New to a caring role?

If you look after someone, it is important to recognise yourself as an unpaid carer. This can help you get practical, financial, and emotional support. Some of the things you could do are: 

• Contact your GP: Inform your doctor that you are a carer so they can flag your medical records and offer guidance. They could offer you: 

• greater flexibility around managing appointments 

• setting up repeat prescriptions 

• free annual health checks 

• free flu vaccinations. 

• Request a Carer’s Assessment: Contact your local council (e.g., Neath Port Talbot Council or Swansea Council) to request a needs assessment. This evaluates what help you might need to carry on caring. 

• Get a Carers Emergency Card: You can apply for a Carers Emergency Card for free. The card includes your name, a unique ID number and an emergency phone number. If you have an accident or emergency, someone can use the card to contact a person you nominated to continue with the care for your cared for. You can apply through Swansea Carers Centre or NPT Carers Service. 

• Welfare check: You might be able to increase your income by claiming benefits you are entitled to. 

• Know your rights: As unpaid carer you should know your rights to protect your health, access support (via Carers Needs Assessment) or have better work-life balance (unpaid leave for unpaid carers). Find out from your employer about your rights at work, discussed flexible working, and emergency time off to care when you need it.  

• Access Information: Find out more about condition or illness of the person you care for 

• Connect with other carers: There are many organisations and group, which support unpaid carers. Whether it is a coffee morning or an activity aimed at unpaid carers, you can find something for you to reduce isolation and feeling lonely.