Carers Support

If you are please let us know - we may be able to help you.

What is a carer

A carer is a person who looks after a family member, relative, partner, neighbour or friend who needs help due to ill health, old age, disability, drug or alcohol misuse or who has mental health problems. You do not have to live with the person or the only one doing the caring.

Wigan and Leigh Carer’s Centre aims to be a ‘One Stop’ where we can provide all the information a carer needs.

For information and advise please contact:
Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre
3-5 Frederick Street
Hindley
Wigan
WN2 3BD
Telephone number: 01942 705959
Opening hours: 09.00 to 17.00hrs (Monday to Friday)
Website: www.wiganandleighcarerscentre.org.uk 

Additionally, in order to ensure the Practice can identify that, as a patient of the Practice, you have a Carer OR you care for someone yourself, please ask Reception staff for a Carer’s registration form; this will enable Practice staff to identify you as a Carer and will allow us to offer you an annual health check, extend certain vaccinations to you (such as annual influenza vaccination) so as we keep you in the best possible health, offer you input from the Practice Community Link Worker (who will signpost you to organisations that may be of interest/assistance to you) and, with your permission, we will also notify Wigan & Leigh Carer’s staff that you are a Carer or are cared for.

There is also a wealth of information on NHS Choices about carers and caring. Below are some links into the site that we hope you will find useful.

• Caring for a parent

  Watch this video on: caring for a parent at home

• Telling people

  Caring responsibilities can make it difficult to maintain friendships or develop new ones. Telling your friends you're a carer is important so they understand and can support you.

• Taking a break

  Caring for someone can be a full-time job, but it's essential that you take time out for yourself too. Read our guide to accessing breaks and respite.

• Housing and carers

  Do you know your tenancy rights as a carer? Are you aware of all your care at home options? Do you need tips on moving someone around the home?

Help claiming benefits, looking after your bank balance and understanding the legal issues of caring.

• Benefits for carers

  Directing carers to the benefits that can help them in their caring role

• Benefits for the person you care for

  Advice and information on helping the person you look after get the benefits that they are entitled to

• Death and benefits

  How your benefits maybe affected after the death of the person you look after and what happens to their benefits

• Managing someone's legal affairs

  Advice for when carers find they have to take over the legal affairs of the person they are looking after

• Other benefits

  Advice for carers and the people they are looking after on claiming a whole host of other benefits unrelated to their disability or caring

• Personal and household finance

  Advice on keeping a tight rein on household and personal finance for carers

• Social fund

   

• Tax credits

  Information on claiming tax credits and whether you might be eligible