Carers What it means to be a carer
A carer is person who looks after a partner, family member or friend who has a mental or physical illness, is disabled or is elderly. The care they provide is unpaid and the person looked after relies on their help to manage on a day-to-day basis. Carers are also referred to in many services as family carers.
The 2004 Carers Equal Opportunities Act gave carers new rights. Social services have to consider what a carer wants to do in terms of work, study and leisure when carrying out carers' assessments. Access to learning for carers has many practical benefits. It provides the opportunity for carers in employment or carers who want to return to work to develop their knowledge and skills. It gives people a break from caring and a chance to socialise. It offers the chance to step out of role and to be seen as an individual. It gives carers a way to develop interests and hobbies which can provide a welcome change from the focus on caring responsibilities.