Carers

If the answer is yes, you’re a carer – even if you don’t think of yourself that way

A lot of us support a partner, parent, child, friend or neighbour without ever calling it “caring” – it’s just what we do. But if someone relies on you because of their age, illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction, and they couldn’t cope without your help, then you are a carer.

Carers come in all ages and from all walks of life. You might help with shopping, cooking, washing, getting dressed, or making sure someone’s okay emotionally. You might live with the person you care for, or not. You might care for more than one person.

There’s no one way to be a carer – every caring role is different. But whatever your situation, you’re not alone – and support is out there for you.

A carer can be someone of:

• Any age
• Who may be in paid work or not
• Who supports a friend or family member due to their illness, disability, frailty, mental health or substance misuse.

Many people provide care without ever using the word “carer” to describe themselves. Recognising your role is the first step to getting the support you’re entitled to.​

Caring for someone can be incredibly rewarding but it can also be tough. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’ve got the right support around you.

In Dorset, we want to know who our carers are so we can help you early on – before things get too overwhelming. Getting the right info and support early can really make a difference to your health and wellbeing.

Here are two simple steps you can take to make sure you have access to the right support:

Your GP surgery keeps a record of patients who are carers. This helps them understand your situation and offer things like more flexible appointments, extra support, and even health checks for you as a carer. Just give them a call or mention it next time you’re in.

The carers information services provided by the local authority is an invaluable resource for all carers. It’s free and opens the door to loads of help and information tailored to you.

If the person you care for lives in the Dorset Council area, get in touch with Help & Care

0303 303 0153
carers@helpandcare.org.uk 

www.helpandcare.org.uk 

If the person you care for lives in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area, contact BCP Carer Support

01202 128 787
carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

https://www.bcpcarersupport.org/

Both Carer Support Dorset and BCP Carer Support offer a range of free services, including:

If you prefer to seek support online, Bridgit is a free online tool that’s here to help you in your caring role – whenever you need it. It’s available 24/7 and brings together trusted advice, information, and local services all in one easy-to-use place.

With Bridgit, you can:

• Create your own self-help plan by picking topics that matter most to you

• Learn more about the condition of the person you care for with NHS-backed advice

• Find local support groups and events to connect with others

• Let your GP or local council know about your caring role through secure online referrals

• Apply for a Dorset Carer Friendly ID Card directly through the platform

Bridgit brings support from lots of different organisations into one space, so you don’t have to search high and low to find what you need.

Whether you’re new to caring or have been doing it for years, Bridgit is here to help you feel more supported, informed and connected.

These rights exist to support you. Knowing your rights, and how to use them, can help you feel more confident to ask for what you need. It also gives you the tools to speak up when your rights aren’t being met, whether that’s in work, education, health, social care, or at home. You have a right to support, and you’re not on your own.

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