A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
Many carers don’t see themselves as carers and it takes them an average of two years to acknowledge their role as a carer (NHS website: Understanding Carers).
It can be difficult for carers to see their caring role as separate from the relationship they have with the person for whom they care, whether that relationship is as a parent, child, sibling, partner, or a friend.
A young carer is a young person under 18 that helps to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. This could be a parent, brother, or sister.
Young Carers may do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone get dressed and move around. They may give physical help to a parent, brother, or sister who is disabled or ill. They may also be giving their siblings and parents emotional support too.
Many carers juggle their caring responsibilities with work, study and other family commitments. Some, in particular younger carers, are not known to be carers. They don’t tell relatives, friends or health and care professionals about their responsibilities because of a fear of separation, guilt, pride or other reasons.
Carers Self Referral form - please note you must be registered with one of our Andover practices.
If so, you can see a Carer Support Worker at our clinic held in partnership with The Princess Royal Trust For Carers and Andover PCN. Clinics will be held in the Andover PCN Hub in the Chantry Centre in Andover.
For further information, please call 01264 835246
or email info@carercentre.com or whccg.andoverpcn@nhs.net
Andover Mind is a Hampshire-wide service which provides advice, information and support to all carers aged 18 and above who care for an adult. The service also supports people with dementia and memory problems and is funded by Hampshire County Council and the five Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Groups. Our Referrals and Enquiries team can provide advice, information, signposting and support over the phone, via email and post. We also have a team of Dementia Advisors and Carer Support Workers who work out in the community and can offer additional support.
Andover Carers Group runs on the 4th Tuesday of the month in The White Hart Hotel, 1.30-2.30pm
Reflections, St Mary's Church, 2nd Thursday of the month,10-12pm
Andover Young Carers have been raising awareness, providing support and advocating on behalf of the young carers of Andover, and surrounding villages since 2000. Through their work with local schools identifying potential young carers, engagement with statutory agencies and other local charities regarding support, and running groups both at our Bungalow and off site, they ensure that the needs of young carers are recognised and met..
They are part of the Hampshire Young Carers Alliance (HYCA) and work together to ensure the needs of young carers in Hampshire are recognised and met.
Contact: 01264 333788 or info@andoveryoungcarers.co.uk
Advice & Support for Young Carers - click on QR code to go to website
The NHS website. Take control of your health and wellbeing. Get medical advice, information about healthcare services and support for a healthy life.
