Peer Support & Drop-ins

If you are a carer, we can help with…

Peer support and drop-in service

Carers Count Lancashire Advocacy service is developing a new carer-led peer support service. This will offer an opportunity for carers to get together, share experiences and ideas in a supportive and relaxed environment.

We will also be holding a weekly drop-in service, where carers can access advocacy and information easily. The drop-in service will travel to different community-based venues across Lancashire to make sure that carers can access the service in their local area.

Details of the new peer support and weekly drop-in sessions will be published on our website and social media channels as they are confirmed.

The success of these projects relies on carer input from our local communities and we’d love to hear from any carers who would like to be involved in the setting up and creation of the groups. If you would like to find out more about what’s involved and the support you can expect to receive, please visit our volunteering page or get in touch for an informal chat.

lancashireteam@carerscount.org.uk
0300 012 0231

Need more info? Leave your details and we’ll get back in touch.

Information / Resources (downloads & links)

Carer health and wellbeing

Dementia

Digital and technology

Grief and bereavement

Learning disabilities and neurodivergent

Mental health and
drug and alcohol dependencies

Parent carers of SEND children

Working carers

Carer health and wellbeing

We know that being a carer can be both rewarding and isolating. It’s vital that you know where to get the right support to make sure that your own health and wellbeing doesn’t suffer in your caring role.

Below you’ll find some useful links to help you access support, groups, courses, and wellbeing sessions to help give you that bit of headspace. Looking after your own health and wellbeing is important for you and the person you care for.

Carers Count Resources:

Peer Support and Drop-ins
Advocacy

Other local services:

Useful links to national services:

Dementia

We recognise that caring for a loved one, family member or friend with dementia can bring its own set of unique challenges. We understand that the support you need changes over time and can often be hard to predict.

They are many services and support networks available across Lancashire and further afield to support you as a carer and the person you are caring for.

We’ve pulled together the following useful links and resources to help signpost you to services that can help you in your caring role.

Carers Count Resources:

Signposting & Information
Peer support and drop-in sessions

Other local services:

Useful links to national services:

Digital and technology

As we move further into the digital world, staying connected and being able to access services online are becoming vital tools in your caring role. We understand that many carers can feel overwhelmed online. Not knowing where to go or how to use new technologies can often be a barrier to carers accessing the support they need.

There are services out there that can offer help and assistance to get you online. From training and support, to funding for new equipment such as tablets, laptops and even smartphones. We’ve pulled together the following list of resources that provide digital support to carers.

Other local services:

Carers Link Lancashire
Lancashire Carers (n-compass)
Healthwatch Lancashire
Blackburn with Darwen Carer Service (Carers Trust)
Blackpool Carers
Barnardo’s Lancashire Young Carers
Manchester Carers Centre

Useful links to national services:

Grief and bereavement

Losing someone that we care for affects everyone differently. We understand that during such a difficult time you may need help to manage both the emotional and practical demands that come with that loss.

We can assist you with any Advocacy needs that you may have during this period and welcome you to our peer support groups with other carers.

We have also listed other services below that may be able to offer additional support to help you manage your grief on your bereavement journey.

Carers Count Resources:

Peer Support and drop-in sessions

Other local services:

Useful links to national services:

Learning disabilities and neurodivergent

We understand it can be difficult to find the right support when you are caring for a loved one with learning disabilities and/or a neurological condition such as Autism, ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. We are here to help lighten the load by providing practical guidance and advice on how to access services.

Our Advocates can help support you with issue-based advocacy when you are dealing with health professionals. If our team can’t help with your specific requirements, we will signpost you to the service that best suits your needs.

Below we’ve listed links to services and resources that may be useful.

Carers Count Resources:

Signposting & Information
Peer Support and Drop-ins
Advocacy
See also our Parent Carers resources

Other local services:

Useful links to national services:

Mental health and
drug and alcohol dependencies

Caring for a friend, family member or loved one with mental health needs, drug and alcohol dependencies, or dementia brings many unique challenges. Our peer support groups can provide a safe environment for you to share your experiences with other carers and our Advocates are on hand to help you with specific issue-based needs around your caring role.

There are many other services across Lancashire and the UK that can provide additional support. We’ve pulled together a helpful resource with links below.

Carers Count Resources:

Peer Support and Drop-ins
Advocacy

Other local services:

Useful links to national services:

Parent carers of SEND children

If you are caring for a child aged 0-25 with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) you are entitled to support as a parent carer. We can help you by providing issue-based Advocacy support to ensure that your rights are upheld and that your voice is heard when dealing with health professionals.

Below you will find links to useful information and other services that may also be able to offer you additional support in your caring role.

Carers Count Resources:

Signposting & Information
Peer Support and Drop-ins
Advocacy
Learning disability and neurodivergent resources

Other local services:

Useful links to national services:

Working carers

Carers UK put the number of working carers in the UK at around 5 million. That’s a staggering 1 in 7 employees who are juggling work around their caring role.

Awareness of the challenges faced by working carers is growing and whilst it’s good to know that you’re not alone, we also want to make sure that you know your rights as a working carer.

Whether you need help to understand your rights to request flexible working or what time off you are entitled to for your caring duties, our Advocates can provide guidance. If we can’t support you ourselves, we can help you to access the right services that can.

Below, you will find some additional links and resources:

Carers Count Resources:

Peer Support and drop-ins
Advocacy
FAQ’s

Other local services:

Useful links to national services: