Who is a carer?
Carers play a vital role in our community and they have been at the forefront of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Many people who have someone who depends on them for support don’t consider themselves a carer yet they are fundamental to the effort to keep people safe throughout this crisis.
You are a carer if you give up your time without pay, to look after someone who couldn’t cope without your support. You could be looking after a family member, a partner, a friend, a neighbour who is ill, frail, has a disability or issues with drugs or alcohol. You may support the person you care for with things such as cooking, cleaning, helping to get dressed or emotional support, etc. You may live in the same home as the person you provide care for or you may live in a different home.
Who is a young carer?
You are a young carer if you are a child or young adult under 18 who spends time looking after or helping a member of your family, or close friend. The support you provide could be helping with everyday tasks that your family member or close friend can no longer manage because of illness or disability. Also, you may be providing regular and ongoing care and emotional support to your family member or close friend who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or has issues with drugs or alcohol.
On this page you will find organisations and services that can support you in your caring role. For more detailed information and advice, including your right to a carer’s assessment or a young carer’s needs assessment, visit Camden Care Choices.
Support for carers
Being a carer can be hugely rewarding — it can strengthen relationships, hold families together, and teach us unique skills. We also recognise that it can be challenging and, at times, isolating. The period during the global COVID-19 health emergency was especially hard for many carers and those they care for, and some are still managing its lasting effects.
If you’re a carer in Camden, remember you’re not on your own and there are lots of places you can go for support.
- Camden Carers Service are able to provide services, including information and other support, on the telephone and email as well as Support & Wellbeing checks for vulnerable carers. You can contact the Camden Carers Service on 020 7428 8950 and info@camdencarers.org.uk.
- Mobilise offer a range of support including carers groups coming together for an online 'cuppa' and informal chat. Cuppas provide a chance to share concerns, practical tips and community support. Joining is completely free, and easily accessible with basic technology.
- Carers UK has published various guides and factsheets for carers. This includes advice on looking after someone and a self-advocacy guide to help carers gain confidence to speak up for themselves. Carers UK also hold online support sessions, and they have a phone service for those who don’t use the internet.
- Centre 404 provide advice and support for carers of adults with learning disabilities or autism. Further information about caring for an adult with a learning disability or autism can be found in the ‘Support and advice for carers’ page on Camden Care Choices.
- Islington and Camden Young Carers Service provides support for children and young people up to 18 years living in Islington and Camden who have a caring responsibility for a family member. The service offers whole family support, alongside one-one support for young carers. The aim of the service is to reduce the caring role undertaken and improve the positive outcomes of the family as a whole. Support for children and young people affected by Parental Mental Illness is also available via the KidsTime Workshops. Please contact the service for further information on this.
Carers Action Plan
The Carers Action Plan is a commitment to recognise and support carers better. Launched at the full Council meeting on 22 July 2024, the plan is aimed at enabling all services to work together to meet the needs of carers.
The action plan is for unpaid, or informal, carers. These are carers who are aged 18 years and over who provide care for people who are 16 years and over and are not paid by health and social care services, or the person they are supporting, for their caring role.
Every step of this action plan has been coproduced with unpaid carers from Camden's diverse communities. It reflects the voice of carers, their experiences and knowledge. It has taken a long time to get to this point. It was felt important to not only show the actions in this plan, but to describe how the plan developed.
If you’d like to get involved, reach out to the Carers Project team to share your interest and suggestions for future initiatives.
Email carersactionplan@camden.gov.uk.
You can also join the conversation by joining Camden Carers Voice. Hosted by Camden Carers, Camden Carers Voice is the forum for all carers and former carers living in Camden or caring for someone who does, providing an open platform to discuss issues that matter to carers in our community.
For more information about adult social care services in Camden, visit Camden Care Choices.