Following the ITV documentary about unpaid carers featuring TuVida client, Chrissie, we wanted to highlight how unpaid carers can get help and support.

Chrissie, and her son Alex, feature in the ITV Tonight programme with Lindsey Burrows, wife and carer of former professional rugby league player Rob Burrow CBE, who has motor neurone disease.  

The programme explores the role of unpaid carers in the UK, the work they do and the issues and challenges they face. 

Do you care for someone?

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

If you are an unpaid carer and unsure of where to get help, advice or support, you can use the Carers Trust service finder to see what support is available to you locally: https://carers.org/help-for-carers/carer-services-near-you 

Talk to someone

It's worth talking to your GP if you care for someone. They will be able to point you in the right direction of help available locally and offer advice about caring for someone.

Your local authority

Local authorities have the primary responsibility for managing social care in the UK. The local council should therefore be your first port of call for support for the person you care for. 

The support that each council provides, and how they provide it, differs slightly between local authorities. It is best to speak to your council directly to find out exactly what support they can give to the person you care for and to you as their carer.

Our services for unpaid carers

We run a range of services for unpaid carers in England and Wales. Find out more about how we help