Kent Connect to Support

Looking after others

Being a carer often means stepping in to support someone who can’t manage on their own because of illness, disability or age, and it can be both rewarding and overwhelming at times.

In Kent, there’s help to make things a bit easier. In this section we bring together useful information, local services and advice so you don’t have to search around for what you need. Take a look at our carers section.

You can also access practical support like carers’ assessments, short breaks, and the Kent and Medway Carer’s Emergency Card, which gives peace of mind if something unexpected happens and you can’t provide care.

We have developed a checklist for carers to help you as part of the 'Someone's listening' working carers campaign.

Looking for activities or groups for the person you care for? Visit our community directory to find services local to you.

Support for Carers

Carer support groups across Kent offer friendly spaces for unpaid carers to connect, share experiences, and influence local services. These groups, help carers access practical advice and have a voice in shaping support across the county.

There are several groups across kent including:

  • Imago. Imago is a carers organisation in Kent offering a wide range of practical support for carers of all ages. Their services include information, guidance and community‑based support designed to help carers manage their responsibilities and stay connected. Imago operates across the county, and carers can contact the team or explore local services through their website for tailored help – find out more on the Imago website.
  • Crossroads (Crossroads Care Kent). Crossroads Care Kent offers weekly and emergency respite, Young Carers Clubs, and other support to help carers take essential breaks. Email: enquiries@crossroadskent.org | Tel: 03450 956701 Visit the Crossroads website.
  • Dementia support In Kent, local organisations offer advice and support for people with dementia and their carers. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services provide information and guidance across Kent and Medway. Tel: 01474 533990

  • Dementia Friendly Communities. This organisation aims to raise awareness and understanding of Dementia, so that people living with Dementia can continue to live the way that want to and remain part of the community. Find out more on our Dementia Friendly Communities page.

  • Support for young carers. Find out more about the support available for young carers on our dedicated page.

National organisations

  • Carers Trust. The Carers Trust supports people providing unpaid care by funding local services, delivering evidence‑based programmes, and influencing national policy. Visit the Carers Trust website for more information

  • Carers UK Carers UK provides information and contact details for local carer organisations, social care services, and providers of the Digital Resource for Carers.Visit the Carers UK website for more information. 

Benefits and financial support

  • Carers assessment. If you care for an adult friend or family member, you may be able to get more help. This help will allow you to keep caring and to look after yourself. To see what help we can offer you and the person you care for, get in touch to request a carer's assessment. The assessment will help to decide what support you need and how much help we can give you.

  • Carers Allowance. Carer’s Allowance is a government benefit that provides financial support to people who spend a significant amount of time each week caring for someone with substantial care needs. It helps carers manage the costs of supporting a loved one while balancing their own wellbeing Find out about financial support for carers on Gov.uk.
  • Other benefits. As well as being able to access support through benefits like Carer’s Allowance, which offers financial help to those providing regular care, and Pension Credit top‑ups, there are other benefits which you may be entitled to.

Being a carer can be rewarding and fulfilling, but sometimes we all need a little break. There are a number of options to enable the carer and cared for to have a break. These can include:

  • Kent Shared Lives. The Kent Shared Lives scheme offers personalised short breaks and day opportunities by matching adults who need care with approved carers in a stable home environment. These short‑break placements give unpaid carers valuable time to rest while ensuring the person they support receives safe, consistent care in a familiar, community‑based setting. Find out more about Shared Lives.

  • Crossroads care. Crossroads Care Kent is dedicated to supporting unpaid carers in Kent by providing quality services that allow them to maintain a life of their own outside of their caregiving responsibilities. They offer a range of services including short breaks, carers counselling, social clubs, health appointments, and urgent care support. For more information visit Crossroads Kent.

  • Carefree. Carefree is a charity transforming vacant hotel rooms into vital breaks for full-time unpaid carers. Hundreds of hotels nationwide donate room nights to the charity every day from their excess capacity. Through Carefree, you can access a one-to-two-night hotel stay with a companion, with the option of two breaks per year (one between January and June, and a second between July and December), at a time and place that works for you. Fiund out more on the Carefree website.

 

More information

There are also short break centres run by Kent County Council for adults with disabilkities and children. Find out more about short breaks for carers on the Kent County Council website which offers more information and resources.

Looking after someone who may have challenging behaviour

Looking after someone with challenging behaviour can be demanding, especially when the person communicates their needs through actions rather than words. Support from specialist organisations - such as the Challenging Behaviour Foundation, which provides guidance, resources and tailored support for families - can help carers understand the emotions behind behaviours and develop strategies that reduce stress for everyone involved.

Looking after someone who may have mental health issues

Looking after someone with mental health issues can be emotionally demanding, but support is available. Services such as Kent and Medway NHS Talking Therapies offer guidance and pathways to help carers understand the person’s needs and feel less isolated.
Visit the mental health support page.

Last updated: 26/03/2026