Access carer support
Depending on where you live and who you care for, support may come from the NHS, your local council, or voluntary organisations. We’ll guide you to the right contacts and services.
Carer support from councils and charities
Overview
Your local council (also known as a local authority or LA) will have services designed to support unpaid carers and the people they care for. There may also be non-profit organisations who can provide valuable support, and we have included some on this page.
Support for young carers is also available from the majority of these services.
Council support
Under the Carer Act 2014 (and Children and Families Act 2014) each local authority has responsibilities for planning, commissioning and delivery of services for carers.
They’ll be able to provide you with information and advice about your rights as a carer, including:
Carer's assessment: This is a chance to talk about how caring affects your day-to-day life. The assessment is free and separate from the needs assessment the person you care for might have. It looks at your physical, mental and emotional needs. Any carer who needs support can have an assessment regardless of the amount or type of care they provide, finances or level of need.
Emergency or contingency plans: Get help to create a contingency or emergency plan. This is a document that sets out what to do and who to contact if you’re suddenly unable to provide care, making sure the person being cared for remains safe and supported.
Respite: Not all social care is funded and sometimes individuals source and fund their own care, including respite care. Investigate the local respite care offer by contacting your local authority.
Berkshire is split into six councils. If you’re not sure which council is responsible for the area where you live, you can find out by using this tool on the GOV.UK website:
Bracknell Forest Council
Reading Borough Council
Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
Slough Borough Council
West Berkshire Council
Wokingham Borough Council
Carers Partnership in Reading, West Berkshire, and Wokingham
The Carers Partnerships are formed of the below local charities, offering information, advice, and support to unpaid carers.
Age UK Berkshire and Age UK Reading
Available to carers of an older person (aged 65 or older).
Various services, activities, and events to support carers, including help with online shopping and jobs around the house.
Berkshire Youth
Available to carers aged 8 to 18 and living in West Berkshire or Wokingham.
Practical and emotional support for young carers, along with regular opportunities to take a break, have fun, and just be a child again. Their Wokingham Young Carers Service also supports young carers from Bracknell.
Communicare
Available to carers living in Reading.
Free advice for carers on a range of topics, including housing, employment, and debt.
Promise Inclusion (Pinc.)
Available to carers living in Wokingham or Bracknell Forest.
Formerly known as Wokingham Bracknell & Districts Mencap. Respite activities and emotional and practical support for people caring for someone with a learning disability and/or autism.
Other non-profit organisations
Alzheimer's Society
Information and advice for anyone caring for someone with dementia.
Beat
Specific advice for anyone supporting someone who has an eating disorder.
Carers Trust
Information and support to help carers find and receive support.
Carers UK
Services designed to help carers cope with the pressure of caring,
including online information and telephone advice.
Rethink Mental Illness
Tips and suggestions to help you support someone with a mental health problem.
SIGNAL Carers Service
Available to carers living in Bracknell Forest.
SIGNAL is funded by Bracknell Forest Council and NHS Frimley and supports carers by providing advice, information, and connection with other carers.
Recovery colleges
Recovery colleges offer free mental health and wellbeing courses, workshops, and support groups. Sessions are designed to help people with their recovery and/or support carers to empower you to find new ways of responding to difficult experiences.
Compass Recovery College (Reading)
Run by Reading Borough Council.
Recovery in Mind (West Berkshire)
Stepping Stones Recovery College (Bracknell)
Wokingham Recovery College
Run by Wokingham Borough Council.