Someone who looks after (or intends to look after) a friend or relative who is frail or has an illness or disability which means they can't manage at home without help. Carers may not live in the same house as the person they care for, they may be any age and they are not paid for caring.

The Carers Information Services enables us to: 

• keep carers informed about what support they can get and about special carers' events
• find out what carers think of services
• help us plan services to support carers.

If you would like to be included please send us your details.

As a carer you have a right to ask for an assessment of your role. You can ask for this even if the person you care for does not want any services. We have a duty to provide assessments to carers of people who live in Bournemouth. To decide how we can offer support to you, a member of staff will meet with you. They will talk to you about how the care affects you and your family. They will talk about what sort of help you may want to support you to care.

We will make sure that you and the person you care for:

• are treated with respect, dignity and individuality
• have current information about services
• have your cultural and religious needs respected
• have your personal information treated confidentially, only being shared with people with your consent, except if there is a risk to yourself or others.

The Carers Co–ordinator at Bournemouth Borough Council would like to know what you think about the services and support for carers.

You may want to get involved and help us plan for the future. Please get in touch on 01202 458204 or email Debbie Hyde

• support services
• your rights as a carers
• looking after yourself
• carers Assessment
• talking to other carers
• having a break
• aids and equipment
• money matters
• short break services
• having time to relax
• courses to help you care
• Carers in Crisis emergency back up scheme.