Information for Carers

We recognise the incredible role that unpaid carers play, and we want to ensure you feel supported every step of the way. Caring for someone can be both rewarding and challenging, and you shouldn’t have to do it alone.

This section brings together information and resources to support you with your own wellbeing, because looking after yourself is just as important as the care you give.

Carers UK

"We’re here for unpaid carers with expert information, advice and support"

Carers UK advise you to inform your GP if you are a carer. The website link below contains more information, along with a letter template you can use to inform your GP.

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/your-health-and-wellbeing/talking-to-your-gp

As a large national charity, the Carers UK website contains lots more help and advice which you may also find useful.

https://www.carersuk.org/

Local support for carers

The Improving Lives Together website brings together useful information about support available more locally across the Norfolk and Waveney area:

https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/our-work/healthier-communities/carers-support/

Here you will also find links to some local charities, including:

·       An independent charity which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all carers in Norfolk and Waveney.

Email: info@carersvoice.org

Website: https://www.carersvoice.org/

·        A charity supporting carers of all ages across Norfolk. They provide information and advice, run services in local communities and campaign for improved support for carers.

Website: https://www.caringtogether.org/

·       Support is available for people aged 18+ caring for someone aged 18+ living in Norfolk. They provide a specialist advice line, carers assessments, carers breaks and a Health and Wellbeing fund.

Phone: Free advice line on 0800 083 1148

Email: info@carersmatternorfolk.org.uk

Website: http://carersmatternorfolk.org.uk/

·       A partnership of voluntary sector organisations specialising in supporting carers and young people, aiming for every young carer to be identified and provided with the support, friendship and opportunities that every child deserves. 

Website: www.youngcarersmatternorfolk.org

Phone: Free advice line on 0800 083 1148

You can also follow them on social media: X, Facebook and Instagram.

Helping family carers of all ages across Suffolk get the support they need to live fuller lives. They provide information, advice and support to thousands of family carers each year. They also campaign on issues that affect carers and their families, to ensure their voices are heard.

Phone: 01473 835477

Email: hello@suffolkfamilycarers.org 

Website: www.suffolkfamilycarers.org 

Shaftsbury Icanho provide a free drop-in cafe for people supporting someone with a brain injury or other neurological condition. The cafe provides the opportunity to meet people in similar situations and provides a space for socialising, advice and support.

When: monthly on the third Thursday, from 1pm until 2.30pm

Contact: Alana Page on 01449 774161 or email: enquiries.icanho@shaftesbury.org.uk

Support from health and social care organisations

Norfolk County Council

Adult Social Services can help support you as a carer. The Norfolk County Council website provides more information on Adult Social Services support, such as how to receive a Carers Assessment, and training available for you.

You can also find more information on how Children’s Social Services can help support Young Carers.

Website: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/carers

Phone: 0344 800 8020

Suffolk County Council

Adult Social Services can help support you as a carer. The Suffolk County Council website provides more information on Adult Social Services support, such as how to receive a Carers Assessment, and training available for you.

You can also find more information on how Children’s Social Services can help support Young Carers.

Website: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults

Phone: 0800 917 1109 (Monday to Thursday - 8am to 5:20pm, Friday - 8am to 4:20pm). Outside of these hours, this number will divert to the Emergency Duty Service. They can respond to any matters that cannot wait until the next working day.

Support Initiatives for Carers

A Carers’ Identity Passport has been co-produced with carers and staff to ensure carers are identified and recognised in in-patient healthcare settings. It helps make sure carers can be involved in decisions about the prevention or diagnosis of illness, as well as the care and treatment of the person they support. The passport also enables carers to take part in discharge planning as early as possible, when the person they care for is likely to need ongoing care or support after leaving hospital.

Carers of all ages in Norfolk and Wavey can request a FREE Carers’ Identity Passport. Website:  www.carersvoice.org/carers-identity-passport

If you need support to complete the online form, please call 07932095312.

An emergency plan contains important information about the person you care for. It explains what needs to happen in an emergency if something happens to you. For example, if you are unwell or have an accident and cannot care for the person. Having this plan in place makes it easier and quicker for someone else to support them when you can't.

Once you create an emergency plan, you'll get an emergency carers’ card with a phone number on it. You (or someone else if you can't) can call this number to put your plan into action if something happens.

Norfolk: Contact Norfolk County Council and complete the adult carer emergency plan form here: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/42042

If you need help to complete the form, you can telephone 0344 800 8020.

Suffolk: You can apply for a Family Carer Emergency Plan by completing an application form; visit the Suffolk County Council website here: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/caring-for-someone/family-carers-emergency-plan

Or telephone Suffolk County Council Customer First on 0800 917 1109

It is important for young carers to have an emergency plan in place. Young Carers Matter Norfolk can help support you to do so.

To get help writing your emergency plan, get in touch using the quick enquiry form found at www.youngcarersmatternorfolk.org, or call them on 0800 083 1148 (phoneline is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday and all calls are free).

Condition-specific carer information

Parkinson’s UK is a national charity; their website is full of practical tips and information to help you support someone living with Parkinson’s.

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/information-and-support/supporting-someone-parkinsons

Parkinson’s UK also arrange an Online Carers Group via Zoom for anyone living with, or caring for, someone with advanced Parkinson's. It’s free to join.

When: Second Monday of each month, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

Contact: Sarah Spencer-Bowdage: 0344 225 9849,

sspencer-bowdage@parkinsons.org.uk#

The MS Society is a national charity. Their website includes a section on ‘Support for Family, Friends and Carers’ with lots of helpful, practical advice, as well as links to online support groups which you might find helpful.

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/supporting-someone-with-ms/supporting-family-friends-and-carers

The MS Trust is another national charity. Their website page ‘Supporting Someone with MS’ includes information on carers’ rights, money, benefits and carer grants, plus links to an MS helpline and online support.

https://mstrust.org.uk/information-support/carers-supporting-ms

The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) is a national charity. Their website has a section on ‘Support for Carers’, bringing together information on carer wellbeing, financial support and support available from the MNDA.

https://www.mndassociation.org/support-and-information/for-carers/support-for-carers

The MNDA also organise a monthly carers support group online - a virtual support group with other carers of people living with MND.

When: Last Wednesday of the month at 6.30pm.

To join or for more information:

Email: Charlotte.stanford-gibbs@mndassociation.org or abigail.igbokwe@mndassociation.org

The Stroke Association is a national charity supporting those affected by stroke. Their website section ‘Caring for Someone Close to You After a Stroke’ includes information on practical and financial support. They also offer a stroke support helpline.

https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/support/carers

The Stroke Association organises local support groups including:

Great Yarmouth Stroke Group – providing information and peer support to stroke survivors and their carers; it also offers a wide range of social activities and outings.

When: Thursday afternoons

Where: New Road, Belton

Contact: 01493781846

Lowestoft Stroke Support Group – welcomes stroke survivors, their spouses and carers.

When: Fridays

Where: Hollingsworth Road, Lowestoft

Contact: 07917795453

Online support groups are also available - see website for more details.