A carer is someone who provides unpaid help and support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help due to illness, disability, mental health difficulties, frailty or substance misuse.

You may help with:

• Personal care
• Medication
• Shopping or housework
• Attending appointments
• Managing paperwork or finances
• Emotional support
• Preparing meals
• Helping someone stay safe or independent

Many people do not see themselves as carers, but if you regularly support someone who depends on you, you are likely to be a carer.

Carers can be adults, young people or children, and caring can be rewarding — but it can also affect your own health and wellbeing.

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

At Don Valley Healthcare, we are committed to supporting carers and helping them access the right advice, services and support.

We keep a register of patients who are carers so we can:

• Offer additional support where appropriate
• Help you access local services
• Consider your caring responsibilities when arranging appointments or care
• Ensure you receive information relevant to carers

If you are a carer, please let a member of our reception team or your clinician know.

A young carer is a child or young person who helps care for someone at home.

Young carers may help with practical tasks, emotional support or caring responsibilities alongside school and everyday life.

If you are a young carer registered at our practice, please let us know so we can help support you.

Support for Young Carers

Doncaster Young Carers Team

Support, advice and activities for young carers in Doncaster.

📞 01302 736099
✉ young.carers@doncaster.gov.uk

Support for young carers, families and professionals working with young carers.

Parent carers provide ongoing support to children or adult children who have disabilities, long-term conditions, mental health difficulties or additional support needs.

Local Support for Adult Carers - https://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/adult-social-care/carersoffer

Support for unpaid carers aged 18+, including emotional support, information, signposting and peer support groups.

Health and wellbeing activities including swimming, gym access, chair-based exercise, Healthy at Home programmes and free entry for carers.

Mental health and wellbeing information, advice and local support services across Doncaster.

National advice, guidance and support for carers, including benefits, work and caring advice.

Information about carers’ assessments, respite support and benefits.

National charity providing support, information and resources for unpaid carers.