Here on the Isle of Wight there is support available for carers of all ages. Carers IW and YMCA Young Carers are two important organisations which provide support on the phone and online, as well as helping to arrange respite, face-to-face support and group activities to connect carers and direct you to the right support for you.

Carers IW
Carers IW provides a host of support for unpaid adult carers aged over 18 years old caring for another adult over 18 years old. If you are a carer to someone who would struggle without your help and you would like to know what support is available, please get in touch with Carers IW.

Carers IW have a Carers Centre based at the back of the Riverside Centre which is open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday. They also have a phoneline for all adult carers 01983 533173 open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm (weekends for urgent calls only).  

They offer a range of support including completing Carers Assessments, a weekly social group, male carers group, weekly mental health carers drop in, weekly Art and Craft session, Self-Care Cafe, Training, quiet days, meditation, care home support group, dementia forum and emotional support as well as mental health and carer resilience workshops. You can either drop in Monday to Friday 10am-4pm or call Carers IW on 533173 or you can email them at info@carersiw.org.uk or visit their website here.

Carers IW also has a Loan Library which consists of many carer or illness related books, a sensory interactive dog, cat or baby, as well as other items to try including talking tiles, movement sensor lights, coloured glasses, pill dispenser, one button radio, big button remote, key fobs, signage, anti-flood plug and a twiddle muff. Most items can be borrowed for up to 28 days giving you a chance to see if they are useful. Carers IW also have a team of Ring Round supporters who offer regular telephone contact with carers.

If your cared-for person is in hospital Carers IW can also offer you support. They have a Carers Lounge at St Mary’s Hospital based at the entrance to Apply Ward and can arrange free parking or reduced price sustenance if the person you care for is an inpatient. The team offer support and advice and work closely with the Integrated Discharge Team. Please ring 01983 552568 or email the Carers Lounge at carerslounge@carersiw.org.uk

Carers IW also has a Carers Lounge at Sevenacres offering tailored support to unpaid carers including emotional support, attending reviews or completing carers assessments. Please ring 01983 552401 or email the Carers Lounge at carerslounge@carersiw.org.uk

YMCA Young Carers
There are many young carers on the Isle of Wight caring for parents, siblings or other relatives. The average age of a carer is just 12 years old, and some can be as young as five. The Young Carers Service on the Isle of Wight provides 1:1 support, a place for young carers to meet up in a safe place, information and guidance as well as much needed respite. Contact them on 01983 861071 or email iowyoungcarers@ymca-fg.org. You can also visit their website here.

Parent carers
Parents Voice is the parents and carers forum for parents of children with SEND on the Isle of Wight. They can be contacted via email to parentsvoice@peoplematteriw.org

Your GP
You can also talk to your GP about how you are feeling, they will be able to offer you advice and refer you to specialist support if needed.