Caring for someone can affect you physically, emotionally and financially. It can be challenging at times, but you do not have to manage on your own. To be able to care for someone else, you also need to care for yourself.

The Northern Trust aims to support carers as well as patients, helping to make sure you have access to the help and support you need.

What help is available?

There are many organisations that offer support if you are caring for someone. These services can help in different ways, depending on your needs such as emotional, practical and financial support. Even if you already get support from healthcare professionals, it is important to remember that you do not have to manage everything on your own. Friends and family may also be willing to help, so do not be afraid to ask.

A healthcare professional may be involved with the person you are caring for. You can talk to them about any concerns you have for your own health or coping with care. You can also speak to your GP. There are other places that can direct you to support.

Northern Trust Carer Hub

The Northern Trust Carer Hub offers support to help you in your caring role, and any worries or concerns you may have.

Support available includes:

• Meeting and connecting with other carers
• Training and classes to support you in your caring role
• Information about services and support that may be available to you

The Carer Hub can also help you find local support and services.

How to contact us

• Telephone: 028 2766 1210
• Email: carer.hub@northerntrust.hscni.net

Find out more about the Northern Trust Carer Hub.

Macmillan Information and Support Service

The Macmillan Information and Support Service offers reliable information and emotional support to anyone affected by cancer, including patients, family members, friends and carers. This service can signpost you to a range of support for your practical, social and emotional needs, such as counselling, complementary therapies and financial advice.

Read more about support for people affected by cancer.

Connect North

Many different things affect our health and wellbeing. This includes not just physical health, but also social factors like work, money, housing, managing long-term conditions, and feeling lonely or isolated. The Connect North Directory can help you find local services and support.

Visit the Connect North website, choose the type of support you need, and enter your postcode. The site will give you a list of services near you, starting with the closest. If you cannot use the website yourself, a family member, friend, or health and care professional can help you.

If more support is needed, a health or care professional can refer you to the Connect North Link Worker service. Link workers provide more personalised support to help with your social, practical, and emotional needs.

Finances and benefits

Illness can affect you financially. For example, you or those close to you may need to stop working, or work less. It can also mean spending more money on things like heating, clothing or hospital parking. Financial problems can feel complicated and intimidating. Depending on your situation, you may be able to get benefits or other financial and practical support.

There are organisations that can help with free, confidential and independent advice and support. They can also help with other concerns such as debt, housing, and employment.

Macmillan Benefits Service

If you have a cancer condition, contact the Macmillan Benefits Service.

• Telephone: 0300 1233 233 (Choose Option 1)

Community Advice

For any palliative condition, contact Community Advice

• Causeway area -Telephone: 028 7034 4817
• Antrim and Newtownabbey – Telephone: 028 9590 6505
• Mid and East Antrim (Larne, Carrick and Ballymena) -Telephone: 028 9600 1333

Support for children

Children of all ages will cope differently when someone close to them is ill. It is important to involve them and talk with them about what is happening in a way that is suitable for their age. This can be difficult and as parents or someone caring for a child you may feel that by not telling them you are protecting them.

Trying to protect children from difficult news, worry and distress is natural. However, often children know when something serious is affecting the family, they will be aware of changes in the home and in the adults around them. Not explaining what’s happening may make them feel more vulnerable and anxious. Talking openly with your children about the situation gives them a sense of feeling secure, less scared or anxious. You can reassure your children that they can trust you to be honest with them and that they can ask you any questions.

Learn more about supporting a child when someone is dying.

Marie Curie Support Line

• Telephone: 0800 090 2309

Spiritual care and chaplaincy

Having a palliative illness can affect you in many different ways and this includes spiritually. How you express your spirituality is unique to you – it may be through music, the arts, sport, relationships, nature, your faith or a combination of these and other ways.

No matter what spirituality means to you, it is always good to recognise that caring for your spiritual needs is just as important as caring for your physical wellbeing.

It is often helpful to have someone to listen to our fears, desires, hopes and doubts. As well as other health and social care professionals, chaplains can be a key support. They are skilled, non-judgemental listeners for all; whether you have a faith background or not. They are able to signpost you to various resources regarding your spiritual care, if you are in hospital or a hospice. Why not ask the team to arrange for you to meet a chaplain.

Bereavement support

Bereavement can be a difficult time for family and friends.

Your hospital nurse or district nurse can give you a bereavement information pack. This includes guidance on what to do next, information about grief, and details of organisations that can offer support.

Read more about bereavement support.

You can also find helpful information and guidance on the Bereavement Support website.

Your GP can also offer support and advice, and help direct you to other services if needed.

Organisations that can help

Health and social care professionals involved in your care can refer you to a wide range of support services, depending on your needs. This may include counselling, benefits advice and support for carers.

You can also find information about services and support from:

Palliative Care in Partnership
Hospice UK
Marie Curie
Macmillan Cancer Support
All Ireland Institute of Hospital and Palliative Care
Compassionate Communities NI
Cruse Bereavement Support

Equipment support and returns

If your equipment stops working

If any equipment provided by the Northern Trust is not working properly, please contact our Estates Services Action Desk.

• Telephone: 028 9441 3694

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 4.45pm.

If you call outside these hours, your call will be redirected in an emergency.

Returning equipment

When Northern Trust equipment is no longer needed, please arrange for it to be collected or returned.

You can do this by contacting the community nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Or, contact our Community Equipment Centre directly.

Community Equipment Centre

• Telephone: 028 2563 3985 (select Option 1)

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.