Support for family, friends and carers

– Family of patients
– Friends of patients
– Children
– Carers – A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.

We are able to support family, friends and carers in many ways, both pre and post bereavement. Our teams can give you access to information, advice on many aspects of supporting someone with a life limiting illness, emotional and psychological support and sign posting to advice, such as benefits/finances.

We can help you to make onward referrals to other services, such as for carers assessments and with navigating services.

Our services such as creative therapies, complimentary therapies, spiritual support, community groups and education/training courses are also open to family, friends and carers of patients we support. Family, friends and carers are able to be supported by 1:1 visits, over the telephone and sometimes by home visits. This can be ongoing or one-off support.

Their Carer Cafés are social spaces where carers can chat with others over a cuppa, play informal games and make new friends in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

At our Peer Support Groups, carers can meet others who understand the ups and downs of looking after someone. They can also share and gain knowledge from one another in a safe, non-judgmental space. Due to limited spaces, booking is essential for our Dementia peer support groups.

Carers’ Centre also host a variety of activities for young carers, such as cooking lessons, textiles and craft sessions, wellbeing walks, and day trips.

Visit their website here.

Tel: 0800 038 8885

Email: support@banescarerscentre.org.uk

Visit their website here.

Tel: 0800 31 68 600

Email: carers@somersetrcc.org.uk

Visit their website here.

Tel: 01380 871 690 or 0800 181 4118 (Freephone for carers)