Carers are people who, without payment, provide help and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who cannot manage on their own due to physical or mental illness, disability, substance misuse or frailty brought on by old age.
Caring roles can include administering medication, lifting and handling, personal or emotional care. Carers should not be confused with paid care workers, care assistants or with volunteer care workers.
A “Young Carer” is defined as being below 18, who carries out significant caring tasks and by so doing, shoulders a level of responsibility for another person which is inappropriate for their age. This situation often arises when parents who have long term conditions are not offered appropriate help and support, although it is a fact that most children of disabled or sick parents do not have to take on such responsible caring roles.
There is a wealth of information available on the NHS website about being a carer and caring
Attached below are links to the NHS web-page about carer support, and also a link to the more local Royal Borough of Greenwich carer resources
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/
https://www.royalgreenwich.
Get expert benefits advice, plus help filling in claim forms, from:
- Carers UK helpline on 0808 808 777
- Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053
- Age UK on freephone 0800 169 6565
- Citizens Advice on 03444 111 444
- Gingerbread (for single parents) on 0808 802 0925
- Family Rights Group on freephone 0808 801 0366
