Support for carers
If you're a carer for a family member or friend, you'll support them in all kinds of ways.
You might be helping them with their washing, dressing or eating, taking them to appointments or keeping them company when they feel lonely or anxious.
If you're providing unpaid care or support to someone, free help and advice is available.
Carers Matter Norfolk
This is a county-wide organisation, supporting unpaid carers aged 16-plus who care for someone aged 18-plus.
Visit the Carers Matter Norfolk website
It provides a range of services, including:
- Carers Matter Advice Line - providing free and confidential information and guidance.
- Community support - access to the Carer Connectors team, who can give one-to-one support.
- The Pod - an online community for carers providing peer support, information and advice 24 hours a day.
- Education and training - access to an e-learning portal. Topics include first aid, nutrition and diet, managing behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
- Counselling - telephone or online sessions for those with caring-related emotional issues.
- Group training - free education and training sessions for carers’ peer support groups.
- Carers Voice - have your say on how Carers Matter Norfolk should use its time and resources to meet the needs of carers.
- Grants for carer peer support - apply for a share of a £30,000 annual Carers’ Group grant, which is divided by five localities with quarterly application rounds.
Contact information
Telephone: 0800 0831 148 or 07537 417850 (text only). Phone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 4pm-8pm and Sunday 8am-noon.
Email: info@carersmatternorfolk.org.uk
Facebook: CarersMatterNorfolk
Twitter: @CarersMatterNfk
Norfolk County Council
If you contact us, we'll look at whether the support you need can be met in your local community first. For example, you may benefit from accessing the services and support organised by Carers Matter Norfolk in your area.
We'll put you in touch with the right organisation to support your wellbeing and help you continue caring if that is what you would like to do.
Any services you receive to support you in your caring role will be provided free of charge.
Carer’s assessment
If you feel you would benefit from more support as a carer, contact us for a carer’s assessment.
You can talk about how caring affects your life as part of the assessment and find out about support services, emergency help, breaks and financial help.
You may be eligible for a Personal Budget. This can be spent on items or services that make caring easier, or practical support such as short breaks.
See our online Norfolk Community Directory for listings of care services.
Carers Handbook
Carers Matter Norfolk has produced a handbook offering advice and information for carers.
It covers a range of topics, including handling emergencies, benefits and looking after yourself. It also includes a list of useful contacts.
