Helpline: 0808 802 0202
E-mail: carersdirect@nhschoices.nhs.uk
Website: www.nhs.uk/carersdirect

Description:
This is the second part of the carers' information service which was first announced as part of the Health and Social Care White Paper and then in the National Strategy for Carers.

The free telephone advice line is open 7 days a week and will provide a comprehensive advice service for carers wanting information and advice about benefits, how to get care and support, breaks, housing, equipment, etc.

It complements the new on line information service, which went live on 26th January and is available at NHS Choices (see website above). It provides carers with a single and comprehensive on-line resource for carer specific information, including: guidance on the different stages of caring, information for claiming benefits, advice for young carers, contact details for local authorities and local support groups, news articles, and case studies with videos. Future development will allow carers to receive answers to e-mail enquiries and join on-line communities and forums.

These services are designed for carers wanting information and advice about services and support available in England.

Carers UK has welcomed the fact that Government is trying to make information and advice more accessible to carers. They know that information is often the key to carers being able to manage their lives better, get the support they need and vital income. Carers UK's research has shown that carers can miss out for years on support and carers tell us that they want high quality, easily understandable information.

The telephone helpline is open:

8:00 am till 9:00 pm Monday to Friday
11:00 am till 4:00 pm Weekends.

Calls are free from UK landlines.

DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.