Caring for our carers
A carer can be someone who provides unpaid care or support for a partner, parent, child, sibling, family, friend or neighbour who has a disability or long term health condition.
As the festive season approaches, it can bring additional pressures for unpaid carers who already balance the demands of supporting loved ones. The holiday period often amplifies feelings of isolation, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion as carers juggle festive preparations alongside their caregiving duties. It's important to prioritise your own wellbeing during this busy time. If you're an unpaid carer, remember that support is available whether it’s connecting with others in similar situations, accessing financial advice, or taking a break to recharge. You’re not alone, and help is just a call or click away.
Carers Centres
Carers Centres provide free advice and guidance, emotional and practical support, training and a range of holistic therapies for unpaid carers. More information can be found on the individual websites below:
- Warrington: Warrington Carers Hub | n-compass
- St Helens: Home (sthelenscarers.info)
- Halton: Halton Carers' Centre
- Liverpool: Carers Support (localsolutions.org.uk)
- Knowsley: Knowsley Carers Centre
- Sefton: Home (sefton-carers.org.uk)
- Out of area, Carers Trust search function: Local Carers Support Services Near Me | Carers Trust
Carers websites
The Carers Trust and Carers UK work to transform the lives of unpaid carers. They partner with networks of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness and influence policy.
Healthwatch organisations
Healthwatch is your health and social care champion. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, they want to hear about your experiences.
As an independent statutory body, they have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care.
- Warrington: Healthwatch Warrington
- St Helens: Healthwatch St Helens
- Halton: Healthwatch Halton
- Liverpool: Healthwatch Liverpool
- Knowsley: Healthwatch Knowsley
- Sefton: Healthwatch Sefton
You can also Find your local Healthwatch if you are out of the area.
Jargon buster
To help make sure our information is as accessible and easy to understand as possible, and to support involvement in our work - we make every effort to use plain English wherever possible. Here is a glossary of commonly used abbreviations and NHS specific language.