Finding support for your emotionally and physically demanding role as a carer is essential for making sure you can continue to provide care effectively. Your friends and family can be a great source of help, but it is also worth knowing that there are organisations and groups across Kent that can offer extra support. Age Space has put together the following page to guide you through the carer support groups in the county and inform you of the types of help they can provide you with.
A Carer's Assessment
As an unpaid carer, you will be eligible for a Carer’s Assessment from Kent County Council. This is similar to the Care Needs Assessment and following your results, the council service-providers can offer advice and point you towards local support groups. You can organise a Carer’s Assessment by contacting any of the Carer Support Groups listed below or by calling the council directly on 03000 41 61 61.
Find Carer Support Groups in Kent
Involve Kent - West Kent
Involve Kent can provide support, information and assistance to Carers living in the West Kent area. They also offer Carers Assessments, training and signposting within the community to keep you in the loop about events for carers in the local area. They also operate a Carers’ forum which takes the concerns and ideas of local Carers directly to the people responsible for organising social care in Kent.
To request support from Involve Kent, you can get in touch over the phone, or by filling in and emailing this referral form to them.
- Telephone: 0300 081 0005
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Carers' Support East Kent - East Kent
Carers’ Support East Kent offer information, support, Carers Assessments and signposting to other services. Their services are available over the phone, by email or in-person.
They also have a Carer’s Hospital Service to support any carer who is looking after somebody being discharged from QEQM, William Harvey, or Kent & Canterbury Hospitals. You can get in touch with their teams via the following telephone numbers:
- QEQM Hospital: 07528 080431
- William Harvey Hospital: 07786 323184
- Kent & Canterbury Hospital: 07528 080427
Carer’s Support East Kent can also provide you with a Kent & Medway Carers’ Emergency Card, allowing someone close to you can be contacted in unexpected situations when you are unavailable, such as the person you care for suddenly becoming ill or being involved in an accident.
- Telephone: 0300 302 0061
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Wellbeing Matters, Imago - North Kent
Imago’s Wellbeing Matters is a Community Navigation Service provided on behalf of Kent County Council. In part, this service offers support to unpaid, adult carers in North Kent in the form of information, advice, assistance accessing services, telecare, benefits advice, social contact and more. They can also carry out statutory Carers’ Assessments on behalf of the local authority.
For further information on what Imago offer, you can visit their website or get in touch with them through the details provided below.
- Telephone: 0300 011 1965
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
Carers First - Medway
Carers First in Medway can help you by offering specialist information, one-to-one advice and other guidance on your role as a carer. They also run practical training and workshops, giving you opportunities to improve your own confidence in your abilities to provide care.
For more information regarding their services, you can get in touch or visit the Carers First website through the details provided below.
- Telephone: 0300 303 1555
- Visit Website
Crossroads Kent
Crossroads Kent is a charity that provide a wide range of free services to carers in Kent. These include short respite breaks, dementia outreach, carer wellbeing and crisis services. Crossroads also organise Carers coffee mornings and work to amplify the voices of carers to local decision-makers.
- Telephone: 03450 956 701
- Visit Website
