Marriage and Civil Partnership
Marriage is a union between a man and a woman or between a same-sex couple.
Same-sex couples can also have their relationships legally recognised as 'civil partnerships'. Civil partners must not be treated less favourably than married couples (except where permitted by the Equality Act).
We have included the Trust’s Carer’s Family and Friends Strategy and the Carers Handbook as evidence of how we are supporting those people who are closest to our service users.
Carers, Family and Friends Strategy
Our carers give their total commitment to the care of the person they are caring for, often at a personal cost to their own health and wellbeing. By listening carefully to our carers and involving them in our work, we can start to build up a picture of what they want and need, and how our staff can help and support them in their crucial role.
We want to do all we can to raise the profile of the essential, but often hidden, community of people who support someone with a mental health or substance misuse problem. We use the term ‘hidden’ for carers not currently recognised as such by themselves or professionals.
Carers UK (2018) states that “…across the UK today 6.5 million people are carers, supporting a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill. That’s 1 in 8 adults who care, unpaid, for family and friends.” Of these (6.5 million), 1.5 million carers provide care for someone with mental ill health in the UK. A report from Carers UK (2011) estimated that carers save the country £119 billion a year.
Carers are vital partners in the provision of mental health and social care services. As the population ages and grows, the number of carers is set to rise. This is estimated to rise from 6.5 million carers to over 9 million, by the year 2037. “For many, caring can be a fulfilling and positive experience, but caring without enough support can also have a negative effect on someone’s health, career, relationships and ability to live a life of their own outside their caring role.
Click the following link to read the full strategy: GMMH058 Carer Family and Friends 2018-2021 (1.0) - A4 Brochuref [pdf] 4MB
Carers Handbook
When supporting somebody with their mental health, you might not necessarily be getting involved in physical caring tasks.
You may have not heard the term ‘carer’ directed at you until the person you support was taken on by Mental Health Services. Despite this, getting involved in a number of tasks can mean that you are in a caring role for somebody.
Please click the followling link to read the full handbook: Mental Health Carers Handbook (1.0).pdf[pdf] 991KB
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust