What does it mean to be a carer?
What is a carer?
A carer is anyone who cares for a family member or friend who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. The care they provide is unpaid.
Family, friends & carers handbook
We have published a handbook for anyone who cares for or supports someone receiving care and treatment from our adult and older adult mental health services.
Why use the term?
As a first step it is important that you recognise that you are a carer. Even though you will see yourself as a wife, husband, son, daughter, mother or father, you are still caring for someone.
Why it matters
By recognising you have a caring role, it can open up the doors to information, support and advice that can help. Caring for someone can affect your own health and wellbeing so getting help early is important.
We’re here to help
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Information sharing
Sharing information between all those involved in a person’s care and support can be extremely helpful to health professionals, carers and the cared for.
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Support for carers
There is a lot of support available for carers both locally and nationally. We have pulled together a variety of useful resources you can access.
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Getting involved
We are committed to involving patients, families and carers in the continual improvement of the quality of the services we provide.
