Do you help look after a relative, neighbour or friend? Perhaps you look after your husband, wife, partner, a parent, or child if they are sick or disabled? You may not be the only person who helps to care, but if you offer substantial help on a regular basis and are not employed to provide care, then you are a carer.

You may be caring in your home, or in the home of the person you care for; the person may be a disabled child, an adult or an older person. Some carers help for just a few hours a week, others offer support every day. Some may live with the person they care for, but others may be at a distance.

We work together with carers organisations across the County to offer information, advice and other services to support you as a carer.

Carers week

Carers week supports and raises awareness of the role of the UK's six million carers - people who look after a loved one who is either ill, frail or disabled.

The theme for carers week 2010 was "A life of my own". North Yorkshire County Council used this week to try to reach as many carers as possible to let them know what information and support is available to them in the county.

Carers week ran from 14 to 20 June. All carers were invited to events across North Yorkshire including those at some of our libraries. For details of what we did go to our carers week page.

Caring for adults and adult carers

If you are over 18 and you care for an adult then you can find more information on the Adult carers page, including information on receiving a carer assessment to determine your needs and what support you should receive.

Caring for children and young carers

If you care for a child under 18 you can receive support from our children and young people's service. They can be contacted through the customer services centre using the contact details below.

Carers that are under 18 are known as young carers. Support for young carers is supplied by our children and young people's service. For more information, see the Young carers - support and advice page.

Carer's emergency card

The carer's emergency card is a plastic card, the size of a credit card, which will identify you as a carer if you have an accident or are unable to identify yourself. The scheme offers 24-hour cover so that the person you care for will receive support in an emergency. To find out more and to apply for a card, see the carer's emergency card page.

Caring for yourself

There are many satisfactions in caring, but it can make great demands on your time, your health and your emotions and can be very exhausting. If you ever feel under undue pressure and the situation is becoming stressful, please ring your GP, our customer services centre, or local carers' organisation for help. Let them know how you feel and that you need help straight away.

For more information on the health issues that can affect carers, see the How can caring affect my health and how can I look after myself? page.

Carers' centres and carers' resources

There are four carers' centres and carers' resources in North Yorkshire. They cover Hambleton and Richmondshire; Harrogate, Craven and Airedale; Scarborough and Ryedale; and Selby. For more details about these organisations and how to contact them, see the What help and support is available from carers' centres and carers' resources? page.

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