The London Borough of Bexley is taking part in Carers Rights Day on 20 November. This year the day focuses on the theme ‘Know your rights, use your rights.’
We want to make sure unpaid carers in Bexley know what they are entitled to and how to access local support.
According to the 2021 Census there were 19,284 unpaid carers in Bexley. This includes adults and young people, who provide vital care to family and friends, and the Council already supports thousands of them through providing advice, engaging with local charities and providing those in need with help through the Household Support Fund.
Councillor Melvin Seymour, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services & Health, said:
Unpaid carers play a vital role in our community, often putting the needs of others before their own.
Carers' Rights Day is about making sure every carer in Bexley knows the support they are entitled to. We want unpaid carers to feel valued, informed, and confident to ask for help when they need it."
Every day in the UK, around 12,000 people become unpaid carers, looking after a loved one, friend, or neighbour who could not manage without their help due to illness, disability, a mental health condition, or addiction.
Unpaid carers play a vital role in our communities, providing essential support without pay to those who need help with everyday life because of health or care needs.
The person you care for might need help with things like:
- getting washed, dressed, or using the toilet
- eating, drinking, or shopping
- managing their health, such as arranging appointments or taking medication
- handling paperwork or finances, for example, budgeting, paying bills, or dealing with letters
- keeping their home clean and safe
Caring can mean many different things; this list isn’t exhaustive.
You might be an unpaid carer if:
- you look after an adult friend, neighbour, or relative
- you are juggling your job with caring duties, or have reduced your hours or left work to care
- you regularly help someone with their day-to-day tasks, such as washing, dressing, cooking, or cleaning
- you help someone get to the doctor, collect prescriptions, or do their shopping because they cannot manage alone
- your job, personal relationships, social life, finances, or leisure time have been affected by the help you give
Many people do not realise they are carers, or that they have legal rights to help and support. Knowing your rights means you can get the help you need to care for someone safely while looking after your own wellbeing too.
Your rights as an unpaid carer may include:
- taking unpaid carer’s leave from work
- asking for flexible working arrangements
- asking your GP practice to identify you as a carer
- getting a free flu jab
- being protected against discrimination or harassment
- asking for a Carer’s Assessment to see what support you might need, and being consulted when the person you care for leaves the hospital
If you care for a child with additional needs, you also have the right to a Parent Carer Needs Assessment, which helps identify what support you and your family might need.
If you are under 18 and help care for someone, you have the right to be included in any assessments to ensure caring does not affect your education, work, or social life.