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.

AskSARA – Advice and support to help with daily living

By answering a few questions, AskSARA will provide personalised advice about equipment for health, assistive technology and daily living ideas. This service is free and there is no sign-up required.

AskSARA

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
Make you feel proud
Be rewarding and fulfilling

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.

Find out about carer’s assessments

If you provide support and/or care as a parent carer you are entitled to a Parent Carer’s Needs Assessment. Brighter Futures for Children information on Parent Carer Needs Assessment

If you are a young person aged 5 to 18 years and providing support to a family member you are entitled to a young carer’s assessment. Brighter Futures for Children information for young carers.

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.

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

Further support for carers

As a carer you may be entitled to additional support including help with finances and extra support from you GP. Further support for 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 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

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

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