Support For Carers

In Oxfordshire, we recognise the vital role of care provided by family and friends. We aim to work in partnership with carers to help support them in their caring roles.

Are You A Carer?

If you look after someone with a physical or mental illness or disability, a learning disability, or frailty, who needs support to live at home, whether or not that person is:

Young or an older person
A relative, partner, child or friend
Living with you or not
In need of personal care, supervision or emotional support

If you answer is yes then you are a carer.

This does not apply if you provide care as part of your paid employment or on behalf of a voluntary organisation. It is important to let your GP know if you are a carer so that your health needs as a carer can be taken into account.

Caring For Carers

If you are a carer and you would like some support, or if your own health is being made worse by caring for a relative, due to stress, depression or physical strain. Find out what help may be available - go to Carers In Oxfordshire for further information.

Free And Confidential Support

Free, confidential information, advice and advocacy are directly available from the three carers centres in Oxfordshire to any carer in their part of the county.

They provide individual support and can signpost carers to other useful sources of information and support. For further information about how the Carers Centres can help you, please ring or email your nearest centre:

Oxford City

The Carers Centre
174a Cowley Road
Oxford
OX4 1UE

Tel: 01865 205192
Email: info@carerscentre.co.uk

North and West Oxfordshire

The Carers Centre
27 Horsefair
Banbury
OX16 0AE

Tel: 01295 264545
Carer line: 08457 125546
Email: info@ccnwoxon.org.uk

South and Vale

South and Vale Carers Centre
5 Lydalls Road
Didcot
OX11 7HX

Tel: 01235 510212
Email: carers@svcarers.org.uk

The Voice of carers in Oxfordshire - Information on carers issues

The Oxfordshire Carers' Forum
2nd Floor
The Charter
Abingdon
OX14 4LZ

Tel: 01235 547180
Email: carers@oxoncarersforum.org.uk or admin@oxoncarersforum.org.uk

Carers Needs Assessment

If caring has a major impact on your life and you think you many need social care services to continue to care, please contact Social Services Access team on 0845-050-7666 or email: access@oxfordshire.gov.uk to request a Carers Needs Assessment.

Alternatively, as a starting point, you can complete a carers' self-assessment form on Carers In Oxfordshire. For further information on assessments and services for carers see www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/carers.

If the person you care for is not receiving any community care services, they may benefit from having their own assessment to discuss their needs, find out what help may be available and if they may be eligible for help.

Carers Supporting An Adult With Serious Mental Illness

If you are helping to support an adult with serious mental illness who lives in Oxfordshire, Rethink Carer Support project can offer you support and advice:

Rethink Carer Support
Manzil Way Resource Centre
Manzil Way
Cowley
OX4 1XE

Tel: 01865 455878

Oxfordshire Carers' Forum

Confidence 2 Care is the NEW programme being launched by Oxfordshire Carers Forum in 2011. It is a tailored version of the Caring with Confidence programme and consists of five sessions, free of charge for adults who are looking after a friend or relative in the community.