Am I a carer?

Helping someone else to do the things they may not be able to do for themselves is sometimes called caring. 

Although this is a hugely important role, many people who support someone else do not consider themselves a carer, as they simply see it as helping a loved one or friend. Recognising yourself as a carer is often the first step to getting help to support you in your role.

You are a carer if you provide regular unpaid emotional or physical support to: 

• a child with special educational needs and or/disabilities
• an older person
• an adult with a physical disability, terminal illness or long-term health condition
• an adult with a learning disability
• an adult with mental health needs
• someone who has issues with drugs or alcohol 

Some people become carers over time as the needs of the person they care for increases. Other people may suddenly find themselves in a caring role, for example, as a result of their partner, relative or friend going into hospital. 

Caring responsibilities

Carers may assist the person they care for with the following:  

• food shopping or housework
• phone calls, for example, to their doctor
• driving them to and from appointments
• making or giving them their meals and drinks
• standing, walking or getting out of the house
• washing, dressing, shaving, managing their toilet needs
• getting them in or out of bed and making them comfortable 

Support for carers 

Solihull Council and Carers Trust Solihull are here to support you in your caring role. 

The carers section of our website provides a range of information and support including carer’s assessments, carers breaks and respite care, carer’s direct payments and more.  

You can also watch the below video by Carers Trust Solihull to find out how we can help.