Resources and Services for Carers across Sussex and Surrey

This week (8-14 June) is Carers Week,  an annual campaign that aims to raise awareness of caring; highlight the challenges unpaid carers face; and recognise the contribution they make across the UK. It also encourages people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older.

The theme for Carers Week 2026 is Building Carer Friendly Communities. Carer friendly communities are places, spaces, services, and community groups where unpaid carers are recognised, understood, and valued.

At St Catherine’s we are committed to providing high quality care that extends beyond the patient and includes loved ones and carers too. While we know that caring for a loved one can be very rewarding, it can also leave people in need of some help and additional support themselves.

Our Carer Support Team offers practical help and advice to carers, as well as signposting to other services that can provide further guidance. Often we find that carers aren’t always aware of the local services that are available in their area to help support them. So we’ve shared some of these resources below for anyone who may find them helpful.

For unpaid carers living in Surrey

Action For Carers Surrey
Provide practical Surrey wide services to carers and signpost carers to people and places who can offer them other essential, specialist support.

• Email: carersupport@actionforcarers.org.uk
• Carer Helpline: 0303 040 1234 (9am-5pm on Mondays, Thursday and Fridays, 9am-6pm on Tuesday and Wednesdays)
• Text: 07723 486730

Surrey Carers Moving and Handling Service
Has a dedicated Moving and Handling Team who work in the community to help carers learn how to limit the risk to their own health whilst moving and handling someone they care for.

Crossroads Care Surrey
Offers home-based care to people facing the end of life to give carers a respite break. You can contact Crossroads for pricing.

• Email: enquiries@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
• Telephone: 01372 869970

Brigitte Trust
Practical help and emotional support, including respite, transport to hospital appointments, shopping, trips out and bereavement support.

• Telephone: 01306 881816

For unpaid carers living in Sussex

TuVida
Support for carers, including respite, emergency respite, and children’s services. Contact TuVida for pricing.

• Email: westsussex@tuvida.org
• Telephone: 01903 790270 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday).

Carers Support West Sussex
Practical information and emotional support, including:

• Carers support workers
• Emotional support
• Information for carers
• Support groups
• Events and activities.

Email: info@carerssupport.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 028 8888

Carers Health Team
The Carers Health Team is a team of health professionals who aim to promote the health and wellbeing of carers. This is a free service provided by Sussex Community NHS Trust providing support for carers over the age of 18 registered with a West Sussex GP.

The team works directly with carers and will develop individual strategies for each carer with an aim to reduce the strain of coping with their caring role. To self-refer to this service telephone: 01243 623521.

For more information on how St Catherine’s can help carers, visit our Carer Support webpage.

If you are caring for someone who is currently being supported by our hospice and would like advice and support in your caring role, or would like to hear about events or groups available for carers, you can contact Stephanie Finch and Helen Hilliard in our Carer Support Team on 01293 447333 or email them on stch.carersupport@nhs.net.