Carers' information
A carer is someone of any age who looks after a relative, partner, friend or neighbour who has an illness, disability, frailty or addiction.
The help carers provide is not paid for as part of their employment. The care may be personal, emotional or supervisory.
They may or may not live with the person for whom they care.
Support for carers
Carers help and advice - Oxfordshire County Council
Carers Oxfordshire
Action for Carers Oxfordshire listens to carers and provides information and advice. It also aims to help carers get the support they need.
Carers Oxfordshire
Services Handbook - Carers Oxfordshire
Tel: 01235 424715
Email: carersoxfordshire@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Carers of current patients
If the person you care for, or may need to start caring for, is a current (or recent) patient at Oxford University Hospitals, please speak to a member of staff about your role.
If you would like some advice or support, the member of staff can put you in touch with the dedicated OUH Carer Advisor (employed by Action for Carers, Oxfordshire).
Young carers
Be Free Young Carers (BE FREE YC) is a charity that operates across Southern Oxfordshire.
The service supports children between the ages of 8 and 18 who care for family members.
They offer support and advice dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of young carers.
BE FREE YC - Supporting Young Carers in Oxfordshire
Tel: 01235 838554
Tuesday to Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm
Carers UK
Carers UK is a non-profit organisation.
Commitment to Carers
Oxfordshire's Commitment to Carers (pdf, 197 KB)
Organisations which have signed up to the Commitment include:
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group
- Oxfordshire County Council
together with Action for Carers Oxfordshire including Carers Oxfordshire and Oxfordshire Young Carers Service.
Carers' Health MOTs
The Here for Health Improvement Advice Centre is a service available for OUH staff, patients and visitors, to access support with healthy living and health behaviour change.
The advisors have teamed up with Kay Francis (details given above) to specifically promote the use of the service by informal carers.
Carers can drop in at a time convenient for them, no appointment necessary, and support is available on a wide range of topics:
- Eating more healthily
- Becoming more active
- Giving up smoking
- Weight management
- Reducing alcohol intake
- Emotional wellbeing
The service can also refer/signpost to relevant community services for ongoing support.
For further information please contact:
Email: hereforhealth@ouh.nhs.uk
Tel: 01865 221429
'Twiddle muffs' wanted
'Twiddle muffs' are needed for hospital patients with dementia.
Would you be interested in knitting a 'twiddle muff' for one of our patients? Find out more from our fact sheet.
Dementia Care - Twiddle Muff Fact Sheet (pdf, 98 KB)
Staying in hospital
Please use the link below to access information about staying in hospital.
Staying in hospital
Last reviewed:22 April 2024