What Help and Support Does Care for the Carers Offer to Unpaid Carers?

Care for the Carers (cftc.org.uk) is a charity that supports unpaid carers in East Sussex, England. If you look after a friend, family member or neighbour who could not cope without your support, the organisation offers advice, guidance, resources and a main point of contact called the Carers Hub. You can reach the hub by calling 01323 738390 or emailing [email protected]. The support is aimed at unpaid carers, including young carers, and the site notes that 1 in 10 people in East Sussex care for someone.

Who the support is for

The site frames its audience around a simple question: "Are you caring for someone? Do you look after a friend, family member or neighbour who could not cope without your support?" If that describes you, the services are intended for you. This includes young carers, who are the focus of a separate appeal on the site.

Ways to get help

The homepage groups the main routes into a few clear options:

• Get help and advice – the starting point for carers who need guidance or information.
• Carer resources – reference material for carers.
• Online help – support you can access without an in-person visit.
• Carers Card – apply for an Emergency and Discount East Sussex Carers Card, which combines emergency planning with discount access.
• Volunteer with us – opportunities to support carers' lives if you want to give time rather than receive support.
• Contact us – the direct route to the Carers Hub.

The Carers Hub as the main contact

The Carers Hub is the organisation's central point of contact. The site lists two ways to reach it:

If you are unsure which service fits your situation, starting with the hub is the most direct approach, since the site presents it as the front door to its range of services, guidance and information.

The Carers Card

The Carers Card is one specific, named service you can apply for. The site describes it as an "Emergency and Discount East Sussex Carers Card." That means it serves two purposes: it supports emergency planning (so that the person you care for is considered if you are suddenly unavailable) and it provides discounts. If either of those matters to you, this is a concrete step you can take through the site.

Getting involved or shaping services

Beyond receiving support, the site offers two ways to participate:

• Volunteering – described as a way to "make a difference to carers' lives."
• Shaping future services – the site asks carers across East Sussex to share what works well and what could be done differently as it plans its services. If you want to influence how support is delivered, this is an open route.

Time-specific activity on the site

Some content is tied to dates and campaigns:

• Carers Week 2026 runs 8–14 June 2026, celebrating carers in East Sussex and raising awareness.
• Young Carers Appeal 2026 is launched to mark Carers Week 2026, aiming to give local young carers a break over the summer.

These are campaign periods rather than ongoing services, so if you are reading at a different time, check the site for current activity.

How to start

1. Decide whether you meet the site's definition of a carer: you look after a friend, family member or neighbour who could not cope without your support.
2. Choose your route: general help and advice, carer resources, or online help.
3. If you want emergency planning or discounts, apply for the Carers Card.
4. If you are unsure, contact the Carers Hub by phone (01323 738390) or email ([email protected]).

The site also notes that its privacy notice has been updated, which is worth reviewing if you plan to share personal details through any contact route.