Carers

Am I a Carer?

There are many different definitions of a carer, so on this site, we have decided to use the Princess Royal Trust for Carers definition of a carer:

'A carer is someone, who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 carrying out significant caring tasks and assuming a level of responsibility for another person, which would normally be taken by an adult.

Anyone can become a carer; carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age.

Many carers do not consider themselves to be a carer, they are just looking after their mother, son, or best friend, just getting on with it and doing what anyone else would in the same situation’.

What Help Can I Get?

If you are a carer, or you think you might be taking on a caring role in the near future, you are entitled to a carers assessment. This is a chance for you to talk through the impact caring has on your life, emotionally, physically and mentally. You can also discuss any support you might need and be eligible for – for example someone to come and look after the person you care for to give you a break or a Direct Payment which you could use to pay for some help with the housework.

Most importantly - you are not alone. There are a number of organisations in the local area that help carers that may be able to offer you support. They may be able to help you to take a break, and most offer support groups that allow you to meet other carers and find out more about services for carers in Islington.

We have recently updated our Strategy for Carers, and the new document can be downloaded at the bottom of the page. Please keep checking this page for more information for carers in the London Borough of Islington.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please email carers@islington.gov.uk.

Islington Carers Centre

All carers can contact the Islington Carers Centre. They offer a number of services, information and advocacy, including support groups for carers of people with mental health issues, relaxation days, and making it happen days. For more information, contact them at:

Unit 1
53 Hargrave Road
London
N19 5SH
Phone: 020 7263 9080
Email: islingtoncarers@btconnect.com

Other Local Organisations

There are a number of other organisations that work with carers who care for different groups of people:

Alzheimer’s Society, Islington Branch (for people with all forms of dementia, their families and carers)
Carnegie Street Centre
1 Carnegie Street
London
N1 9QW
Phone: 020 7837 8723
Email: alzheimers-isl@freeuk.com

CASA (for carers of people who abuse drugs and alcohol)
55 Fortess Road
London
NW5 1AD
Phone: 020 7485 1945
Email: admin@casa.org.uk

Centre 404 (parent carers and carers of adults with learning disabilities)
404 Camden Road,
London
N7 0SJ
Phone: 020 7607 8762
Email: general@centre404.org.uk

Manor Gardens Centre (befriending project for elderly dementia sufferers and their carers)
The Manor Gardens Centre
6-9 Manor Gardens
London N7 6LA
Tel: 020 7272 4231
Email: admin@manorgardenscentre.org