Are you new to caring?
If you are new to caring, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start. We can help. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Register with us
If you care for someone in Bristol or South Gloucestershire, let us know you’re a carer so we can start supporting you. Registering with us gives you access to all our support and services for carers.
If you live outside Bristol or South Gloucestershire, you can find details of your local carers service here.
Register as a carer at your GP surgery
Ask your GP practice to add you to their Carers Register. This can bring benefits, which may vary between GP practices, but often include:
- greater flexibility around managing appointments
- setting up repeat prescriptions
- free annual health checks
- free flu vaccinations.
Support from Carers Support for you in GP practices
Get a Carers Emergency Card
It is free to apply for a Caregiver's Emergency Card. Carers carry a card that shows their name, a unique identification number, and an emergency phone number. If you have an accident or emergency, the card can be used to alert a 24-hour emergency call centre that the person you care for needs help. Steps are then taken to ensure the safety of the person cared for.
Get your Carers Emergency Card
Check your benefits situation
Becoming a carer can affect your household finances. You may be able to increase your income by claiming benefits you’re entitled to, such as Carer’s Allowance.
Local sources of help and advice
Citizens Advice can help you check what benefits you and the person you care for may be able to claim.
Or your local advice centre may be able to help. As well as offering benefits advice, some advice centres also help with other money matters, including debt and energy advice:
- Citizens Advice (Bristol) Freephone 0808 278 7957
- Citizens Advice (South Glos) Freephone 0808 278 7947
- North Bristol Advice Centre (North Bristol and South Gloucestershire 0117 951 5751
- South Bristol Advice Services 0117 985 1122
- St Paul’s Advice Centre (St. Paul’s & East Bristol) 0117 955 2981
- Age UK Bristol 0117 922 5353
- Age UK S Glos 01454 411 707
Know your rights
Knowing your rights as a carer can help you access support and protect your health, wellbeing and work‑life balance.
Get a Carer's Assessment
We provide help with getting and completing a Carer's Assessment. A Carer’s Assessment looks at how caring affects your life and whether you need support to manage your caring role and wellbeing.
More about Carer's Assessments
Seek information and education
It can help to learn more about the condition or illness of the person you care for. This can help you understand their needs and feel more confident in your caring role.
Visit Condition-specific charities and organisations
Connect with other carers
Groups are a great way to connect with other carers. We run monthly Carers Support Groups for unpaid carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Our Carers Support Groups are a safe, confidential space to meet other carers, share experiences and support one another.
More about our Carers Support Groups
We also run Walk and Talks where you can enjoy being outdoors in the company of other carers. One of our friendly support workers will lead the walk, offer a listening ear and provide information to support you in your caring role.
Take care of yourself
Caring for someone else can be physically and emotionally demanding. Looking after yourself matters too.
Eat well, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and find time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. It’s okay to ask for help or take breaks when you need them.
More about my health and wellbeing
Make an emergency plan
Having an emergency plan in place can give peace of mind. If you’re a carer, it’s important to know the person you care for will be supported if something unexpected happens.
You never know when an emergency might arise, so it is a good idea to have a plan in place as soon as possible.
Ask for help
Don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to family, friends, or other trusted individuals who may be willing to help. Accepting help doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’re doing what you need to keep going.
CarersLine is our confidential phone and email information and support service for carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire for you to ask questions or talk about any concerns in your caring role.
Caring is a learning process. It’s okay to make mistakes, ask questions and take things one day at a time. Be kind to yourself — what you’re doing matters.
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