Many people who support a family member, friend or neighbour don’t think of themselves as carers. They see what they do as simply being a good partner, parent, son, daughter, friend or neighbour.
However, if you regularly provide unpaid support to someone who could not manage without your help because of age, illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction, or frailty, you may be a carer.
You might help with things such as:
- Providing emotional support
- Shopping, cooking or household tasks
- Personal care, washing or dressing
- Managing medications or medical appointments
- Managing finances or paperwork
- Helping someone stay safe and independent
- Supporting someone with a learning disability, mental health condition, dementia, long-term illness or physical disability
If this sounds like you, support may be available.
You’re Not Alone
The 2021 Census identified around 75,000 unpaid carers in Devon, but we believe the real number could be as high as 160,000 with many people providing care and support without recognising themselves as carers. Every day, people across Devon balance caring responsibilities alongside work, education, family life and their own wellbeing.
Recognising yourself as a carer is often the first step towards accessing advice, information and support that can make caring easier.
Register with Caring in Devon
When you register with Caring in Devon, you can access a range of free support designed to help you in your caring role, including:
- Information, advice and guidance
- A Carer Passport to help identify you as an unpaid carer
- An Emergency Plan and Carer Alert Card
- Peer support opportunities and local groups
- Regular newsletters and updates
- Access to wellbeing and preventative services
- Support to understand your rights and available benefits
Carer’s Assessment
A Carer’s Assessment is an opportunity to talk about your caring role and how it affects your life.
The assessment focuses on your wellbeing, what is important to you, and whether there are ways to make caring more manageable. It can help identify practical support, information and services that may help you continue caring whilst maintaining your own health and wellbeing.
For more information, please call our Caring In Devon Helpline, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm on 03456 434 435.
If you need out of hours support and advice, you can speak to one of our Digital Coaches, on 01392 321 596.
Please visit our website at www.caringindevon.org.uk for information and advice.
Young Carers and Parent Carers
Support is also available for:
Children and young people who help care for a family member can access dedicated support designed specifically for young carers.
Parents and guardians caring for a disabled child or young person may be entitled to additional support and a Parent Carer’s Needs Assessment.