Carers
A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
Why are carers everyone's business?
Many people do not see themselves as family carers. 3 in 5 of us will care for someone in our lifetime.
It can take up to two years for a person to recognise themself as a carer, too often at a point of crisis.
I in 7 of the UK workforce also juggles a caring role. Employers can have a crucial role to offer understanding, recognition, flexible working and even help signpost to support.
And how are you?
Health and social care professionals are key to helping someone recognise when they are providing care. The GP in particular will often be a carer's first point of contact with services.
Just asking 'and how are you?' can make a big difference. Helping someone to recognise they are a carer can be the first step to providing them with the support they need to maintain their health and wellbeing, as well as helping better support someone with needs. The earlier a carer is recognised, the more difference can be made.
Hear what carers have to say
Carers UK and British Gas produced a powerful short film (3.5 minutes) called 'Two Sides of the Story', which highlights the hidden impacts of caring.
In the video below, Sash talks about what it's like to be a carer for her daughter, her husband, and her father, and the responsibilities this brings.
In the video below, Daniel talks about what it's like to be a carer for multiple members of his family, and the support that he found invaluable.
How can I improve my Carers awareness?
The following free E-learning has been developed to improve Carer Awareness https://every-one.org.uk/e-learning/
What support is there for carers in Lincolnshire?
Lincolnshire Carers Service
The Lincolnshire Carers Service supports adult carers, parent carers and young adult carers. Support is delivered in partnership by Lincolnshire County Council's Customer Service Centre Carers Team and Carers First.
Together they offer comprehensive help over the phone, online, in person and by email:
- Information, advice, and guidance for carers
- A friendly and understanding opportunity to talk in detail about the caring role (a carer’s assessment)
- Support for carer conversations with GPs, social care and hospital
- Practical training for the caring role
- Eligibility for benefits and financial support
- Peer support groups and wellbeing activities to meet similar others
- Carers First monthly eNews and “What’s On” guides, with details of groups
- Carer’s Emergency Response Service - a plan that carers are supported to create and which provides detailed instructions for others to follow in an emergency situation
- Helping carers to getting the balance right in their life again
- Young adult carer support – help with health, wellbeing, advocacy, training, further or higher education and early careers
- Support to access a break or help around the home; depending on eligibility this may be funded through a carer’s personal budget
- Access to Carers UK Digital Resources for Carers.
- Support for employment and support for Employers for Carers
- Opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
For more information, to get help or make a referral, contact Lincolnshire County Council's Customer Service Centre Carers Team on 8am -6pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays) on 01522 782224 or email CarersService@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
EveryOne
Local charity EveryOne also supports carers by
- Carer Awareness training and the Carer Quality Award for business, charity sector and Health providers
- Volunteering and co-production opportunities to improve services (currently working on cancer, palliative and end of life care and personalisation)
- Free employer support through Lincolnshire's membership of Employers for Carers
- Carer Champions Network
- Short Breaks Caravan - Skegness
Young Carers Service
Young carers can be a member of any family, from any background, and in any situation. The Lincolnshire Young Carers service helps and supports children and young people up to the age of 18 who are helping to care for someone at home.
The Young Carers Service understands that you may be facing challenges at home, at school or college, in your work, or in your social life.
Young Carers offers a comprehensive service which includes someone who will assess your needs, help you to find good information, and make sure your get the right support. There may also be the chance to join groups and activities with other young carers.
To refer a young carer to the service please call 01522 5533275 or email youngcarers@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
Professional's Corner – what carers and young carers want you to know:
- RiPfA have created Top Tips for Working with Carers for those who work in social care
- Mobilise have created ‘11 Things Carers Like (or Would Like) Their Social Worker To Do
- and ‘Nine Simple Ways Our Hospitals Can Support Unpaid carers’.
- Lincolnshire young carers have created their own Young Carer Top Tips for GPs
- Young Carer awareness raising animations
Lincolnshire County Council
Lincolnshire County Council - Support for Carers:
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/support-carers
Lincolnshire County Council Young Carers:
Young carer support – Support during Covid-19 - Lincolnshire County Council
Carers First
Local information and advice and activities to support carers in their caring role. Contract details available if the carer feels they need to talk to someone.
Connect to Support Lincolnshire
A wide range of information and advice for carers, not only in relation to their caring role but also to support the person they are caring for.
Digital Resource for Carers
The Carers UK Digital Resource for carers brings together a number of topics carers can learn about to support them in their caring role.
- Health and Wellbeing
- Support for caring
- Technology and caring
- Financial planning
- Working and Caring
https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/carers/digital-resource-for-carers/
