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:

www.carersupportcantre.org.uk

Contact Carers Line on: 0117 965 2200

Please let your doctor or a member of the surgery team know that you care for someone.

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

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?

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

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:

Bristol Ageing Better

Carers Support Centre

Oasis Talk