Hello and Welcome to Wiltshire Carers
Forward Carers is excited to provide a dedicated website for Adult Carers and Young Carers aged 10 to 18 years old, plus access to our FREE Carers ID Card that holds emergency contact details!
We are an award-winning not-for-profit Community Interest Company and have been empowering unpaid Carers across England to live fulfilling lives since 2014. Our mission is to create Carer Friendly Communities, places where everyone plays a role in supporting Carers and Carers feel understood and valued by the whole community. Carers are at the heart of everything we do, including being a Carer friendly Employer, with many members of our team being unpaid Carers alongside their paid work with us.
We plan to improve the wellbeing of thousands of Carers by implementing our “Carer Friendly Wiltshire” programme through online support. Our experience has taught us that online support can be particularly helpful for Carers, who are juggling family life, have limited ability to leave home, shielding care responsibilities and working unpaid Carers.
Ever found yourself on the internet at all times of day and night researching or looking for support? We will also be working with your library’s, Carers support services and digital inclusion volunteers to ensure all Carers, including those who may need support with the digital world, get access to our support and Carer ID Cards.
Our website will include:
- Opportunity to apply for our Carers photo ID Card (hard copy and digital smartphone version). Designed by Carers for Carers. Carers tell us that this has been important in feeling seen and recognised. This includes an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) section on the back so emergency services know who to contact if anything should happen to you when out and about. Our Card can be used in lots of venues as evidence of being an essential Carer and our wellness directory will provide you with local and national businesses that recognise Carers and their vital role in all our lives as a community.
- What’s on Calendar. Hereyou can see what is available online. For example, online Carers groups, Coaching for Carers sessions, learning and skills opportunities. It is also a place you can upload your online events and support.
- Regular ZOOM sessions. Need a friendly face and ear? Advice? log on to chat to other Carers.
- Wellbeing Reflection. When you enter our website looking for support, you will be asked some helpful questions that start the process of reflection about your own needs, with some pointers so you can begin or review your journey of support.
- Carers Journey E-News. Those initial stages of accessing support can feel so overwhelming. We will send you some helpful ideas and guides to make the most of our support, the local support.
- Online Chat. Have a quick question? Our chatbot might know the answer! Need to speak to someone? It will give you an option to schedule a chat with an advisor.
- Benefits Calculator. Our calculator has been a valuable tool to thousands of Carers and helping to be aware of their entitlements.
We will help you to get to know us! Our online “Discovery Sessions” will tell you all about our services – so you can get the most out of them, offer information around Carers Rights so you are well informed, as well as themed events as requested by you.
All this and more, as we learn from the valuable local knowledge and ideas of Carers in Wiltshire, and work with all the Services and partners in our mutual aim for a Carer Friendly Wiltshire.
Adult Carers
If you are aged 18 and above, complete our Self-Assessment Form to access Carers Together support, request a Carer’s Assessment and get your Carers ID Card. Get help today.
Young Carers
If you are aged 10 to 18 years old, complete our Self-Assessment Form to access the Integrated Front Door Service for a Young Carer’s Assessment and get your Carers ID Card. Get help today.
Join our Carer Friendly Community
By completing the relevant form above, you will automatically be signed up to our Carer Friendly Community so that you can access our private Facebook Carer Group, receive regular emails as well as, accessing our toolkits and guides about your caring role.
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