Support available to all carers
If you're an unpaid carer, you can get free support to maintain your health, independence and wellbeing, and care safely and confidently.
Download our Unpaid Carers Welcome Pack, which has been written for unpaid carers by unpaid carers.
We commission a dedicated service for unpaid adult carers, young adult carers and young carers. It's called Maximising Wellbeing of Unpaid Carers and provides a range of support including:
- information, advice and guidance
- emotional and practical support
- access to financial support and advice
- peer support
- free training courses
Since August 2023, this service has been run by Imago - a social action charity with a successful track record of delivering services and projects across London and the south-east of England.
To find out more or to get support, visit Imago’s website, call 0300 373 5769 or email ucwellbeing@imago.community.
Other services include:
- Lewisham health and social care directory: this includes information on local services, community groups and provides information and advice
- health information: advice and services that can help you prevent or self-manage a health conditions
- mental health information: access to our psychological therapies team who offer information, advice and services
- adult social care information: we have a range of information and advice services with specialist knowledge in many different areas
What you need to think about
Before you choose support it is important that you think about how your caring role affects your wellbeing and about any advice that you need in relation to:
- financial support: carer's allowance, carer's credit, tax credits, benefits and independent financial advice
- practical support: cleaning, laundry and gardening services
- health: any health needs and long term health conditions
- social: help you may need with the caring role.
The NHS and third-sector organisations, including AGE UK, produced the guidance document below for carers, especially those who are aged over 65, or are new to their caring role.
Pdf, 4MB
Join our unpaid carers forum
hold a drop-in forum for unpaid carers every month. This a forum where anyone who cares for a relative or friend can meet other carers, tell us whether they’re getting the support they need, and help influence council decisions and services that affect carers.
Join us on the last Tuesday of the month from 1-3pm at the Civic Suite, Catford, or join online. Email proudtocare@lewisham.gov.uk to let us know you’re coming.