Caring for our Carers

Valuing the role of Carers

The coronavirus pandemic has cast a spotlight on the care sector like never before. Delivering homecare is an incredibly rewarding job but it also comes with its challenges and this has never been more prevalent as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here at Right at Home UK, the wellbeing of our CareGivers is an absolute priority. We care for our CareGivers in the same way they care for our Clients. Unfortunately, many family Carers do not have the same support system as paid Carers and the demands of caring for a loved one full time can be difficult to manage.

Carers Week 2021

Carers Week, an annual event which runs this year from Monday 7 June – Sunday 13 June 2021, aims to put unpaid Carers in touch with the right services to provide them with the advice and support they need to support a loved one. A great starting point is the Carers Week website. This is filled with useful resources, tips and guidance for family Carers.

What is Right at Home doing to support family Carers?

At Right at Home, our growing network of 65+ offices offer various initiatives to support family Carers, such as moving and handling training to ensure family members understand the safest techniques when supporting a loved one, and running group sessions in the community where family Carers can talk and share experiences with other local Carers.

For many family Carers across the UK, our respite homecare services provide them with peace of mind that their loved one is in safe hands whilst they take a well-deserved break. We can provide one hour of home respite care per day whilst a full time Carer walks the family dog or pops to the shops. For other Clients, we provide a full day of care once a week, so family Carers can have a full day to rest and recharge their batteries, away from their caring duties.

Important information for family Carers

Carer’s Allowance

Did you know that if you care for someone for 35 hours a week or more, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance? You could receive £67.60 per week, although this depends on whether the person you care for receives a benefit such as Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance, for example. It is important to note that you do not have to be related to or live with the person you care for. Read more about Carer’s Allowance and how to claim this on the Government website.

How is Carer’s Allowance paid?

If you are eligible for Carer’s Allowance, you can choose to be paid every four weeks, or weekly in advance. It will be paid into an account, for example your bank account. 

What other Carer discounts or benefits am I entitled to?

For every week that you receive Carer’s Allowance, you will automatically get National Insurance credits. You may also be able to apply for other things like a Council Tax Reduction. Take a look at the Government’s website for full details on what discounts or benefits are available for Carers.

If you would like more information on how we can support family Carers with respite care services, please contact your local Right at Home office.

Useful resources:

Carers Trust – a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland providing advice and guidance for Carers.

Carers UK’s online forum for Carers.