Help and advice for carers

Caring can be rewarding but it can also be demanding, physically and mentally. This can have a huge impact on your own health and wellbeing.

As a carer it is very important that you are aware of the help available to support you so you can continue to care without putting your own health and emotional wellbeing at risk.

Caring can:

• Put you more at risk of injury if you need to help someone with walking or getting out of bed
• Wear you out – especially if you don’t get a break
• Cause financial difficulties – for example if you have to give up work
• Make you feel guilty, angry, frustrated or depressed
• Isolate you from family and friends – especially if caring makes it difficult for you to stay in touch with family and friends or stay involved in your hobbies and interests

Adult Social Care can advise or support any adult who provides care and/or support to an adult (18 years+) who lives within the Borough of Reading.

All carers are entitled to a Carer’s Assessment. 

Reading & West Berkshire Carers Partnership

The Carers Partnership is the commissioned carers provider for Reading & West Berkshire. It offers a range of support for carers, to help you look after yourself as well as the loved one you care for.

The help available includes: Get support to help you in your caring role Find local services and sources of help Look after your health and wellbeing Connect with other carers Understand your rights Carers Assessments for Reading-based carers Information, advice and support services for family carers in Reading and West Berkshire will be provided by the Reading & West Berkshire Carers Partnership from 1 November 2022.

The partnership members – Age UK Berkshire, Age UK Reading, CommuniCare and Reading Mencap – all have a successful track record of working with carers.

Contact the partnership

• Get support to help you in your caring role
• Find local services and sources of help
• Look after your health and wellbeing
• Connect with other carers
• Understand your rights
• Carers Assessments for Reading-based carers

Caring for a child or adult with a Learning Disability in Reading?

Reading Mencap, Information & Advice and Carers Assessments in Reading,
21 Alexandra Road, Reading, RG1 5PE,

Tel: 0118 926 3600

Email: carers@readingmencap.org.uk

Caring for someone 50+ years in Reading?

Age UK Reading, Information & Advice and Carers Assessments in Reading
Walford Hall, Carey Street, Reading, RG1 7JS,

Tel: 07716 418 941

Email: carers@ageukreading.org.uk

Caring for someone 50+ years in West Berkshire?

Age UK Berkshire: Information & Advice in West Berkshire
Unit 119, Broad Street Mall, Reading RG1 7QA,

Tel: 0118 959 4242
E-mail: info@ageukberkshire.org.uk 

For all other carers in Reading & West Berkshire:

CommuniCare: Information & Advice and, in Reading, Carers Assessments as well.
233 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 4LS,

Tel: 0118 926 3941

Email: office@communicare.org.uk