Skip to main content

I Care For Someone Else

Help and support for unpaid carers 

Do you look after someone who would struggle to cope without your support? Is the care unpaid? If this sounds like you, you may be a carer.

If someone relies on you regularly to provide unpaid care or support (this could be your partner, family member or friend) who, due to being elderly or frail, illness, disability, a mental health problem or addiction, cannot cope without your support, you are a carer.

You are a carer if you care for an adult or a disabled child (e.g. parent / guardian or sibling).

You can access services to support you as a carer, and services may also be provided or arranged for the person you care for, with their consent, to help you in your caring role.

Support for you as a carer

There are services available to support unpaid carers of all ages living in Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire:

Carers Hub Service primarily supports adult carers (aged 18+). When young carers (age under 18) contact the Service a referral will be made to Young Carers Notts for tailored support.

Young Carers Notts supports young carers (age 5-17)

As a carer you have a right to an assessment / identification of your needs, your carers support service can assess your needs, and put in place a support plan.

They can also offer you information, advice, and guidance, 1:1 support and group support and activities.

For more information on what the services can do for you, and how to access them, click on the sections below.

Carers Hub Service (CHS)

Carers Hub Service Contact Details

Are you an adult? (age 18+) Do you look after someone (adult or child) who would struggle to cope without your support? If this sounds like you, you may be a carer.

Service overview

Carers Federation, Carers Hub Service (CHS) is a free and confidential service that supports unpaid Carers living in Nottingham City or Nottinghamshire.

CHS provides a support service for unpaid carers by giving them an opportunity to meet other carers through support groups, helping them to reduce isolation and loneliness and to access the help and support they need.

Best of all, the Nottingham/ Nottinghamshire Carers Hub encourages carers to have a say in what types of support they would like (or dislike!) to ensure the service provides them with exactly what they need.

With CHS you can…

  • Meet other carers in-and-around Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
  • Take a break from your caring role
  • Receive advice and information.
  • Sign posting to other specialist services
  • Be assigned a dedicated support worker
  • Access to one number and online chat if required.
  • Access to WhatsApp/ text messaging
  • Support with carers assessments
  • Support with accessing respite
  • Take part in reshaping the service in line with the local and national carers strategy

Professionals working with carers

The Carers Hub Service also works in partnership with organisations and individuals who may already be working with carers to support them to increase identification of carers and promote the support available to them.

The aim of the service is to improve carers quality of life, including their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

Partners include:

  • Education and training providers, employers
  • GPs and pharmacies
  • Health professionals
  • Social services
  • Third sector organisations

The service is funded by Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council in partnership with NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Young Carers Notts

Contact Young Carers Notts (carers aged 5-17)

Are you a young person aged 5-17? Do you look after someone (adult or child) who would struggle to cope without your support? If this sounds like you, you may be a young carer.

Service Overview

Practical help and advice for young carers

Young Carers Notts is a free and confidential service that supports unpaid young carers aged 5-17 who live in Nottinghamshire and the City of Nottingham to take a break and get practical advice and information about caring.

The service offers young carers a one-stop-shop for young carers to join group sessions, access short breaks, socialise with other young carers, take part in fun activities, and access advice support to help them in their care role.

Young Carers Notts offer:

  • Carers assessments
  • Access to young carers ID cards
  • Contingency planning and support
  • Group based peer support
  • Activities and social events
  • Outreach and drop-in sessions

Professionals working with young people

Young Carers Notts also works in partnership with organisations and individuals who may already be working with young people who are carers to support them to increase identification of young carers and promote the support available to them.

The aim of the service is to improve young carers quality of life, including their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.

Partners include:

  • Schools and colleges
  • Education providers and youth services
  • GPs and pharmacies
  • Health professionals
  • Social services
  • Third sector organisations

Young Carers Notts is run in partnership with Nottinghamshire Carers Association. The service is funded by Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council in partnership with NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Breaks From Caring for Carers of Adults

Respite care can give the person you care for the chance to enjoy new experiences and to talk to somebody new. In turn, this means carers receive a break from caring and time to recharge their batteries.

Respite care through the Carers Respite service (Tu Vida)

Do you live in Nottingham City or registered with a City GP? You may be eligible for up to 100 free hours of respite within a 12 month period.

The Carers Respite Service delivered by Tu Vida can provide an experienced care worker to offer replacement care and support and positive social interaction and engagement for the person you care within their own home or their local community (e.g. walk to the park, shops or their pre-existing activity) and can be used for:

  • Planned short breaks eg; a few hours away from the home to re-charge your batteries, shopping, visit a friend, go for a walk, have a lie down, attend an appointment, wedding or funeral
  • Emergency cover eg: someone to provide care and support if you have a short term illness or need ongoing treatment
  • Provide engaging social activities for the cared for
  • Available 7 days a week including bank holidays
  • Night sits (subject to availability)

For more information on accessing the Carers Respite service please Contact Carers Federation Carers Hub Service (CHS)

You will be able to speak with an experienced support worker Mon to Fri 9.00am-5.00pm who will talk to you to assess you and your and cared-for person’s needs. If you are eligible, they will refer you into the Carers Respite service provided by Tu Vida.

Breaks From Caring for Carers of Children

Breaks for carers of disabled children

Carers of disabled children can apply to access replacement care and whole family support through the pathways for Short Breaks for Disabled Children / The Whole Life Disability service dependent on the level of need of the child.  

See information here Short Breaks for Parents/Carers of disabled children.

 

What Does It Cost?

The Carers Hub, Carers Respite and Young Carers service are funded by Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham City Council in partnership with NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and are free to you, to support you as a carer.

The person you care for may still be charged for any support provided directly to them.

Where Else Can I Get Help Locally?

The Carers Federation can provide you with information on other groups or services you could go to for advice on specific conditions. Or you could also look at -

  • ASKLiON Are You A Carer? - Local groups and information sessions to help you as a carer
  • ASKLiON Mental Health Page -Find free & local support with mental health issues
  • ASKLiON Dementia Support Page - Find support, information & dementia friendly activities in your local area
  • Carers Council - Allies in Adult Mental Health - support for carers of adults with a mental health condition. Contact Geoff Curtis, telephone 0115 9631916, email geoffcurtis@ymail.com
  • Rainbow Parents Carers Forum – support for parents who care for a disabled child. Website: http://www.rainbowpcf.org.uk/ or call: 0115 934 8451
  • Link to local groups and services on the ASKLiON directory of local information, advice and support available to help you and the person you care for
  • Learning Disability Carers' Forum - support for carers of someone with a learning disability, ensuring carers’ voices are heard. Call: 0115 852 8000
  • Age UK - services for older people. Website www.ageuk.org.uk/notts or call: 0115 844 0011
  • Nottinghamshire NHS Foundation Trust – community and mental health services. Website www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/home or call: 0115 969 1300
  • Nottingham Mencap - support for people with a learning disability, and their families. Website www.nottinghammencap.org.uk or call: 0115 920 9524

Where Can I Get Help Nationally?

Mental Capacity Act

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over.

For information on the Mental Capacity Act please visit the NHS Choices website at http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/Pages/mental-capacity.aspx

Or the Social Institute for Excellence (SCIE) website at http://www.scie.org.uk/mca/introduction/mental-capacity-act-2005-at-a-glance

Carer's Allowance

A carer’s allowance is a benefit you may be eligible for if you spend time caring for someone.

For information about the Carer’s Allowance please visit the Gov.UK website at https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim

Back to top  Back to topBack to topBack to top Help