Carers support service
A carer is anyone who looks after a family member, partner or friend because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health, substance misuse or learning disability (NHS England).
Carers are unpaid and shouldn’t be confused with care workers or care assistants, who received payment for looking after someone.
A young carer is someone under the age of 18 whose life is restricted in some way by offering care, help and support to another person. Their protection and support is vital to ensure they can have all the opportunities that would be open to them if they weren’t undertaking this caring role.
Carers support service
Our carers service is run by a team of volunteers under the supervision of our carers lead. The support we provide include the following:
- We offer emotional support to carers by telephone or in person.
- We refer for carers assessment.
- We signpost to other support services in the community.
- We advocate for carers involvement in decision making in line with the Health and Care Act 2022.
- We support carers through complaint processes.
- We collect feedback on carers involvement.
Find out more in our leaflet below:
Contact us by sending an email to PFSH@uhs.nhs.uk.
Carers drop in
Do you know any unpaid carer or patients' next of kin who may require additional support during the hospital stay of those they care for? Please let them know about our drop in sessions from Unpaid Carers Southampton.
A regular drop in session is held in the patient and family support hub, B level, East Wing, Southampton General Hospital.
Support available includes:
- Emotional support
- Signposting to financial support
- Referral for carers assessment
- Social prescribing - signposting for specialist support
- Liaising with local authorities
For further information please refer to Unpaid Carers Southampton website, the UHS patient and family support hub or follow the patient and family support hub on social media.
Carers' shower and changing facility
We recognise UHS is a place of care, expertise, and healing. However, it is also a place where life changes in profound ways for patients and those who stand beside them. Unpaid carers and loved ones, especially those supporting someone at the end of life, give so much of themselves. They offer comfort, presence, strength, and love often over long hours, difficult days, and emotional nights.
These new shower and dressing room facilities are a recognition of that quiet sacrifice. They are a statement that we see you, we value you, and your wellbeing matters too. Having a place to step away, even briefly, from the ward environment can make a meaningful difference. A space to gather your thoughts and to refresh. A place that offers dignity, privacy, and a moment of peace during what may be one of the most challenging times in someone’s life.
Following charitable funding from the League of Friends, we were able to make this dream a reality and are delighted to offer this for our 'unpaid' carers supporting someone here at UHS. If you would like to book to use the facilities within our patient and family support hub, B level, East Wing, Southampton General Hospital, please do not hesitate to call, email or visit the team.