The support given to my wife, her family, friends and myself was above and beyond all expectations.Partner of a St Ann’s Hospice patient

All quotations are used with permission.

Support for carers

  • Benefits and finances

    Benefits and finances

    Carers may be entitled to financial help with the costs of caring.

  • Young carers

    Young carers

    People can be carers at any age – there is help available to help you manage.

  • Links to other websites

    Links to other websites

    Web sites providing support and advice to carers of all ages and in all situations.

Who is a carer?

Carers are wives, husbands, partners… parents, grandparents… sons, daughters, friends or neighbours…it can be any one of us. We come from all walks of life, cultures, any age; you might not think of yourself as a carer, you might consider yourself as just looking after someone close to you; you are a carer.

The physical, emotional and psychological needs of carers can all too easily be overlooked. At St Ann’s Hospice, we include the carers and family of a patient in the heart of our thinking – and try to ensure that as well as supporting the patient, we also support those who support the patient.

This can be with practical things – such as helping to organise carers’ allowance, or having accessibility changes made to a home. It can be to provide some respite care, so that the carer can take a little time off while one of our hospice@home nurses cares for the patient. It can be emotional support – from one of our trained counsellors, helping people to cope through what is a very difficult time. It can be spiritual help, from one of our chaplains - a listening ear and some spiritual advice.

Looking after yourself is important

However we help, we try to ensure that the needs of the carer are not overlooked – right from our first contact, and continuing after a loved one dies.

Even if you are outside our geographical area, it is possible that this information can help you to see something of the options which may available to you in your area.

If you have experiences to share which might help others find their way through what can be a maze of advice we’d love to hear from you. Contact the social work team on 0161 437 8136 or 0161 702 8181.