Looking after a relative or friend?

If you look after someone who couldn’t manage without your help, you may be an unpaid carer

Many people help a relative or friend who would struggle to manage on their own. It may include helping someone wash, get dressed, travel to appointments, manage medication, cook meals or provide emotional support.

You might not think of yourself as a carer, just someone helping out - an unpaid carer is anyone who provides care without pay to someone they know. They don’t have to live in the same house as the person they care for.

An unpaid carer could support someone who: 

  • is ill or frail
  • is disabled
  • has a mental health condition
  • has a learning disability
  • has dementia
  • has an addiction 

Young carers

Carers can also be under 18, taking on caring responsibilities for someone at home - often a sibling or parent. Young carers face different challenges and there is a dedicated service to supporting young carers – Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers. 

Visit Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers website

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