Do you look after someone that couldn’t manage without your support?

If the answer is yes, then you are a carer.

You may not consider yourself a carer, as caring is often something we do for family or friends without question and without defining or labelling it as such. If you provide care to someone who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental ill health or an addiction, and they couldn’t manage without your support, then you are a carer.

Carers can be anyone of any age and perform any number of different tasks to support the person they are caring for. You may be providing practical support like shopping, meal preparation, personal care (such as washing or dressing) or you may be providing emotional support to support someone’s mental wellbeing. You may or may not live with the person you care for and it may be that you look after more than one person. Caring can look different for us all.

Carers Week 2025 is just around the corner. Throughout the week, local organisations will be out in the community looking to reach carers like you and make sure you know what support is available. There’s also a full programme of events that you can take part in. Please visit:

Support available to carers

In Dorset, we want to know who are carers are so we can support them. Caring can be very rewarding, but it also has it challenges. Caring without the right support can affect the carers health and wellbeing and early information and support are key to preventing ‘carer crisis’.

There are two simple steps every carer can make to make sure they have access to the right support:

  • Let your GP know you care for someone

    Your GP practice is required to keep a register of their patients who having caring responsibilities. This helps staff better look after your needs, often offering flexibility with appointments and additional support.

  • Join your local carer support service

    The carers information services provided by the local authority is an invaluable resource for all carers. It’s free to join.

    If the cared for person lives in Dorset Council area, please contact Carer Support Dorset.

    Phone: 0800 368 8349
    Email: admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk
    Website: www.carersupportdorset.co.uk

    If the cared for person lives in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area, please contact BCP Carer Support.

    Phone: 01202 128 787
    Email: carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

    Website: https://www.bcpcarersupport.org/

Both Carer Support Dorset and BCP Carer Support provide a variety of services:

  • Issue you with the Carers ID and discount card – as well as identification to recognise your caring role, it gives you access to multiple discounts such as cafes, shops, attractions and with professionals’ services

  • Support with training to support you as a carer to carry out your caring role and also support your own health and wellbeing

  • Access to a team of carers advisors to provide you with personalised information, advice and signposting

  • Hold a directory of carer support groups and activities for you to get involved in

  • Support with creating an emergency plan

Online self-help tool

Bridgit is a free online tool designed to support you in your caring role. It’s available 24/7 and helps you find the right advice, information, and services – all in one place.

With Bridgit, you can build your own self-help plan online by selecting topics relevant to you. It gives you can access NHS advice to learn about the condition of the person you are caring for. You can find and connect with local support groups and events, and through smart referrals, let your GP or local council know about your caring role so they can offer the right support. You can also apply for a Dorset Carer Friendly ID Card through the platform.

Bridgit brings together support from a wide range of organisations, so you don’t have to search around. It’s designed to complement existing services and make it easier to get the help you need, when you need it.

Whether you’re just starting your caring journey or have been caring for a while, Bridgit is here to support you.

Downloads

We’ve launched Together with Carers – A Dorset Vision—a plan shaped with carers, for carers. It’s all about making sure you feel heard, valued, and supported. Find out more about it here: Together with Carers – A Dorset Vision – Our Dorset