The definition of a carer
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

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Becoming a carer can be a gradual process with some people not recognising the changing nature of their relationship with the person they support. Carers may prefer to continue identifying primarily as a husband, wife, partner, sibling, parent, child, or friend, rather than as a Carer and that’s ok.

 

While being a carer doesn’t define you, it may mean you have some important legal rights. This can include some types of financial support, other practical help, and rights in the workplace.

 

​The role of a carer might include (but is not limited to) the following

• Practical Care: Support with cooking, housework, and shopping

• Health Care: Support with managing illness or a condition, or helping to administer medication

• Physical Care: Support with lifting, assisting, and helping when moving around

• Emotional Care: Support by listening, offering moral support, or simply providing company

• Personal Care: Support with dressing, washing, and toileting

• Financial Care: Support with any financial affairs

• Communication Care: Support for a communication problem or by offering a translation

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We welcome all carers at whatever stage of their caring role

Carers often become engulfed by competing demands on their time, and may overlook their own needs. Raising awareness about the 'range of caring roles' encourages people to seek help at an early stage and before their situation becomes a crisis.