Carers Rights Day 2024: Knowing your rights

It’s Carers Rights Day today (21^st November) and this year’s theme ’Recognising Your Rights’. 

Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers, supporting a partner, family member, or friend – often without realizing they are carers or understanding their legal rights. 

As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you’re entitled to. This helps you feel confident asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace or education, in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home. 

Carers Rights Day empowers carers by raising awareness about the rights they are entitled to and the support available. If you or someone you know is an unpaid there’s support available including:   

• Ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer on your patient record. 

• Request a free flu jab – if you’re the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be put at risk if you became ill, or if you are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. 

• Request a carers assessment if you’re over 18 and provide regular unpaid care for someone. 

To learn more about your rights as a carer, visit: 

• Carers UK: recognising your rights  

• Care for the Carers East Sussex: help and advice  

If you’re a carer or young career in East Sussex, Care for the Carers East Sussex run a range of activities across the county to give you a break from your caring role and the opportunity to socialise with other carers.   

To find out about upcoming events and activities, check out their calendar of upcoming activities, here:  Have a break