Friday 25 April 2025
Anyone can become a carer for someone suddenly or over time
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend, or neighbour who needs help. Carers can be of any age and may provide a variety of services, including:
Carers need their own wellbeing and welfare support
Many carers don't see themselves as carers. Caring responsibilities can have a negative impact on the physical and mental health, education, and employment potential of those who care.
Staff Carers Network
If you're a carer, the Staff Carers Network provides information, advice, support, and guidance on your carer rights. Come and speak to us at one of the Carers Cafe we run every Thursday (2:30pm to 4pm) at the Springs Restaurant.
Contact us:
For more information on the Carers Cafe or the Staff Carers Network:
Email: sft.staffcarers@nhs.net
Join us on Facebook: Search 'SFT Staff Carers Network' or scan the QR code:
Carers Cafe (every Thurs 2:30pm - 4:00pm at Springs Restaurant)
Do you help to look after someone? Our 'Carers Cafe' is held every Thursday at 2:30pm - 4:00pm in Springs Restaurant (SDH Main Building, Level 2). Come and say hello, we are here for you.
The Carers Cafe is open to patients, visitors and all of our staff.
SFT Healthcare Library - Resources for Staff Carers
The Healthcare Library is a great resource, where there is a selection of books on Carers, Carers Corner and Staff Wellbeing Space.
Line Manager Resources: Supporting staff with caring responsibilities
Further Resources for Carers
For over 60 years, Carers UK has been at the forefront of the carers’ movement, bringing carers together to have a voice and deliver lasting change. We’ll keep campaigning until we can all look after loved ones without putting our own lives on hold. Our website is your first port of call if you’re looking for information about any aspect of caring.
Whether you’re looking for information on benefits, practical help in your caring role, or support in the workplace, our help and advice pages offer detailed guidance. You can also download our resources, including our factsheets and Looking after someone guide, or order printed copies of our guides from our online shop.
Carers Together Wiltshire is a partnership between Age UK Wiltshire, Community First, Alzheimer’s Support, Wiltshire Service Users Network, Citizens Advice Wiltshire and Wessex Community Action, under the umbrella, ‘Carers Together Wiltshire’. This partnership will allow us to provide tailored support to the thousands of people across Wiltshire identified as an unpaid carer.
Forward Carers is delighted to bring together a range of online resources to assist you in your caring role. If you’re caring for someone in Wiltshire, you can access our Benefits Calculator to see what you may be entitled to, register for a Carers ID Card, access online support groups and self-refer for help from local services.
Carer Support Wiltshire supports all unpaid carers, from 5 years upwards. Our aim is to create a society which understands and supports unpaid carers. We help carers to access services, information, education and training, respite, and breaks from their caring role. We ensure carers have a voice and we work with health and social care professionals and employers to raise carer awareness and develop best practice.
Wiltshire Parent Carer Council (WPCC)
The WPCC is Wiltshire’s Parent Carer Forum that represents and supports parent carers of children and young people aged 0-25 resident in Wiltshire
Help for Carers when a loved one drinks excessively
Carers support specially for those with a loved one who may be drinking to excess is provided by Taking Action on Addiction (01747- 832015). It is a national campaign that seeks to improve everyone's understanding of addiction and to end the stigma that surrounds addiction - and sometimes, even the stigma that comes with recovery.
If you're worried about a loved one's substance use (alcohol, drugs, gambling or something else), there's a wide range of support available.
Alzheimer’s Support (Wiltshire) is a local charity which exists to improve quality of life for families affected by dementia in Wiltshire. We support people who are living with dementia in their own homes, helping them to maintain as much independence and control over their lives as possible. We believe that with the right support it is possible to live well with dementia.
Truly person-centred care is at the heart of our operation. Our services include inspirational day clubs, a carefully customised support at home service and a growing range of activity groups - all designed to help people lead lives that are creative, active, productive and meaningful.
Parkinson's Support (Salisbury Branch)
The Salisbury Parkinson's support branch offers friendship and support locally to people with Parkinson’s, their families and carers, contact us to find out more.
The Stroke Association is here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. Explore our support hub for all the services provided by the Stroke Association. Find helpful advice and guidance for stroke survivors and their families. We're here to support you on your path to recovery.
The Forum Stroke Club (Wilton) is a friendly group who welcome new members. With lots of laughter the club enjoys a range of activities including quizzes, arts and crafts, games, outings, meals and much more. One of their most popular events among the group members is the 'sing for the brain' session. Joining in is not compulsory - if you want a cup of tea and a chat, we are good at that too!
We are the Salisbury and District Group. We’re here to support you and your loved ones to live well with Multiple sclerosis (MS). Whether you have MS, or care about someone who does, join our group to connect with other people from the community and share experiences. We don’t want anyone to face MS alone.
Wiltshire Autism Hub supports individuals 14+ years, with a diagnosis of Autism, living in Wiltshire. We provide direct assistance to help you with particular issues you might be facing, such as housing, or to help you achieve a specific goal, such as applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). We offer 1-2-1 support, peer group support and travel support. The hub was created to provide signposting to further advice and guidance to support individuals, families, parents, carers and professionals.
Adult Social Care Wiltshire Council
Supporting independent lives in thriving, resilient communities. Find information about the adult care process in Wiltshire and lists of services to help you remain independent by visiting: Your Care Your Support Wiltshire
Cancer Support Salisbury was formed in September 2019, following the the closure of Wessex Cancer Trust's Salisbury Centre. As a team of volunteers we meet weekly, each Wednesday from 9.30am until 11.30am, and Thursday from 2pm until 5pm at the Quaker Meeting House in Salisbury. Our drop-in sessions are informal, and we are open to anybody affected by a cancer diagnosis, including family members, carers and friends.
We offer a relaxed, non medical environment where people can come, and just be themselves, make new friends, and invite the opportunity to share emotional and
practical advice with each other. The kettle is always on too !
Age UK Wiltshire is an independent, local charity providing support and services to older people living in Wiltshire and Swindon, something we’ve been doing for over 70 years. We want everyone to be able to love later life. We do this by inspiring, supporting and enabling older people, helping them stay safe, make informed choices and be independent yet connected. We promote the wellbeing of all older people and work to make later life a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. We recognise that every person is an individual with different needs, preferences and abilities.
Citizens Advice Wiltshire is a local charity that gives advice over the phone, by email and on web chat, while reserving our face to face support for when it's most needed. However, we are not running a drop-in service, so please call us, or email us first. This way we can work out how best to help. Click here to find out the several ways you can contact us.
Staff Carers Network Leadership Team
Network Executive Sponsor: Fiona McNeight fiona.mcneight@nhs.net
Network Chair: Victoria Aldridge victoria.aldridge3@nhs.net
Volunteer and Carers Champion: Helen Dowse helen.dowse@nhs.net
Our staff at Salisbury District Hospital have long been well regarded for the quality of care and treatment they provide for our patients and for their innovation, commitment and professionalism. This has been recognised in a wide range of achievements and it is reflected in our award of NHS Foundation Trust status. This is afforded to hospitals that provide the highest standards of care.
