The term ‘Carer’ can often be confusing. We use it in terms of someone who provides support for a relative or friend who has a disability, long-term illness or other additional needs. Sometimes the term ‘Carer’ can get mixed up for those who work for care agencies and care homes.

A Carer is “…someone who looks after, or helps to look after, a relative, neighbour or friend who has additional needs as a result of disability, illness, or ageing. The care given is informal in that it does not form part of a paid contract: instead, it relies on a sense of responsibility for and commitment to the other, driven by feelings of love, duty and concern”

Carers can include a parent supporting a child with a learning disability, an adult supporting a parent with dementia, a husband caring for his wife who has a physical disability or a school-child who is relied on by their parent who has a mental health condition. We provide support for Carers in similar roles and many more. Carers do not receive a wage although a small number of Carers are eligible to receive Carers Allowance. For some, being a Carer will be a relatively short part of their lives but for others their Caring role may last for many years.

To find out more or to contact Northamptonshire Carers please go to https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/

Northamptonshire Carers provides end of life support by offering a safe, understanding space to talk and be heard. Carers can access one-to-one support over the phone, join group sessions with other carers, or attend our dedicated group at Cynthia Spencer Hospice for those caring for someone nearing the end of life. We also have new group’s starting for Carer’s supporting their loved ones diagnosed with cancer at the new Maggie’s centre in Northampton.

https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/end-of-life

Our work with Former Carers is guided by the views of those we support. We will offer individual telephone support, signposting to appropriate services, group support and information sessions aimed at reducing social isolation and encouraging and developing peer support.

https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/former-carers

To make a referral for this kind of support please go onto the Northamptonshire Carers website

https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/makeaprofessionalreferal2025

Carer. We have a Carers Register, and would invite all Carers to complete our Carers Form, this can be done over the telephone with one of our reception team. You will then be offered a ‘Carers Assessment’ by Northamptonshire Carers, should you wish.

A Carers Assessment is an opportunity for you to express your feelings and needs as a Carer. The purpose is to find out what impact your caring responsibilities have on you and what support you might need to continue your caring role.

Claire Lockwood is our ‘Carers Champion’ and is available to help coordinate support for our Carers.

Northamptonshire Carers run regular drop-in sessions for Carers. Please see latest poster for details. This can be found under Surgery News. These sessions provide an opportunity for Carers to seek further information or advice on the services and organisations that are out there to help and support them.