Resources

Use our free and confidential ‘entitledto’ Benefits Calculator to find out what benefits you may be eligible to claim. You can return to your results later – just take a note of your reference code. Our Benefits Calculator will provide comprehensive welfare entitlement information, relevant to your situation. It will be helpful to have various documents to hand (and for your partner if you have one) as follows:

• Income details e.g. earnings, pensions, allowances and state benefits.
• Your partner’s income, including benefits as you will be assessed as a couple.
• Savings, investments and other capital.
• Annual council tax bill and any help you get with it.
• Rent or mortgage payments.
• Others living with you and their income.

Although we’re a digital support service, we understand how valuable face-to-face connection can be. That’s why we offer a range of ways for you to get support, in a way that suits you best.

Here, you can: Register for an online Carer Support Group, book a one-to-one Carer chat or browse our activity calendars to find out what’s on, both online and in person

Coffee Catch- up Sessions

Join our informal Carer Coffee Catch- up sessions run by our Charity partner Kissing it Better (KiB) over Zoom. These sessions are a chance for you to engage with other Carers over a cup of tea or coffee. Join in conversation or simply listen in, either with camera on or off, you don’t have to be available for the whole session as we know how busy Carers are. Carers and the person you are caring for are both welcome. KiB provides regular Carer Coffee-Catch up sessions during the week including training and activity-based sessions, great for connecting with others particularly if you’re feeling a little isolated.

You can find all the Carer Coffee-Catch Zoom sessions here.

What’s On Calendars

Forward Carers is proud to partner with Kissing it Better to bring you the “What’s On” Calendar for Carers in Wiltshire. This dedicated calendar highlights a wide range of local activities, wellbeing sessions, and peer support opportunities designed specifically for unpaid Carers. Whether you’re looking to connect with others, enjoy a relaxing workshop, or access practical advice, the calendar is your go-to guide for Carer-friendly events happening across the county.

A new edition is published every two months, ensuring that the information remains fresh, relevant, and reflective of the changing needs and interests of the Carer community.

It’s important to take some time to think about what would happen in the event you were suddenly unable to carry out your caring role. A ‘What If’ plan is a document where you can write down everything about the person you care for and their needs and preferences. In the unfortunate event that something did prevent you for being about to support your loved-one, it acts as a guide for those who step in to provide care and provides you with peace of mind.

You can keep this somewhere safe at home (in an empty glass bottle in the fridge door is a good place). Or, if you’d like to talk to someone about making your emergency plan, you can contact your local Carer support service who can discuss and record your plans. You can find their contact details here. Our Carers ID Card can also display your emergency contact name and number as well as emergency contacts from the council.

Adding ‘Emergency Contact’ (ICE) Details to your phone.

As a Carer, it’s essential to be prepared for any situation. One simple but important step is adding emergency contact details to your phone. This ensures that, in case of an emergency, others can quickly contact your loved ones or medical professionals. By setting up a “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) contacts, you can provide peace of mind for yourself and those you care for, knowing help can be reached swiftly when it’s needed most. Watch the videos we have created below to help you set this up!