If you support an adult living with ill-health, long-term conditions, and care and support needs you are an unpaid carer.
Caring can be fulfilling, but it can also be challenging. Support is available to help you manage and stay well including advice, training, financial assistance, and opportunities to take a break and build social connections.
The Council works in partnership with Harrow Carers to provide unpaid carers with support services and this page explains the types of help available.
Harrow Carers
Harrow Carers is the principal charity and voluntary organisation in Harrow dedicated to helping unpaid carers:
- Become more able to manage caring alongside their own life
- Build confidence, skills and individual resilience around caring
- Look after their emotional and physical health and wellbeing
For more information, see Harrow Carers
Information and support
Harrow Carers provides a free support service that enables access to information, advice, and practical support for carers manage their role and live well. The service operates during weekdays and can be accessed via phone, email, and in-person.
The service works to help people identify and register as an unpaid carer and understand their role and individual support needs. Once registered, the service offers guidance and practical support options for carers to stay healthy and well while caring including emotional support, training and skills. The service also enables access to social events and activities, peer support networks, and links to community groups to help unpaid carers have a life alongside caring.
To register and seek support, see Carer Registrations
Virtual Carers Centre
Harrow Carers work with Bridgit Care to offer unpaid carers access to support at any time. The Virtual Carers Centre is a free online platform offering 24/7 access to simple advice, practical tips, and personalised support. Unpaid carers can find wellbeing information, local services, and speak to a friendly coach at a time that is right for them and their situation.
To learn more and access support, see the Virtual Carers Centre
Apply for a Carer card
A Carer card confirms your status as an unpaid carer. It confirms that you provide support to a vulnerable person. To apply for a Carer card, see Harrow Carers Carer Card.
Become a Carer Champion
This role is for carers who wish to be a voice for other carers. To find out more, see An introduction to becoming a carer champion. Apply to become a carer champion by emailing us at Carer.Champions@harrow.gov.uk.
Apply for Careline
Careline is a personal alarm service that provides support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If a vulnerable person is in trouble, they can alert a team by pressing a button. It gives customers peace of mind to live independently at home.
For more information, see our Careline page. Or you can email the team at careline@harrow.gov.uk.
Apply for a free home fire safety visit
The London Fire Brigade offers personal fire safety advice. This includes fitting free smoke alarms where needed.
- View a carer's guide to home fire safety on the London Fire Brigade website.
- View the London Fire Brigade home safety checker.
- Apply for a free home fire safety visit