Weather disruption
Winter weather is causing disruption to services in some parts of the county. Find out what services may be affected in your area.
Carer Support Dorset work with us in partnership recognising, supporting and valuing unpaid carers of all ages across the Dorset Council area.
Whether you are new to caring, or if you've been a carer for some time, Carer Support Dorset is your first stop for free independent information, advice, or support. They are the lead carer organisation and main point of contact for carers in Dorset.
They are a listening organisation and act as a community to support you as a carer. They can connect you with all the services Dorset Council offer.
Register as a carer with Carer Support Dorset
If you want help and support, you need to register with Carer Support Dorset.
All the services are free and will be tailored to your needs. The range of services they provide include:
- help in understanding your rights as a carer
- access to the Carer Friendly ID Card, offering various discounts across the county
- information on support options to give you a break from caring responsibilities
- personalised financial support, including benefits and debt advice, energy-saving guidance, and help balancing work or education with your caring role
- guidance on hospital admission and discharge, including advice on accessing a 'Carer Passport' for use in hospitals, which provides benefits such as discounts, parking assistance, and more
- information about local carers' groups - providing opportunity to compare notes and learn from the experiences of other carers
- resources to help manage the impact of your caring role and support your emotional well-being, including access to free counselling services
- regular newsletters with updates on local events
- support and guidance for when your caring role comes to an end, including help after the loss of the person you care for
- help to get a carer's assessment from the council and explain how it will benefit you
- information about in-case-of-emergency planning
Bridgit
Also take a look at Bridgit, another of our partners. They provide a customisable online platform with self-help tools designed to cater to your unique needs as a carer. It's available 24/7 so you can find help and support at a time to suit you.