A carer can be anyone of any age who is unpaid and supports a friend or family member due to their illness, disability, frailty, mental health or substance misuse. 

We define a carer as ‘a person who provides unpaid help and support to a partner, child, relative or friend, who could not manage without this help’.  

Being a carer is often a difficult and – for some – lonely role, but the support carers provide is invaluable. If you care for someone, we want to work with you, support your and involve you in the services we provide. Your knowledge is vital in helping us to do our best for the people you care for and to support your wellbeing. 

The following pages give more detail about how we can work together effectively, and the wider support available to you as a carer. 

Together with Carers – a Dorset Vision 

‘Together with Carers’ is a new document which lays out clear objectives for creating a culture where all carers are listened to, valued, and recognised as an integral part of the health and care system 

It was created in collaboration between care commissioners, providers and, most importantly, carers from across Dorset. 

The vision aims to give a voice to carers, understand their needs and provide them with practical help, information and assistance to not only meet their caring responsibilities but also enjoy a fulfilling life of their own. 

It pledges that, together, we will: 

  • ensure all carers are valued, visible, and heard 

  • provide all carers with choice and opportunities to take breaks from their caring role, as well as access to support in a crisis 

  • understand carers’ personal needs and situations and treat everyone fairly 

  • support all carers to have a meaningful and fulfilling life, alongside and after caring 

  • provide information, advice, guidance, and practical resources to enable carers to carry out their caring role 

  • ensure carers’ own physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing are supported 

  • be honest, consistent and work together to manage expectations. 

Find out more at Together with Carers – A Dorset Vision. 

Feedback 

Your views are important to us. We want to learn from the experience of people who use our services, including families and carers. You can give feedback simply by talking to the staff providing care (or the service manager), or by submitting compliments, complaints or suggestions in a more formal way.  

For more information, take a look at our patient experience pages.