Do you help look after someone? You might be a carer, and there’s support for you

By Nic Dyche, Workforce Strategic Commissioner and Carers Network Lead

Over the years, I’ve worked with many people who support someone they love, often without ever thinking of themselves as a “carer”.

If that sounds like you, I want you to know two things: you’re not alone, and there is local advice, information and support through Carers Oxfordshire or on our website.

Being a carer can mean many things

For many people, it can just feel like part of everyday life. But over time, it can become a big responsibility, and one you shouldn’t have to manage on your own.

So if any of this feels familiar, Carers Oxfordshire can help you understand what support you’re entitled to and how to access it.

• Helping someone get dressed, washed or take medication
• Take them to appointments
• Check they’re safe or coping at home
• Help with shopping, meals or managing money
• Support a parent, partner, child, friend or neighbour because of illness, disability or age

“I didn’t realise I was a carer”

When I first started supporting someone close to me, I didn’t think of myself as a carer.

I was just helping, doing what felt natural. But over time, the level of support I was giving increased, and I began to feel the impact on my own time, wellbeing and day-to-day life.

It also became harder to balance everything.

It was only when I recognised myself as a carer that I began to understand there was support available and that I didn’t have to do it all alone.

Speaking to people who understood and getting the right advice made a real difference. It helped me feel more in control again.

That experience is something I now see reflected in many others.

Support can make a real difference

Caring can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and overwhelming, especially if you’re balancing other responsibilities.

Getting support early can help you:

• Feel less alone
• Take breaks when you need them
• Access advice and practical help
• Look after your own health and wellbeing

Even small things, like having someone to talk to or getting help finding services, can make a big difference.

We want carers to feel recognised and supported

I see how many carers go unrecognised, and how much of a difference it makes when people do get the right support.

Across Oxfordshire, we’re working to make sure carers are:

• Identified earlier
• Better supported in their communities
• Able to balance caring with the rest of their lives

For you, that should mean:

• It’s easier to find help when you need it
• More people understand your situation
• Support is more joined-up and accessible
  

As our Director of Adult Social Care, Karen Fuller, puts it: “Caring for someone can have a huge impact on your own life. We want carers in Oxfordshire to feel recognised, valued and supported, and to know that help is there when they need it.”

You can take a first step today

You’re not alone

One of the most important things I want carers to know is this: there are thousands of people in Oxfordshire in similar situations.

Recognising yourself as a carer can feel like a big step, but it’s also the first step towards getting the support you deserve.