Information for carers
Carers in Bedfordshire Support for carers Useful contacts Young carers
Are you a carer?
Carers are people who spend a significant proportion of their life providing unpaid support to relatives, friends or neighbours who are ill, frail, disabled or who have mental health or substance misuse problems.
Carers are also parent carers, elderly people and young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness.
Anyone can become a carer at any age and stage of their life. Carers often have to juggle their caring responsibilities with work/education, family, friends and everyday life. This can sometimes prove difficult and as a result the health and well being of the carer can suffer.
NHS Bedfordshire recognises and values the work done by informal carers. If you are a carer we want you to know about the advice and support that's available for you. Your health and well being is important and so is having a life outside your caring role. Please use the links at the top of this page to find out what support is available to help you carry out your caring role.Facts and figures
There are almost six million carers in the UK. This equates to one in ten people. By 2018 the number of people caring will have increased to 13 million. Currently:
- Carers save the government (United Kingdom) at least £112 billion a year. That’s more than the entire budget spent on the NHS
- 1 in 5 carers spend over 50 hours a week caring for someone
- 175,000 carers are children caring for someone. This figure is under represented and is likely to be much higher
- 1 in 4 of the UK’s carers are supporting someone with a mental health problem
- 1 in 9 of the UK’s carers are looking after someone with dementia
- 70% of carers look after someone who is 65 years or over
- 3 million people combine work with caring responsibilities – 1 in 8 UK workers
- There are approximately 25,210 carers in Central Bedfordshire and 15,600 in the Bedford Borough area.
Did you know?
As a carer you have a legal right to ask for a carer’s assessment from your local authority.
This will explore the impact of your caring role on your:
- Physical health
- Emotional wellbeing
- Work and social life
- Training and educational aspirations.
The assessment will help to establish:
- What your needs are
- Whether you are eligible to receive carers services
- What services could help you as a carer
- Which voluntary organisations or charities could help you.
To request a carer’s assessment please contact your local authority:
Bedford Borough Council
01234 267422
care@bedford.gov.uk
www.bedford.gov.uk
Central Bedfordshire Council
0300 300 8036
carers@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Carers in Bedfordshire Support for carers Useful contacts Young carers
Carers Direct
We're working in partnership with NHS Choices: Carers Direct to bring you information and guidance about being a carer, including how to access the support you need in this vital role. View this resource.