Am I a Carer?

Many people who provide regular unpaid support to a relative, partner, friend, or neighbour do not see themselves as “carers” because they view what they do as simply part of their relationship or family responsibility.

They may think the word carer only applies to paid care workers or people providing full-time, high-intensity support. Others gradually take on more tasks over time and never stop to label the role, or may avoid the term because of stigma, guilt, or fear of being judged. The result is that many carers remain hidden and miss out on important help, including financial support, carers’ assessments, respite breaks, training, workplace rights, and wellbeing services often only seeking support when they reach crisis point. Recognising and naming the caring role earlier helps people access the information, support, and protections that can make caring more sustainable

Interactive Self-Identification Tool

What is a carer?

A carer is anyone who provides unpaid help or support to a relative, friend, or neighbour who could not manage without that support due to illness, disability, mental health needs, addiction, or age. Many people do not think of themselves as carers — they see what they do as just being a partner, parent, child, or friend — and as a result may miss out on the information and help available to them.

Real-life examples of Different Types of Carers

Many people do not recognise themselves as carers because their support grows gradually 
or feels like a normal part of family or friendship. The examples below show common real-life caring situations. If any of these feel familiar, you may be a carer and could be entitled to support.

Supporting an older parent

You visit your mother every day to help with meals, shopping, medication, and appointments because she is becoming frail and forgetful. You also manage her bills and speak to services on her behalf.

Your husband has a long-term health condition. You help with personal care, monitor his symptoms, organise prescriptions, and provide emotional support when his condition fluctuates.

You coordinate school meetings, therapy appointments, specialist transport, and daily routines for your child with autism or a disability, alongside your normal parenting role.

You are at school or college and help look after a parent or sibling by cooking, cleaning, supervising, or being there when they are unwell or distressed.

You regularly check on a friend with severe anxiety or depression, manage crisis situations, attend appointments with them, and help them cope day to day.

You support an elderly neighbour with shopping, paperwork, and regular check-ins because they struggle to manage alone and have no close family nearby.

You have a paid job but also provide regular care before and after work and at weekends for a relative with dementia or mobility problems.

You are supporting both an older parent and a dependent child with additional needs at the same time, coordinating care across two generations.

You and your partner both have health problems and take turns supporting each other with daily tasks, medication, and appointments.

You may not provide hands-on care but you organise services, speak to professionals, manage forms and funding, and make sure support is in place. This coordination role is also caring.

If someone depends on your regular unpaid help because they could not manage without it, that is caring — even if you have never used that word for yourself.

Guidance on 
next steps

If you recognise that you are a carer, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure you are informed, supported, and not managing everything on your own. Many carers delay seeking help, but early support can make caring more sustainable and protect your health and wellbeing.

Next steps you should consider:

Explore available support services —

Use the support directory to find local and national organisations that offer advice, practical help, peer support, and specialist services.

Request a carers assessment —

You have the right to ask for a carers assessment through your local authority. This looks at your needs as a carer and what support or breaks may help you continue caring safely.

Check financial and workplace support —

You may be eligible for financial help, benefits guidance, or workplace rights such as Carer’s Leave and flexible working arrangements.

Tell your GP you are a carer —

Ask to be recorded as a carer on your GP record so you can be offered relevant health checks, vaccinations, and appointment flexibility where available.

Look after your own wellbeing —

Consider respite options, carers groups, and wellbeing support. Taking breaks and getting support is not a failure — 
it is part of caring sustainably.

Join the carers community —

You can take part in forums, peer groups, or partnership involvement opportunities to share your experience and help shape future services.

If you are unsure where to start, begin with 
the support directory or request a carers assessment — both are good entry points 
into the support system.