Suffolk Family Carers provides a wide range of support to unpaid family carers of all ages across Suffolk, helping them manage the emotional, practical and logistical challenges of caring. Our services are designed to ensure carers feel visible, valued, supported and connected.
1. Information, Advice and Guidance
– Offering comprehensive information and advice to help carers understand their rights, access support, and navigate complex systems such as health, social care, and benefits.
– Information Line handles more than 10,000 queries a year, providing tailored advice and practical solutions.
2. Emotional and Wellbeing Support
– Emotional support for family carers, recognising that caring can be isolating and emotionally complex. This includes wellbeing services regarded as exemplary by carers and practitioners.
– Support includes opportunities to meet others in similar situations, share experiences, and learn strategies for managing challenges.
3. Support in Hospitals and the Community
– Suffolk Family Carers has support workers based across major hospitals in Suffolk and in community locations across East and West Suffolk. These teams identify carers early and provide on the spot support.
4. Young Carer and Young Adult Carer Services
– Support for children and young people who care for family members, working in over 90 schools and colleges across Suffolk.
– They also support young adult carers aged 16–24 with tailored advice, training and opportunities.
6. Mental Health and Neurodivergent Support
– Specialist mental health and wellbeing support, signposting to relevant agencies and offering positive opportunities for peer connection.
– Neurodivergent (ND) Project, offering support, workshops and condition specific courses for carers.
7. Education, Training and Courses
– Educational programmes and training to help carers develop skills, better manage their caring responsibilities, and understand relevant conditions or systems.
8. Social Groups, Support Groups and Community Activities
– Support groups and social programmes that help carers build networks, reduce isolation, and access peer support.
9. Breaks and Respite Support
– Respite pass schemes are available to help carers take breaks from their responsibilities, supporting their own health and wellbeing.
Serving Suffolk Families Past & Present:
Suffolk Family Carers also delivers dedicated support through its Serving Suffolk Families work, focusing on the unique needs of family carers in the Armed Forces community living in Suffolk. This programme ensures that forces families—who often face mobility, separation, and increased emotional pressures—are identified, supported, and connected with the right services.
Support is offered to anyone in the armed forces community who has a family caring role, this includes serving, reservists, cadets, veterans, ex service.
Providing:
Information, advice and guidance- tailored specifically for family carers in the armed forces community , helping them understand rights, entitlements and local support options.
Awareness‑raising within the Armed Forces community, ensuring family carers are recognised and can access timely support.
Partnership working with military welfare teams, including at Wattisham Flying Station, RAF Honington and Rock Barracks, to ensure families based on‑site or in the wider community can easily seek help.
Carer Support Groups on military bases, run in partnership with SSAFA, offering a safe space for Armed Forces families to meet, share experiences and access emotional support. These groups run monthly at RAF Honington.
