Local Government Reorganisation
Hart District Council will join with Basingstoke and Deane and Rushmoor Borough Councils to form one unitary authority for north Hampshire from April 2028
Care and support
Looking after a friend or relative
If the person you care for couldn’t cope without your support, you could be an unpaid carer. Find out about the support available to you.
A carer is anyone who provides unpaid support for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support. Unpaid carers, sometimes referred to as informal or family carer, have certain rights and support. The following support and help are available for unpaid carers in Hart.
Contact your local Carer Support Service
Princess Royal Trust for Carers provide the carer support service for Hampshire County Council.
They can help you with:
- Free emergency planning
- One-to-one support tailored to your needs
- Advice and information
- Energy-related support
Contacting them is a great first step to getting information and to understand the support you’re entitled to.
info@carercentre.com
01264 311680
Princess Royal Trust for Carers website
Get a free carer's assessment
A carer’s assessment is to find out about your needs and how you may be able to get help. Anyone who may need support in their caring role has a right to a carer’s assessment. Following the assessment, you may be eligible to receive services which Hampshire County Council will help you access.
Before requesting a carer’s assessment you can use Hampshire County Council’s online needs checker using the website below.
Request a carer's assessment (Hampshire County Council)
Take a break
Hampshire County Council
You may be offered up to three hours a week free respite care following your carer’s assessment.
Take a break service (Hampshire County Council)
As well as these options, you may wish to consider finding an activity on the Here for Hart Directory (www.hereforhartdirectory.org.uk)
Connect to Support Hampshire
You can arrange your own paid-for care. This directory lists many providers and has lots of information for carers.
Connect to Support Hampshire website
Register with your GP as a carer
Let your GP practice know you are an unpaid carer so they can offer the best help, support and information.
Support differs between practices, but it can include:
- free health checks
- an annual flu jab
- access to a social prescriber (or equivalent) for support
- flexibility with doctors appointments
- support for your physical and mental health to enable you to continue to care
Contact your GP directly to register as a carer
Get financial support
You may be able to access financial support if your caring duties are affecting your finances.
Depending on your circumstances, you could:
- claim carer’s allowance or other benefits
- cut down your household bills with council tax reductions, home upgrades or a free or discounted TV license
- claim contributions towards your state pension
- get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs
- ensure the person you care for is also getting the financial support they need
Check your eligibility and apply
Access discounts for carers
Some places offer services at discounted rates for carers, especially when accompanying the person they care for. The following are some discounts Hart District Council offers. We have also put together a list of discounts for unpaid carers.
*New* Free membership to Hart's Community Garden
To support the health and wellbeing of unpaid carers in Hart, we are now offering a free annual membership worth £80.
Members enjoy:
- free group gardening sessions during the week (Mondays to Thursdays)
- a free pair of gardening gloves (for you to keep)
- use of all tools, equipment and a share of produce
- exclusive social events (twice a year)
The beautiful garden is located just outside Fleet on the edge of Edenbrook Country Park, Pale Lane. All abilities are welcome.
To qualify, you must be an unpaid carer who lives in Hart district. An unpaid carer is someone who looks after a friend or family member who wouldn’t be able to cope without your support.
For more information on free unpaid carer memberships:
- Visit: www.hartvolaction.org.uk/community-services/community-garden
- Contact: 01252 815652 x 201 or hcg@hartvolaction.org.uk
Council tax discount
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a discount or exemption from paying your Council Tax. Discounts can be provided for carers, disabled people and those with severe mental impairment (among others).
www.hart.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-and-exemptions
Free blue badge parking
Blue Badge holders can currently park free of charge in Hart District Council’s pay and display car parks in marked bays.
Apply for a blue badge (Hampshire County Council)
Free or discounted leisure access
Everyone Active provide free gym and swim while assisting the person you care for and concession rate membership when carers use the centre themselves.
There are also additional reduced rate memberships for disabled individuals (advanced rate of PIP) and individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Hart Leisure Centre - 01252 629879
Frogmore Leisure Centre - 01252 873434
Find groups and further support in Hart
There are different organisations in Hart that offer different support. Most groups and support are free and it is usually possible to self-refer.
For a full list of carer support organisations in Hart visit the Here for Hart Directory under the 'carers' category:
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This information on this page is available in a printed format.
To request copies of the printed leaflet, please contact hereforhart@hart.gov.uk