Support and information for carers - by Lallita Carballo, Clinical Lead and Head of the Macmillan Support and Information Service

This week is Carers Week. The nationwide campaign aims to raise awareness of the responsibilities unpaid carers face and the help and support carers can access.

We know that cancer or a blood condition can have a wide-ranging impact, including on friends, family and carers. Without the right information and support, it can be challenging to care for someone with a long-term condition. So we’ve developed our services to ensure that we offer support to carers:

• Carers can get emotional support, practical advice and information from a support and information specialist on our helpline: 020 3447 3816 or by email: uclh.supportandinformation@nhs.net.
• We run an online wellbeing programme and offer a range of workshops and classes which carers can join.
• Our support groups are open to carers too – you can attend on your own or with the person you care for.
• Our psychological and emotional care team can provide support for carers who are referred to them.
• Our welfare and benefit advisors can help carers apply for carer’s allowance or for benefits on behalf of their loved one.
• We have a wide range of information booklets which include topics such as looking after someone with cancer, financial support for carers, and working while caring.
• We have an online directory of other organisations that can help.

We plan to trial an online carers support group soon. If you’d be interested in joining, or would like more information about our service, please contact us by phone on 020 3447 3816 or email at uclh.supportandinformation@nhs.net.