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Coronavirus: Find our Covid-19 information and updates
Families, friends and carers provide vital support to people with mental health problems and/or an addiction to drugs or alcohol. We know this role can sometimes be difficult and we are here to support you.
To find out more, download our Families and carers handbook (pdf)
We also have two new guides which were co-produced with carers:
As a carer, you should be given the contact details of the team providing care to your family member or friend, and the name of the person responsible for their care.
If you don't know who to talk to, check our services directory or contact our Patient advice and liaison service (PALS).
We share as much information as we can about the person you care for. We also welcome any information you can share with us.
The way we share information between service users, carers and staff is based on:
If you and the person you care for have different views on what you need to know we will work through this with you. We have a duty of care to both you and the person you care for.
To find out more, read Confidentiality and sharing information with carers [pdf]
If you provide care or support to a friend or family member, our Carers Charter means:
For more information read our Carers Charter leaflet, or see our Carers Charter poster [pdf].
We know the most important thing that we can offer carers is good quality care to the people they care for, but it is also essential that we listen and work alongside carers. Our Family and Carers Strategy 2021 to 2024[pdf] sets out our priorities for the next three years and is a renewed statement of our previous commitment to families and carers.
Families and carers handbook (PDF)
Carers and confidentiality (PDF)
Coronavirus advice for carers (PDF)
Are you a carer? Carers assessment poster (PDF)
A practical guide to healthy caring (NHS England)
Crisis support for carers Southwark
Crisis support for carers Lambeth 2022
Crisis support for carers Lewisham
Crisis support for carers Croydon
List of Family and Carer Resources
We run an annual family and carers listening event, which gives families and carers the opportunity to meet and share their experiences with staff, gather information and hear about the work being developed across the Trust.
Training and support for people with mental health difficulties and their carers, family and friends.
You should be told if there is a carer support group available for you.
You can also find contact details for support in our coronavirus advice leaflet for carers:
for people of any age who are affected by their parents’ drinking
For people aged under 25, including young carers.
24 hour support and advice call: 111
Mental health charity
Professional body for psychiatrists
Mental health charity
Triangle of Care is a partnership between service user, staff member and carer that promotes safety, and supports and sustains wellbeing for all. For this year we have signed up to complete Triangle of Care assessments of inpatient and crisis services to provide evidence of family and carer involvement. Our focus in the second year will be assessing community teams.
Read the Triangle of Care guide on the Carers Trust website.