Carers

What is a Carer?

A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid (apart from possible statutory payments such as Carer’s Allowance).

A carer may be a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour. A carer is not necessarily the closest relative of a patient or their next of kin. Carers can be of all ages and situations; many balance their caring role with work, training and childcare; many care for someone who does not live in the same house and may travel some distance to care. 

Carers can face many challenges in their caring role. We therefore aim to provide as much support to carers as possible, as they provide a vital service to our population. All carers are eligible for an annual ‘flu vaccination. Please contact us if you would like to book one.

Are You a Carer?

If you are please let us know – we may be able to help you and provide information about sources of support

Local Support for Carers

Shawbirch Medical Centre has been recognised as a “Carer Friendly” Practice.

Our Carers Champion is Siobhan O’Neill who can be contacted via reception for any support needed.

Telford and Wrekin All Age Carers Centre can offer significant support to carers including young carers. Registering with them means you are then eligible to book on to any of their social activities, fire service home checks and energy checks, assistive technology advice, plus access to ongoing information and advice from the Carers Centre whenever you need it.  You may not want or need to take up some or even any of the support they offer at this time – perhaps you may wish to register ‘just in case’ for the future. 

Free Emergency Response Carers’ Service in Telford and Wrekin provides free immediate assistance when you are unable to help someone who is reliant on your support. This is a responsive and reliable replacement care service, for carers who care for an adult over the age of 18 years. The aim: peace of mind when a crisis occurs. The service offers free replacement home-based support for up to 72 hours, in an emergency or crisis situation.

Shawbirch Carers Wellbeing Group usually meet the third Wednesday of each month from 14:00 to 15:30 at Shawbirch Medical Centre. To book your place at the meeting please contact Lorna on: 01952 240209 or email: [email protected]

Other Support and Information for Carers

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

Finance and Law

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 under-65s
    Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to.
  • Benefits for the over-65s
    Advice and information on financial support for older people with a disability or illness.
  • Carer’s Assement
    How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
  • 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

Contact Carers Direct

Telephone: 0808 802 0202

Helpline Information: http://www.nhs.uk/carersdirect/carerslives/updates/pages/carersdirecthelpline.aspx

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: Lines are open 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm at weekends. Calls are free from UK landlines.