Carers Rights Day: recognising your rights
November 21, 2024
Today is Carers Rights Day, and this year’s theme is recognising your rights.
If you are one of the 5.8 million unpaid carers across the UK, Carers UK offers comprehensive information about your rights and entitlements, including:
- benefits and tax credits
- carers employment rights
- carers’ assessments
- the services available for carers
- how to complain effectively and challenge decisions.
Their helpline is available on 0808 808 7777 and is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm.
They also publish Being Heard self-advocacy guides for carers in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, designed to help you communicate your needs, understand your rights and look after your wellbeing.
Young carers in England can download the Carers Trust’s Know your Rights guide. If you’re in Scotland, check out information from Young Scot. Dewis Cymru offers guidance for Young Carers in Wales, and NI Direct shares information for young carers in Northern Ireland.
If you need information and resources showing how ME/CFS affects the person you care for to share with other organisations, agencies and/or professionals, we can help. One recent carer told us:
“It was such a relief at last to talk to someone who understands and who has given me a greater context for understanding our daughter’s condition.”
You can get in touch with our Information and Support service by phone or email.
