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
- Citizens Advice Bureau (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
Unpaid carers are the largest group of providers of care in Scotland and should be recognised as equal partners in providing vital care and support. A carer could 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. Caring for someone can happen very suddenly, sometimes overnight alternatively it may come over many months and years. Although rewarding, looking after someone can affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of the carer and can impact them both financially and socially.