Around 10% of people in Cambridgeshire identify themselves as a carer when asked whether they provide any form of help to another member of their family or community. No matter how much support you supply, having a good carer support network behind you is imperative in allowing you to give the best care you can.
Organisations and charities exist throughout Cambridgeshire offering support services, coffee groups, advice and more for carers. On this page we have collected the best forms of carer support services available to you in Cambridgeshire and how a carer’s assessment can help you to get help from the county council.
Additionally, take a look at Age Space’s page on Respite Care options in Cambridgeshire.
Getting a Carer's Assessment in Cambridgeshire
A Carer’s Assessment will help you to find out what can make your role as a carer easier and how the County Council can best fulfil these needs. It can be completed at the same time as a care assessment in Cambridgeshire, but is not dependent on whether or not the person you care for receives support from the Council.
To get a carer’s assessment you must be:
- Over the age of 18.
- Provide regular unpaid care for an adult who's health or wellbeing would deteriorate without your support.
If, following the result of a carer’s assessment, it is decided that you are eligible for further support from the council, they will start on a support plan and talk you through the range of options now available to you. This could include a personal budget strategy.
If you are not eligible, the council will still write a support plan for you and direct you towards other sources of carer support in your area.
To find out more about carer’s assessments and to ask about receiving one; visit the Cambridgeshire County Council website or use the contact details below for Caring Together, as recommended by the Council.
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 0345 241 0954
Find Carer Support Groups and Services in Cambridgeshire
As a carer, there are lots of support services and groups in Cambridgeshire to help you fulfil your role, take a break from it and talk to others experiencing the same things. You can also use the National Care Line to get more support and information, as well as being directed towards other carer support services (0800 0699 784).
Caring Together
Caring Together is Cambridgeshire’s charity for carers who look after their family members. They work with and without the council to provide support services throughout Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.
They look after Cambridgeshire’s carers through a variety of services including their Carers Hub events – face to face opportunities for carers to meet other people in similar positions and receive support and advice. Their Listening Ear service allows carers to regularly talk to volunteers over the phone for a period up to three months. They are also able to connect you to carer support services and groups in your area.
They arrange this and much more, so explore on their website or get in touch to see what’s currently available to get involved with.
- Telephone: 0345 241 0954
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Alzheimer's Society Carer Support Group
The Alzheimer’s Society regularly puts on sessions aimed at providing information about dementia and caring for relatives. Find out more on their website or get in contact on 0333 150 3456.
Parkinson's UK Support
If you look after someone with Parkinson’s disease, the charity Parkinson’s UK has a helpline (0808 800 0303) and local support groups across Cambridgeshire to help your role as a carer.
Visit the Parkinson’s UK website to find out more or search for services in your area.
CARESCO Carer Support Group
CARESCO is based in Sawtry and they run many groups for the community, including food banks, charity shops and clubs. The Chatterbox Club invites family carers to meet similar people and talk about anything they need to over a cup of coffee. The group meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.
Find out more on the CARESCO website.
