Carers

Please let us know if you are a carer by either calling or emailing us at Sonning Common Health Centre. This way we can make sure you get the support you are entitled to.

Carers often see themselves as ordinary people just helping out a loved one or a friend. But if the person you are helping really could not cope without you, you are a carer and you have the right to support. Carers Oxfordshire will guide you to the many places where you can get advice and help, including information about benefits and direct payments which you could claim.

Quite often a caring relationship develops gradually; a couple come to realise that the balance in their day-to-day relationship has changed and that one partner has, by degrees, become more responsible for the other. When this happens to you, it is important that you recognise the change, and that you are a carer with the right to support.

Most of all, as a carer, you must care for yourself. If you become so unwell that you can not sustain your caring role, your loved one will also be put at risk. Being on duty 24/7 is very demanding.

Carers Oxfordshire is a free service for adult carers caring for adults.

These are some of the ways in which Carers Oxfordshire can help you:

What can I do? What should I do?

They can give one to one support from experts in your own home, including information about what benefits and direct payments you may be eligible for, and how you can get a break.

Who will help in an emergency?

Their Emergency Carers Support Service can give free emergency care for your loved one when a sudden illness or a family crisis means you can’t do your carer’s job.

How can I be a better carer?

They can help you to get training in the skills which will give you confidence to care.

How will I know about changes affecting me?

They will send you a free quarterly Newsletter called ‘Care Matters’ which is full of useful information, news and articles for carers.

How do I tell Carers Oxfordshire that I need their help?

Register with Carers Oxfordshire by phoning 0345 050 7666, or email carersoxfordshire@oxfordshire.gov.uk or visit their website: www.carersoxfordshire.org.uk

Our Carers Champions at Sonning Common Health Centre is Andrea Tsoi,  HR Manager.