If you’re providing support to someone because of their health and they cannot cope without your support, you are helping someone to self-care.
This could be a family member or a friend or partner. It may be because of an illness, disability or their frailty or they may be living with a mental health illness or addition. The type of help you provide may include:
- Washing, dressing or taking medicines
- Getting out and about and travelling to doctors' appointments
- Shopping, cleaning and laundry
- Paying bills and organising finances
- Providing emotional support by sitting with someone to keep them company and watching over them if they can't be left alone.
Many people don’t see themselves as carers and may not seek the support that they need. We want you and the person you care for to live the best life possible, getting the right support at the right time.
Local support services
National support services
Online tools and courses