Are you a carer? This section of our website offers information for carers who may be supporting a loved one or friend who is currently under Livewell’s care.
What is a carer?
‘A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older.‘ (Carers UK).
A carer is someone who regularly gives unpaid help and support to a partner, family member, or friend. This support can be practical, physical, or emotional. The person being cared for may need help because of age, disability, illness, or issues like addiction.
Carers may live with the person they support or separately. Some have cared for someone for many years, while others take on the role suddenly after a crisis, such as a stroke or mental health emergency. Many people don’t see themselves as carers—they’re just helping someone they care about.
Often, caring becomes such a natural part of life that it quietly takes over, leaving little space for carers to reflect on their own identity. But caring is only part of the picture — carers are so much more than the support they provide. Behind every caring role is a remarkable individual with their own dreams, talents, and voice and it’s important this is recognised just as much as their caring role.
Caring often becomes a natural part of life, that quietly takes over, leaving little space for carers to think about who they are. But being a carer is only one part of their story—carers are much more than the help they give. Each carer is a unique person with their own dreams, talents, and voice, and it’s important to recognise this just as much as their caring role.
Livewell Southwest’s Commitment to Carers
Research shows that carers often put their own health and wellbeing last, focusing instead on the needs of the person they care for. At Livewell Southwest, we believe the vital support carers give, the knowledge they bring, and their own health needs all deserve recognition and support. We are committed to helping carers look after their own physical and mental health, so they can stay well while continuing to care for others.
Livewell Southwest identifies and supports carers in many ways, including by the following:
- The implementation of the Triangle of Care (TOC). TOC is an accredited programme run by the Carers Trust which provides guidance to help healthcare professionals, carers and those in services to work together to improve healthcare outcomes.
- Development of a Carers Policy.
- Commitment to the Together for Devon Commitment to Carers which states ‘we will consider carers in everything that we do.’
- Attendance at different forums and meetings relating to supporting carers. This includes being part of Plymouth’s Carers Strategic Partnership Board.
- Delivery of staff awareness training.
- Close collaboration with the local commissioned carers service.
- Support for staff with caring responsibilities.
Plymouth All-Age Unpaid Carers Strategy
While caring can be rewarding and often a really important part of family life, it can have a big impact on carers’ lives, affecting their health, wellbeing, relationships, education and finances.
Livewell Southwest has worked in partnership with Plymouth City Council, Improving Lives Plymouth, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, and St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth to develop a ‘Plymouth All-Age Unpaid Carers Strategy’. This recognises the important role carers have and how organisations in Plymouth will be working together to improve carer support.
View the strategy on the Plymouth Online Directory
I’m a carer, what support is available to me?
- Carers are entitled under the Care Act 2014 to be offered a Carers Need Assessment. These are usually completed by the commissioned carers service for Plymouth, Caring for Carers. If you haven’t attended an assessment, please contact Caring for Carers directly through their website, by calling 01752 201890 or you can email. You can self-refer. We’d encourage you to visit the Caring for Carers website where you can find out more about support groups, training and receiving regular information.
- If you don’t have a PL post code, you can contact Devon Carers for support, Cornwall Carers or the Torbay Carers service.
- You are encouraged to apply for a Carers Passport (see details below) and register yourself as a carer with your GP.
- If you require emergency care cover, you can access information on the Plymouth Online Directory or call the Carers Emergency Response Service on 07474 297040. You can also email.
- You can contact the Livewell Southwest Talking Therapies team (Tel: 01752 435419) to access support if you’re feeling anxious or struggling to cope.
I’m a young carer, can I get support?
If you are under 18 and providing practical or emotional care or intend to provide care for another person, then you may be able to access support. You can find information about a range of services and local support by visiting the Time4U Partnership web page or you can call 07899 950155. Support includes young carers assessments, group sessions, 1-2-1 support, support for young carers affected by alcohol and other substance use, and support in schools.
What is a Carers Passport?
The Carers Passports, which are available in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall are a means by which any carers can identify their role as a carer to health and social care staff. It also sets out an offer of support, services, and other benefits for carers. Carers passports are free and available to any carers aged 18 upwards.
A Carer Passport provides:
- Discounts at participating businesses.
- Access to information and support to help with caring.
- An opportunity to connect with other carers.
- An emergency response card.
- Some discounts in healthcare settings, depending on circumstances.
Details about Carers Passports and how to apply can be found on in the Plymouth Carers Passport booklet. You can also call 01752 201890 or email [email protected].
Hear from more Luke and Dot on caring for a loved on and how the carer passport will help:
What is the Triangle of Care?
The Triangle of Care (TOC) is an accredited programme run by the Carers Trust which provides guidance to help healthcare professionals, carers and those in services to work together to improve healthcare outcomes.
Livewell Southwest became a member of the Triangle Care in June 2016 and has been implementing the guidance in mental health and other services to ensure that all staff recognise the importance of involving carers. Livewell Southwest hold both their 1 Star and 2 Star accreditation recognising the delivery of the Triangle of Care in mental health inpatient settings and also in community services.
What are the standards?
- Carers and the essential role they play should be identified at first contact with services or as soon as possible thereafter.
- Staff should be aware of carers and trained to engage with carers more effectively.
- Policies and protocols should be in place to ensure confidentiality and improve information sharing with carers.
- Defined roles (Carer link workers), responsible for carers should be in place.
- Carers should be “introduced” to the service and provided with a range of information.
- A range of carer support services should be available to offer or signpost carers to.
What can I expect?
Although the very first contact with services may mean that carers are focused on the wellbeing of the person they care for and not on their own needs, professionals should be aware that this could be the most important point where recognition and support can have the greatest benefit. If this is not possible at that time, professionals should identify you and your role as a carer as soon as it is best to do so.
You should expect professionals to be aware of the demands and pressures carers often experience and know that there is a carer link worker in most wards and teams promoting carer issues and working to achieve greater collaboration with carers and families.
We recognise that carers often hold information that would improve a service user’s treatment and care plan; likewise, carers would also welcome appropriate information to ensure they are able to undertake their caring role.
Livewell Southwest is working towards ensuring service user and carer confidentiality, while adopting safe practices, such as advance statement of wishes, that will improve greater information sharing with carers and families.
If you would like to learn more about how Livewell Southwest is implementing the Triangle of Care, please email [email protected].
Useful resources
A practical guide to healthy caring
The advice in this booklet will help you if you look after a friend or family member or have any form of caring responsibilities. It is written to be particularly relevant for those who are about 65 years or older and are new to caring. Click here.
Carers and Confidentiality
Good Psychiatric Practice: Confidentiality and Information Sharing. Click here.
Livewell Southwest’s health information video library
Welcome to our video library, health advice at your fingertips. Click here.
Advance Statement of Wishes
Guidelines for people over 18 wishing to make an advanced statement or wishes relating to their future mental health care. Click here.
Carers UK suite of digital resources
Carers UK have kindly provided carers in Plymouth with free access to a wide range of online advice and resources. This includes:
- About Me: an online course to help carers find ways to prevent their caring responsibilities from becoming overwhelming
- Jointly Care coordination app: an app for carers to store information about the person they are caring for, including appointments and medication notes
- Carers UK guides: lots of essential reading for carers
To access these services, visit Carers UK Digital Resource. You will need to create a new account and use the Free Access Code DRCA0204.
Plymouth Online Directory
Resources and information for carers. Click here.
Young Carers
Support and information for Young Carers in Plymouth. Click here.
Support Groups
Improving Lives, Caring for carers support groups
Cornwall Carers Service
Tel: 01736 756655
Devon Carers
Tel: 0345 643 4435
Torbay Carers Service
Tel: 01803 666620
Bipolar UK, Plymouth Support Group
Kingsbridge and Saltstone Caring
Yealmpton and Brixton Caring: Tel 07841 066921
Contact us
Please talk to our staff about any concerns you have about your own needs and/or concerns about the person you care for. You can also email [email protected] or call the switchboard on 01752 435502.