Anyone can become a carer and carers come from all walks of life, and can be any age. Many feel that they're doing what anyone would do in the same situation.
Are you a carer?
You're a carer if you provide unpaid support with daily living tasks or personal care to a family member or friend. There are nearly 5 million unpaid carers in the UK.
Those you care for could have a physical or mental health condition, a learning disability or autism, or a dependency on drugs or alcohol.
Often carers care for more than one person and there may be family situations where, for example, a couple mutually care for each other and there is no main carer.
Derbyshire Carers Association
Derbyshire Carers Association provide support to unpaid carers in Derbyshire on behalf of health and social care. They can offer information and advice, carry out carer assessments and support planning, and offer peer support and social activities for carers across the county.
You can call them on tel: 01773 833833 for help and advice.
Carer assessments
A carer assessment will help to identify the help and support you need, and is your opportunity to tell us about the things that could make caring easier for you.
If you meet the eligibility criteria you may be provided with information and services to support you in your caring role. This could be information about training courses, support groups or services to get a break from caring.
Carer personal budgets and carers breaks
If you need a carer assessment, you may be assessed as eligible for a carer personal budget.
This is money to support you in your caring role and help you to take a break from caring, or make things easier for you. It's not means tested and you will identify how best to spend this.
Find out if you're eligible for a carer personal budget.
Carers UK also has general information about taking a break from caring.
Emergencies
We have information on preparing for an emergency and you can also apply for a carer's emergency card.
Making a complaint
Carers UK have a lot of useful information if you need to make a complaint about a care service.
Keeping adults safe
Abuse occurs when a vulnerable adult is mistreated, neglected or harmed by another person and the abuse can be an accidental or deliberate act and take many forms.
Safeguarding is the process we use to help protect a person's right to live free from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation. We will investigate suspected abuse of a vulnerable person and take action to keep the person safe. If you suspect abuse contact:
Mobilise - online support for unpaid carers
Mobilise are an online service providing help and support for unpaid carers in Derbyshire aiming to make the lives of family carers easier, less lonely and less frustrating.
They provide a range of free online support, complementing the services provided by Derbyshire Carers Association. This includes information and advice and the chance to connect with other carers.
If you'd prefer to talk about your caring role in private, Mobilise can provide you with individual support from a member of their support team and this can be over the phone or via a video call, any time from 8am to 10pm, 7-days a week.
Activities, events and training
Find out about the latest activities, events and training courses available for carers provided by Derbyshire Carers Association.