We provide services to both adult carers (those aged 18 years and over) and young carers (those aged 8 – 17 years inclusive) who either live in, or provide unpaid support to someone who lives in, the borough of Greenwich.

Our Adult Carer services
Our Adult Carer services are provided according to need and this is determined by a number of factors including: if the carer is currently caring (Active Carers), level of caring and the impact this has on a carers life (Carers with Substantial and Caring Responsibilities), if the carer has ceased caring within a previous 12 month period (Former Carers) or, if the carer has ceased caring long term but still wishes to remain in contact with the organisation (Friends of the Centre).

All Active Carers
All Carers that are currently providing either physical or emotional care (or both) to a person are active carers. Many active carers are able to manage their current caring role so that it does not impact on their own lives. This may be due to the nature of the role or the amount of time that they have been caring. We provide a number of services that allow active carers to engage with our services at times that suit them, one of the most popular being our bi-monthly Newsletter.

Active carers with substantial and regular caring responsibilities
Some Active Carers find that their caring role develops into having a significant impact on their own lives. These carers are deemed to have ‘substantial and regular caring responsibilities’ and are therefore entitled by Law to a Carers Assessment; a discussion with a care professional to determine where information, advice or help could be offered and/or arranged. We have a number of services reserved to assist carers in this situation, the most popular being our Counselling service.

Former Carers
Former Carers are those carers who have ceased caring within a 12 months period and who are slowly ‘getting their own lives back together’. Many carers find that carrying out their caring role naturally separates them from existing social networks and puts them at a skill-based disadvantage when wanting to return to the workplace. We have a number of services to assist former Carers, the most popular being our respite trips and short break holidays.

Friends of the Centre
Many carers receiving support from us go on to make strong social relationships with other active carers and do not wish to give those relationships up when their caring role comes to an end, with many having a wealth of information to share and a good deal of time to give. Friends of the Centre are able to attend our social clubs and events as well as become a Member of the Organisation, where they enjoy voting rights and are able to stand for election onto our Management Board.

Friends of the Centre are able to attend all Greenwich Carers events and are asked to contribute a £5 Membership Fee.

Carers that are providing regular and substantial care have a legal right to be offered a Carers Assessment by the local authority and may be given services to meet their needs.