Carers don't always recognise themselves as carers or realise that they require support themselves - whether it's a listening ear, advice or information - Carers First are here to help.
By registering with us, you will get access to a whole range of services, including news, information, advice, training, groups, events and lots more.
Carers First is a charity providing help and support to unpaid carers to enable them to live their lives to the fullest. Carers First has been working with carers for over 30 years, after being initiated by carers, for carers, in 1991.
Our main focus is to support carers through the services we provide, helping them to achieve the balance in their life they wish to achieve. Anyone living, or caring for someone living in Medway, Essex, Southend-On-Sea, Lincolnshire, Hackney, Haringey or Waltham Forest can register for our services for free.
If you look after, or help to look after, a family member, friend or neighbour who needs help due to illness, disability, frailty or addiction then Carers First recognises you as a carer. The help carers provide is informal and unpaid (though you may still receive Carer’s Allowance or other benefits).
For many people, looking after someone doesn’t have a name, it is ‘just something you do’. However, not recognising that you have a caring role can be a barrier to accessing vital support.
You don’t have to tell anyone that you’re a carer, or officially call yourself a carer, but it can be useful to register with us if you support someone who couldn’t manage without your help.
What happens when I register?
Once you register with us, we will send you our welcome letter and add you to our mailing list to receive our regular newsletters, event invites and information affecting carers locally and nationally. This can be by email or post, and you can opt in or out to receive these at anytime.
One of our skilled and knowledgeable Carer Support Advisers will then contact you within 5 days to discuss your caring role and the support you need. This can also cover your own physical and mental health, time for you, work and hobbies; the help you or the person you care for may need around the home or with getting out and about, legal aspects and finances.
Our Carer Support Advisers can provide you with information, advice and guidance relating to your individual needs, helping to connect you to local and national services and support including our events, training sessions and groups, so you can meet other carers in a similar situation.
We can support you with things such as requesting a Carers Assessment, registering your Carers Emergency Plan or registering as a carer with your GP, which can be helpful to ensure that you have priority for the flu and covid-19 vaccines, as well as receive any additional support that your medical practice offers, such as carers' support groups.
Register with us, or refer a carer to us
Online Help and Advice
Visit our online support section where we have provided advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics to help you in your caring role.