Carers Oxfordshire

27/08/2026

💬 📱 A new confidential text messaging service from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is now available across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

ChatHealth offers a simple and discreet way to access mental health support, including at times when speaking on the phone or attending an appointment in person might feel difficult.

The service can support people experiencing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, low mood, loneliness, stress and feelings of distress.

To access the service, text 07312 263 127. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the team aims to respond within one hour. Texts are charged at your network’s normal rate.

Learn more: https://buff.ly/jUV5qFQ

25/08/2026

☀️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 With the summer holidays drawing to a close, there’s still plenty happening across Oxfordshire for children and families — including activities and support that could be suitable for children with additional needs.

If you’re a parent carer, Oxfordshire County Council Family Information Service brings together activities, groups, events and places to visit for children and families across the county. YouMove is another useful resource, offering free and low-cost activities for eligible families, including activities for children and young people with additional needs.

👉 Family Information Service: https://buff.ly/7oYmnXA
👉 YouMove: https://buff.ly/P1I95J5

22/08/2026

💬🤝 Could your caring experience help another parent?

We’re looking for a Phone Friend volunteer to support a parent caring for a young child with additional needs.

If you’ve supported a child with additional needs yourself and could offer a regular phone call and a listening ear, we’d love to hear from you.

👉 If this could be you, get in touch: https://buff.ly/Z5T7ICZ or share this opportunity with someone you know.

21/08/2026

As a carer, you may find yourself having important conversations about someone’s future care and treatment.

This free event from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust is an opportunity to learn more about Advance Care Planning and how it can help you and the person you care for plan ahead.

Have you ever thought about who would speak for you if you were unable to make decisions about your health and care?

People across Oxfordshire are invited to join us at Let's Talk About Today, Let's Plan for Tomorrow, a free community event exploring the importance of Advance Care Planning, helping people plan for their future healthcare decisions.

Thursday 10 September
1pm to 3pm
Kennington Village Hall, Kennington Road, Kennington, Oxford OX1 5PG

Advance Care Planning helps people think about, discuss and record what matters most to them, ensuring future care and treatment reflects their wishes, values and preferences.

The event will feature:
• People who have supported their loved ones through this experience
• Healthcare professionals
• Practical information and advice
• Local support and resources

Whether you're a member of the public, family or a carer, living with a long-term condition, or working in health and care, we'd love you to join the conversation.

Together, we can help normalise discussions about future care planning and empower more people to make informed choices about their future.

https://oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/news/encouraging-conversations-today-to-help-you-make-important-decisions-for-tomorrow/

20/08/2026

🧭💡 Not sure what financial support you might be entitled to? The Oxfordshire Advice Navigator is a free online tool delivered through a partnership of local advice organisations that can help you find information about benefits, entitlements, debt and other financial issues.

It asks a few simple questions and provides information tailored to your circumstances, including if you’re caring for someone else.

Visit www.oxfordshireadvicenavigator.org.uk

19/08/2026

🎧🎙️ Caring for someone can affect many areas of your life — from your finances and work to your plans for the future. For many unpaid carers, those pressures can build up over time.

In this BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour interview, an unpaid carer shares her experience of caring for her 90-year-old parent, alongside Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK (the national charity), who talks about the wider challenges faced by unpaid carers.

👉 Listen here: https://buff.ly/bXZ8CaH

As our population ages, there will be more people in their 60s caring for older parents, and an increase in the number of those working while struggling to juggle unpaid care responsibilities.

Our Charity Director, Caroline Abrahams, spoke about caring responsibilities and the impact on adult children on BBC Radio 4's Women's Hour. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3UbybcF

17/08/2026

There’s still time for unpaid carers to share their experiences as part of the Government’s review of Carer’s Allowance.

The call for evidence is looking at how Carer’s Allowance works in practice, including how it supports carers who are balancing caring with paid work.

The deadline is 18 August 2026, so if you have an experience or views to share, complete the call for evidence before 18th August. https://buff.ly/SSFBK4h

Only two more weeks to respond to the Government's call for evidence on Carer's Allowance.

Caring affects everyone differently, so it's vital that the Government listens to as many voices and experiences as possible.

This consultation is an opportunity to shape the future of Carer's Allowance and improve support for unpaid carers.

Share your experience now: https://gov.pulse.ly/p6tfkhjm6e

13/08/2026

☀️💙 Looking for support this summer?

Whether you're looking for advice, local activities, support groups or services to help you in your caring role, Live Well Oxfordshire is a great place to start.

The free online directory from Oxfordshire County Council brings together a wide range of local support for unpaid carers and the people they care for, alongside community groups, wellbeing activities and practical services from across Oxfordshire.

Take a look and see what's available near you: https://buff.ly/jGZvrL4

11/08/2026

🚗🚦 Caring often means travelling to appointments, shopping, collecting prescriptions or visiting the person you care for.

From 28 September, Oxfordshire County Council's traffic filter trial will begin, replacing the temporary congestion charge. If your caring role involves driving in or around Oxford, it's worth taking a look at the changes to see how they may affect you.

👉 Find out more: https://buff.ly/kVJLOm7

10/08/2026

📞🔄 If you’re an unpaid carer, it’s worth being aware that the UK’s analogue landline network is switching to digital by January 2027. You may rely on your phone to manage appointments and services for the person you care for, or they may use telecare equipment such as a pendant alarm.

You don’t need to do anything until your provider contacts you, but it’s important to respond when they do. Be alert to scams too, as fraudsters may use the switchover to trick people.

👉 Watch BT’s video with Clare Balding to find out what you need to know or learn more here: https://buff.ly/OfednQf Carers UK