Are you a carer and do you need the right information now?

In the UK those caring for veterans often face additional challenges. Life-changing injuries due to service including both mental and physical, require extra care.

Our team and supporters suggest how you can cope on a day to day basis.

Looking after yourself

Try and stay one step ahead. Do this by taking care of your own heath. It's no surprise that those providing care are twice as likely to be permanently sick themselves due to the extra stressors.

How do you manage your stress levels? Get in touch with Combat Stress, the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. The charity's free and confidential helpline is available 24-hour to all veterans, serving personnel, families, friends and carers: 0800 138 1619

Visit the Combat Stress website to learn more about the work they do, and how they can help you.

If you have sight-impairment, Blind Veterans UK can offer free support, addressing the emotional and practical aspects of caring.

Feeling overwhelmed?

There's no shame in asking for help. Don't be embarrassed about getting in touch with Samaritans. They are always available (and are a Veterans' Gateway Crisis partner).

And Veterans' Gateway staff are on hand 24/7. You can speak to our helpful team and we will put you in touch with the help you need, or direct you to useful information.

Are you claiming all the benefits you're entitled to?

We've found that veterans and their carers often don't know about all the free advice and support out there.

Visit Blesma's (Blesma, The Limbless Veterans) benefits for carers page for advice about the Carers Allowance and download their Carers Allowance leaflet.

Get help with practicalities

Carers are often responsible for trying to adapt facilities for their loved ones. Contact SSAFA for advice on applying for disabled facilities grants to adapt your home.

Additionally, The Royal British Legion offers a range of advice from applying for mobility grants to household adaption and equipment, find out more in their Guide to Independent Living

Give yourself a break

Some options include welfare breaks provided by The RAF Benevolent Fund, supporting all members of the RAF family.

Short breaks and respite care are also available for ex-service personnel via the Cobseo Care Home Cluster. Visit their website to see a directory of the services available.

Keep up to date with the latest legislation

From the Carers and Direct Payment Act (Northern Ireland) 2002 to the The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 you'll find lots more information in our Self Help section. Use the search box or select Living Independently/Care and view a selection of answers around legislation. Also, see our list of other organisations that can help

You are not alone

The Royal British Legion (RBL) carried out research in 2021. This looked at the unique needs and experiences of unpaid carers in the UK Armed Forces community, and made recommendations on how these carers could be better supported.

41% of the carers who responded to RBL’s survey were veterans who are carers. And 21% cared for a veteran.

The report, Unpaid carers in the Armed Forces community, shows that their role is having a serious impact on their mental and physical health.

Those providing care in the Armed Forces community are receiving half as much support as carers in the general population.

Those caring for a veteran were even less likely to have received any support or be able to take a break from their caring.

The report calls on the Government to improve access to statutory funded respite provision for the Armed Forces community.

And to invest in mental health and relationship support for carers of veterans, and improve awareness of unpaid carers and their entitlements at every stage of military and post-service life.