Do you look after or help to look after someone who couldn’t always manage without you?
You may not consider yourself a Carer. Caring is something we do as parents, partners, children, and friends, often without question, or the need for a label.
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid for a family member, relative or friend.
You could be helping with household tasks such as cleaning or cooking, administering medication, organising and transporting someone to medical appointments, providing personal care or providing emotional support.
You could be doing it once a day, a couple of times a week or all the time. There are no time limits to being a Carer.
The Porch Surgery recognises the hard work and dedication of our patients who are carers. The Practice has been accredited the Platinum Award for our efforts to recognise and assist carers. Our Carers Lead is Sarah Smith and our Deputy Leads are Wendy Bray and Emma Lewis.
Our practice works closely with Carer Support Wiltshire to ensure that patients are provided with the help and support they need in order to stay healthy and continue in their role as a Carer.
To support patients who are Carers, we run Carers Clinics in conjunction with Carers Support Wiltshire. These double length appointments provide you with a full health check and a chance to discuss any worries you have as a Carer with a Carer Project Worker.
Tell us you are a Carer
Ask at Reception about registering yourself as a Carer with the surgery. Being on the Carers Register means you may be offered:
Free flu jabs
Flexible appointments to fit in with your caring schedule
A Carer Health Check at a time that suits you
An appointment at a Carer Clinic where you can have a Health Check and meet a member of staff from Carer Support Wiltshire
Download our Carers pack here:
Download
Or call in to our reception and collect a Carers Registration pack.
Latest News for Carers
Carer Support Wiltshire is a registered charity (Charity no: 1092762) that supports all unpaid carers, from 5 years upwards, in Wiltshire.
Click here to see how Carer Support Wiltshire can help you https://carersupportwiltshire.co.uk
They can offer you:-
Information and signposting to support services on their website
- Free events and workshops to support you in your caring role.
- Carers cafes – where you can join other carers in similar situation for a free cup of coffee/tea and a cake.
- Specialist cafes – for those looking after someone with mental ill health and those who have served or are serving in the military.
- Support through their telephone befriending service Here to Talk.
- A monthly e-newlsetter delivered to your inbox with information on services and support available as well as what’s on locally.
You can also connect with Carer Support Wiltshire on Facebook, X (Twitter) and LinkedIn
If you look after someone, you are not alone. A young carer is anyone aged 5-16 who cares, unpaid, for a family member or friend.
Follow the link to the Young Carers webpage
When you’re caring for someone else, it can be easy to overlook your own needs. Looking after your own health and making time for yourself can help you feel better and more able to cope with your caring role. This isn’t always easy, but it is important to aim to achieve a balance between your caring responsibilities and own personal life.
- getting the help you need
- financial support
- practical tips and advice
- looking after yourself.
Support for Young Adult Carers
If you’re a young carer in Wiltshire ages (16-25) , you’re not alone. Balancing your life while caring for someone you love can be tough, but we’re here to help. On this page, you’ll find some information and support you need to make life a little easier.
We are working together with our partnership organisations to support people providing informal unpaid care to an another person, through a range of support services.
We can provide: activities, carer breaks, advice, counselling, coaching, training and support (including peer-support) for carers.
We are here to support you, offer a listening ear and practical help and support.
Further guidance and information is available on the link below
Social care and support guide – NHS
Introduction to care and support
Practical tips if you care for someone
Caring for children and young people
Help from Social Services and charities
Money, work and benefits for Carers and Cared for
Care after a hospital stay
Care services, equipment and care homes
Making decisions for someone else