaid care and support to an elderly, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend.
Many carers understandably see their relationship with the person they care for as a partner, sibling, parent, child, friend, neighbour not as a carer. Caring for someone is seen as just part of everyday life.
To register as a Carer, visit their registration page.
The services they provide are free to carers;
Southend Carers provides a specialist carers one-stop-shop support hub, offering a range of services which includes:
- Expert advice, information, benefits guidance & advocacy
- Social activities for Young Carers aged 5 to 17
- Training, guidance and support for Young Adult Carers aged 14 to 25
- Family Carer Support for parents of children with additional needs
- Emotional support and counselling
- Peer support, social & practical activities for Adults & Old Adult Carers
- Respite services, End of Life support & contingency planning to help carers take a break, as well as prepare for the unexpected
Telephone: 01702 393933
Website: www.southendcarers.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/southend.carers
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/southendcarers
If you are a carer and wish to register with Southend Carers, please complete their registration form.
If you are a professional wishing to make a referral, please complete the short referral form. Please note: Carer consent is required.
Find out more from Southend carers.
Southend carers support
Southend Borough council offer a number of localised services aimed at providing help and services for those caring for a friend or loved one.
You can find out more by visiting Southend-on-Sea Borough Council website.
