Support for carers

Support for carers

Do you regularly support an adult, or care for someone with daily tasks, a loved one, or a friend? You may or may not identify yourself as a carer, but the caring you do entitles you to information, advice, and support.

It is really important that when you're caring for someone that you look after yourself too.

This is particularly important at the moment when some people are increasing the amount of unpaid care they provide. 

Caring can be very rewarding, but without the right support, it can have a negative impact on your health, career, finances, and relationships.  We encourage you to contact Carer Support Dorset for support, advice and guidance.

Carer Support Dorset

The Carer Support Dorset is the lead carer organisation for Dorset and gives advice and support to all age, unpaid carers across the county. Carer Support Dorset’s aim is to create carer-friendly communities where carers are recognised, valued, and supported.

You can self-refer to Carer Support Dorset and ask them for advice or support. Contact them via this online form: Referral to Carer Support Dorset

Carer Support Dorset is a central point of contact, whether by phone or through the website. They will be able to signpost or refer to a wide range of existing support available for carers. Once registered with Carer Support Dorset this could include:

• issuing a carers discount card - helping you receive various discounts across the county
• Information and advice about multiple services across Dorset that can support you in your caring role
• access to local carers’ groups - providing an opportunity to compare notes and learn from the experiences of other carers 
• free befriending service -  if you need someone to talk to
• training opportunities - on subjects such as emotional resilience, dementia and much more
• funding streams
• referring to funded services from the local authority through a carers assessment
• keeping you up-to-date with news, what’s on and services available through our newsletters

Carer Support Dorset explain how they can help you with free advice and information

Contact Carer Support Dorset on telephone 0800 368 8349 Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 4:30pm, Friday 9:30am to 4pm or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk

The Leonardo Trust

The Leonardo Trust is an independent charity to help people in Dorset who care for a sick or disabled relative or friend, full-time, at home. The Trust may be able to help you with:

• funds for a short break
• use of carers holiday caravan in Bridport
• help in the home including cleaning and gardening
• replacing a broken washing machine or tumble dryer

Home Alertlines 4 Carers

Leonardo Trust have joined forces with Connected Living to provide a comprehensive Home Alert Line service for carers. We will provide the following to any recognised carer or the person they care for:

Working in partnership with Connected Living we are offering FREE installation and the first TWO MONTHS FREE for Connected Living –  At Home Package.  This will include a monitored Home Alarm and Pendant. Connected Living will undertake an assessment with the customer and Carer during the installation. Further funding may be available from The Leonardo Trust for an extended service, additional equipment or a Keysafe if required.

Application is by agency referral form which can be found on the Leonardo Trust website.

Further Information

Our Dorset Community Directory provides a comprehensive list of Carers Support Groups by area in Dorset.

The Help and Kindness website also provides a list of Carers Support Groups in Dorset.

Training

Carer Support Dorset offers a range of training and helpful workshops to help you with your caring role.  Contact them for the latest information.

The Carers Trust has free online courses about caring for someone with dementia.

The Recovery Education Centre provides free training courses if you are caring for someone with mental health issues. The courses are mainly held out in the community, so you should not have to travel too far to attend.