When Your Caring Role Ends
Caring for someone can be one of the most meaningful and demanding experiences in life.
When your caring role changes or comes to an end, it can bring a mix of emotions — loss, uncertainty, relief, and change.
At Signpost for Carers, we’re here to support you through this transition.
Who We Support
Every caring journey is different. To make sure we offer the right kind of support, we describe carers in two ways:
Active Carer
An active carer is someone who is currently providing unpaid care or support to a loved one.
This includes carers whose loved one is temporarily or permanently in residential care, hospital, or hospice.
Even if your loved one is not living at home, you’re still offering emotional, practical, and decision-making support, and you remain an active carer.
Former Carer
A former carer is someone who is no longer providing care for their loved one.
This might be due to a change in circumstances or through bereavement.
Our Support for Former Carers
The period after caring ends can be a time of adjustment.
You may be facing new routines, emotions, and questions about what comes next.
Signpost continues to offer support for up to three months after your caring role ends.
During this time, we can:
- Offer information and advice about next steps — practical, financial, or emotional
- Help you connect with bereavement or community support services
- Guide you towards new opportunities, volunteering, or peer groups when you feel ready
Our Services for You as a Former Carer
Need to Talk?
If you’re within the three-month period after your caring role has ended, our Carer Support Team is here for you.
If you’d like to talk to someone, please call us on 0161 442 0442.
Former Carer Support Group
Our Former Carers Group meets once a month at Berretto Lounge in central Stockport.
It’s a warm and welcoming group where you can:
- Share a cuppa and friendly chat
- Meet others who understand what you’re going through
- Talk about life after caring in a relaxed, supportive space
Fundraise for Us
As a registered charity, we rely on our community to help us continue supporting carers.
Every pound makes a difference.
Former carers have helped by organising cake sales, sponsored walks, choir concerts, and community events — all helping others get the support they need.
Resources You May Find Helpful
Bereavement Support
If you’re coping with loss, these organisations and resources may help:
- Cruse Bereavement Support – Understanding grief and practical guidance
- Mind – Losing Someone to Suicide – Support and advice for those affected by suicide
- NHS – Get Help with Grief After Bereavement or Loss
- Death Cafes – Informal local and online sessions to talk about death and bereavement (check our social media for upcoming events)
- The Good Grief Trust – A national hub for bereavement support
- Bereavement Advice Centre – Practical and emotional advice
- Marie Curie Bereavement Support Directory – Directory of national services
- Your Circle – End of Life and Bereavement Directory – Local and national resources
When You’re Ready
When you feel ready, we can help you explore new opportunities, to reconnect, learn new skills, or even support others through volunteering.
Everyone’s journey is different, and we’ll walk alongside you as you take the next steps after caring.