OTHER SUPPORT & SERVICES
Find trusted information, local services and useful resources for unpaid carers in Swindon.
Benefits, Debt & Welfare Advice
Many carers and the people they care for may be entitled to financial support, benefits and other assistance that can help improve their financial wellbeing. However, understanding what support is available and navigating the benefits system can sometimes feel overwhelming.
The information below includes a range of local and national resources covering benefits, welfare advice and financial support for carers and the people they care for.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please contact us on 01793 531133 or email hello@swindoncarerstogether.org.uk.
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Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and need help with personal care or supervision because of a physical or mental health condition. It can help with extra costs associated with living with a disability or long-term health condition.
You may be eligible if you need support with:
Washing and dressing
Eating and drinking
Taking medication
Staying safe due to illness, frailty or memory problems
Supervision during the day or night
Attendance Allowance is not affected by income or savings, and receiving it may increase entitlement to other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.
How to Apply
Call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 to request a claim form. Claims can usually be backdated to the date you first contact the helpline.
Useful Links
Citizens Advice – Help Completing an Attendance Allowance Form
Local Support
Age UK Wiltshire offers:
Benefits entitlement checks
Attendance Allowance application support
Form filling assistance
Advice on challenging benefit decisions
Telephone: 0808 196 2424
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Many carers and the people they care for may be entitled to financial support without realising it. A benefits calculator can help identify what benefits you may be able to claim.
Before You Start
You will need information about:
Savings and investments
Income (including a partner's income)
Existing benefits and pensions
Household outgoings
Rent or mortgage payments
Council Tax
Benefits Calculators
Additional Information
Carers UK provides guidance on:
Benefits for carers
Disability benefits
Pension support
Financial assistance
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Swindon Borough Council can help provide information on:
Benefits support
Debt advice
Emergency assistance
Household Support Fund
Financial wellbeing resources
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Carer's Allowance is a benefit for people who provide at least 35 hours of care each week for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit.
Eligibility
You must:
Be aged 16 or over
Provide at least 35 hours of care each week
Not be in full-time education
Earn £204 or less per week after deductions
Payment
Current rate: £86.45 per week
Important Information
If you receive a State Pension you may still qualify for an "underlying entitlement" which could increase:
Pension Credit
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Support
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Carer's Credit is a National Insurance credit designed to protect your State Pension if caring responsibilities prevent you from working or earning enough to pay National Insurance contributions.
Eligibility
You must:
Be aged 16 or over
Be under State Pension age
Provide care for at least 20 hours each week
The person you care for should normally receive a qualifying disability benefit such as:
Attendance Allowance
Personal Independence Payment (daily living component)
Disability Living Allowance care component
If they do not receive one of these benefits, you may still qualify by completing a Care Certificate signed by a health or social care professional.
Why Apply?
Carer's Credit does not provide direct payments but helps protect your National Insurance record and future State Pension entitlement.
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Citizens Advice Swindon provides free, confidential and independent advice on:
Benefits and welfare rights
Debt and money concerns
Housing issues
Employment matters
Consumer issues
Immigration advice
Contact Details
Please call 0808 278 7813. If you cannot get through, please leave a voicemail and an adviser will aim to call you back.
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Could You Receive a Discount?
Council Tax bills are generally based on two adults living in a property.
You may qualify for a reduction if:
You live alone
Someone in your household has Severe Mental Impairment
An unpaid carer is not counted for Council Tax purposes
Possible Discounts
25% discount where only one adult is counted
Up to 50% discount in some circumstances
More Information
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If your home has been adapted to meet the needs of a disabled person, you may qualify for a reduction in your Council Tax bill.
Examples include:
An additional bathroom
An additional kitchen
Extra indoor space required for wheelchair use
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Disability Living Allowance (Adults)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free benefit for people who need help with personal care or mobility because of a disability.
For most adults, DLA has now been replaced by Personal Independence Payment (PIP). New adult claims are only accepted in limited circumstances.
Disability Living Allowance (Children)
DLA helps with the additional costs of caring for a child under 16 who has a disability or long-term health condition.
The benefit includes:
A Care Component
A Mobility Component
The amount awarded depends on the level of support required.
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK government benefit that helps people with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities with the extra costs of living with their condition.
You may be eligible if:
You are aged 16 or over.
Your condition has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.
You have difficulty with everyday activities or getting around because of your condition.
You are under State Pension age when making your first claim.
PIP has two parts:
Daily Living – for help with everyday activities, such as preparing food, washing, dressing, or communicating.
Mobility – for help if you have difficulty moving around or planning and following journeys.
The amount you receive depends on how your condition affects your daily life and mobility, rather than the condition itself.
People who are nearing the end of life can usually receive the Daily Living component automatically, while eligibility for the Mobility component is based on their individual mobility needs.
For more information, please visit the official gov website.
Helplines & Counselling Services
Caring for someone can have a significant impact on your emotional wellbeing, mental health and resilience. It is important to remember that support is available for carers who may be feeling overwhelmed, isolated, stressed, anxious or in need of someone to talk to.
Whether you are looking for ongoing counselling, mental health support, dementia advice, autism-specific services or immediate emotional support during a difficult time, these resources can help. If you are unsure which service may be most appropriate for your circumstances, we can help signpost you to the right support.
Please note: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent support, contact your GP, NHS 111, or the Samaritans on 116 123.
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Swindon Talking Therapies is a free NHS service providing support for people experiencing common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, stress, low mood, depression, panic, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
How Can They Help?
Support may include:
One-to-one talking therapies
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Guided self-help
Group workshops
Online support
Who Can Access the Service?
The service is available to people aged 18 and over who are registered with a GP in Swindon.
You can refer yourself directly without needing a GP referral.
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IPSUM is a local charity that supports people experiencing emotional distress, mental health difficulties and challenging life circumstances.
How Can They Help?
Services may include:
One-to-one counselling
Emotional wellbeing support
Peer support opportunities
Community wellbeing activities
Advice and guidance
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Mind provides information, advice and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties and emotional distress.
How Can They Help?
Support may include:
Mental health advice
Wellbeing support
Community services
Peer support
Information about local mental health resources
You can call them at 01793 432031.
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Counselling Therapy Online provides specialist counselling and therapy for autistic adults through online sessions.
How Can They Help?
Support may include:
Anxiety management
Emotional wellbeing support
Relationship difficulties
Confidence and self-esteem
Coping strategies for everyday challenges
Who Is It For?
Autistic adults looking for specialist counselling delivered online.
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Dementia UK's Admiral Nurse Helpline provides specialist support and advice for families and carers affected by dementia.
How Can They Help?
Admiral Nurses can provide:
Practical advice about dementia care
Emotional support for carers
Information about services and support
Guidance through difficult decisions
Support during changes in care needs
Contact Details
To get in contact, either call 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9am–9pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9am–5pm -
Samaritans provides free, confidential emotional support to anyone experiencing distress, struggling to cope or needing someone to listen.
How Can They Help?
Samaritans volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
You do not need to be in crisis to contact Samaritans.
Call 116 123.
Hospital & Health Support
Resources, hospital support services and health information for carers and cared-for individuals.
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Call 4 Concern is part of a patient safety initiative called Martha’s Rule that’s now in place in NHS hospitals across England. It gives patients, families and carers a way to ask for a rapid clinical review if they are worried that someone’s condition in hospital is getting worse and their concerns haven’t been fully addressed by the ward team. This service recognises that you may notice small changes in how someone feels before routine checks pick them up, and it gives you another route to raise these concerns with a specialist team.
If you’re an inpatient at Great Western Hospital or visiting someone who is, and you remain worried after speaking with the nurse or Ward Manager, you can call for a rapid review by the Acute Care Response Team (ACRT) on 01793 604534, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You’ll need to give the patient’s name, ward and a description of what’s worrying you. The ACRT will work with the ward team to review the situation and plan next steps if needed.
If your concern is about non‑clinical issues like food, parking or general experience, please speak to the ward staff or the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) instead.
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The Cherwell Information Hub is located on the ground floor of the Brunel Treatment Centre at Great Western Hospital in Swindon. It is in an accessible area that is easy to find.
The hub provides a range of information leaflets and guidance to help you access support. There is a particular focus on support for unpaid carers, people with learning disabilities, people living with dementia, and those going through the hospital discharge process. The aim is to help you find the right support at the right time.
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The Carer Support Passport is a document created with input from staff, patients, carers and partner organisations to make hospital visits and care easier for unpaid carers supporting someone in hospital. It helps staff recognise carers quickly and enables them to be involved in discussions about the person’s care where appropriate. The passport also outlines agreed-upon ways the carer may support the patient during their stay and highlights practical support and benefits available to carers, such as flexible visiting arrangements, the option to stay overnight if needed, and concessions on parking, food and beverages. If you feel you qualify for a Carer Support Passport, you can ask a member of hospital staff when accessing services.
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Healthwatch Swindon is a independent champion for people who use health and social care services in the Swindon area. It exists to listen to people’s experiences and concerns about local services such as GPs, hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes and support services, and to make sure those running services and decision-makers put people at the heart of care. The organisation gathers feedback from patients and service users, shares that insight with providers and commissioners, and works to help services improve based on what the community tells them. You can share your experience, get information and advice about accessing care services, and help shape future service decisions by contacting them directly.
For enquiries and to share your views, call 01793 497777 or email info@healthwatchswindon.org.uk
Carer Discounts & Savings
Discount schemes, concessionary cards and money-saving opportunities available to carers.
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Carers Card UK offers a simple, affordable way for carers to get recognition, peace of mind, and access to exclusive benefits. For just £8 for 2 years, carers receive a national photo ID card with emergency contact details, plus access to the Carers Card UK app, featuring discounts, a wellbeing hub, the Carer Circle tool, and more. It’s available to all carers aged 16+, with under‑16s able to join through an adult applicant.
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Discounts for Carers is a UK‑wide online platform that helps unpaid carers find special offers, discounts and savings from retailers, venues, attractions and services. It brings together deals on things like days out, food and drink, shopping, travel and entertainment, all aimed at making life as a carer a little easier on the wallet.
Carers can browse the site to save money on everyday costs and leisure activities, and many offers are available both online and in person. The platform is free to use and regularly updated with new discounts.
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CarerSmart offers a wide range of discounts and savings for unpaid carers, people with care needs, and members of the Carers Trust network. Discounts currently available include cashback on shopping with major high street and online retailers, reduced prices on insurance renewals, discounts on holidays and travel, savings on lifestyle and leisure activities, and access to free or discounted legal advice services. Some schemes also include competitive energy deals and special offers designed to help carers save money in everyday life.
Many carers also use CarerSmart alongside other carer discounts available nationally, such as free companion cinema tickets through the CEA Card scheme, discounted visitor attractions, travel discounts, and local carers discount cards offered by councils and carers organisations.
If you require any further information, advice, or support, our team is always happy to help. Simply give us a call on 01793 531133 or email us at hello@swindoncarerstogether.org.uk, and a member of our team will be in touch.