Carer FAQs

Being a carer can often affect your health so it’s a good idea to inform your GP that you are a carer. You can let the reception staff at your surgery know that you are a carer and ask if this could be registered on your medical record. You may wish to enquire if they have any carer’s support services for you to make use of.

Wheelchair assessments can be accessed through the health professionals involved with the person you care for – their GP, district nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist.

Wheelchairs and other mobility equipment are also available for hire through the British Red Cross.

Carers now have more statutory rights at work that help them manage their caring and employment needs. Employers may also be able to offer additional flexibility through their own policies and procedures to help you cope with the pressures of work and care.

Carers UK has information on your rights as a working carer. Employers for Carers, run by Carers UK, has further information for employers to consider.

Carers may be entitled to a Carers Allowance and could also be entitled to other benefits from the government too. The benefits system is complicated. Claiming can be difficult and time-consuming. If you are not sure whether you can claim, or need advice and support to claim benefits you can get support from the following organisations:

• East Sussex Welfare Benefits project (for people living within the Hastings and Rother Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area or the Eastbourne, Hailsham and Seaford CCG area) 0333 344 0681 / benefitseastsussex@harcuk.com
• Lewes Citizens Advice Bureau (for people living within the High Weald, Lewes and Havens CCG area) 03444 111 444 / info@harcuk.com

If you are unsure about which CCG area you live within, you can either use this map or the accompanying postcode search to check which is your CCG, or contact our Carers Hub for support to access the right service for you.

Several organisations offer professional respite services or special holidays to enhance carers’ quality of life by providing support, enabling you to attend appointments, or take a short but well-earned break.

• Set up the Flexi-TeleCheck service to get short-term remote support.
• If you are taken unwell, activate the emergency plan that’s part of your Carers Card. For more details on the Carers Card, see here.
• Contact Association of Carersabout their Befriending with Respite service, or contact us and we can refer you.
• Contact British Red Cross Support at Home service or contact us and we can refer you.
• Carers Breaks & Engagement Team (CBET) provide flexible and responsive short term interventions to enable carers supporting someone with dementia to access their community to reduce social isolation and/or support carers to take a break from their caring responsibilities. Contact us to discuss a referral to CBET.
• Take part in one of the many carers groups, activities, or training taking place locally. Find out more about our carers groups here.
• Access grants to pay for respite to help you to attend health appointments or training to support your caring role. Find out about Grants for Respite. Contact our Carers Hub to find out about grants or other support available. 

Care for the Carers and our partners run a range of activities, groups, and forums for carers. These give you the opportunity to meet together socially, take a break, and spend time with other carers and our dedicated support workers.

For more information, check out the Care for the Carers groups and events pages or contact our Carers Hub. 

There are a variety of different transport schemes in East Sussex including various community transport providers.

For more information on what community transport providers are in your area visit the East Sussex County Council website.  Alternatively you can call their Passenger Transport team on 0345 60 80 190.

Traveline provides information on public transport services, including accessibility information. Further information and plan your journey here.  

To apply for a blue badge, visit here.

Staying healthy is important for carers, but we often hear from carers that they don’t feel they have time to look after their own health. Try to take some time out for yourself, and think of your own health as important. The following organisations provide information to help you look after yourself, which in turn will help you to stay well to support the person you care for.

• AgeUK provides information on health and wellbeing for older people
• Warm East Sussex Partnership provides the Winter Home Check Service in East Sussex
• NHS Direct 24 Helpline on 111 (or your local GP) for information about flu jabs– free if you recieve carer’s allowance, or you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if you fall ill.
• NHS Choices for information on a range of health issues
• One You East Sussex supports you to make simple changes towards a longer and happier life.
• Details of local health walks can be found on the ESCC website.
• If you have no care provision or pay for care yourself, Care for the Carers can support you to claim a grant for respite services in order that you can attend your healthcare appointments. Check out our Grants for Respite page for more information.

Care for the Carers is here to help you find out everything that you need to know about caring.  We provide a wide range of services including our Carers Hub, support and advice appointments, carers groups, training, counselling, and events. Click on the links to find out more or get in touch – call us on 01323 738390, email us on info@cftc.org.uk, or text us on 07860 077300.

East Sussex Young Carers supports Young Carers aged 5-18 who care for a family member with long-term illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse issues. Alternatively, please get in touch with us on 01323 738390, email us on info@cftc.org.uk, or text us on 07860 077300.