How VOCAL can helpFor carersWhere to start

Where to start

Anyone can become a carer – it is estimated that 3 in 5 of us will become a carer at some point in our lives.

Carers come from all walks of life, social backgrounds and can be of any age. Many feel they are doing what anyone else would in the same situation – looking after their mother, son, or best friend and just getting on with it. Becoming a carer affects all of us in different ways. Whether we felt we had a choice about it or were thrown into it because of circumstances, there is no doubt that caring can be difficult at times.

Support for you as a carer

Depending on your caring situation there is a range of information, practical and emotional support that you may need. There are also health, social care and education systems which you may need to understand and navigate through.

By discussing your caring situation and your own personal needs, VOCAL’s carer support team can help you develop an ongoing support plan to help you manage your caring responsibilities while making sure that your own physical and mental health and financial well-being are also taken into account.

VOCAL provides advice, support and information to carers in all caring situations and relationships including families and friends affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use. 

Find out more about what VOCAL can do to support unpaid carers and how we do it:




Contact VOCAL carer support

Am I a carer?

A carer provides regular help to a family member, partner or friend with a long-term disability, physical or mental health problem or addiction. Read more

Info for carers

As a carer there is a wide range of information, practical support and advice that you may need at different times in your caring journey. Read more

Managing money

VOCAL provides unpaid carers with information and support on welfare rights, entitlements and planning for the future. Read more

Care for yourself

Find out how to maintain your own mental and physical wellbeing whilst looking after someone else’s needs. Read more

LGBT carers

VOCAL supports carers in all caring and relationship settings with information, individual support, social and learning opportunities. Read more

Polish carers

Czy jestem opiekunem? Opiekunem można stać się na każdym etapie naszego życia. Większość opiekunów jest nieświadoma tego jakie wsparcie i pomoc jest dla nich dostępna. Read more

Real life carer stories

Carers’ own stories offer a real insight into the issues affecting carers and how supporting them in their caring role has a positive impact on their lives. Read more

Leaflets & publications

Find the information that you need on a wide variety of topics in our VOCAL publications. Read more