There are approximately 5.7million people in the UK who care for a relative friend partner or child with a disability.

They care, unpaid, for people who cannot manage without help because of a disability or illness often, in the majority of cases, providing more than 50 hours of care per week.

Many people do not identify themselves as Carers and they carry on caring unaware of the support that is available to them.

• One adult in eight in the UK is a Carer
• Nearly a quarter of carers have been doing so for at least 10 years
• Half are caring for their spouse.

Do you fall into this description?

Most people do not recognise themselves as a Carer and the reason why a lot of Carers go unidentified, not getting the help and benefits that are available to them.
 
This help can be financial, with grants and aid, and time off through the various support agencies giving your self a break and time for your self.    Caring can be lonely and require patients and the stamina to work long hours.  

But you should seek help and relief...  otherwise you may fall ill and then what??

You also need quality of life.     So what can you do about it?

> Inform your GP.     Carers Packs are available - This is a collection of leaflets and     booklets giving information of help, grants, benefits, in fact just about     all the information for a Carer.      These have been distributed by the Health Information team     and are available in you GP surgery.      Phone 01 603 307419 Rosemary Topping (Health Information team)  > Seek aid and support grants.        Details are available on this site with many links to services and     support agencies where you can get aid.  > Get support for time off.      Crossroads organisation provides 'Short Breaks at Short Notice'     Service allowing you to take time off to see friends     attend appointments or social event whether it be for a few     hours, overnight or even over the weekend!        To find out more Click here...

> Share your problems      a problem shared is a problem halved!     You are not alone, there are may other people in your circumstances.     Learn from them, use the forum to pick up ideas, post a question and     get responses from those who can help you and have already been     there and found the answer.    Don't try to re-invent the wheel.

The Norwich & District Carers Forum is also available to provide support, advice and can visit you to discuss your situation, give guidance and raise your awareness of the support you deserve.   Tel: 01603 219924 or email: admin.cforum@freeuk.com

Norfolk Social Services provide an excelent booklet - Who Cares? The essential information guide for anyone in Norfolk who is looking after someone.

You can download it in Adobe Acrobat® format here and either view or print it.  
To download 'Who Cares?'    Just click here...

Funded by the Norfolk Carers Grant, a new initiative has been by launched the Primary Care Trust.   Entitled ‘Norfolk Carers Voice’ this has been launched to make it easy and effective to register to allow the support authorities to keep you informed of news support and benefits that you may be entitled to.

Simply download the adobe acrobat format file, print it off, complete the questionnaire and send it to ‘Norfolk Carers Voice’ via their free post service.  
To download ‘Norfolk Carers Voice’       Click Here..      
No need for a stamp!   They really do want to hear from you!

You will need Adobe Acrobat® reader to view these files
dont worry, its free to download too, just click on the Adobe® button.