Established in 1996, Carers Leeds is a charity that provides information, advice and support to unpaid adult and parent carers across our city.
Our service includes our Advice Line, carers support groups, one to one support and support in hospitals. Some of our services are universal – open to all carers – and some are targeted at specific groups of carers. Our services are provided to all communities throughout Leeds.
We work in partnership with others to deliver our service and to influence them to act to benefit unpaid carers. This involves those working in health and social care and employers. We use what unpaid carers tell us about their experiences and what matters to them, to help create change at a local and national level.
Our vision at Carers Leeds is that all unpaid carers in our city are recognised, valued and supported to live a fulfilling life.
Carers Leeds wants to improve the lives of unpaid carers across the city. We provide information, advice and support to unpaid adult and parent carers in Leeds. We aim to influence others to act and create positive change for unpaid carers.
An unpaid carer is someone who provides help and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who couldn’t manage without their help. This could be due to illness, disability, mental health problems or substance misuse.
For some, caring has always been a part of life. For many, a caring role evolves over time. Others are thrown into a caring role. Some people live with the person they care for, some don’t. Some unpaid carers care for more than one person. Caring for someone can take up a few hours a week, or an unpaid carer may be caring for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Many unpaid carers do not see themselves as carers. But if you provide help and support such as shopping, managing medication, cooking, cleaning, emotional support or personal care, such as helping someone get dressed – you are an unpaid carer.
Being an unpaid carer can be rewarding but it can also be challenging. No-one should provide unpaid care at a cost to their own health and wellbeing, finances or relationships. Carers Leeds wants unpaid carers to have the information, advice and support they need to be able to care and live a fulfilling life.
Being a carer means supporting someone, but also finding ways to make people understand the person you’re caring for. And if you’re struggling with that then you’ve got Carers Leeds. That’s where you should go.
Unpaid carer, supported by Carers Leeds.