Every week we speak to people seeking support in their role as a Carer, perhaps after caring for many years, or having found themselves
in the role suddenly.
Being a Carer requires personal commitment and often means Carers put their own needs last, not realising that they have rights that can support them and balance their caring responsibilities with their own needs.
These rights can protect Carers, give them access to essential resources and safeguard their own wellbeing. However, many don’t know about, or know how to access, the rights that can ease their load.
This Carers’ Rights Day, 21st November 2024, Association of Carers are highlighting our role in helping Carers to recognise their rights.
Carer’s Rights can include:
- Carer’s Assessments: Local councils can assess your needs and offer things like financial support, respite care, or practical help.
- Workplace Support: If you’re juggling care with work, you may have the right to request flexible working or carer’s leave.
- Financial Help: Benefits like Carer’s Allowance might be available to you.
A Carer’s Assessment by East Sussex County Council helps Carers to understand the variety of support- including financial, legal and practical – they may be entitled to, and looks at:
- the care you provide and how this affects your life
- ways you can access support and what you would like to achieve
- your strengths and capabilities
- types of support available to you in the community
How Association of Carers helps
At Association of Carers we want to make sure that Carers can continue in their role; by helping them to recognise and access their rights we can enable them to do this.
We help Carers recognise their rights in various ways.
First discussions
Right from the initial meetings our Service Coordinators have with Carers, we ensure they are aware of their rights. We go through a range of questions, including checking whether they have had a Carers Assessment and explain that they are entitled to this each year. They are also told to ensure that their GP has them registered as a Carer, and their right to free Flu and Covid vaccinations.
Ongoing check ins
At our regular check in points we remind Carers of these so that they remain aware of and supported to access relevant support. This is especially relevant where their needs may change over time. For people receiving a service from us, these check ins start from 2 weeks, then 6 months and then annually. Those on our waiting lists receive 6 monthly check ins so that they are supported to access their rights even if not yet matched to a volunteer.
Training
Alongside the training and experience our employed staff draw upon, we have hundreds of committed Volunteers giving their time and skills to deliver support to Carers. Our Volunteers receive our comprehensive training that starts by covering the rights of Carers, so it is at the forefront of understanding what Carers are entitled to.
How our Carers feel
One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is seeing the positive impact of empowering carers to recognise their rights.
“Becoming a carer was a real shock to the system. It is a role for which nobody ever trains you. Slipping from ‘wife’ to ‘carer’ was extremely hard. Coming from a background… where I was in control, to find myself in a situation over which I had none, was very distressing. While I could access support for my husband, I had no idea how to access support for myself.
When I was contacted by the Association of Carers, it was like a lifeline being offered. Having someone from the Association of Carers to support me has improved the quality of my life considerably and I would be lost without it.”
One of a Carer’s Rights is being consulted when the person you care for is discharged from hospital, which can bring many changes and adjustments:
“Thank you so much for the call…. it helped so much. I was feeling really alone trying to deal with (husband) being in the hospital and trying to get answers and a plan for (him) moving forward.”
Join us in helping Carers to recognise their rights
Carers are essential to our communities, and when they recognise and understand their rights, we see Carers who are able to cope with caring more smoothly.
Our friendly team are always available to discuss any aspect of caring, by phone, email or in person. Carers are encouraged to reach out with any questions for us, or for signposting to the network of organisations we can refer on to.
You can show your support of Association of Carers today by following us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram, attending our events, making a donation or becoming a member.
Together, we can ensure every Carer gets the care they deserve.