Carers

Am I a Carer?

An unpaid carer is a person of any age, who provides support, unpaid, to a relative, partner or friend who would struggle without your help. You may be a carer if you help someone with practical tasks, such as grocery shopping or personal care, or the support you provide may be more tailored towards meeting their emotional and social needs or helping them to remember things.

Although using the term ‘carer’ to describe your relationship to the person you help may feel strange, identifying yourself as an unpaid carer can help you to access the support you deserve and are legally entitled to.

The Care Act 2014 gives unpaid carers the right to a needs assessment, with local authorities required to offer support where the eligibility criteria appear to be met. Even without ongoing support needs, identifying as a carer can help you to access additional services, such as: free flu vaccinations from your GP and advice and peer support from your local carers charity. In Brighton & Hove, the Carers Card provides access to a range of discounts for local people with caring responsibilities.

Find out more on The Carers Centre for Brighton and Hove website.