New to caring?
If you are looking after someone else, or helping to look after them, and they couldn’t manage without your support, then you are a carer.
The person you support could be a relative, partner, friend or neighbour. They might be living with illness, disability, mental health issues, addiction, or frailty due to age.
Some people realise they’re carers straight away. Others only recognise it years later, once caring has slowly become part of everyday life.
Am I a carer?
You don’t need to provide care full time, live with the person you support, or think of yourself as “a carer” to get help. If what you do makes a difference to someone else’s ability to cope day to day, support is available to you. Caring can look very different from one person to another. It might involve:
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Helping with appointments, medication or daily tasks
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Providing emotional support or reassurance
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Managing paperwork, finances or phone calls
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Being on hand in case something goes wrong
You don’t need to live with the person, provide care full time, or call yourself a carer to get support.
What does caring usually involve?
For many people, caring starts gradually. You may find you’re juggling caring alongside work, family life or study.
It’s common to feel:
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Unsure where to turn for information
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Worried about doing the right thing
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Tired or overwhelmed
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Unsure what support exists
These feelings are very normal.
What help is available for carers in Surrey?
There is support available, and you don’t have to wait until you’re struggling to access it.
Support can include:
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Clear information and practical advice
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Help understanding benefits and finances
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Emotional support and someone to talk to
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Groups, events and opportunities to meet others in a similar situation
You can explore support in your own time, or talk things through with someone. We run friendly welcome sessions online where you can find out more about who we are and how we can support you. Whether you’ve just registered with us or have been with us for a while, you’re very welcome to join.
Visit our events page to see when our next ‘Welcome to Action for Carers’ session is coming up.
What should I do first?
There’s no right or wrong place to start. Some people find it helpful to:
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Talk to someone about their caring role
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Register as a carer with their GP
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Find out what support they’re entitled to
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Learn about Carer’s Assessments
But remember, you don’t have to do everything at once.
How Action for Carers Surrey can help
We support unpaid carers of all ages across Surrey from 5 o 99 years old. Whether you’re at the very beginning or further along in your caring role, we can help you make sense of things and find support that fits your situation.
Our Carers’ Checklist booklet clearly lists all the support you are entitled to and might wish to access, in a helpful checklist format. You can read it here, or call us on 0303 040 1234 to request a printed copy.
All our support is free, confidential and flexible.
Take things at your own pace
Caring can change over time, and so can the support you need.
If you’re new to caring and would like to talk things through, please get in touch. Even a short conversation can help things feel clearer.
