Plymouth's Carers of Friends and Family

Who is a carer?
Supporting someone else is sometimes called caring. You are a carer if you provide (unpaid) support and care for someone who has an illness, disability, mental health problem or addiction. Carers can provide all sorts of emotional and practical support.
If you're over 18 and look after a partner, family member, or friend with an illness or disability, you can ask for a carer's assessment, which considers the impact the care and support you provide is having on your own wellbeing and important aspects on the other aspects of your life. We look at how caring affects you and the sort of help you may be eligible for.
We can support carers with information and advice, drop-in and support groups, leisure and social activities, workshops and training, carers passport and discounts, and regular newsletters.
How to ask for a carer's assessment
You can ask for an assessment when you register as a carer.
The assessment will look at how caring affects:
- your life and wellbeing
- your physical, mental and emotional health
- your work, study, training, leisure
- your relationships
What happens after your assessment?
The help you may be eligible for will depend on the outcome of your assessment.
A support plan will be developed, outlining how the council will assist you; this could be via a carers personal budget or through information and advice services.
If you are not eligible for council support, we can provide you with information and advice, as well as put you in touch with local organisations that can assist you.
For more information, please email caringforcarers@improvinglivesplymouth.org.uk or call 01752 201890.
Support with living costs for carers
If you are struggling to make ends meet at the moment, it's important to know that you're not alone and there is help available.
On the Carers UK website, you can find lots of suggestions to help you manage your finances and get support during these challenging times of rising living costs.
If you are under 18 please view the Plymouth Young Carers Support Hub

Who is a carer?
A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a family or friend who needs help and support due to illness, disability, a mental health condition or an addiction.
View page (Go to Who is a carer?)
Register as a carer
If you're over 18 and look after a partner, family member, or friend with an illness or disability, you can ask for a carer's assessment.
View page (Go to Register as a carer)
Carer's Passport and discounts
As a carer in Plymouth, you may be eligible for exclusive discounts and benefits. It's our way of saying thank you for the amazing work you do.
View page (Go to Carer's Passport and discounts)
Financial and legal support for carers
Financial and legal information, help, and support for Plymouth's carers.
View page (Go to Financial and legal support for carers)
Health and wellbeing for carers
Caring for someone can be physically and emotionally exhausting and it is important to look after yourself.
View page (Go to Health and wellbeing for carers)
Emergency support and safeguarding for carers
From time to time, we encounter situations that we perhaps don't expect. If you need emergency support, there is help available.
View page (Go to Emergency support and safeguarding for carers)
Employment and training for carers
Carers who are employed now have improved rights, but not everyone knows how the law can work to support them.
View page (Go to Employment and training for carers)
Carer news updates, feedback and how to contact us
Latest news and updates for Plymouth's carers, feedback and details of how to contact us.
View page (Go to Carer news updates, feedback and how to contact us)
Equality and diversity support for carers
Equality brings quality for everyone and the creation of a fairer society where everyone can participate and achieve their potential.
View page (Go to Equality and diversity support for carers)
Information and referrals for professionals (carers)
Information and support if you are a professional supporting someone who cares for another person.
View page (Go to Information and referrals for professionals (carers))