The Christmas period is likely to be a particularly challenging time for many carers this year. Many people tell us that they find Christmas harder than other times of the year, with limited services, tight budgets and family tensions being just a few of the stress-causing factors. Below are some websites and numbers that you may find useful if you need support over the festive season.

Carers UK Helpline

The Carers UK Helpline will be available as normal on 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm, including Christmas Day, Bank Holiday Monday, New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day.

You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that the email advice service will be limited during the festive period, and you may get a faster response by calling the Helpline in the first instance.

Other Support

If you need somebody to talk to or a listening ear, Samaritans are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
T: 116 123
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
W: www.samaritans.org

'Me Time' - wellbeing sessions for carers

A number of online ‘Me Time' wellbeing sessions are being run for carers throughout the holiday period. Organised by Carers Wales, these sessions are open to all carers during the festive period. Find out more.

Coronavirus guidance

To assist you and those you care for during this difficult time, we have a range of online coronavirus guidance for carers. We are regularly reviewing this content, in line with government guidance, to provide you with as much relevant information and support as possible.

Medical Help

If you have a medical emergency, a critical or life threatening problem call 999. Examples of an emergency include unconsciousness, difficulty in breathing, suspected heart attack or stroke, heavy blood loss, serious injury or severe burns.

If your health problem is less serious you can call the NHS on 111, free from any phone.

Find out more: www.nhs.uk/111  

Scotland – NHS 24
NHS 24 is a 24 hour telephone health advice and information service for people in Scotland.
T: 111
W: https://www.nhs24.scot 

Wales – NHS Direct Wales
NHS Direct Wales (Galw Iechyd Cymru) is the NHS Direct service for people in Wales. It provides information in English and Welsh.
T: 0845 46 47
W: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk  

Northern Ireland
There is no equivalent service in Northern Ireland. You should ring your own doctors surgery, where you will find a message with contact details for the out of hours service to call. This website contains useful information about Health and Social care: www.hscni.net 

Social Services

If your normal office is closed and you need urgent help, then you need to find the "emergency duty team". Numbers are sometimes printed in local newspapers or in the telephone book. An easy way is to search online using google and type "emergency duty team" and the name of your local council.

In Northern Ireland emergency social work contacts can be found by going to www.hscni.net and finding your own Trust website.

Benefits Help

If you haven’t received your Carer's Allowance, please contact the Carers Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297 in England, Scotland and Wales and 0800 587 0912 in Northern Ireland.

For any other benefits, please contact the relevant office. You’ll find number on the letters you’ve received from them.

Carers UK offices

Our Carers UK office will be closed from 5pm on Tuesday 22 December and will open again on Monday 4 January 2021.

Our Carers Wales office will be closed from 3pm on Tuesday 22 December and will open again on Monday 4 January 2021.

Our Carers Scotland office will be closed from 5pm on Tuesday 22 December and will open again on Tuesday 5 January 2021

Our Carers Northern Ireland office will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 17 December and will open again on Monday 4 January 2021.

Carers UK Forum

The Carers UK Forum is our online community of carers and is available to Carers UK members 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A few words from a fellow carer who understands what you’re going through can be a lifeline. So whether you need to share an experience, ask a question or simply let off some steam, log in and join the conversation.

If you're not a Carers UK member you can join now for free. Once you've joined details of how to log into the Carers UK Forum will be automatically emailed to you.

Carers UK Upfront 

Our Upfront guide to caring is a simple tool for carers who are new to the maze of benefits and entitlements. 

Fill in your details, spend a couple of minutes answering questions and we’ll guide you straight to the information you need.