Thursday 23 November is Carers Rights Day – an annual awareness day designed to inform unpaid carers about the rights they have. These include rights in the workplace, in a healthcare setting and at home.
Whether you’re new to caring, have realised you’ve been caring for a while without support, or have been caring for someone for many years, it’s important to understand your rights and be able to find and access the support that you need.
We often hear from carers that they don’t know what they don’t know. The thing that can be most valuable is the right door being opened, or being signposted to the right organisation that can support you. Often other support and useful information then follows. Carer Support Dorset can listen to your situation, talk to you about what might help you and advise on what you need to do or who you need to contact to get that support.
In order to continue caring for someone long term, without damaging your own physical or mental health, it’s important to get support for yourself.
Your rights – did you know?
Did you know if you are juggling work with caring responsibilities, you have the right to request flexible working? Read more on our working and employment page – carersupportdorset.co.uk/information-hub/work-and-caring
Did you know that you can ask your GP to record you as a carer and be added to their carers register? You then should be able to access any services your surgery offers carers, such as priority vaccinations, health checks and flexible appointment times.
Did you know that if you’re aged over 18 and provide regular unpaid carer to someone – even if you don’t live with them or share caring with someone else – you are entitled to a carers assessment? Find out more about the carers assessment – dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/carers-help-and-support/carers-assessment
Did you know that if you’re a carer and the person you care for is being discharged from hospital, the hospital must identify and consult with you where possible?
Find out more about these and other rights, including protection from discrimination and help with money, on our knowing your rights information page – carersupportdorset.co.uk/information-hub/knowing-your-rights
And remember, if you’d like to speak to someone about your caring situation and find out what support is out there for you, you can call us on 0800 368 8349 or email us at admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk
