There is a wide range of resources and information for carers available in Lincolnshire.
The Connect to Support Lincolnshire website has information about a range of services to support carers and those who need care.
Register as a carer with your GP
If you look after someone, letting your GP know you're a carer can make a big difference. Registering as a carer helps your GP understand your responsibilities and offer the right support. This might include:
- flexible appointment times
- help to manage prescriptions
- access to certain vaccinations
It’s a simple step that ensures you're looking after your health and wellbeing too.
You can tell your GP in person or over the phone, or you can use the letter template. To access the template, visit the Lincolnshire Carers Service's website and click on Online Support.
Lincolnshire Carers Service
The Lincolnshire Carers Service offers:
- information and advice tailored to your situation
- emotional and practical support via phone, online, or in person
- help to navigate services such as health, social care, and benefits
- workshops and training to build confidence and resilience
- peer support groups and social activities to connect with others
Whether you're new to caring or have years of experience, the service helps you find balance in your life.
If you want to talk to someone, fill out the Lincolnshire Carers Service request for support form. Someone will contact you within 10 working days.
Please read our privacy notice, which details how we collect and use your data.
First conversation
When you first contact the Lincolnshire Carers Service, you’ll speak with a trained professional who is there to listen and support you. This initial conversation is an opportunity for you to:
- share your story
- say what matters to you
- get advice and support
The team will work with you to understand your situation and connect you to the right resources. This might include information about local support groups, financial advice, respite options, or wellbeing services.
You can explore Connect to Support Lincolnshire for additional help.
Carer’s Assessment
A carer’s assessment is your chance to talk about your caring role and explore what support you would benefit from.
Through the assessment, you can:
- get advice and information
- access practical support
- explore training opportunities
It’s an opportunity to share what’s going well, what a good day looks like, and what would help you most. After the assessment, we’ll work with you to identify what matters to you and what you’d like to achieve. If needed, we’ll create a support plan together and review it regularly.
A support plan may explore:
- breaks from caring
- travel costs
- equipment to make caring easier
- activities that support your wellbeing
Personal budget
If your support plan shows that a personal budget could help, we’ll make sure any decisions are fair and reasonable. We look at how your caring responsibilities affect the areas outlined in your plan.
Our focus is on helping you build confidence and make the most of your skills and strengths.
If a personal budget is agreed, you won’t need a financial assessment. Carers don’t contribute financially.
The budget must be used responsibly. It cannot be spent on:
- illegal things
- paying off debts
- alcohol, smoking, or drugs
- everyday costs like food
Help for the Person You Care For
There are a range of services that can support the person you care for, such as:
- home care
- day care
- respite care
If you choose to arrange and pay for these services yourself, you can do so directly. To explore what’s available in Lincolnshire, visit Connect to Support Lincolnshire for advice and options.
If you would like help with costs, you can call Adult Care on 01522 782155. More information on paying for your care is available visit Paying for care – Lincolnshire County Council
Digital resources for carers
If you live in Lincolnshire and look after someone, there’s a fantastic free resource available to support you. Thanks to a partnership with Carers UK, residents can access the Digital Resource for Carers. An easy-to-use online hub full of helpful information, e-learning courses, wellbeing tips, and practical advice. More information can be found on Connect to Support Lincolnshire.
Support for young carers
Lincolnshire Young Carers provide the opportunity to join groups and participate in activities with other young carers across the county. An online community with peers and where needed, one to one support from a worker with specialised knowledge of carers issues.
They work with partners across the county who provide support and advice to young carers. This might be a group or an activity within your own school.
The Lincolnshire Young Carers supports young carers up to the age of 19.
Planning for emergencies
If you are unable to provide care, due an unexpected event, the Carers Emergency Response Service (CERS) may be able to help.
CERS plays a vital role in Lincolnshire’s support for unpaid carers. It:
- gives carers peace of mind knowing there’s a plan if something unexpected happens
- makes sure the person being cared for stays safe during an emergency
- helps avoid stressful situations by having clear steps ready
- strengthens local support by involving family, friends and professionals quickly
Fill out the request for support form for help with planning for emergencies.
Herbert Protocol
Caring for someone who is at risk of going missing, like a person living with dementia, can be stressful and worrying. The Herbert Protocol is a simple but effective way to help the police find them quickly if this happens.
You complete a form with important details about the person you care for, such as:
- their full name and date of birth
- a recent photo
- medical needs
- places they like to visit or have gone missing before
To learn more and download the form, visit the Lincolnshire Police website.
Mental Capacity and Power of Attorney
It’s not easy to think about a time when you might not be able to make decisions for yourself. But planning ahead can make life much easier for you and your loved ones.
The Mental Capacity Act is there to protect and support people who may struggle to make certain decisions. One way to plan ahead is by setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). This means you choose someone you trust to make decisions for you if you’re unable to do so in the future.
There are two types of LPA:
- Health and Welfare – for decisions about your care, medical treatment, and where you live.
- Property and Financial Affairs – for decisions about money, bills, and property.
Visit Connect to Support Lincolnshire for clear guidance and next steps.
National organisations
- Carers Trust can help you to maintain your own health and wellbeing, make your needs and voice heard and provide someone to talk to
- Carers UK provides expert telephone advice and support services, champions your rights and helps you find new ways to manage
- Care for Carers is a support association providing information about benefits, health trainer services, anti-bullying websites and adult education
When caring ends
If your caring role had ended, you can still get support. The Lincolnshire Carers Service offers:
- advice and emotional support
- groups to meet others
- volunteering opportunities
- help with benefits and jobs
Visit the Connect to Support Lincolnshire website to learn more about the support available when your caring role ends.