Being a carer

A carer is a person who is unpaid and looks after or supports someone who needs help with their day-to-day life.

This may be because of:

• their age
• a long-term illness
• disability
• mental health
• substance misuse
• additional needs (including parents or guardians of a child with additional needs)

Many people who care for someone do not necessarily see themselves as carers.

You can have a carers assessment if you are looking after someone without being paid and:

• the person is over 18
• you are looking after them because they need help with their day-to-day life due to their age, disability, illness or long term condition

Carers Central

Carers Central is a hub that enables adult carers to have the information, advice and support they need to have a life of their own, alongside their caring roles.

Luton Carers handbook

The Luton Carer’ Handbook is full of important information and useful tips and the handbook can be downloaded into the top 10 non-English speaking languages in Luton:

• Arabic
• Bengali
• English
• Gujarati
• Italian
• Lithuanian
• Panjabi
• Polish
• Romanian
• Tamil
• Urdu

See our local information hub for carers

How to get support from us

• How to tell if you are a carer
• Getting a carer’s assessment
• Online carer's assessment

Allowances, benefits and legal rights for carers

• Apply online for carer's allowance
• Caring and working: your legal rights
• Care related benefits

Services for carers

• Carer's breaks: so you can take time out from caring
• Carer's direct payment: a one-off award for carers in need

Resources for carers

• Care and support for the person you care for
• Buses, parking and transport for carers
• Local concessions for carers
• Carer health and wellbeing
• Luton Adult Learning: get into learning
• Local adult training and education
• Safeguarding adults

Young carers

• Are you a young carer?