Community
Carers
Information, support and guidance for people who support someone who can’t carry out everyday tasks by themselves.
Who is a carer?
A carer can be a child, a young person or an adult.
They might be looking after a family member, partner or friend who cannot cope without their support. This could be due to illness, a long-term condition, frailty, a physical or learning disability, mental health, trauma or addiction.
Start the conversation
People in a caring role may not identify as a carer or recognise the term carer.
Below are some conversation prompts you could use to help people reflect on if they are in a caring role, how that may be impacting them and what information may be of use to them.
- Do you currently look after someone that could not cope without your help?
- Do you pick up prescriptions for someone else?
- Are you doing shopping for another person?
- How are you? (not the person you care for but you)
- Are you unable to spend time doing other things because you are supporting someone else?
- Are you willing and able to continue caring?
- Do you currently receive any support from other people or organisations?
- Do you get a break from your caring role?
- What impact is your caring role having on you?
- Have you spoken to anyone about this?
- Would you like to know more about support that is available?
Once you have started the conversation with a carer using these prompts, you can then signpost them to support available and more information.
Support available to carers in Essex
Contact Essex Wellbeing Service:
- Call 0300 303 9988
- Visit the Essex Wellbeing Service website
Contact Essex County Council: