Carers Support

Are you a carer?

You may be a carer if you regularly help or support another person because they are ill, disabled, have a mental health condition or need support as they get older.

You may care for a partner, family member, friend or neighbour. You do not need to be paid or live with the person you care for to be a carer.

Caring for someone can be rewarding, but it can also affect your own health and wellbeing. Support is available to help you manage your caring responsibilities and look after yourself.

Wirral Carers Alliance

The Wirral Carers Alliance brings together local organisations that provide information, advice and support for unpaid carers.

It can help you find the right support for your situation, whether you need advice about caring, emotional support, help in an emergency or opportunities to meet other carers.

Find support through the Wirral Carers Alliance

Carer health and wellbeing support

Support from WIRED

WIRED provides a range of support services for unpaid carers across Wirral.

Support may include:

• Information and advice
• Support groups and activities
• Emotional support and counselling
• Carer training
• Dementia carer support
• Carer assessments
• Emergency planning and the Carers Emergency Contact Service

Carer support groups

Meeting other people who understand the challenges of caring can provide valuable support.

WIRED runs carer support groups across Wirral, including:

• St James Centre Carers Luncheon Club
• Beechwood Carers Support Group
• Wallasey Carers Support Group
• Noctorum Carers Support Group
• Bray Street Carers Support Group

You can usually attend by turning up on the day, or contact WIRED beforehand to find out more.

Contact WIRED

Carers Helpline: 0151 670 0777
Available: Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm
Email: cws@wired.me.uk
Text: Text CARER to 87007

Practical support and advice

Caring for someone can sometimes involve managing finances, work, appointments, legal matters and changes in your caring role.

Support and information are available to help with these challenges.

Age UK

Age UK provides information and advice for older people and those who care for them.

Their resources can help with:

• Financial support for carers
• Balancing work and caring
• Supporting someone living with dementia
• Taking a break from caring
• Looking after your own health and wellbeing
• Support when your caring role changes or comes to an end

Visit Age UK for carer information and advice

For local support, you can also contact Age UK Wirral.

Telephone: 0151 482 3456
Email: enquiries@ageukwirral.org.uk
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/wirral

Advocacy and other practical support

WIRED can also provide or signpost to additional practical services, including:

• Advocacy support
• Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
• Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy (IMCA)
• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) advocacy
• Information about finding a personal healthcare assistant
• Payroll services

For WIRED Payroll Services:

Telephone: 0151 522 7990
Available: Monday to Friday, 9am–4:30pm
Email: wiredpayroll@wired.me.uk

Online support for carers

Carers UK

Carers UK provides information and digital tools to help carers manage their caring responsibilities.

The Carer Digital platform offers online information and resources covering a wide range of caring situations.

Free access for local carers

You can join Carers Digital for free using the access code:

DPCN 9533

You can also use Jointly, an app designed to help carers organise and share caring responsibilities.

To get started:

1. Visit Jointly and select Sign up.
2. Create your account.
3. Select Create a new circle.
4. Choose Use Free Access Code.
5. Enter DPCN9533 and select Redeem.
6. Download the app and sign in using your account details.

Looking after yourself

When you are caring for someone else, it can be easy to put your own health and wellbeing last.

Try to seek support if caring is affecting:

• Your physical or mental health
• Your ability to work or study
• Your finances
• Your relationships
• Your sleep or energy levels

You do not have to manage everything on your own.