Caring for someone towards the end of their life

Please tell us what you think about our website, we welcome your feedback.

Customer notice

Due to essential maintenance some of our web services will be unavailable between these times 7pm Friday 25 May and 5pm Sunday 27 May 2012.

In case of any emergencies please see our Facebook or Twitter pages.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid support to a family member, partner or friend because they are ill, disabled, frail or has mental health or substance misuse problems or are terminally ill or dying.

Carers provide a much valued source of support within our communities and it is important to recognise their role and contribution. Caring for someone towards the end of their life can be emotional and challenging. There are a number of services available to support carers in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Council support for carers

Wiltshire Council provides a range of services for carers. Carers providing regular and substantial amounts of care have a right to an assessment to look at how they can be best supported in their caring role. Some services are available to all carers such as the Carers Emergency Card, whilst others will be dependent on the needs of each individual.

• Wiltshire Council - support for carers
• 0300 456 0111

Carer Support Wiltshire

Carer Support Wiltshire is a voluntary organisation which provides a range of support to carers in Wiltshire who are aged 18 or over. They provide one to one support, group support, training for carers and social, leisure and health and wellbeing activities which many carers access to meet other people in similar situations to themselves. They also support carers for twelve months after the person that they have cared for has died.

• Carer Support Wiltshire
• 0800 181 4118

Carers Direct – Carers and end of life care

Carers Direct is part of NHS choices and provides information to carers on a range of issues, including end of life. Their website contains useful information including practical advice about what to do when someone dies and information on how you may feel as a carer when your caring role comes to an end. They have a telephone helpline which is open until 9pm during the week and from 11am to 4pm at weekends.

• NHS Carers Direct
• 0808 802 0202

Organisation	Contact information
Carers UK	Carers UK is a charity set up to help the millions of people who care for family or friends. Carers UK - Finding help in Wiltshire 0808 808 7777
Community First and Young Carers Wiltshire	Community First offer young carers a break and a chance to talk to reduce their isolation and keep them healthy and happy. Community First - information about 'Young Carers Wiltshire' Young Carers Wiltshire - 01380 720671
Pathways	Wiltshire Pathways: helping children & young people get the help they need in Wiltshire. Wiltshire Pathways Out of hours social care emergencies - 0845 60 70 888
The Princess Royal Trust for carers	The Princess Royal Trust for carers Local Centre for West Wilts - 01380 871 690 Monday to Thrusday, 9am - 4.30pm, Friday, 9am - 4pm Local Centre for North Wilts - 01249 444 110 Monday to Friday, 9am - 4pm Local centre for Kennet - 01672 564265 Local centre for South Wilts - 01722 322746 Local centre for Swindon - 01793 531 133
Young Carers	The Princess Royal Trust for carers have a website for carers under 19 years old to get support and advice. Young Carers
DirectGov	Direct Gov - Carer's Allowance is a benefit to help people who look after someone who is disabled. You don't have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

Last updated: 11 May 2011