Carers Support

A carer is anyone who cares/supports, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. Anyone can become a carer; carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age.

There are currently around 20,000 unpaid carers in Warrington. A recent survey found that 53% of carers also have long-term health conditions often associated to providing physical and emotional support to the people they care for.

Carers access a number of our services, in particular:

• Direct Payments support
• Payroll support
• Long-term Health Conditions
• Luncheon Clubs
• Employment Support

Some of our other services may also be helpful to carers, please check our A to Z of services page in case there is something there of interest.

Other help

We are members of the Warrington Carers Partnership Board which brings together a wide range of organisations from statutory and voluntary sectors. We also work closely with the Warrington Carers Hub.The Hub exists to ensure that carers of all ages have access to information, advice and a wide range of support services which are designed to help carers continue in their caring role for as long as they choose, reducing the impact the caring role can have on their own health and wellbeing.

Support available includes:

• Specialist 1-2-1 and group support including during transition and through hospital discharge
• Information, advice and guidance
• Support to access community and health and wellbeing services
• Support with contingency planning, including Carers Emergency Card
• Regular Newsletters detailing local Carers’ Coffee and Chat groups, activities, training courses and much more
• Information and support to take a break from the caring role
• A 24/7 Volunteer Carers Help and Talk (CHAT) Line
• Access to digital Carers Community Network
• Volunteering opportunities for carers, including volunteering for the CHAT Line and PenPals
• Support for former carers
• Carers’ Awareness Briefings to other professionals aiming to increase the number of hidden carers identified and supported in Warrington

For young carers they can also:

• Help carers and families think about what would make the difference
• Provide Peer Support with other young carers
• Help young carers have a voice
• Access support in school and college
• Help to take a break from their caring role