A carer is anyone who cares, unwaged, for a friend, neighbour or family member that due to illness, mental health, addiction or disability cannot cope without their support. Very often people do not recognise themselves as ‘carers’; they’re just family members, friends or neighbours who find themselves in a caring situation. A carer may not always live with the person they care for, but their help may be essential in enabling that person to go on living independently.
More than 32,000 people in Stockport provide unpaid care for someone, so you’re not alone – in fact, you’re in good company!
Signpost for Carers believes that being a carer should not be a barrier to leading a fulfilling life, and we are here to support you on your journey. Signpost can direct carers to the appropriate sources of support available, and can offer information on services locally and nationally. We can provide emotional and practical support, help you to fill out benefit forms, and offer opportunities for you to gain companionship and support from other carers.
More than 32,000 people in Stockport provide unpaid care for someone, so you're not alone – in fact, you're in good company!
If you’re not already registered with us, please fill in our registration form.
Please also take some time to look around our website and find out about the support and activities that are available to you as one of Stockport’s valued carers.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The Connecting Carers Card is a photo ID card, and a useful way of alerting people to the fact that you’re a carer for someone. All you need to do is be a registered carer with Signpost and apply for the Connecting Carers Card.
“Following the implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act in April 2024, it is now compulsory for employers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to offer people who have caring responsibilities up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave each year.”
If you are juggling work with your caring responsibilities, you have the right to request flexible working. The introduction of the new Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act means that anyone, including unpaid carers, can ask their employer for changes to their working hours, times of work, or place of work, from day one. They will also be able to change their flexible working arrangement more than once a year, which will be a huge help too.
If you provide unpaid care, you can ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record. The benefit of this is that you may then fall into a priority group for vaccines or other public health campaigns.
Make sure to speak to your GP about this for more information.
As a carer, it’s important to look after your health and wellbeing and one way is to exercise your right to request a free flu jab, if you’d like to. If you are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be put at risk if you became ill, or if you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, you should be offered a free flu jab.
If you look after an older or disabled person, the law (Equality Act 2010) protects you against direct discrimination or harassment because of your caring responsibilities. (In Northern Ireland, carers are protected under the Human Rights Act and Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act). You may also be protected under other laws, including disability or sex discrimination legislation
Like many carers, you may find it easier to continue in your caring role if you can get some support and assistance. If it appears that you have needs for support, you can request to have a carer’s assessment done. In Scotland, this is usually referred to as an adult carer support plan and in Wales it is often called a carer’s needs assessment. If you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone, you’re entitled to a carer’s assessment – it doesn’t matter how much or what sort of care you provide.
At Signpost we have a dedicated team of carer support workers for both adult and young carers who are on hand to complete carers assessments and support carers by providing information and guidance.
If you are a carer and the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult with you, where possible. At Signpost our Hospital Discharge Worker has a presence at Stepping Hill Hospital she said about her role –
“I support carers by helping people settle safely at home after being discharged from hospital, preventing avoidable readmissions, and providing practical community support. I also complete carers assessments and offer face-to face guidance in hospitals and the community.”
Due to limited capacity and staff shortages currently, carers may have difficulty getting through to us by phone.
For quickest response please email any enquiries to
info@signpostforcarers.org.uk
