Christmas and New Year information
Find out all the information you need about our services over the Christmas and New Year period. This includes our opening times, waste collection days, and how to contact us out of hours.
Support for carers
If you care for an family member or adult friend , you may be able to get advice and support to help you everyday and in times you need extra help to support you in your caring role.
'Caring' for someone covers lots of different things, including:
- helping with their washing, dressing or eating
- taking them to regular appointments
- keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious
If this sounds like you, you are a 'carer'.
Carers assessments
If you care for someone, you can have an assessment to see what might help make your life easier.
A carer’s assessment is free and anyone over 18 can ask for one.
It is separate from a needs assessment which the person you care for might have under The Care Act 2014. You can have a carer's assessment even if the person you care for does not get any help from the council, and they will not need to be assessed.
You don't need the permission of the person you are caring for to request a carer's assessment. You are entitled to ask for one in your own right.
However, you can request a combined assessment - where you will be assessed at the same time as the person you care for has their needs assessment.
Find out more about care assessments
Support and advice we can arrange for you
There is a range of services that help, advise and support carers The support we can arrange for carers includes:
- information and advice
- emotional support and peer support
- preventative services which help you maintain or improve your well-being;
- help to plan what would happen in an emergency that meant you were unable to
- look after the person you care for
- extra help for the person you care for
- breaks which offer you time away from caring;
- digital technology to support both the cared for person and you in your caring
- role
- support to help you care and to maintain your health and well-being, using a
- carer’s budget if you prefer;
- occupational Therapy assessment and support including; moving & handling
- assessment and advice, provision of equipment and adaptations;
- access to 24/7 support and online resources via mobilise services - Join the Mobilise Hub
- newsletters – sign up to your local carers organisation newsletter for the latest
- information and advice
- benefits advice and support
- search for support in our online directory
Financial support
You may be able to get financial and practical support from voluntary organisations, health services and the council. Even if you are eligible for and claiming carers allowance you are still identified as an unpaid carer.
Find out more information on Carers Allowance (GOV.UK)
Unpaid leave
The Carers Leave Act 2024 entitles you to one week’s unpaid leave, if you are a working carer and providing or arranging care for someone with a long-term care need. This leave can be taken flexibly (in half or full days) for planned and unforeseen caring commitments and it is available from the first day of employment.