We are committed to addressing the specific needs of carers, offering help and support wherever appropriate and practicable. If you think you are a carer, please let us know so we can update your records. The practice has a form you can complete upon request.

Carers registration form can be accessed here

NHS England – digital resources for unpaid carers can be accessed HERE

Carers Passport

A Carers Passport is a brand new initiative which has just been launched across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Take a look at our Carers Wellbeing Officer Sarah’s video to find out more about what a Carers Passport is and how it can help you.

You can download a leaflet or poster about Carers Passports here.

What is a Carers Passport?

This is an ID card for carers who are caring for a loved one aged 18+.
Will be recognised across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
It will aid easy recognition of carers in a variety of settings and enable access to services and support.
It’s available as a wallet sized card, downloadable onto your smartphone or with a lanyard if you would prefer.

Below we have compiled some information that we hope you will be useful for carers as well as patients.

Leicestershire County Council – Adult Social Care

Adult Social Care can provide support and help informal carers with their caring duties, please see below for some useful resources. Adult Social Care can also help if you need to access emergency respite care for the person you care for and / or think that the person you care for might be eligible for funded respite care.

Telephone: 0116 305 0004
Deaf of Hard of hearing: text 07949 633 788 instead
Monday to Thursday 830am- 5pm
Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm

Emergency/Out of hours:
Telephone the Emergency Duty team on 0116 255 1606 if you need to speak to adult social care outside of normal office hours

You can also find helpful information here:

https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/looking-after-someone

What is a carer’s assessment?

If you look after someone who lives in Leicestershire and you are both over 18, you may be entitled to some support with your caring role through a carer’s assessment.

A carer’s assessment will look at your existing support network, for example, family or friends. It considers the things that you want or need to achieve outside of your caring role and the impact this has on your ability to carry out those activities and how this affects your wellbeing.

It’s not about judging your ability or the way in which you carry out your caring role. Its purpose is to help you to continue to care if you want to – so it benefits you and the person you care for. If you feel you’re unable to continue in your caring role, we can look at what options might be available for you or the person you care for.

How do I apply for a carer’s assessment?

You can apply for a carer’s assessment online it will take about 20 minutes and will ask you questions about you and the person you care for. You’ll need an email address to register, or you can request a carers assessment or a combined assessment with the person you care for by contacting adult social care on the number above.

Please follow the link below if you wish to apply for a carers assessment online.
https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/looking-after-someone/what-is-a-carers-assessment

VASL – Support for Carers Caring for Someone 18+

VASL is a small charity based in Market Harborough. For 10 years, it has supported unpaid carers across Leicestershire. In order to access this service, the cared-for must be 18+ and live in the county of Leicestershire. You can refer yourself using the information below:

By phone: 01858 468 543

By email: [email protected]

On VASLs website: https://vasl.org.uk/information/register-to-one-of-our-services/

Through First Contact Plus (more details below)

By self-registering on: www.supportforcarers.org

VASL aims to respond to referrals within 3 working days or 24 hours if an emergency. The Carers Help and Support Line (number above) is open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

The service offers on-going emotional support, runs nine support groups across the county every month (via Zoom), offers a telephone befriending service, helps carers complete Carer’s Assessments and signposts to other organisations. VASL is also active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Virtual face-to-face appointments with Carers Wellbeing Advisors are available over Zoom for unpaid carers caring for a friend or family member aged 18+ in Leicestershire. Call 01858 468 543 to book your slot.

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VASLs Support for Carers Leicestershire YouTube channel – contains carers training videos. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcsfiYAdDHwX7dxSq9liq6g

Age UK

Age UK offers a range of support for older carers and carers of older people; please see their contact details below:

Telephone: 0116 299 2233

Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/leics/our-services/support-for-carers/

Email: [email protected]

The following link displays a list of contact details for services provided by Age UK Leicestershire and Rutland: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/leics/about-us/contact-us/

First Contact Plus

First Contact Plus is an online tool which helps adults in Leicestershire find information about a range of services all in one place and you can self-refer via their website. The website contains useful information on the following areas:

Improving your health
Falls
Feeling safe
Living independently
Money, debt and benefits
Work, learning and volunteering
Families and relationships
Your home

Website: http://www.firstcontactplus.org.uk/

Caring for Someone Else

Nottingham Carers Hub – caring for someone outside of Leicestershire

Telephone: 0115 824 8824

Website: https://nottinghamshirecarers.co.uk/notts-carers-hub

CLASP The Carer’s Centre – caring for someone under the age of 18

Telephone: 0116 251 0999

Website: http://claspthecarerscentre.org.uk/

Barnardo’s Carefree – supports young carers who are themselves under the age of 18

Telephone: 0116 286 7182

Website: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/carefree-young-carers-services

Benefits

Attendance Allowance – Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. You can download the form online at the website below.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

Attendance Allowance helpline
Telephone: 0800 731 0122
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Carer’s Allowance – you could be eligible for carer’s allowance if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week. You can apply online via the website below or by post.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

Council Tax Support – carers that live within the Melton Borough and are struggling to pay their council tax or are caring for someone with certain needs, may be eligible for this means tested benefit which can help during this time. You can apply by using the link below.

Website: http://www.melton.gov.uk/info/200008/benefits/484/make_a_claim_for_help_paying_council_tax_or_rent

If you are unable to complete the online form and do not have anyone else that can do it for you, please call 01664 502502 to request a New Benefits Claim call back.

Universal Credit – you could be eligible if you are a carer who is of working age and requires help to pay housing costs. You can apply online via the website below or by telephone.

Telephone: 0800 328 5644

Website: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Other Useful Telephone Numbers

Latham House Medical Practice	01664 503000
Central Access Point (mental health support)	0116 295 3060
NHS 111 (medical advice and reassurance 24 hours a day)	111
Single Point of Access (SPA) – community health services (e.g. catheter issues, palliative care nurses, heart failure or respiratory nurses, wound dressings)	0300 300 7777
Carers UK	020 7378 4999
Carers Allowance Unit	0800 731 0297
Care Home Selection	0800 008 7193
Samaritans	08457 909 090