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Looking After Yourself

Below you will find some useful links that might help you get some support for yourself. It is important to look after yourself so that you can care for your loved one to the best of your ability.

This page is divided into subsections with the following information:

• Organisations for carers
• Legal Information
• Finances and Benefits
• Employment Law
• Other websites for carers 

The pink text below indicates a link to an external website. Move your cursor over the pink text and click to access the site.

Organisations for Carers 

Crossroads provide support to carers and have schemes in most parts of England and Wales

Carers UK campaign for carers, and provide information and advice

Princess Royal Trust for Carers  provide information, advice and support services for carers

Young Carers Net provide information, advice and an online community for young carers

Carers Direct  is an NHS service for carers including a website and phone line (0808 802 02 02)

The Beat HelpFinder allows you to search for services in your area

Parentline Plus provide information and advice to parents, and have a website or can be called on 0808 800 2222 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Legal Information 

Citizens Advice Bureau provide advice about your rights, responsibilities and entitlements

Carers Direct website has a Money & Legal section

Community Legal Advice offer free, confidential and independant legal advice to residents of England and Wales

Mind run a Legal Advice Service and can be contacted by phone (0300 466 6463), email ( legal@mind.org.uk ) or letter (Mind Legal Advice Service, PO Box 277, Manchester, M60 3XN)

Rethink have a Rights & laws section on their website 

Finances and Benefits 

Rethink have a Money, debt & benefits section on their website

Citizens Advice Bureau provide information about benefits for carers and financial advice

Carers Direct have a Money and Legal section on their website

Direct Gov have a Money, Tax and Benefits section on their website

Or contact your local carers’ organisation (see the links above) for advice

Employment Law 

Citizens Advice Bureau provide information about laws affecting employers and employees

Employers for Carers provide advice and support for employers to help them retain and support carers in their organisation better

Or ask your local carers’ organisation (see the links above) for advice

Other websites for carers 

AnorexiaCarers shares Rob and Helen's experience of an eating disorder and their journey to recovery, with helpful tips and ideas of how carers can help

Working Together Care is a web magazine aiming to help carers (professional, family and home) to work together

Mumsnet aims to make parents' lives easier by pooling knowledge, experience and support

The Counselling Directory website features a Carers' Support page where you can find a counsellor or psychotherapist dealing with carers' support, plus extensive information for carers