Being a carer can be hard work, and many people are carers on top of other responsibilities, like having a job, or caring for a family of their own. This level of responsibility, unsurprisingly, can often leave carers struggling to attend to their own needs and wellbeing.
In this article, we’re going to cover all the ways you can find a break as a carer, whether you just need a short amount of time off, help with your mental health, or assistance dealing with the Cost of Living Crisis, which has been an issue for many since late 2021.
A Carer’s Responsibilities May Include:
Personal Care
The person you care for may be unable to look after their personal health independently, so may need assistance using the toilet and bathing themselves. Whilst this can be an embarrassing topic for people, it is important that they receive the proper assistance if they cannot look after themselves. If you or the person you are caring for feels uncomfortable with these tasks, you can seek professional assistance.
Practical Care
Many carers assume the role of providing practical care and support to a loved one. This can include a huge range of tasks, from cleaning the house and preparing meals to doing their weekly shopping, taking care of bills, and making sure the person you care for makes any appointments and arrangements they may need.
Company
If you are caring for someone with a disability or illness, often the emotional support you provide by simply keeping them company can be invaluable. You may simply care for someone by sitting with them and having a conversation – for people who are unable to leave the house on their own, this can be a huge boost to their mental wellbeing and is not a responsibility to be undermined.
Any and all of these responsibilities may leave carers needing help and support.
Respite Care for Carers
Respite care is a type of short-term care that provides a break for primary caregivers responsible for caring for a loved one with a chronic illness or disability. It is intended to provide rest and relief to caregivers, allowing them to take a break from their caregiving responsibilities and attend to their own needs, such as work or personal time.
There are several different types available, including:
- In-home respite care: A trained caregiver comes to the home and provides care for the individual while the primary caregiver takes a break.
- Respite care in adult day care centres: The individual receives care in a different setting, such as an adult day care centre. This type of respite care can provide the individual with socialization and activities and the opportunity to receive care from trained professionals.
- Respite care in short-term facilities: The individual receives care in a short-term facility, such as a nursing home. This type of respite care can provide the individual with round-the-clock care and the opportunity to receive care from trained professionals.
- In-home companion care: In this type of respite care, a trained companion comes to the home of the individual receiving care and assists with daily life activities, such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, and transportation. This type of respite care can benefit individuals who need assistance with these tasks but do not require medical care.
- Respite care camps: This is a type of respite care that provides an opportunity for caregivers to take a break and for individuals receiving care to participate in activities such as arts and crafts, sports, and other recreational activities. The camp is designed for individuals with special needs and is staffed with trained professionals.
What Does Respite for Carers Entail?
Some of the services that may be included in respite care include:
- Personal care: Providing assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Medical care: Assistance with administering medication, monitoring vital signs, and providing basic medical assistance.
- Homemaking: Help with cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, and other household tasks.
- Companionship: Engaging in conversation, playing games, going on walks, or other activities to provide socialization and emotional support.
- Transportation: Helping the individual get to appointments, errands, or other activities.
- Specialised care: Assistance with specific needs, such as caring for individuals with dementia, developmental disabilities or mental health conditions.
In general, respite care can benefit both physical and mental health, relationships both personal and between a carer and care-receiver, productivity, and finances.
Support for Young Carers
Many carers are young people, looking after a family member. Fitting your caring responsibilities in around your education can make life even more testing, and your rights will be considered differently to a carer who is over 18.
As a carer under 18, your local council is duty-bound to identify young carers in the area and assess the impact of providing care on the child. A carer’s assessment for young carers will consider whether it is appropriate for you to continue providing care and if you wish to do so, as well as considering education, training, work, and other activities a young carer may wish to have time to take part in.
There are some special supports available for carers in this position:
- You can get information and advice from the NHS young carers guide.
- The Children’s Society offers advice, a local service finder for young carers, and information on young carer’s rights.
- Mind has an information hub for young people aged between 11-18.
Find out more about support for young carers via Carers UK.
Mental health support for carers
While respite care and other forms of breaks can significantly positively impact the mental health of carers, sometimes, more help may be needed.
In fact, our 2022 carer’s mental health survey revealed that 73.2% of carers felt that being a carer was having a negative impact on their mental health. More recently the CarersUK State of Caring February 2025 report found that over a third (35%) of carers who completed the survey felt they had bad or very bad mental health, up from 27% the previous year, and over half (57%) said they felt overwhelmed ‘often,’ or ‘always.’ Furthermore, the study found that the main reason that carers were led to feel overwhelmed was that they were unable to take a break, highlighting the importance of respite care and other available support. Along with respite care, you can also:
See a Therapist
Therapists can be a useful option to help you talk to someone about the stresses of the job, and get advice on how best to deal with them. If you feel you could benefit from speaking to a trained professional, ask your GP for a referral.
Use Mental Health Helplines
You don’t necessarily have to see a therapist face-to-face. There are a selection of mental health helplines and listening services available. The lines are manned by trained staff, ready to listen and offer the professional advice you need.
- Samaritans. Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected], or visit some branches in person.
- SANEline. If you’re experiencing a mental health problem, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight, 7 days a week) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you can use the CALM webchat service.
- Shout. Shout offer a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in a mental health crisis and need immediate help. Text SHOUT to 85258,
- The Mix. If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm-midnight, 7 days a week), request support on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
- Helplines Partnership. For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. Mind’s Infoline can also help you find services that can support you.
- If you’re outside the UK, the Befrienders Worldwide website has a tool to search by country for emotional support helplines around the world.
- You can chat with people on Mind’s Side by Side and the Carers UK Forum.
- Use this Rethink tool to find support groups in your area (both face-to-face and online).
- The Carers UK website has a useful local service finder.
- Mind has a host of superb resources- including pages on peer support options and contacts for supporting yourself while caring for someone.
PA & Carers Insurance
Cover available for:
- Self-Employed Carers & PAs
- Individual Employers
- Carer & PA Businesses
- Direct Payments
- Domiciliary Carers
- Home Employment Cover (for those that employ carers in their home)
Find a Local Support Group
This guide will help you find carers support groups in your area.
Seek Extra Training
Extra training can not only help you feel better equipped to do the job but can be an opportunity to meet other people in the same position as you.
Here is a link to a selection of free online courses and training for carers.
Support from your employer.
If you are finding it hard juggling caring with your paid employment, you have the right to request flexible working arrangements and time off for emergencies, if you meet certain criteria. Carers UK has more information here about your rights at work.
Financial Support for Carers
Additionally, there are also a number of services in place to provide financial support for carers. As our 2022 carer’s mental health survey found 41.6% of carers found a lack of financial support was the biggest concern surrounding carers, and Carers UK more recent study revealed that 56% of carers struggling to make ends meet had ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ mental health, the importance of this kind of support is highlighted.
In fact, another study conducted by Carers UK on the impact of caring on finances, found that carers are finding it increasingly difficult to pay for essentials, with 60% of carers struggling to afford electricity and gas. In general, the majority (61%) of carers are worried about their finances in the future.
So, what financial support is available for carers?
Benefits
Many unpaid carers are not aware of their entitlement to “carer’s allowance,” which is a benefit of up to £83.30 a week (correct as of July 2025).
Carer’s Allowance is available to people who spend 35 or more hours a week providing care to someone with a disability. Even if you don’t necessarily consider yourself a ‘carer’ you may meet their criteria, with estimates saying up to half a million people could be missing out on their entitlement..
Go here to check your eligibility and make a claim for a carer’s allowance.
Other benefits you may be entitled to include:
- Universal Credit
- Carer’s Credit (if caring over 20 hours a week)
- Jobseeker’s allowance
- Employment and support allowance
- ‘Carer addition’ in pension credit
- Additional housing benefit
Turn2Us is a charity that offers excellent advice, and they have a handy benefits calculator to check your eligibility.
The Citizens Advice Bureau also offers invaluable free advice on benefits, as well as many legal issues.
Direct Payments
If the person you are caring for has been assessed as needing social services support by your local council or trust, you may be eligible for a direct payment.
These “carer direct payments” or “carer budget payments” are not ongoing payments but one-off supports to help carers look after their wellbeing.
Here are links to more information on Direct Payments on Carers UK, and information regarding how to apply on the Government website. If you are a direct payments-employed personal assistant, it is imperative that your employer (the person you provide care to) has employer’s liability insurance to protect you both.
If you’re an employed carer or you employ a carer with direct payments, one cost that’s important not to skip is carer’s insurance. Carer’s insurance covers you if an injury or accident means you are unable to work, for loss or damage to property, legal expenses, and public liability.
To make sure you’re covered, get a quote for your carer’s insurance policy now.
How To Access Support Services As A Carer
In order to access the support services you need, you will first need to request a free carer’s assessment. This can be done by contacting your local council and is a service available to any carer over the age of 18. They take about an hour, and are usually face-to-face, but can be done over the phone, too.
The assessment will look at the support you need, taking into account the impact the job is having on your physical and mental health, work, free time, and relationships, and give you an opportunity to talk with a social worker about the type of support you may need in your role as a carer, and what could be done to help you. It’s a good idea to take note of how your role as a carer impacts your life currently, and what support you would really benefit from. This might be:
- advice about benefit entitlement
- training to help support you in your role
- help with any day-to-day issues you are struggling with
- information about local support groups
- things you can do to boost your own health and well-being, including how to get respite from your responsibilities
If you qualify for help, your social worker will supply you with a care and support plan that provides access to the necessary support you are entitled to.
