Telephone advice lines and online forums
There are also and advice lines both local and national where you can get help and support over the phone.There are many online discussion forums and social media groups for carers.
Advice lines
Please see the organisation's website for details of call charges
Carers UK Advice Line tel: 0808 808 7777, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Carers UK also provide a listening service on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9am to 7pm using the same phone number.
NHS Carers Direct tel: 0300 123 1053, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm and weekends from 11am-4pm. Offers support if you need help with your caring role and want to talk to someone about what options are available to you.
Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust Mental Health support line tel: 0800 028 0077 (freephone). Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For people with mental ill health, including children and young people, carers/families and those with a learning disability or autism.
Citizens Advice service have an advice line that is available from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday on
- Tel: 0808 278 7954 High Peak, Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, Erewash
- Tel: 0808 278 7972 South Derbyshire
- Tel: 0808 278 7843 Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover.
Relate Derby and Southern Derbyshire also offer a telephone counselling service for carers of people with mental health issues, autism and Asperger's. The helpline is open Tuesday, 10.30am to 4.30pm and Thursday, 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Tel: 0808 178 9363
Samaritans offer a helpline that is available round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The helpline number is free and you can talk to the Samaritans any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. tel: 116 123.
Mind have both an information helpline and a legal helpline to give advice on mental health issues.
The Information line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on tel: 0300 123 3393
The legal line is open Monday to Friday from 11am to 2pm on tel: 0300 466 6463
Web chat
Relate Derby and Southern Derbyshire Counselling Service provides an online chat and counselling service for carers and families of people with autism. The service is available every Wednesday from 2pm to 5pm.
FRANK offer friendly, confidential advice on drug related issues by live chat. The services is available 2pm to 6pm.
NHS Carers Direct offer a webchat service where you can talk to a Carers Direct adviser live online. The webchat service is available Monday to Friday, 9am and 8pm and weekends, 11am to 4pm.
Local online groups
Please stay safe online and never give any personal details that could identify you. If you're not sure, visit the Get Safe Online website for some top tips before you join a group for the first time.
North Derbyshire Mental Health Carers Facebook page
Derbyshire dementia group Facebook
Autism Pyramid Group have a private Facebook group for parents and carers of children with autism and additional needs.
Derbyshire Autism Support Group - Facebook group for parents and carers of people with autism
National online groups and forums
Please stay safe online and never give any personal details that could identify you. If you're not sure, visit the Get Safe Online website for some top tips before you start.
Carers UK Forum join in with the conversation and get advice from other carers.
Mobilise is a community of people who are helping each other look after someone they love. They offer virtual 'cuppa' sessions where carers can come together to chat, share stories and give and get advice. They also produce regular newsletters that you can sign up to by email which keep carers in the loop with tips and tricks and the latest government advice during the pandemic. You can also join their Facebook community.
Macmillan - online community carers group offering a safe and supportive place for people looking after someone with cancer to share worries and emotions.
Mental Health Carer Forum a friendly space for discussion, help and support with issues surrounding mental health.
Mencap Family Hub online community for parents and carers of people with learning disabilities.
Talking Point is the Alzheimer's Society's online community for people with dementia and their carers.
Beat - The UK's eating disorder charity provide online support for carers supporting someone with an eating disorder. Aviary - is available on Sundays between 6:45pm and 7:45pm
Scope is a forum for people with disabilities and their carers
My Parkinson's Team is an social network for people with Parkinson's and their carers.
Headway Health Unlocked is an online community for people with a brain injury and their carers.
Deaf Plus is an online forum for people with hearing impairments and their carers.
Health Unlocked has a range of forums and communities covering all sorts of conditions and health related topics. You can even start up your own community.
This is not a complete list. Online forums are becoming increasingly popular and more communities are being developed all the time. Please make sure you stay safe online while using any type of group or forum.
