Carers, family and friends

A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older. They could be caring for someone who is ill, frail, disabled, has learning difficulties, a mental health illness, substance or alcohol problem.  The caring may include help with personal care, medication, cooking, shopping, housework and giving emotional support.

At CWPT, we recognise and value the diversity of our community. Carers come from all walks of life - they may be a family member, a partner in a heterosexual or same-sex relationship, a friend, or a neighbour. Carers can be of any age, background, ability, religion, or cultural and ethnic group.

To support carers, most inpatient wards across CWPT have dedicated Carer Champions. These staff members act as key contacts for carer-related information and support. They receive specialised training and are part of a growing network designed to share both local and national resources. This ensures they can provide up-to-date guidance to their teams and to carers themselves.