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The Carers Charter

This charter, endorsed by the leading voluntary organisations concerned with carers, is designed to bring attention to carers' needs, and to encourage carers to feel confident in asking for better services and support.

Carers need:

Recognition of their contribution and of their own needs as individuals in their own right.
Services tailored to their individual needs, and views, through discussions at the time help is being planned.
Services which relfect an awareness of differing racial, cultural and religious backgrounds and values, equally accessible to carers of every race and ethnic origin.
Opportunities for a break, both for short spells (an afternoon) and for longer periods (a week or more), to relax and have time to themselves.
Practical help to lighten the tasks of caring, including domestic help, home adaptations, incontinence services, help with transport.
Someone to talk to about their own emotional needs, at the outset of caring, during caring and when the caring task is over.
Information about available benefits and services as well as how to cope with the particular condition of the person being cared for.
An income which covers the costs of caring and which does not preclude carers taking employment or sharing care with other people.
Opportunities to explore alternatives to family care, both for the immediate and long-term future.
Services designed through consultation with carers, at all levels of policy and planning.

You can get more information from:

West Sussex Carers Network