(Before reading this section, please note: people employed to give care i.e. care assistants, care workers, nursing staff, etc are not included in this definition of carers, nor are people who work for organisations on a voluntary basis).

If you are please let us know via the online form opposite - we may be able to help you.

• Carers Support Centre; Carersline 0117 965 2200:        

Website www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk provides information, advice and services focussed on supporting carers

• Bristol City Council Health and Social Care; Care Direct 0117 922 2700:

Website www.bristol.gov.uk ; provides information, advice, assessment and commissions and arranges care and support services

• Black Carers Project; 0117 314 4664                      

Website www.bristolblackcarers.org.uk ; provides information, advice and services supporting carers from black and minority ethnic communities

• Carers’ Support Centre Young Carers; 0117 939 2562:                                   

Website www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/young-carers ; provides information, advice, services and activities focussed on supporting young carers

• Rethink Carers Service; 0117 353 2042: Website www.rethink.org/bristolcarers ; provides support services for carers of people with mental health issues
• Well Aware; 0808 808 5252

Website www.wellaware.org.uk ; provides information on health, wellbeing and

• Carers UK - They’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone. Telephone: 020 7378 4999

Website: www.carersuk.org

• Cedar Community Care (formerly Crossroads Care Bristol North); 0117 983 9955:       Website www.cedarcommunitycare.org.uk ; provides home based short breaks services for carers in North Bristol
• Crossroads Care Bristol South; 0117 353 3135:                                   

Website www.crossroads.org.uk/bristolsouth ; provides home based short break services for carers in South Bristol

• Dhek Bhal; 0117 955 6971:                                                                  

Website www.dhekbhal.org.uk ; provides support to carers principally from Bristol’s South Asian communities

• Bristol and Avon Chinese Women’s Group; 0117 935 1462;                

Website www.bacwg.co.uk ; provides support to carers from Bristol’s Chinese communities

• Carers Direct; 0808 8020202;

Website www.nhs.uk/CarersDirect ; provides a free national service offering information, advice and support for carers.

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