Caring for someone is an important and valuable role but we recognise that it is a 24 hour a day job which can be very demanding and lonely. We wish to support our carers and encourage you to let us know if you have caring responsibilities by completing the form below. 

Carers are often “hidden” looking after a family member or helping a friend or neighbour with day to day tasks and may not consider themselves to be a  carer. If you provide help and support to a partner, relative, child, friend or even a neighbour who just could not manage without your care, without payment, you are a Carer. Carers can be very young to very old and from all walks of life and cultures, juggling jobs, children, school work and their own health needs and we wish to support each and every carer to access the help they need. This includes helping you access benefits that you may be entitled to, organising respite care or just a listening ear. 

If you are a carer, please either ask at Reception for a CARERS IDENTIFICATION AND REFERRAL FORM or send an online consultation advising us that you are a carer and you consent to us coding this information in your medical records

We have a dedicated carer's Champions -  Kirsty Nicholas and Kirsty Sully - who can help if you have any queries.

Do you need help with non clinical issues?

We can arrange appointments with our Social prescriber, who will help work out what local help is available for you.

The following websites have useful information for carers in this area:

• http://www.carersinherts.org.uk/ 
• carers.org 
• UK | Carers UK
• Age UK | The UK's leading charity helping every older person who needs us
• Welcome to Healthwatch
• HertsHelp
• Breakaway For Carers

Products to assist patients and carers with dementia or memory loss   www.unforgettable.org

Need support during school holidays?

Fit Fed & Read school holiday activity programmes operate out of Fire Stations across Hertfordshire during the school Easter and Summer holidays. They provide an activity programme ‐ including support with literacy ‐ in Hertfordshire’s most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, with a nutritious meal every day, free of charge.

If you have a child aged between 7-12 years who is eligible for school meals, please contact the team here:

They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

Your Mental Wellbeing

Feel you need a little more support for your mental wellbeing? You can self refer to our local wellbeing team here.

There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• Caring for a parent

  Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home

• Telling people

  Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.

• Taking a break

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.

• Housing and carers

  Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers

  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

• Benefits for the person you care for

  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to

• Death and benefits

  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

• Managing someone's legal affairs

  Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after

• Other benefits

  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

• Personal and household finance

  Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers

• Social fund

   

• Tax credits

  Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible