Carers
A carer is an individual who provides unpaid care and support to someone who is ill, disabled, elderly, or living with a long-term health condition or frailty.
Carers can be family members—such as mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, siblings—or they may be friends, neighbours, or partners. Regardless of the relationship, carers take on significant responsibilities to ensure the wellbeing and safety of those they care for.
While caring can be a deeply rewarding experience, it often comes with substantial challenges.
The role can be physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and time-consuming, particularly when balanced alongside work, family commitments, and personal wellbeing.
At Supporting Humanity, we recognise the dedication and sacrifice of unpaid carers. Our Carers Support Service is here to provide:
- Practical advice and guidance
- Access to emotional support
- Signposting to relevant local services
- Information on rights, entitlements, and available benefits
We are committed to supporting carers across Redbridge. Whether you are new to a caring role or have been providing support for many years, we are here to help you navigate available services and connect with the assistance you need.
You are not alone—we’re here for you.
Paying for care
Social care services aren’t usually provided free of charge. You may need to pay some, or all, of the cost of the care services you need. We can help you work out whether you may be entitled to help with care costs from your local council, and what to do if you have to pay the full cost of your care.
The two most important things to be aware of:
- Social care services aren’t usually provided free of charge. You may need to pay for all of the cost of the care services you need. But following a financial assessment, you may be entitled to help with care costs from your local council.
- Your council won’t help you with care costs until they’ve assessed your care needs. This means that the first step in getting help from your council is to ask them for a care needs assessment.
Am I entitled to help with my care costs?
If the council decides you’re eligible for support or care, they’ll then carry out a financial assessment to work out whether you’re entitled to help with the costs of your care.
The financial assessment looks at your income, such as pensions and benefits, and your ‘capital’, such as any savings you have, to work out whether you’re entitled to help with care costs. If you are, the financial assessment works out how much you may need to contribute towards the cost of the care services you need.
Paying for different types of care
Care home fees and at-home care service fees vary depending on a number of different factors, including the area, what services are included and whether or not you’re eligible for financial help from the council.
Paying for residential care
Paying for residential care in a care home is expensive. There is some help available to meet the cost, but the care system can be complicated and difficult to find your way through. You may be eligible for financial help from your local council or, in some circumstances, from the NHS.
Will the local council pay for my care home fees?
If you’re eligible for financial support, your local council could pay some or most of the fees. The council will carry out a care needs assessment. If this finds you need care in a care home, they’ll carry out a financial assessment to work out whether you qualify for help with the cost. This will look at your income and capital.
Where do I start in arranging care?
The first step to getting care, whether you need home adaptations, home care or a care home place, is to get a care needs assessment from your local council.
How do I get a care needs assessment?
Get in touch with the adult social services department of your local council and ask for a care needs assessment.
There’s no charge for a care needs assessment and you’re entitled to one regardless of your income, savings or level of need.
A friend or carer can ask for a care needs assessment on your behalf, with your permission. If you lack mental capacity to decide about having a care needs assessment, someone can ask for you to be assessed if they think this is in your best interests
You can ask for a care needs assessment by contacting your local council.
Training & Activities for Carers
Looking After Your Health as a Carer
Caring for someone can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also be physically exhausting and emotionally demanding. While your focus may be on supporting someone else, your own health and wellbeing matter just as much. In fact, prioritising your health helps ensure that you can continue to provide care safely, sustainably, and with compassion.
At Supporting Humanity, we are committed to helping unpaid carers take care of themselves too. Our Health & Wellbeing programme includes a variety of training sessions, wellbeing workshops, and community activities designed specifically with carers in mind.
Below are some key tips and resources to help you look after your health and wellbeing, as well as information about the support available to you:
Top Tips for Staying Well as a Carer
- Speak to Your GP and Health Professionals
Let your GP know you are a carer. This can ensure you’re prioritised for certain health checks, vaccinations, or support services. If you’re feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed, talk to your doctor and ask what help is available—whether it’s talking therapies, respite referrals, or other medical interventions. - Remember: You Matter Too
Caring often puts your own needs in the background. But your physical and mental health is vital. Make time for yourself—whether that’s five minutes to pause and breathe, reading a book, or simply taking a short walk. Small moments of care for yourself can have a lasting positive impact. - Don’t Delay Medical Attention
If you’re feeling unwell or notice symptoms that concern you, don’t wait. Book appointments, get regular check-ups, and take action early. Prioritising your health is not selfish—it’s essential. - Look After Your Emotional Wellbeing
It’s normal to feel exhausted, frustrated, or emotionally drained. Caring can feel isolating and all-consuming. Please talk to someone—a friend, family member, another carer, or our team at Supporting Humanity. We offer support groups and emotional wellbeing services tailored for carers, including art therapy, talking therapy referrals, and peer support. - Ask for Help – Be Specific
Many people are willing to help but aren’t sure how. Don’t be afraid to ask for support with specific tasks like cooking, shopping, or sitting with the person you care for. Delegating responsibilities can offer you essential breathing space. - Take Breaks and Recharge
Even a short break can help reduce stress and give you time to reconnect with yourself. If you need help accessing respite care, you may be entitled to financial support through a Carers Assessment from Redbridge Adult Social Services. Contact them on 0208 708 7333 to explore your options. - Connect with Other Carers
You are not alone. Join our Carer Support Groups, where you can meet people who understand what you’re going through. If you find it difficult to attend in person, we also host online meet-ups and check-ins. Additionally, our trained volunteer befrienders can visit you at home or accompany you on short outings. - Eat Well, Feel Better
A nutritious, balanced diet is essential for maintaining energy and preventing illness. Aim to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and drink lots of water. Reduce salt, sugar, and processed fats. If you need help planning your diet, speak to your GP or dietitian. We also host healthy eating workshops periodically—keep an eye on our events page. - Move Your Body
Regular physical activity—even in small doses—can improve both physical and mental wellbeing. It enhances mobility, boosts mood, and improves sleep. Join our free or low-cost weekly Chair-Based Exercise, Tai Chi, or Gentle Yoga sessions, which are tailored for all ability levels. Not only do these help with flexibility and balance, but they also offer a great way to meet other carers in a relaxed environment. - Attend Wellbeing Workshops and Training
We regularly run mental health and self-care workshops covering topics like managing stress, building resilience, and mindfulness techniques. We also offer First Aid and Mental Health First Aid training, empowering you with skills that can help both you and the person you care for.
Ongoing Support Through Supporting Humanity
In addition to health and wellbeing activities, we are here to help you navigate the wider landscape of care. Our team can offer:
- Emotional support and listening services
- Referrals to professional mental health services
- Assistance with accessing respite and benefits
- Befriending schemes and community engagement
- Workshops on carers’ rights and advocacy
- Information on legal considerations and support planning
We also work in partnership with local authorities, healthcare providers, and other voluntary sector organisations to ensure our carers have access to the full range of support available.
Get Involved
All of our health and wellbeing activities are designed with carers in mind. Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, find emotional support, learn new skills, or simply connect with others—you’re welcome here.
Access to Adult Social Care Team
If you have an enquiry related to Adult Social Care then contact the Access to Adult Social Care Team. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm Friday 9am-4.45pm
Why are you contacting Adult Social Care?
Customer: An adult with care and support needs. This means a person 18 years or over who appears to have a need for extra help to manage their lives and be independent because of either their age, physical or mental illness, or disability.
Carer: Somebody who provides unpaid support or who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their age, physical or mental illness, or disability. This would not usually include someone paid or employed to carry out that role, or someone who is a volunteer.
What is equipment for daily living?
BSL Support
It can become difficult to carry out everyday activities such as bathing, going to the toilet, getting up from chairs or out of bed due to:
- Sight or hearing loss
- Physical or learning disabilities
- Frailty or illness.
If this is the case, there is a wide range of small pieces of equipment available that can help you or the person you care for manage everyday living tasks and promote independence.
Sometimes these items are all that is needed to help you to maintain your independence and quality of life.
Examples of equipment that is available include a:
- Chair raiser to make it easier for you get on and off a chair
- Stair rail to hold onto when managing steps
- Grab handle by the bath to help you get in and out of the bath safely
- Raised toilet seat to help you get on and off the toilet safely
- Trolley to help you to safely take your meals from one room to another
- Bed rail can help you to sit up in bed
- Bath board and seat help you to get in and out of the bath safely
- Personal alarm often worn round the neck to call for help when you need to. This type of equipment is often referred to as telecare.
The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) has a good range of information and guidance about the type and range of equipment that is available.
Home adaptations
BSL Support
Home adaptations make carrying out daily activities easier and safer if you have a disability. They can include things such as:
Installing a stair lift or through floor lift
Widening doorways
Constructing a concrete ramp
Adapting kitchens
Fitting a level access shower or shower cubicle.
All requests for adaptations will require an assessment by Adult Social Care.
If they identify that your home may require adaptations due to your assessed needs, what happens next will depend on your tenancy.
Owner Occupiers, Registered Social Landlords
If the recommendation made by an Occupational Therapist for adaptations is approved, it will be referred to the Home Adaptations for Independent Living (HAIL) Team.
There will be a financial assessment to determine how much Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) you may be entitled to.
This means that the amount you pay towards the cost of any adaptation work will depend on your income and any savings you have, not on the overall cost of the work.
You can save your progress on the calculator with your email address and a password to return to it later.
Once you have an estimate of your contribution, if you wish to proceed, please contact Adult Social Care for an assessment. This is usually carried out by an Occupational Therapist, who will identify the difficulties that you are having and confirm what adaptations are both necessary and appropriate.
Military Veterans
Newham disregard all income from Military Compensation when assessing benefit eligibility for Veterans. This includes: all income payments made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (2005), the War Pension Scheme, Service Invaliding Pensions and Service Attributable pensions.
Council Tenants
If the recommendation for adaptations is approved, the work will be carried out by the council. You will not have to pay a contribution towards it.
Home Adaptations for Children
We will carry out an assessment as explained above, however there is no financial assessment for families of disabled children under 18.
You must apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant before you start any work.
Self-funding Home Adaptations
You can also choose to self-fund and make your own arrangements for your home adaptations.
You may wish to fund the home adaptations from your savings, equity release schemes or applying to charitable funds.
If you wish to do this it is important to note that we will not reimburse you the cost of the work.
Larger pieces of equipment or home adaptations
BSL Support
Home adaptations include works such as:
- Widening doorways
- Fitting ramps
- Fitting stair lifts
- Making changes to your bathroom for example a level access shower.
Home adaptations will help you to carry out daily activities more easily and safely.
If you think you might need a larger piece of equipment or an adaptation to your home, then we will need to carry out an assessment.
Please contact the Access to Adult Social Care Team to request an assessment.
If you are struggling to make ends meet at the moment, it’s important to know that there is help available.
On this page, you can find lots of suggestions to help you manage your finances and get support during these challenging times of higher living costs.
Government support and grants
Government support
There is a dedicated section on the gov.uk website to offer all households support with living costs. See if you are eligible for any further help from support with childcare costs to transport reductions. Check here. (Cost of living support: Overview – GOV.UK)
Grants
Many people don’t realise that they may be entitled to a grant to buy certain equipment or to have a break which does not need to be repaid. There is support offered by a wide range of organisations including some charities.
The benefits charity Turn2Us has a useful grants finder tool (Turn2us Grants Search).
In England, it may be possible to get support from the Household Support Fund (Get help with the cost of living from your local council – GOV.UK) through your local council (Find your local council – GOV.UK). If you are eligible, a payment from the Household Support Fund will not have any affect on any benefits you receive: Get help with the cost of living from your local council – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
In Wales, you could look into applying for the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF).
In Scotland, there are specialist grants you may be able to apply for through the Scottish Welfare Fund.
In Northern Ireland, you can apply for emergency financial assistance through nidirect government services.
Many people don’t realise that they may be entitled to a grant to buy certain equipment or to have a break which does not need to be repaid. There is support offered by a wide range of organisations including some charities.
The benefits charity Turn2Us has a useful grants finder tool. For help with applying for one, you could contact your local carers’ organisation and for more information about the sources of support available, see our page on Grants and schemes.
Support and Help for Adults
Assessing your care needs
If you or someone you care for is finding it difficult to cope with everyday tasks you can request an assessment from Adults Social Services.
What is an assessment?
A social care assessment is simply us talking to you and any other people involved in your care and support so we can understand what help you might need on a day to day basis in line with the Care Act 2014.
You have a legal right to have an assessment from the council if it appears that you need care and support.
Assessment process
During the assessment, we will consider a number of factors such as your needs, strengths and what you want to achieve (your outcomes). We will consider how they impact on your wellbeing and what is important to you.
You will be at the centre of the process and we will gain a full picture of your wishes and needs.
You may want someone, such as a family member or a friend to be with you during the assessment.
The assessment is carried out free of charge.
After assessments are carried out
We will use your assessment to help us decide whether we can offer you help and the amount and type of support you need. We make this decision based on the national eligibility criteria.
If you are eligible for support
We will work with you to arrange a support plan.
You will have a financial assessment. This will determine whether the council is able to pay for some or all of your care and support services or whether you need to contribute towards these costs.
You will also receive information on where you can get independent financial advice and how to ensure that you are receiving all the benefits that you are entitled to.
If you’re not eligible for support
If you are not eligible for help from the council, we will provide advice and information and signpost you to organisations and other types of support that may be able to help you.
Paying for care services
Social care services, unlike health care, are not free for everyone. Most people will have to contribute something towards the cost of their care with some people having to pay the full cost.
How do I get an assessment?
You will need to request an assessment from Adult Social Services.