Carers Corner

Are You a Carer?

If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you.

Definition of ‘carer’

A carer is someone who looks after and supports a friend, relative or neighbor who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness or disability.

It does not mean a professional care-worker or personal assistant who gets paid for their work.

You can download Looking After Someone here.

carer

Financial support for carers and those you care for

If you care for someone, there is a range of financial benefits available to you and also to the person you care for. Do not be afraid to ask for help and claim what you are entitled to.

Carer's assessments

If you provide care for someone aged 18 or over, your local social services should carry out an assessment to see if you are entitled to any services that could make caring easier for you. A carer's assessment is about your needs as a carer.

Example of help available

1. Help with household tasks
2. Help with caring tasks during the day and night
3. Respite care
4. Activities for the ‘cared-for’ person
5. Benefits advice
6. Contact details for Chiropodist, Community Dentist, Health Visitor or Optician

NHS Links

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.

  • 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?

Finance & Law

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

Support Organisations/Local Services Available

Details of support and events available in Cardiff & Vale.  Cardiff Council, Alzheimer's Society, Cardiff & Vale Health Board and Marie Curie working together to make Cardiff a Dementia Friendly City.

Hafal

Hafal is an orgnisation that supports people with serious mental health illness and their carers.  To learn more take a look at their leaflet which outlines the service available in Cardiff.

Younger Carers Support – YMCA

The YMCA site offers guidance for young carers.  Young carers can apply for an ID card which helps professionals including doctors, teachers and pharmacists to recognise them and support them appropriately.

House of Memories

House of Memories is a museum led dementia awareness programme which offers training, access to resources, and museum based activities to enable carers to provide person centred care for people living with dementia. 

There's also a My House of Memories App dowloadable from this site (bottom of the home page) which allows you to explore objects from the past and share memories together.

Contact – For families with disabled children

Contact a Family provides support, advice and information for families with disabled children, no matter what their condition or disability.

Dewis Cymru

If you have concerns about your well-being, please visit the Dewis Cymru website where you can find local and national organisations and services to help you. 

The website has a simple search engine, you type in what you're looking for and your postcode, and the site will populate services available to you within 5 miles of your address.

More Useful Contacts

District Nurses – 02920444501

Macmillan Nurse – Please discuss with GP or Practice Nurse

Cardiff City County Council – Social Services
Telephone: 029 20536444 - Website: http://www.cardiff.gov.uk (external link)

Direct Gov
Carers Allowance Tel: 01253 85 61 23 - Website: www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone (external link)

Carer’s UK
Telephone: 0808 808 7777 - Website: www.carersuk.org (external link)

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
Telephone: 02920 221788 - Websites: www.carers.org (external link) or www.youngcarers.net (external link)

Carer’s Direct (by NHS Choices)
Telephone: 0808 802 0202 - Website: www.nhs.uk/carersdirect (external link)

Alzheimers Society
Telephone: 020 7423 3500 – Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk (external link)

Age Concern Cymru
Telephone: 029 20431555 – Website: www.accymru.org.uk (external link)

Deafblind - Deafblind Useful Contacts

St Isan Road Surgery cannot take responsibility for pages maintained by external providers.

Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Stroke Recovery Service

Contact name
Nicola Dando or Tracey Thomas
Contact email
Contact number
02920 716680

Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan Stroke Recovery Service provides high quality information, practical advice and emotional support following a stroke.