You may be a parent, a partner, a son or daughter, a sister or brother or friend to someone who needs support as a result of their illness (physical or mental illness and substance misuse), condition or disability.
If you provide them with help and support to manage their life – you are a Carer.
If you care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled and you are unpaid, then we can offer advice and information on:
- your rights as a carer
- carer’s assessment and support plan
- local carer services
- breaks from caring
- medical conditions and medication
- looking after yourself.
Where to get more information:
There are a number of different places you can go to get more information about being a carer:
- For adults - your cared for person’s care-coordinator/manager – for helping you write a support plan.
- For children and young people – your Health Visitor/School Nurse or Pupil Support Teacher.
- Duty Social work. Call 01595 744400 – if you haven’t had any help before and would like a Support Plan.
- Voluntary Action Shetland (VAS) Carer Support Worker – for one to one and group support, information and advice. Call 01595 743923 or visit www.shetlandcarers.org
- CAB – for advice on benefits for Carers. Call 01595 696696
- Enable’s website for writing an emergency plan. - https://www.enable.org.uk/get-support-information/families-carers/future-planning/emergency-planning/
The leaflets on carersnet.org contain useful information on making an adult carer support plan, considering a short break, emergency planning and hospital discharge
Our short break statement summary and short break statement aim to help carers understand shortbreak services in Shetland