Carers, family and friends

You are a carer if you provide unpaid care and support to a family member, friend, partner or neighbour, who could not manage without your help. 

You may not think of yourself as a carer, but rather as a family member or friend who looks after someone. As a carer, you may be able to get financial and practical support from the Council, health services and charities or voluntary groups. This includes people who receive Carer's Allowance.

The person you look after may have:

• a disability or learning disability
• a long term or life limiting illness
• mental health difficulties
• alcohol or drug related problems

Carers can be any age. This includes young carers. As carer you may be helping someone with:

• emotional support
• personal care, such as, washing, dressing, going to the toilet
• cooking, cleaning, shopping and prescriptions
• managing money or benefits 
• appointments or dealing with services
• acting as an interpreter for someone who's first language is not English or who has communication difficulties

You may find that your care responsibilities are affecting the way you live your life. It's important to remember when you're caring for someone, you need to take care of yourself.  You may be able to get financial and practical support from voluntary organisations, health services and the council.

Adult Social Care at Newcastle City Council give information and support adults in Newcastle who find day-to-day activities difficult. They can talk to you about your caring role. We can work with you to find support and services that are right for you.