Caring can be an extremely stressful, emotionally and physically exhausting role. It can take a significant toll on both physical and mental wellbeing and also lead to financial and other personal difficulties. Care workers often have to juggle care responsibilities with looking after themselves, the rest of their family, and working part-time.
To try to help, we've compiled a list of support that care workers can access, in many cases for free. This includes support with: mental health and physical wellbeing, financial circumstances (including grants and other offers), plus training and communities to provide extra support to understand the complexities of care.
Mental health support for care workers
It is vital that care workers are offered help and support to look after their own wellbeing, through information about support services and therapies that are available and how to access them, and how to develop personal coping strategies.
Here are some of the mental health and wellbeing support resources available specifically for carers, addressing the unique emotional and psychological challenges they face.
1. National Association of Care & Support Workers (NACAS)
NACAS Memberships provide comprehensive health and wellbeing support to help care workers both professionally and personally through free mental health resources for carers and counselling sessions.
2. The Care Workers Charity
The charity offers carers access to up to ten free support sessions from a qualified therapist who can help with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, addiction or PTSD.
3. Mind UK
Mind is a mental health charity offering helplines, local support groups, information on managing stress, and specific guides for carers dealing with mental health challenges. They offer tailored advice to handle burnout, anxiety, and emotional fatigue.
6. Samaritans
Providing access to a 24/7 helpline for anyone struggling with mental health issues, including care workers who may need someone to talk to during times of emotional distress, Samaritans are a free and confidential support that’s always available.
7. Time to Talk
Offers free and confidential counselling sessions for carers struggling with emotional and mental health challenges. Carers can access therapy and receive guidance on how to manage stress.
8. Mental Health Foundation
The foundation provides resources and guides specifically for carers on managing mental health, including tips on building resilience and self-care routines. It also offers research-backed advice and accessible strategies for carers to maintain their wellbeing.
9. Pastora
Pastora are certified trainers and coaches who provide care and management teams with guidance to develop wellbeing. Online training modules and workshops support carers to understand and meet their needs in such a challenging role.
Financial support for care workers
As care workers are typically on lower incomes, as soon as any financial pressures outside of the norm occurs, they can find themselves in a difficult financial situation. Carers can struggle with bills impacted by the cost of living crisis.
Several organisations in the UK offer financial grants to care workers and assistance to help alleviate the financial burdens of day-to-day life. Here is a list of key resources for financial support for carers:
1. The Care Workers’ Charity
The Care Workers Charity offers financial help such as Crisis Grants to care workers facing financial hardship due to sudden life events such as illness, injury, or bereavement.
2. NACAS
With a NACAS membership, carers gain access to discounted DBS checks, liability insurance, motoring offers, and tools and supplies. NACAS also provides legal support - from self-help guides to free legal advice and representation.
3. Turn2Us
Turn2Us is a national charity that supports people in financial hardship to access welfare benefits, charitable grants, and other financial help. The charity also provides a Grant Search Tool for carers to find Turn2Us carer grants available to them based on their individual circumstances.
Training resources for care workers
Caring can be a complex role to navigate - from understanding medical conditions to filling in paperwork and dealing with other care professionals, there is a lot to learn to provide care safely. This list features 10 of the best training resources available for carers:
1. Skills for Care
Offers free resources and extensive online training programs for carers, covering topics such as safeguarding, health and safety, and dementia care.
2. NACAS
Provides access for members to 600+ free and discounted training courses from a number of recognised training providers.
3. Florence Academy
Carers can learn the fundamentals of the adult care social sector through courses which are free to individual carers.
4. Open University: Caring for Adults
Free online courses for carers, providing the fundamentals of caring for adults - for those new to caregiving or looking to strengthen foundational skills.
5. FutureLearn
Free and paid online courses are available on caregiving, health, and social care topics from top universities and organisations.
6. SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence)
Free e-learning courses on topics including dignity in care, safeguarding, and mental capacity.
7. Positive Ageing Consultancy and Training (PACT)
Specialises in dementia care, end-of-life care, and positive ageing, helping carers focus on dignity and quality of life for older adults. Discounts are available on courses for NACAS members.
8. eLearning for Healthcare (e-LfH)
A free platform offering NHS-endorsed healthcare-related e-learning modules. Offers accredited, free online courses covering topics such as infection control, mental health, and safeguarding.
9. Pastora
Pastora are certified trainers and coaches who support carers by providing care and management teams with guidance to develop wellbeing. Online training modules and workshops support carers to understand and meet their needs in such a challenging role.
10. Nursebuddy
Offers professional development tools through its Carer Webinar series, offering homecare workers practical guidance on the key issues affecting them as they do their job.
Communities for care workers
As a care worker, having a network of supportive people around you is essential. Knowing there are others who understand the demands of your role and who have experienced it first hand, can really help to lift you and support you when you need it most. Here are three great places to turn to.
1. The Care Lounge
An affordable membership accessible to all caregivers across the UK. It's focus is on real issues that matter – finances, nutrition, wellbeing, even spirituality. Online and in-person gatherings offer connection with other carers who can truly empathise with you.
2. NACAS
NACAS memberships provide opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals who share your passion for care and support. Build a supportive network that will not only enrich your professional life but also foster lifelong connections.
3. Care Connector Network
A safe space network that offers for seamless connectivity with other carers and a range of roles within social care, as well as useful suppliers. Features a weekly online huddle and free access to CPD-accredited events and webinars.
In summary
Caring is an extremely challenging role which can, understandably, lead to personal difficulties - but care workers are not alone. There are a variety of resources which provide support specially catered to help with wellbeing, financial aid, and training opportunities, and also other methods of support that can be used to help in certain areas and learn strategies to cope.
Find out more about how Nursebuddy makes life easier for hardworking domiciliary carers, here: https://nursebuddy.co/carers
