Do You Look After Someone?

If you are you caring for someone with an illness or a disability, whether you live with them or not, you are a carer. You may be

• A friend
• Neighbour
• Wife
• Husband
• Partner
• Child 
• Or other relative of the person you care for

We may be able to help you if the person you are looking after

• Is an older person
• Has a mental health problem
• Has HIV or AIDS
• Has a learning disability
• Has problems with alcohol or drugs
• Has a physical or sensory disability
• Has a long-term illness

We recognise the important role played by carers. Looking after someone can be rewarding but it can also be hard work.

How we can help

We provide a number of services which can take some of the burden off carers. The pages in this section give you further advice on what help is available to you as a carer in Southwark. Select from the links on the left-hand side of this page for more information.

Carers strategy for Southwark 2005 to 2008

There are an estimated 25,000 - 26,000 carers in Southwark who provide regular unpaid care for a relative, friend or partner. Hundreds of these carers go unidentified or unsupported in Southwark every year. To ensure that effective support services can be offered to these carers, we have developed this multi-agency Carers Strategy for Southwark (473 KB).

To view this document, you will need Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer. Download it for free here.

This strategy and the accompanying action plan has been developed in response to the national strategy, in partnership with representatives from the voluntary and community sector, health and social care, representatives from all partnership boards within Southwark and carers themselves.

Contact us

For further information and advice about services and organisations that help carers in Southwark.

Carers helpline
Freephone: 0800 389 5339