Our Caring County

• In Surrey there are over 115.000* unpaid carers of all ages.
• Some 31,000 spend more than 20 hours a week caring.
• If paid, their wages would add up to around £1.8 billion a year.

This incredible work helps some of the most vulnerable in our society.  But those who provide this vital support can themselves become mentally, physically and economically burdened.

1 in 10 are carers

If you are among the 1 in 10 Surrey residents who cares for a friend or family member, you aren’t alone.

Surrey has made providing high quality carer services a key part of its 2021-2024 Carers Strategy.  They want to diversify and reach carers of all ages and backgrounds.  Using feedback from carers, they aim to make support for health and wellbeing much more accessible.

Register with your GP

This will be a continuous development programme.  But the council has already noted more than 28,000 people register as carers with their GP.  Almost 14,000 carers receive help from independent sources in the 2019 – 2020 period.

At CARBS we’re asking all unpaid carers to think about using the specialist help available.  Our dedicated team offers advice on any issue to carers and the whole community.

Action for Carers**  offers free assistance to carers of all ages.  Contact on 0303 040 1234 or visit their website

* Surrey CC estimates.

** The charity Action for Carers Surrey provides free, independent information, advice and support to carers of all ages across Surrey. Help includes: a variety of support groups, as well as confidential telephone support as required; information on services, including benefits; practical help on moving and handling; advocacy and information on your rights; well-being events; free resources; and opportunities to influence change for carers locally and nationally.

They have specialist support for young carers (under 18, as well as young people aged 18-24); and carer advisers in Surrey's five main hospitals. There's also tailored support for armed forces carers.  To find out more, call Action for Carers on 0303 040 1234 or complete the Carers registration form. Text: 07714 075993  Email: carersupport@actionforcarers.org.uk