Suffolk Family Carers

A Family Carer is someone of any age who is  looking after another person who cannot manage without help because of illness, age related frailty, mental health need, or disability.

Caring is such an important part of life. It’s simply part of being human. Family carers are holding families together, enabling the people they support to get the most out of life, making an enormous contribution to society and saving the economy billions of pounds. For some taking on a caring role is sudden: someone is taken ill or has an accident or your child is born with a disability. For others, caring creeps up unnoticed: your parents can’t manage on their own any longer, your partner’s health gets gradually worse.

But caring for someone can be extremely complicated. The maze of rights and entitlements can be complicated. Filling in paperwork can be complicated. Trying to organise a break can be complicated. Feelings about the impact caring is having can certainly be complicated. Yet many family carers do not recognise they are carrying out a caring role, and this can be a real barrier to accessing vital support.

For over 30 years Suffolk Family Carers have been helping family carers of all ages across Suffolk get the support they need to live fuller lives. We provided information, advice and support to thousands of family carers each year. We’re here to make sure that no matter how complicated your query or your experience, you don’t have to care alone.

We provide innovative services, often ahead of the field. Our information line handles over 10,000 calls a year from family carers and provides advice and support to get you the solutions you need. Our Advisers complete Carers Assessments in partnership with Suffolk County Council and we have support workers in the main hospitals across Suffolk.

Our work within the sphere of mental health and wellbeing is considered exemplary by family carers and practitioners alike. We can help you find the relevant agencies and provide positive opportunities to meet others in a similar situation, share viewpoints and discuss different strategies.