Carers

Are you a carer? Are you looking after someone in your family, a friend or neighbour who is elderly, ill or disabled? If you answered yes, then you are a carer.

Carers provide regular and substantial unpaid help to someone who is frail or disabled, or mentally or physically ill, and who cannot manage without support. Carers can be of any age or gender. Many people who look after family members or friends are happy to do so, but sometimes they need help and support to continue providing care.

	First 10 steps to getting support >> Recognising yourself as a carer is the first step, following these ten step can help you on your way to getting the support and information you need.
	Looking after yourself >> Caring can be rewarding but it can also be very tiring, placing demands on your physical and emotional energy. Here you will find some simple tips and ideas to help you maintain your own health & wellbeing.
	Carers assessments >> A carer's assessment is your opportunity to tell us about your situation. You can tell us what you do, how caring affects you and what help you would like.
	Carers emergency cards >> If you are someone's carer the carer's emergency card will enable people to quickly identify you as a carer in an emergency.
	Carers - preparing for emergencies >> If you are caring for a family member or friend you may worry about what to do if certain urgent situations arise. You may wish to prepare an emergency plan.
	Carers events >> There are a number of events that take place throughout the year for Caerphilly carers.
	Carers newsletter >> Find the latest edition of Carers News, our NEW newsletter for carers.
	Carers Strategies (Wales) Measure 2010 >> This Measure, implemented earlier this year (2011) places a legislative duty upon local authorities and the NHS to produce a joint strategy for carers.
	Carers support groups >> There are adult and young carer support groups throughout the county borough. The groups provide individual support and advice and will enable you to form self-help groups, if needed.
	Local organisations that support carers>> Information and contact details of organisations offering support to carers.
	Carers training >> Caerphilly County Borough Council's Learning and Development Team provide a wide range of training courses free of charge to service users, and carers.
	Having a break from caring A variety of options are available for carers to have a break from their caring role, whether it's for an hour, a day or maybe something longer.
	When caring ends >> The end of your caring responsibilities can be a very difficult and distressing time. It is important to realise that you are not alone, help and support is available.
	Work focused support for carers >> Work Focused Support for Carers (WFSC) is a voluntary scheme designed to help people who wish to combine paid work with their role of caring for someone.
	Young carers >> By 'young carer' we mean carers who are under the age of 18. The person they look after can often be a parent, but they can also be a brother or sister, grandparent or other relative.
	Balancing work and caring responsibilities >> Advice for carers on how to balance work and your caring role, your rights in the work place, how to get back into employment and useful information for employers.