What is a carer?

Carers provide regular, unpaid help to someone close to them due to frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

Carers may help with personal care (washing, bathing, dressing, feeding), medication, cooking, shopping, housework and giving emotional support.

Many carers do not recognise themselves as carers.  Carers can be any age.  They are parents, grandparents, children, partners, friends or neighbours doing what needs to be done to maintain the quality of life for someone close to them.  They may not realise that support is available to help them.

You can try our carer awareness online training courses if you would like to know more about recognising carers.