Carers Advice
Are You a Carer?
Caring for someone is an important and valuable role but we recognise that it is a 24 hour a day job which can be very demanding and lonely. We wish to support our carers and encourage you to let us know if you have caring responsibilities by completing the form below.
Carers are often “hidden” looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day to day tasks and may not consider themselves to be a carer. If you provide help and support to a partner, relative, child, friend or even a neighbour who just could not manage without your care, without payment, you are a Carer. Carers can be very young to very old and from all walks of life and cultures, juggling jobs, children, school work and their own health needs and we wish to support each and every carer to access the help they need. This includes helping you access benefits that you may be entitled to, organising respite care or just a listening ear.
If you are a carer, please either ask at Reception for a CARERS IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL FORM or click on the button below to complete one now on line.
Surgery Services and Carer Support
Our Carers Champion is Jo, one of our receptionists. Jo is able to offer advice on the services we offer and also let you know about other local services that may be able to help you. You can contact Kelly on 01582 767821 (Opt 2) or ask for her at the reception desk.
As a Carer, you are entitled to have an annual health check, please book an appointment with Karen, our Healthcare Assistant. We also recommend that you have the flu vaccination each year at the beginning of September. When booking your appointment please mention that you a carer and we will try to find a suitable appointment to fit around your responsibilities.
If you are finding all the forms and choices available to you a little bit too much, please ask online or at the Reception Desk for an appointment with a Social Prescribing Link Worker. Find out more about their role here.
Carer Passport
f you are an unpaid carer and live, work, or the person you support lives in Hertfordshire, you are eligible for a Carers Passport Discount Card.
With over 440 discounts and concessions available with local and national businesses, the Carers’ Passport Discount Card is a fantastic resource for carers providing exclusive savings, services and offers with, amongst others:
LloydsPharmacy (Hertfordshire stores)
Nando’s
Hoseasons Butlin’s
Frankie & Benny’s
Haven Holidays
Paradise Wildlife Park
To apply for your card, visit the Carers in Herts website.
Young Carers
Do you help to look after a member of your family, who is ill or disabled, or who uses drugs or alcohol?
Do you take on responsibility for things that would normally be done by an adult?
If you answered yes to these questions then you probably are a young carer.
Carers in Herts offer practical support and advice to reduce the amount of caring you currently do. Email young.carers@carersinherts.org.uk or visit their website at Carers In Herts: Young Carers
Some young carers have come up with suggestions that might help you cope with your caring role: 10 Tips for Young Carers
Local Services
Carers in Herts is a local charity who provide support, advice and information to Carers. If you wish to register for their services please click on a button above or click here to visit their website or call 01992 586969.
HertsHelp is a free, independent service available to everyone who lives in Hertfordshire. They are funded by Hertfordshire County Council and NHS partners and delivered by local community organisations all sharing the name HertsHelp. To contact them call 0300 123 4044 email info@hertshelp.net or visit their website here.
Carers UK are a national charity providing support and advocacy. Telephone: 020 7378 4999 or visit their website here.
Herts Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Wellbeing Service offers free and confidential talking therapy and practical support for patients experiencing a wide range of mental health problems such as: worry, low mood, insomnia and stress. Visit their website here.
NHS Links
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?
Finance & Law
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
Page created: 10 February 2021