Could You Be Supporting a Military Carer Without Realising It?

Those supporting a loved one living with illness, injury, disability or mental health challenges often don’t recognise the role they play as a carer.  Perhaps they see it as “just part of family duty” or “part of military life.” But it’s more than that, and recognising their role as a carer matters.

Recognition opens the door to vital support, including:

• Carer’s Assessments through local councils to explore the help you need.

• Financial support such as Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, or Armed Forces-specific funds.

• Employment rights, including flexible working and, from April 2024, one week of Carer’s Leave.

• Health and wellbeing support through GPs and Armed Forces charities.

Tomorrow is Carer’s Rights Day and we want to encourage you today, are there people you know who might be:

• Helping a loved one manage medication or daily tasks after injury or trauma.

• Coordinating specialist care, this can be during service whilst managing different postings or relocations as well as after service, navigating a loved one to the right health care for them.

• Supporting a veteran with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression or PTSD.

• Being the emotional anchor in the family, to help a loved one recover. 

• And much more

  
  
  
  

This Carers Rights Day, consider asking the families you work with: “Are you a carer?” For those who say yes, their role is recognised, protected, and supported, and your awareness could be the first step in helping them access that support.