Carer Support Birmingham

During the last census, Carers UK estimated the number of unpaid carers in the UK to be around 10 million in 2022. This is around 15% of the UK population, and the numbers are increasing each year. 

What makes somebody a carer? The role of a carer, as stated by Forward Carers in this article, includes the following: 

• Personal Care – Support with dressing, washing, and toileting 
• Domestic Care – Support with cooking, housework, and shopping 
• Physical Care – Support with lifting, assisting, and helping when moving around 
• Financial Care – Support with any financial affairs 
• Health Care – Support with managing illness or a condition, or helping to administer medication 
• Emotional Care – Support by being a listening ear, offering moral support, or simply providing company for someone who is feeling isolated 
• Communication Care – Supporting or assisting with a listening or communication impairment, including translation, for example, when English is not the family’s first language 

Many may not realise they are an unpaid carer, and although it does not define you, it is important to recognise your responsibilities and understand the support available to make your life a little easier.  

The 2022 State of Caring survey clearly shows the negative effects unpaid caring can have on your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Stating; ‘21% carers said their physical health was ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ and 30% said their mental health was ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’’. Additionally, they state ‘29% of carers said they felt lonely often or always’.  

This does not have to be the case. Here at Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC we hope to provide unpaid carers with the necessary support and resources to help make caring for a loved one a bit easier. 

We have begun to compile a collection of all carer events and resources we have found in Birmingham. As we find more resources, we will update this blog, so make sure you keep checking in. If you are interested in any of the flyers below, please contact the organisation directly by clicking the link underneath the poster to avoid missing out! 

(Please note all information is up to date at the time of posting).

Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS) 
This service is FREE and runs across Birmingham and Solihull, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call 0121 442 2960, or email Jane.Cleary@cers.org.uk to arrange an emergency care plan for up to 48 hours (72 hours on bank holidays). Long term care options can also be arranged.

Crossroads Caring for Carers
A website full of useful resources accessible to carers in Sandwell, Dudley and Birmingham, including a 24/7 phone service (0121 553 6483).

Stroke Association – Stroke Recovery Service (Birmingham & Solihull)
A service offering advice and assistance to stroke survivors and their carers. You can call Lesley Burke on 01213 145092, or email Bsolteam@stroke.org.uk. You can also view this leaflet here, which is full of useful information about caring for a stroke survivor.

Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC – Keep Dancing for Carers Shenley Court Hall

Thrive Birmingham – Carers connect to Gardening – Kings Heath, Birmingham

Wellbeing activities- Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Moseley, Birmingham

Carer’s breaks – Birmingham Buddhist Centre, Moseley, Birmingham

Age UK Birmingham – Carers support Hub Harborne, Birmingham

Age UK Birmingham – Carers support Hub Selly Oak, Birmingham

Create a caring self-help plan – Bridgit Care

Crossroads – Free Carer Respite Breaks

Crossroads – Carers Assistance Line

Xpress-Yourself Dance CIC run weekly Keep Dancing classes, suitable for older adults across, Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall, Sandwell and online. Keep Dancing will teach you dances from around the world with no need for a dance partner. Find your nearest Keep Dancing class here. 

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