Someone you know is a carer – but do they know it yet?
Thursday 19 November is Carers Rights Day. This year, the focus is on helping more people recognise that they are unpaid carers and understand the rights and support available to them.
Across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland, many people look after a family member or friend without realising they are a carer. They might help with shopping, appointments, medication, personal care or provide regular emotional support. Many people simply see it as part of being a partner, parent, family member or friend.
But did you know unpaid carers have the right to:
- Request a carer's assessment to discuss how caring affects their own life and what support they may need
- Take unpaid Carer's Leave from work, with an entitlement of up to one week each year
- Request flexible working to help balance work and caring responsibilities
- Have their views considered when decisions are being made about the care and support of the person they look after
- Access financial support depending on their circumstances and eligibility.
Recognising that someone is an unpaid carer is often the first step towards helping them understand their rights and find support.
Do you know someone who might be an unpaid carer? A conversation or sharing some information could help them realise they don't have to manage everything alone.
For more information about carers' rights and local support, visit wecareyoucare.info/info-advice/carers-rights
Help spread the word this Carers Rights Day
Use the social media graphics below to raise awareness and help more people across South Tees recognise their caring role and find out about their rights.
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Do you look after a family member or friend?
You are an unpaid carer, even if you don't think of yourself as one, and you have rights.
As a carer, knowing your rights helps you understand what support you should get. It can make it easier to ask for help and to speak up if something isn’t fair - at work, in school, when using health or social care services, or when dealing with professionals or things at home.
You can find out more about the rights and support available to unpaid carers across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland by visiting the We Care You Care website. www.wecareyoucare.info #CarersRightsDay #SouthTees
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Looking after someone can affect your own health, wellbeing, work and free time.
If you're an unpaid carer, you have the right to receive a carer's assessment from your local authority. This is simply a conversation to talk about how caring affects you and what support might help.
If the person you are caring for lives in Middlesbrough, call Middlesbrough Adult Social Care Access Team on 01642 065070, or if they live in Redcar & Cleveland, call 01642 771500. Young carers should contact The Junction on 01642 756000.#CarersRightsDay #SouthTees
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Do you look after someone who is going into hospital?
You have a right to be involved in discussions about their discharge, particularly if they'll need care or support when they leave hospital.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognises the important role of unpaid carers through its Carers Charter and Carer's Passport scheme. These help make sure carers are identified, listened to and involved in the person's care.
If you're supporting someone in hospital, speak to a member of the ward team to find out more about the Carer's Passport. If you are a young carer you can also ask about the Carers Passport.
Carers Together has a Carers Information & Support Service in James Cook University Hospital and in Redcar and Brotton hospitals. For more information about this service contact Carers Together on 01642 488977 or 07767 117556
#CarersRightsDay #SouthTees
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Does your GP know you're an unpaid carer?
Letting your GP surgery know about your caring role can help them understand your circumstances and offer information, advice and support to help you look after your own health and wellbeing.
Across South Tees, GP surgeries are being supported by Teesside Mind to become more Carer Friendly and improve the way they identify and support unpaid carers.
You can download a copy of the South Tees GP Surgery Identification Registration Form from the We Care You Care website. Simply complete it and hand it in to your GP surgery. #CarersRightsDay #SouthTees
Find the form here: https://wecareyoucare.info/info-advice/your-gp-surgery
Juggling work and caring responsibilities can be challenging.
If you're an unpaid carer, you have the right to request flexible working and you are entitled to up to one week of unpaid Carer's Leave each year.
Find out more about your rights at work this Carers Rights Day. #CarersRightsDay #SouthTees #WorkingCarers
#CarersRightsDay #SouthTees