A family carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

If you think you could be regarded as a family carer, please speak to a member of the reception team. The Practice is aiming to identify patients who provide support as outlined above, in order that we can provide our carers with support as well.

Surgery staff will seek to support carers by:  

• ‘Signposting’ to information and local authority resources and contact points,
• Supporting with appointment flexibility where possible,
• Offering carers regular healthchecks and annual flu vaccinations.

They're here to make sure that no mater how complicated your query or your experience you don't have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Action for Family Carers

This is a local charity which supports carers. The charity provides services to support both adult and young carers; this includes provision of respite Day Care. Please call them on 0300 7708090 or visit their website www.affc.org.uk for more information

Supporting carers in Essex Carers First is the commissioned service providing advice and support to adults in Essex who look after a relative or friend. To find out more telephone 0300 303 1555 or email referral@carersfirst.org.uk . 

www.carersfirst.org.uk/Essex

Young Carers

A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family or a friend who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol. The Young Carers Service in Essex offers free personalised support to young carers and their families that will be developed with them around their need for help and the caring they do.  Families or young carers themselves can self-refer by emailing young.carers@essex.gov.uk

There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links to the site that we hope you will find useful.

• Caring for a parent

  Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home

• Telling people

  Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.

• Taking a break

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.

• Housing and carers

  Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers

  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

• Benefits for the person you care for

  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to

• Death and benefits

  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

• Managing someone's legal affairs

  Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after

• Other benefits

  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

• Personal and household finance

  Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers

• Social fund
• Tax credits

  Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible