Type of service: Advocacy (general), Family support and information services

The Carers Federation was established in 1992 as a small local charity to support people living in Nottingham and the surrounding area. The organisation has steadily grown and now works across the East Midlands, the North East, North West and Yorkshire and Humberside. Carers are often isolated and can find themselves in situations where their wishes and needs take second place to the person they care for. They can find caring both rewarding and frustrating. Many are not aware of their rights or the benefits they can claim in order to carry on caring for someone who needs them. The carers supported by the Carers Federation are people of any age who look after another person and are not paid for it. The people they care for may need to be looked after because they are ill, frail, have a disability or are mentally distressed. It supports adult carers, young carers, and black and ethnic minority carers. It runs programmes for public and patient involvement, for people with mental health issues, those needing counselling support, and those affected by another person's drug misuse. More recently, the Federation has been able to support the wider community with ICAS (the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service) for people who want to make a complaint about their NHS treatment or care. All the services provided by the Federation are free and confidential.

Aimed at: Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of an adult

Covers: East Midlands, North East, North West, Yorkshire and The Humber

Specialisms: Generic