A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

Anyone can be a carer. Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age. If you are a carer....

Shetland Carers' Group

can help you by providing :-

Emotional Support -

by providing opportunities for carers to talk through their concerns in group sessions, with other carers and staff who understand their situation, thus helping to alleviate isolation and stress

Information and advice -

about all issues affecting carers, including benefits, breaks, respite and support services, carer assessment procedures, aids and adaptations

Community consultation -

carers need a unified voice to ensure that they have an impact on decision-making. By working with other agencies and consulting carers, the Shertand Carers' Group can have a strong influence on local policy, planning procedures and outcomes. They can also ensure that the local carers' voice can be linked into regaional and national decision-making bodies.

The aim of the group is to help ensure that no carer has to reach crisis point before they get the support they need. In short, to make it easier for carers to cope.