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Information, Advice and Support for Unpaid Carers
A simple guide to local carer groups and support services.
Are you a carer?
You may be a carer without realising it.
What is an unpaid carer?
An unpaid carer is someone who provides regular care or support to another person without being paid to do so.
The person you support may be a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who could not always manage without your help because of frailty, illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction or difficulties with everyday life.
You might simply think of what you do as “helping out”. But if someone relies on you for support, you could be an unpaid carer.
You can be a carer at any age
You don't have to be an adult to be a carer. Children and young people aged 5 and over can be unpaid carers too.
You might be a carer if you regularly:
- Help someone wash, dress, eat or get around
- Prepare meals, do shopping or clean their home
- Give medication or help manage appointments
- Take someone to medical or other appointments
- Look after siblings or other family members
- Support someone who is anxious, depressed or experiencing a mental health difficulty
- Look after someone who has dementia, a learning disability or a long-term health condition
- Help someone communicate or make decisions
- Keep an eye on someone to make sure they are safe
- Provide emotional support, reassurance or companionship
- Help someone manage everyday tasks that they cannot easily do alone
- Feel responsible for someone else's wellbeing, even when you are not with them
You don't have to live with the person, provide care every day, or provide personal care for your role to count.
You may not even think of yourself as a “carer”, but if someone relies on you for support, you could be one.
How caring can affect you too
How caring can affect your health, wellbeing and everyday life
Caring for someone you care about can be rewarding and meaningful, but it can also be challenging. When you're focused on supporting someone else, it can be easy to put your own needs to one side.
Your wellbeing
You might feel tired, stressed, worried, overwhelmed, lonely or isolated. You may find sleep difficult or taking control of your own health hard.
Your everyday life
You may have less time for yourself, friends, family or activities you enjoy and find it harder to balance caring with work, education or other responsibilities. You may find that your caring responsibilities increase or change over time. You may begin to experience financial pressure because of the costs of caring or changes to your working hours.
Your health and wellbeing matter too
Looking after yourself matters too
Asking for help does not mean you are letting the person you care for down. Getting the right support can make caring more manageable and help you look after yourself as well as the person you care about. If caring is affecting your health, wellbeing or everyday life, you don't have to manage it alone. There is support available to you.
Why register as a carer with us?
Why tell your GP practice that you are a carer?
If you are an unpaid carer, letting your GP practice know can be an important step in looking after your own health and wellbeing.
Your caring role can affect your physical health, mental wellbeing, sleep, relationships, work and everyday life. Your GP practice needs to know that you are a carer so they can take this into account when supporting you.
Registering can help you:
- Make your caring role known to your GP practice
- Talk about how caring is affecting your health and wellbeing
- Be signposted to local carer support and advice
- Find out about services that may be available to you
- Make sure your own health needs are not overlooked
- Connect with support before caring becomes overwhelming
You don't have to wait until you're struggling to tell your GP that you're a carer.
Registering as a carer does not mean you have to ask for help or take up any services. It simply helps your GP practice understand that you have caring responsibilities.
You spend time supporting someone else. It's important to make time for yourself and look after your own health and wellbeing too.
Take the first step
Let us know that you are a carer
Please complete our short online Carer Registration Form.
Alternatively, you can contact The Wellbeing Team by telephone on 01747 834337
You can request an email or printed copy of the carers pack.
What happens after I register?
Registering with your GP practice is simply a way of letting them know that you provide unpaid care to someone.
You don't need to know exactly what support you need, and you don't have to commit to anything.
1. Your GP practice records that you are a carer
Your practice will record your caring role on your patient record, where appropriate.
This helps make your caring responsibilities visible to the healthcare team.
2. You can talk about your own health
Your caring role can sometimes affect your physical and emotional wellbeing.
You can tell your GP or another member of the practice team if you are experiencing:
- Stress or feeling overwhelmed
- Tiredness or problems sleeping
- Anxiety or low mood
- Physical health problems
- Difficulty managing your caring responsibilities
- Concerns about your ability to continue caring
Your health matters too.
3. You may be offered information or signposting
Your GP practice may be able to tell you about local services and organisations that support unpaid carers.
Depending on your circumstances and where you live, this could include information about:
- Local carer support services
- Support groups and peer networks
- Financial and benefits advice
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- Practical help with your caring role
4. You can ask questions
You don't have to wait for someone to offer support.
You can ask your GP practice:
“I've registered as an unpaid carer. What support is available to me?”
They can help you understand what may be available locally and where to go for further support.
Practical help with your caring role
5. You remain in control
Remember: You Are a Patient Too
Registering as a carer doesn't mean you have to accept support or services.
It simply lets your GP practice know about your caring responsibilities and gives you an opportunity to discuss your own health and wellbeing.
It's easy to put your own needs behind the needs of the person you care for.
But looking after yourself isn't selfish.
Registering as a carer is one small step towards making sure your health and wellbeing are recognised too.
Local carer support services
Carer groups
What are the groups?
Carer groups are an opportunity to meet and talk with others who may be experiencing similar circumstances, thoughts and feelings, in an informal and supportive setting.
Why attend?
- Take a short break from caring.
- Chat and make friends.
- Laugh and/or cry with people who have a shared understanding and experiences.
- Learn something useful
- Get information and discuss ideas.
- Hear from occasional “speakers” on relevant topics to carers – guest speakers are usually invited in response to requests from the carers attending the group.
Who can come?
The groups are for carers only.
Any local unpaid carer is welcome. You do not have to be receiving services or referred by any organisation.
You don’t have to officially join or sign up, you simply need to be looking after someone on an unpaid basis.
1st Wednesday every month
- Location: Gillingham Library
- Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
- Address: Gillingham Library, Chantry Fields SP8 4UA
Access and venue information
Please enter through the double doors facing the garden/patio at the back of the building.
3rd Wednesday every month
- Location: Shaftesbury Library
- Time: 2.00pm to 4.00pm
- Address: Shaftesbury Library, Bell Street SP7 8AE
Access and venue information
Please enter via the main entrance. There is level access inside and out.
Please note
You can arrive when convenient and leave at any point during the session. You do not have to commit to attending every session and there is no need to book.
All sessions are free of charge and complimentary refreshments available.
Want more information or support?
Dorset Carer Service: Help and Care
Support for unpaid carers across Dorset
Help and Carer – Dorset Carer Service provides information, guidance and wellbeing support for unpaid carers.
It is an all-age service supporting young carers from age 5 and adult carers, whether you are new to caring or have been caring for someone for some time.
The service is independent, funded by Dorset Council and delivered by Help & Care in association with MYTIME Young Carers and The Hope Programme.
If the person you care for lives in the Dorset Council area, you can access free information, advice and support from the Dorset Carer Service
What does the Dorset Carer Service offer
Personalised support
A listening ear and tailored guidance from a dedicated Carer Link Worker.
Understanding your rights
Support to help you understand the services and support you may be entitled to as an unpaid carer.
Community and peer support
Connect with local groups and peer networks to help reduce isolation and build connections with other carers.
Health and wellbeing services
Support can include Health and Wellbeing Coaching, the HOPE Programme and specialist counselling
Dorset carer friendly ID card
Registered carers can apply free for a Dorset Carer Friendly ID Card from Forward Carers. The card recognises your caring role and offers access to discounts and offers across Dorset.
Access to wider support
Help and Care can refer or signpost you to other organisations and Dorset Council services, including a Care Act Carer's Assessment.
How to contact and refer to Dorset Carer Service
- Telephone: 0303 303 0153. Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
- Email: carers@helpandcare.org.uk
- Refer to Dorset Carer Service
Help keep caring organised
Planning ahead for emergencies
It can help to have a plan in place in case something unexpected happens.
If you need help now:
- If you are going into hospital and no one can provide care for the person you look after, contact Adult Social Care.
Planning for the future
- Help & Care can help you make a contingency plan. They can also offer advice if you are struggling, including a referral for a Carer Assessment.
- You can create an online What If Plan with Bridgit.
Carer’s Journal
Dorset Council Carers Journal helps you keep important information in one place. It includes space for useful contact and health details, as well as information about the support available in an emergency.
Bridgit: online carer support
Support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Bridgit is an online self-service platform providing information, tools and support for carers.
Bridgit is your online carer support service, delivered in partnership with Dorset Council and Help & Care. Supporting unpaid carers across Dorset, offering practical tools, guidance, and answers whenever you need a bit of help.
Young carers
MYTIME young carers: ages 5 to 25
MYTIME Young Carers is a UK charity based in Dorset, supporting young carers aged 5 to 25.
MYTIME works to ensure young carers are recognised, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.
- View MYTIME Young Carers
- Email: enquiries@mytimeyoungcarers.org
Support for carers in Wiltshire
Carers Together Wiltshire Dorset council carer's journal
If you are an unpaid carer in Wiltshire, Carers Together Wiltshire can provide information, advice and practical support.
Support can include:
- Advice and information about your rights
- A Carer's Assessment to identify your own needs
- Advice about benefits and financial support
- Practical advice to help you in your caring role
- Support with your health and wellbeing
- Information about local carer groups, cafés and opportunities to meet other carers
- Support to help you achieve a better balance between caring responsibilities and your own life
Contact Carers Together Wiltshire
- Telephone: 01380 710300
- Email: enquiries@carerstogetherwiltshire.org.uk
- View Carers Together Wiltshire
National support: UK wide
Carers UK
Information, advice and support for unpaid carers across the UK
NHS: Social Care and Support
Information about social care and support services.
Your carers contacts
Gillingham Medical Practice
- Carers Lead: Millie Bellairs
- Telephone: 01747 834337
- Complete our online contact form
Dorset Carer Service: Help and Care
- Telephone: 0303 303 0153.
- Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm
- Email: carers@helpandcare.org.uk
Dorset Council
- Carers Case Worker: Lynne White
- Telephone: 01747 859120
A note for anyone reading this page
You may have come to this page looking for someone else, a parent, partner, friend, colleague or neighbour.
If someone you know provides regular unpaid support to another person, they may be a carer even if they don't use that word themselves.
Sometimes, simply asking: “How are you doing with everything you do for them?” can open the door to a much-needed conversation.
Providing NHS Services
Peacemarsh Surgery
Marlott Road
Gillingham
Dorset
SP8 4FA
Telephone: 01747 834330
