Emotional support for carers

You are a carer if you are spending a regular amount of time looking after or supporting someone. This could be a relative, partner or friend who without your support or the help of other carers would be unable to live independently.

The vital importance of carers is recognised and the support they provide, both the practical and the emotional. Without carers, many people would not only struggle to stay independent but would become isolated, lonely and depressed. However, caring can be really tough and demanding and you may be eligible for support services in your own right if your caring role is having a significant impact on your life.

If you are over 18, to ask for an assessment to identify what support services may help you. Call or email your local carer organisation - find out your local organisation below under 'Useful Contacts & Information'.

If you are under 18 contact Kent Young Carers for support.

Being busy looking after someone else means it can be hard to find the time or energy to look after your own physical and emotional wellbeing.

Research has found that caring for someone else can significantly impact a person’s health and well-being. If you are a carer, you are more likely to be in poor health than people without caring responsibilities.

Staying well is not only vital for you as a carer, but it also helps the person you look after too.

We can support you to look after your own health through groups, activities and one to one support.

There are also good sources of online help such as Carers UK‘s “Looking after your health” web resources covering topics like: getting enough sleep, coping with guilt, coping with stress, looking after your back and more.

A good starting point is to make sure you let your GP know that you are a carer. They will record this on your Primary Care Record and may be able to offer you further support, and you’ll be offered priority vaccines. 

While several GP surgeries have a simple form on their website to help you register as a carer, some GP surgeries don’t. If that is the case, Carers UK has a template letter that might help you inform your GP that you have caring responsibilities.