Carers Advice
What is a Carer?
A Carer is someone who provides support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, a partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse. It includes young people who may be caring at home.
We would like to encourage all carers to register with the GP surgery. Carers often neglect their own health as they are looking after someone else. By keeping a carer fit and well, we can support them to look after the cared for person in the best way and also look after their own physical and emotional wellbeing.
If you are a carer please contact the practice and ask to be put on the surgery carers register. You will be given a carers pack with information about support services and how the practice can help you. In most cases we can then:
- Offer a free flu vaccination
- Arrange flexible appointment times to meet the carers needs
- Share information about the person you care for to help in their caring role
- Let you know about other organisations that can help
Bristol & South Gloucestershire Carers Support Centre Website:
Contact Carers Line on: 0117 965 2200
Please let your doctor or a member of the surgery team know that you care for someone.
Are You a Carer?
If you are please let us know via the online form opposite – we may be able to help you.
Carers UK
They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.
Telephone: 020 7378 4999
Website: www.carersuk.org
Register a Carer
NHS Links
There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into 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?
Finance and Law
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
Are you over 50? Would you like to talk to someone?
Up to six sessions of free counselling available to people living in Bristol
Oasis-Talk has teamed up with Carers Support Centre to offer a free talking therapy service. All counsellors are registered and qualified.
Fridays - Knowle West Media Centre Leinster Avenue, Bristol BS4 1NL
Telephone counselling for Carers is also available at a time to suit you
Contact: For more information, or to make a referral, please contact Zuleika Gregory at Oasis-Talk
Tel: 0117 927 7577 Email: zuleika.gregory@oasis-talk.org
Funded By: