Carers’ Information
A family carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.
Young adult carers are young people aged 16-25 who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness or disability, mental health condition or an addiction.
There is a lot of support available to carers as follows:
- Ask for an appointment with your GP or Nurse Practitioner for a carers’ health check. The GP or Nurse Practitioner can refer you onto other agencies if you so wish.
2. Self referral for a Carers’ Assessment via Carers First (provided by Essex County Council)- ring 0300 303 1555
3. Self referral to Action for Family Carers – 0300 7708 090 – this service provides counselling, support, respite care for the person they are caring for, groups/activities, help with education to get back into the workplace.
4. Anyone from the surgery can refer you to the above services with your consent. Just ask at reception.
5. You are entitled to a free flu vaccination as a family carer.
