Taking care of yourself and your family

There may be times when you feel in need of some support or guidance. This section has information about services that can
help you.

In this section:
1. Support for parent carers
2. Your health and wellbeing
3. Your mental health
4. Exercise, leisure and travel

Support for parent carers

Being a parent or carer of a child or young person who needs additional support means you are a 'parent carer.'
It is important that you take care of yourself too – and there's help available. We have highlighted some of the services, but more information is available on our website and through the Local Offer website.

Action for Carers

Action for Carers provide a range of support including:

  • information about your rights
  • moving and handling training
  • signposting to other organisations that can help you

You can browse the website for information or register with Action for Carers here:

They also run a helpline, call 0303 040 1234 or text 07714 075993

Surrey County Council has a duty to assess parent carers on the appearance of need, or where a parent requests an assessment.
Assessments are carried out by social workers from Surrey County Council Children's Services team. Visit Surrey's website for more information:

Your health and wellbeing

There are a range of local and national services that can support you with your health and wellbeing.

Healthy Surrey

Local health and wellbeing services, as well as self-care information that can help you and your family lead a healthier life: www.healthysurrey.org.uk

NHS

A vast range of health information including A-Z of Symptoms, conditions, medicines, treatments, finding a dentist, hospital or GP, articles and guides. You can find out more on the NHS website: www.nhs.uk.

Your surgery or GP

If your GP knows you are caring for a child or young person with AN&D, they can help you. It's easy to register as a carer by asking your surgery for a Carer Registration form (from Surrey NHS).

Your doctor can:

  • support you with physical health issues related to your caring role, like tiredness
  • make you aware of the carer's flu jab each year
  • talk to you about your mental health and the impact of your caring role
  • refer you to helpful organisations and services that can improve your life as a carer
  • refer you for a Carer's Break payment if your caring role is undermining your health, potentially meaning you can take a break
  • refer you for further support using the Surrey Carer's Prescription scheme

Your mental health

If you are feeling low, anxious or stressed, Mind Matters Surrey can help. They are the local NHS provider offering free and confidential talking therapies to people aged 17+ registered with a Surrey GP. They will assess how best to support you.

They offer individual therapies, guided self-help online and group courses to help treat a wide range of mental health issues. You do not need to be referred by a GP.

  • Mind Matters website
  • Call 0300 330 5450 or text 07786 202565 8.30am to 5.30pm. Please note this is not a crisis helpline or text service.

Being part of the community

There are various organisations and services that provide social groups and activities in Surrey. Below are some places can find information to help you and your family get the most out of what is on offer in your local community, including ways to meet new people and taking part in sport and leisure activities.

Local Offer Directory

The Local Offer Directory has many sports and arts clubs listed in the Leisure category. Use a keyword that describes your interest to find out what is available in Surrey.

Family Information Service (FIS)

The Family Information Service (FIS), has helpful information and advice information about Childcare, holiday schemes, and activities in your local area: You can find more information on the website:

Surrey Libraries

Libraries are right at the heart of Surrey's communities. They have many activities taking place and are a great source of information about the local area. They host and provide many clubs and activities, from rhyme time, crafts, and helping people improve their computer skills to supporting families to find local services and more. Find your local library on the website:

Surrey Information Point

Surrey Information Point has a directory of services that you can filter by category and/or location.

Active Surrey

Active Surrey helps everyone in Surrey to get moving and take part in activities to improve fitness and wellbeing. You can find activities near you by searching the website

Active Surrey Holiday Activity & Food (HAF) and Club4

Active Surrey work with providers in surrey to run free HAF (Holiday Activity & Food) camps for children who receive benefit-related free school meals.

These camps, known as 'Club4' in Surrey, run during the longer school holidays and offer healthy food and fun activities for eligible
children aged 5 to 16. You can find more information about these clubs on the website:

Exercise, leisure and travel

Doing sport and activities you enjoy is important for staying healthy and making connections.

Sport, exercise and keeping fit

Search Surrey FIS or Surrey Information Point for sport and exercise groups in Surrey:

Active Surrey has information on exercise and/ or health conditions:

Advice on moving and handling

If you physically help your child, such as getting them in and out of bed, you can get specialist support to make sure you do this safely.

This will help avoid straining your back, joints and soft tissues.

Transport

Free bus passes for disabled people and carers

If your child needs support to get the bus, both they and their carer may be eligible for free travel.

Apply with a letter of evidence via the Surrey County Council website.

School transport

Pupils with an EHCP may qualify for travel assistance. Even without an EHCP you may still receive travel assistance in some situations.