Did you know... More than 100,000 people volunteer in hospices across the UK

Resources for carers

If you work with carers, then it may be useful to keep a list of local and national services that they can use, as well as telephone helplines and useful websites.

These could include:

You could also keep a supply of up-to-date leaflets from these organisations so that carers can take home with them, as well as the publications for carers that Help the Hospices has helped to put together.

You can also search Help the Hospices database of information and support organisations. Many of these have developed information and services to support carers.

Carers support services and groups

Keep information about:

support services for carers offered by your organisation, including a named person (or people) who can give advice
local support groups for carers: visit the Princess Royal Trust for Carers' website (www.carers.org or www.youngcarers.net) to look for carers groups and young carers projects in your area
local hospice or palliative care services – for more details contact us.

Carers Direct

This is an information, advice and support service for carers. Visit www.nhs.uk/carersdirect or ring freephone 0808 802 02 02 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm; weekends and bank holidays, 11am to 4pm).

Carers UK

Help and advice is available on at www.carersuk.org or via the advice line on 0808 808 7777 (Wednesday and Thursday, 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm).

Respite services

Keep information about:

day care centres, nursing homes and places where someone can stay short-term
respite support for carers in the home. Search for a Crossroads scheme in your area at www.crossroads.org.uk

Local services

Keep information about the following local departments and services:

Social Services departments
counselling services offered by GPs' surgeries, voluntary organisations and private practices
Department for Work and Pensions
Age UK (www.ageuk.org.uk)
Jobcentre Plus (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk)
Tax Office
Citizen's Advice Bureau (www.citizensadvice.co.uk and www.adviceguide.org.uk)

National services

Keep information about:

Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800 88 22 00
Samaritans: 08457 909090
ChildLine: 0800 1111
NHS Direct: 0845 4647 (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)
NHS 24 (Scotland): 08454 242424 (www.nhs24.com)

Support for specific illnesses

Keep information about support for people with specific diseases:

Macmillan Cancer Support: 0808 808 000 (www.macmillan.org.uk)
Motor Neurone Disease Association: 08457 626262 (www.mndassociation.org)
Multiple Sclerosis Society: 0808 800 8000 (www.mssociety.org.uk)

Help with travel and holidays

Keep information about holidays for people with disabilities or medical problems:

Macmillan Cancer Support's website has information about travel (www.macmillan.org.uk)
Contact the publications team to order our 'Flying home or on holiday' publication, or go to the publications catalogue.

Bereavement services

Keep information about bereavement support services:

Cruse Bereavement Care: 0844 477 9400 (www.cruse.org.uk)
local hospice or palliative care services may offer bereavement support services – for more details contact us.

Events

Carers Week

Carers Week takes place in June, with events for carers organised throughout the UK. Visit www.carersweek.org for further details.

Carers Rights Day

Carers Rights Day, organised by Carers UK, takes place in December. Visit www.carersuk.org for further details.