Carers

Are You a Carer?

A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid. When we refer to carers, this is inclusive of both adult and young carers.

If you are a patient in Sunderland we would suggest you first of all contact the Sunderland Carers Centre on 0191 5493768.

Sunderland Carers’ Centre
Thompson Park,
Thompson Road,
Sunderland,
SR5 1SF

Answer-machine out of office hours
Fax: (0191) 549 5095
General Email: [email protected]
Young Carers Email: [email protected]

The Carers’ Centre is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.

Out of office hours by appointment

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If you are a patient in the Durham area we would suggest you first of all contact Durham Carers Centre on 0300 0051213.

Chester Le Street
Bullion Hall,
Bullion Lane,
Chester Le Street,
Co Durham,
DH2 2ES

Fax No: 01207 592847
TEXT: 07624 818 403
Email: [email protected]

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Durham – Young People and Children’s Network

If you are a parent or carer of a child or young person aged 0 – 25 with a speacila education need or disability (SEND) and your looking for something to do @Network’ could be the answer  If your not a member join the Network at www.durham.gov.uk/childrensnetwork

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NHS Choices

There is a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• Caring for a parent
  Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home
• Telling people
  Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you’re a carer is important so they understand and can support you.
• Taking a break
  Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it’s essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.
• Housing and carers
  Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?

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Finance and Law

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers
  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role
• Benefits for the person you care for
  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to
• Death and benefits
  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits
• Managing someone’s legal affairs
  Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after
• Other benefits
  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring
• Personal and household finance
  Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers
• Social fund
• Tax credits
  Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible