What can I do for myself?



This is a list of things that could help you in your role as a carer.

The list includes tips from other carers of things that have helped them.

This is a list of things that could help you in your role as a carer.

The list includes tips from other carers of things that have helped them.

Look after yourself

Being a carer can be very tiring.

It is important to take time for yourself.

Being a carer can be very tiring.

It is important to take time for yourself.

Get online

The internet is full of information, support and places for carers to talk to each other.

Care for the Carers has more information about online support.

Website Care for the Carers digital resources

The internet is full of information, support and places for carers to talk to each other.

Care for the Carers has more information about online support.

Website Care for the Carers digital resources

Tell your GP

Tell your GP that you are a carer.

They can help you with things like health checks and if you are feeling worried or stressed.

Tell your GP that you are a carer.

They can help you with things like health checks and if you are feeling worried or stressed.

Register for online services with your GP so you can

  • book and cancel appointments

  • order medicines

  • look at your medical notes.

Register for online services with your GP so you can

  • book and cancel appointments

  • order medicines

  • look at your medical notes.

Include your family and friends

Coping alone can make things more difficult for you.

Many carers get support from their family and friends.

Coping alone can make things more difficult for you.

Many carers get support from their family and friends.

If you have a job

If you have worked somewhere for more than 26 weeks, you can ask for flexible working.

This is when your work hours or work place changes to help you.

For more information go to Carers UK

If you have worked somewhere for more than 26 weeks, you can ask for flexible working.

This is when your work hours or work place changes to help you.

For more information go to Carers UK

Make sure you and the person you care for are getting the right benefits

If you are finding it difficult to pay bills or need help with benefits, you can get free support and advice.

Contact the Welfare benefits helpline run by HARC.

Phone 0333 344 0681

Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Email benefitseastsussex@harcuk.com  

If you are finding it difficult to pay bills or need help with benefits, you can get free support and advice.

Contact the Welfare benefits helpline run by HARC.

Phone 0333 344 0681

Open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Email benefitseastsussex@harcuk.com  

Connect with the East Sussex Carers Centre

Care for the Carers support unpaid carers. 

You can get information and advice, counselling and friendship.

Website Care for the Carers

Email info@cftc.org.uk

Phone 01232 738 390

Text 07860 077 300

Care for the Carers support unpaid carers. 

You can get information and advice, counselling and friendship.

Website Care for the Carers

Email info@cftc.org.uk

Phone 01232 738 390

Text 07860 077 300

Other support available

East Sussex carers’ directory

The Council and NHS Sussex fund different organisations that can support your health and wellbeing.

Website Carer's directory

East Sussex carers’ directory

The Council and NHS Sussex fund different organisations that can support your health and wellbeing.

Website Carer's directory

East Sussex 1Space

Information about care and support services in your area

Website East Sussex 1Space

East Sussex 1Space

Information about care and support services in your area

Website East Sussex 1Space

Library services

Help to use library services if you are not able to leave the person that you care for alone.

Phone 0345 60 80 196

Website East Sussex Libraries

Library services

Help to use library services if you are not able to leave the person that you care for alone.

Phone 0345 60 80 196

Website East Sussex Libraries

Care Choices

Information about care homes in East Sussex and help to choose one.

Website Care Choices

Phone 0800 389 2077

Email enquiries@carechoices.co.uk

Care Choices

Information about care homes in East Sussex and help to choose one.

Website Care Choices

Phone 0800 389 2077

Email enquiries@carechoices.co.uk

Care Quality Commission

Making sure services are good quality and safe.

They can give you information about services.

Phone 03000 61 61 61

Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk

Website Care Quality Commission

Care Quality Commission

Making sure services are good quality and safe.

They can give you information about services.

Phone 03000 61 61 61

Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk

Website Care Quality Commission

East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS)

Information and advice about community groups and activities

Website ESCIS

Email escis@eastsussex.gov.uk

Phone 01273 481 754

East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS)

Information and advice about community groups and activities

Website ESCIS

Email escis@eastsussex.gov.uk

Phone 01273 481 754

National helplines

Carers UK

Carers UK is a national charity providing information and advice to carers:

Website Carers UK

Email adviceline@carersuk.org

Phone 0808 808 7777

Open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Carers UK

Carers UK is a national charity providing information and advice to carers:

Website Carers UK

Email adviceline@carersuk.org

Phone 0808 808 7777

Open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Carers Trust

Carers Trust is a national charity providing help and advice to carers.

Website Carers Trust

Email info@carers.org

Phone 0300 772 9600

Carers Trust

Carers Trust is a national charity providing help and advice to carers.

Website Carers Trust

Email info@carers.org

Phone 0300 772 9600

Macmillan Cancer Support

Support for people who have cancer or know someone who has cancer.

Website Macmillan Cancer Support

Phone 0808 808 00 00

Open 8am to 8pm every day.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Support for people who have cancer or know someone who has cancer.

Website Macmillan Cancer Support

Phone 0808 808 00 00

Open 8am to 8pm every day.

Getting involved

For more easy read information about getting involved in making services better, visit

Involvement Matters Team

For more easy read information about getting involved in making services better, visit

Involvement Matters Team

Give feedback on social care

You can tell us about your experience of social care.

Your feedback matters - easy read leaflet

You can tell us about your experience of social care.

Your feedback matters - easy read leaflet

If you do not want to talk to us, you can ask someone you know to speak to us.

This could be an advocate.

An advocate is someone who supports you to have your say.

You can find out more about how an advocate can support you here: Advocacy

If you do not want to talk to us, you can ask someone you know to speak to us.

This could be an advocate.

An advocate is someone who supports you to have your say.

You can find out more about how an advocate can support you here: Advocacy