Caring for a loved one can be both rewarding and incredibly challenging. Whether you’re supporting someone with a physical illness, mental health condition, addiction, disability, or terminal diagnosis, you’re not alone. Across the UK, a wide range of organisations are here to help unpaid carers – offering emotional support, practical advice, financial guidance, and respite opportunities.
This page brings together trusted charities, services, and helplines specifically designed to support adult and young carers, including those affected by suicide, bereavement, and mental health concerns. No matter your situation, there is support available for you.
👥 Thurrock Carers Service
What they do: Provides information, advice, and support to unpaid carers who look after a relative, friend, or neighbour who would find it difficult to manage without their help.
Contact:
🔗 Visit: thurrock.gov.uk/carers
🏦 Carers Trust
What they do: Works to improve support, services and recognition for unpaid carers across the UK. Offers specialist support, information, advice, emotional support, practical help, replacement care, and access to breaks.
Contact:
📞 Tel: 0300 772 9600
🔗 Visit: carers.org
📉 Carers UK
What they do: Provides expert advice, information and support for unpaid carers, including rights, benefits, mental health, coping with bereavement and dealing with stress.
Contact:
📞 Helpline: 0808 808 7777
🔗 Visit: carersuk.org
🚒 Gov UK – Caring for Someone
What they do: Provides an overview of the services, rights, and financial support available to carers across the UK.
Contact:
🔗 Visit: gov.uk/carers
🌐 Citizens Advice Scotland – Carers Help & Support
What they do: Offers advice on carers’ rights, benefits, and local support services in Scotland.
Contact:
🔗 Visit: citizensadvice.org.uk
🍳 Age UK
What they do: Supports older carers and those caring for older people with advice, practical help, and local services. Offers guidance on self-care and accessing help.
Contact:
📞 Helpline: 0800 678 1602
🔗 Visit: ageuk.org.uk
👨🎓 Relatives & Residents Association
What they do: Supports older people in or needing care and their families. Offers expert guidance on navigating care homes and what to do when things go wrong.
Contact:
📞 Helpline: 020 7359 8136
🔗 Visit: relres.org
🚕 Young Carer Support Services
👦 NHS – Help for Young Carers
What they do: Provides advice and information for young carers aged 13–19, including rights and how to get support.
Contact:
🔗 Visit: nhs.uk
🧡 Carers Trust – Babble for Young Carers
What they do: Babble is an online space for young carers under 18 to connect, share experiences, and receive support from professionals in a safe and supportive community.
Contact:
🔗 Visit: babble.carers.org
🌺 The Honeypot Children’s Charity
What they do: Provides respite breaks and ongoing support to young carers aged 5–12, giving them time to rest, play and access a safe and nurturing environment.
Contact:
🔗 Visit: honeypot.org.uk
🏠 Barnardo’s – Young Carers Services
What they do: Supports young carers and their families through local services, emotional support, drop-in sessions, and opportunities to reduce their caring responsibilities.
Contact:
🔗 Visit: barnardos.org.uk
💎 ChildLine
What they do: A free, confidential counselling service for children and young people. Offers phone, email, and webchat support on any issue, including being a young carer.
Contact:
📞 Helpline: 0800 1111
🔗 Visit: childline.org.uk
🦄 The Mix
What they do: Offers free, confidential support for young people aged 13–25, on any issue from mental health and relationships to caring responsibilities.
Contact:
📞 Helpline: 0808 808 4994
🔗 Visit: themix.org.uk
🚀 YoungMinds
What they do: Provides mental health support for young people and advice for parents. Offers information specifically for young carers and how to look after their wellbeing.
Contact:
📞 Parent’s Helpline: 0808 802 5544
🔗 Visit: youngminds.org.uk
