Support for family, friends and carers

It can be extremely rewarding but we also recognise that it can be challenging helping a relative or friend go through difficult times, and it is important to ensure you have the right support too. All of the teams at Dorothy House are able to provide support to family, friends and carers of patients in our care.

Who can be supported?

– Family of patients
– Friends of patients
– Children
– Carers – A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.

How can we support you?

We are able to support family, friends and carers in many ways, both pre and post bereavement. Our teams can give you access to information, advice on many aspects of supporting someone with a life limiting illness, emotional and psychological support and sign posting to advice, such as benefits/finances.

We can help you to make onward referrals to other services, such as for carers assessments and with navigating services.

What services are available to you?

Our services such as creative therapies, complimentary therapies, spiritual support, community groups and education/training courses are also open to family, friends and carers of patients we support. Family, friends and carers are able to be supported by 1:1 visits, over the telephone and sometimes by home visits. This can be ongoing or one-off support.

Symptom control resources

Palliative care is total care of body, mind and spirit. The aim of this holistic approach is to achieve the best quality of life for patients and their families.

Control of pain, and of other physical symptoms and of psychosocial, social and spiritual problems, is paramount.

Our symptom control pages host a variety of downloadable resources which offer advice and guidance to support patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals.

Discover resources

BANES Carers' Centre

The Carers’ Centre is an independent charity that offers a range of support services to friends and family members who are looking after someone with care needs in Bath and North East Somerset.

They ensure people of all ages can access the support they deserve, including children and young people.

Below we have listed the activities and groups the Carers’ Centre offer for both adults and young carers. Groups with ‘plus one’ means that carers can bring along the person they care for.

Go to website

Carer Cafes, Peer Support Groups and Young Carer Activities

Carer Cafes - Adult carers

Their Carer Cafés are social spaces where carers can chat with others over a cuppa, play informal games and make new friends in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Peer Support Groups – Adult carers

At our Peer Support Groups, carers can meet others who understand the ups and downs of looking after someone. They can also share and gain knowledge from one another in a safe, non-judgmental space. Due to limited spaces, booking is essential for our Dementia peer support groups.

Young Carer Activities

Carers’ Centre also host a variety of activities for young carers, such as cooking lessons, textiles and craft sessions, wellbeing walks, and day trips.

Support for carers across BANES, Somerset and Wiltshire

BANES Carers' Centre

Visit their website here.

Tel: 0800 038 8885

Email: support@banescarerscentre.org.uk

Somerset Carers

Visit their website here.

Tel: 0800 31 68 600

Email: carers@somersetrcc.org.uk

Carer Support Wiltshire

Visit their website here.

Tel: 01380 871 690 or 0800 181 4118 (Freephone for carers)