New digital helpline for cancer patients
Got questions about navigating the online world while dealing with cancer? We can help!
Learn more about the Digital Helpline
Local weight management services
Are you trying to access weight management services and weight loss medication? Visit the Mid & South Essex integrated care page for further about current services available, how to access them and what to expect.
Advice for parents
We have updated our section on advice for parents to include a link to the NHS Better Health Start for Life website, covering the early years of development from ages 0-5.
website
www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/early-learning-development
Support for carers
Carers take all shapes and sizes, providing any level of help and support for others that need it. To find out more about what support and assistance is available to both carers and those being cared for, see our updated page on support for carers.
Carers are the main support line for many people, they may be a friend or relative who regularly help, looks after or supports someone over the age of 18 who wouldn’t be able to manage everyday life without their help.
Carers under the age of 18 are sometimes called ‘young carers‘.
Who you may be looking after
You may be caring for a partner, relative, friend or neighbour. For example, it may be someone who:
- has a physical or learning disability
- has a mental health condition
- is living with dementia
- has sight, hearing or communication difficulties
- has a long-term health condition
- misuses drugs or alcohol
A carer doesn’t have to be living with the person they care for, and the help they give doesn’t have to be physical.
Things you may help do
You may be helping with:
- shopping, personal finances
- paperwork and administration
- transportation
- personal care, such as washing and dressing
- going to the toilet or dealing with incontinence
- eating or taking medicines
- getting about at home or outside
- practical things, like companionship
- counselling, emotional support or communicating
- attending appointments
Do I look like I care?
Do you look after, or give any help or support such as the examples listed above, to anyone and are not paid for this?
Did you know we can record that you are an unpaid carer on your medical record?
If we know you that you are helping someone else and they can’t cope without your support we can offer you help, advice and signpost you to support services.
To update your medical records or find out more, please get in touch with us at mseicb-cpr.benfleetpcn@nhs.net
Services for carers
Financial support for carers
Financial aid is also available to carers. You can get £67.60 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
- You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
- You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.
- If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
Use the Essex County Council simple care contribution calculator to estimate if you, or the person you are looking after, might be eligible for financial support towards care costs.
Find out more about financial aid.
Emotional support for carers
Looking after a friend or loved one can sometimes being extremely challenging leaving you feeling alone, angry or upset. This is perfectly natural.
Carers First help carers and people who look after someone. They are your first point of contact for information, advice and guidance. They can offer emotional as well as practical support.
You can fill in your details on the online form and someone from their team will aim to contact you within 5 working days.
Additional support for carers
Action for Family Carers makes a positive difference to the lives of both adult and young carers across Essex by providing a variety of services. These include carer advice and information, feeling good caring well programme of wellbeing activities, Essex befriends, carer counselling, and day care and activity groups for vulnerable older people. For young carers under 18 years of age there is countywide in school support and young carers clubs in 5 districts.
You can call them on 0300 770 8090, email info@affc.org.uk or visit www.affc.org.uk
Discounts for carers
Did you know that Carers can receive discounts at hundreds of retailer; Exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for carers and care workers. For care assistants, live in carers, those that care for loved ones, and everyone in between.
Website
www.discountsforcarers.com
Essex frontline
Frontline is a community project. It helps frontline workers and the public to quickly find details on local health and wellbeing services and to contact services through call back and referral options.
Visit Essex Frontline
Benfleet PCN wellbeing hub
A new drop in service for all residents of Benfleet is now open for blood pressure checks, health advice and guest speakers from health teams and the local community.
- When: Every Thursday at midday
- Where: Holy Family Church, High Road, Benfleet SS7 5SF
To find out more, contact billie.haggis1@nhs.net.
