Do you help look after someone?
We offer support to anyone caring for a family member or friend, at home or in the community.
are you an adult carer?
Many carers don’t realise that they are carers, they often think that they are just looking after family or a friend, it’s what they should do or is expected of them.
You are an unpaid carer if you do any combination of the following:
- Someone in my house has a disability, illness or is dependent on drug/alcohol, and because of this they need help from me to do things
- I visit someone everyday/most days of the week to ensure they are safe and well and have everything they need to maintain their independence.
- Sometimes I do extra household jobs when the person who has an illness, disability or is dependent on drugs or alcohol is having difficulty doing them
- Sometimes when this person is having a bad day, I will need to stay with them to maintain their safety and wellbeing.
- Sometimes I have to cancel planned activities with family and friends as I am unable to leave this person on their own.
- I help this person get in and out of bed or around the house or I help this person with their personal care as they struggle to manage this themselves.
- If I did not do the things I do to help the person who has a disability or illness they would not be able to cope or would not be safe at home without me.
How we support adult carers
Carers ID Card
Carers in Solihull registered with our service will receive a Carers Identity Card. This card is a handy tool for carers and has 3 main functions
- Quick access to emergency contacts
- Proof of being a carer
- Concessions and free entry to providers
We encourage carers to keep their card in the purse or wallet as this can be a useful tool should you be in an emergency. You can use this for telephone numbers of whom to contact in an emergency and to alert others you are caring for someone who may need help back at home.
You can find our concessions list here
As much as we aim to keep our concession lists up to date, we encourage carers to always check concessions in advance to avoid disappointment. If you know of any changes to current concessions or others not noted, please let us know.
Information & Advice
Getting the right information at the right time can make caring a lot easier. Our Carer Practioners have specialised knowledge to help and guide you on your caring journey.
Emotional Support
A listening ear when you need one, you can call us on 0121 788 1143 and speak to one of the team.
Carers face many challenges, including isolation, exhaustion, and a wide range of emotions that can sometimes feel overwhelming. While talking to a trusted friend or family member can be helpful, it’s often easier and sometimes more effective to speak with someone outside your immediate circle.
We’re here to offer you the opportunity to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through and can support you with the challenges you face.
Carer's Assessments & Support Plans
We are commissioned by Solihull Council to carry out Carers Assessments and Support Plans for carers who care for someone living in Solihull.
A Carers Assessment gives you the opportunity to discuss your caring role, how it impacts different areas of your life and identify what support would be helpful to you. It is a supportive process, where our staff will listen to you without judgement. After the assessment, a support plan will be produced identifying areas of support needed and how these needs can be met.
You can read more about assessments here —
Alternatively, if you would like more information or to request an assessment, please contact us on 0121 788 1134.
Events & Activities
It is important for carers to take a break from caring. We offer a wide range of events and activities that offer respite opportunities for carers, such as:
Day Trips – local attractions / theatre / family beach days
Relaxation Sessions – free relaxation appointments for carers including massage, Reiki and Reflexology
Vouchers – opportunities to receive a cinema or eat out voucher to use independently for a break.
Monthly meet ups – Where carers join us for a cuppa and chat.
On many of our day trips, the person you care for can come along with you (subject to age and capability).
You can find out what’s on and register your interest on our online calendar.
Training & Workshops
We offer a variety of free training workshops to help carers to feel confident and supported in their caring role. Some of our sessions include:
- Contingency planning
- Wills and Power of Attorney
- Benefit advice
- Stress management
- End of life
- Caring for someone with Dementia
- And more
Our sessions are held face to face and online, check out our what’s on page to find out about what sessions we have coming up.
Our Trained Befrienders Are Here For You
Caring can be isolating, and many carers feel the benefit from peer support or talking to others who understand but are not linked to you or your caring situation (for example family or friends).
Our Befrienders are friendly and non-judgmental, ready to listen and help.
This service is an opportunity for you to regularly check in with a matched volunteer to discuss anything on your mind. Befrienders can help you achieve personal goals, source local activities and help navigate services. They can also support you to build confidence and skills or give you the time to be heard.
If you are interested in our befriending service, please contact centre@solihullcarers.org
online/digital support
We have a variety of online resources to help support you in your caring role, whether you are new to caring or have been caring for a while, there is something useful for everyone.
Carers Essential Guides – these guides cover the basics and important topics we think every carer should know about.
Blogs and News – find out the latest news for carers and useful blogs covering a range of topics.
Videos – We have a range of informative videos, some of carers sharing their experiences, professionals advising on benefits, energy costs, health, legal matters and awareness campaigns such as Carers Rights Day
Podcast – Our very own podcast ‘Carers Talk’, where we talk to professionals about carers topics, and other unpaid carers share their experiences, stories, tips and advice. It’s full of useful information we think is important for carers to know.
E-learning – We have created a contingency planning e-learning tool to help you build your own emergency plan. You can do this at your own time in the comfort of your own home.
faq's
Am I an unpaid carer if I claim Carers Allowance?
Yes, Carers allowance is specifically designed to support unpaid carers.
A paid carer would be someone paid to provide care by a local authority or employer.
Are there any criteria to registering with your service?
You must live in the Solihull borough and provide unpaid care to someone who would not manage without your help.
If the person you care for lives in Solihull, but you don’t, you may still register, but you will need to request a carer’s assessment.
If you are unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us by clicking here.
What help can I get for the person I look after?
Our service only supports unpaid carers and not the person you care for. However, we will be able to point you in the direction of support and give you information where you can access services that can help.
Carers can bring the person they care for on some of our social outings, and these are highlighted on our events programme in our newsletters.
Will you share my information with someone else?
In line with the Data Protection regulations that came into force in May 2018, we will never share identifiable information without your consent, including names, contact details, bank details or medical information. The only exception will be if somebody is at risk of significant harm to themselves or others, or if a crime is committed. You can request to see the information we hold, in writing.
Who and how is it shared
We are required to submit monitoring forms to funders about our work with carers. We will never share personal information or in any way identifies you or the person who requires care. To maximise support for you, we may also share information with other professionals about your engagement, only in your best interest and with your consent.
QPOP (Quality Pathways Outcomes and Performance) As we are funded by the Solihull Council to deliver services for carers we have to submit unidentifiable statistical information.
Liquid Logic Social Services Database. Carers Trust Solihull (formerly Solihull Carers Centre) is funded to carry out Carers Assessments on their behalf of Solihull MBC. If you request an assessment all this information including your cared-for’s name and address will be stored on the SMBC’s social services database and our Carers Trust Solihull database but will be allocated to our teams.
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adult carers stories
There are around seven million carers in the UK, that’s one in ten people. It is estimated that three in five people will be carers at some point in their lives.
Here is a selection of stories from carers sharing their experiences of caring. If you’re a carer and would like to share your story, please contact us by clicking here
- 18 minutes |
- 3 minutes |
- 11 minutes |
- 5 minutes |
