How Do I Know If I’m a Carer? Understanding the Role and Finding Support in Gloucestershire
Every day across Gloucestershire, people quietly step up to support someone they care about. Maybe it is dropping off groceries for your mum, picking up prescriptions for a neighbour or checking in on a friend who has not been feeling like themselves. You might not call it “caring,” it is just what you do. But in many cases, that is exactly what it is.
If someone depends on you, even a little, for things they could not easily manage on their own, you might be a carer, even if you have never thought of yourself that way.
Prefer to watch?
Not sure if what you’re doing counts as caring? This short video explains what it means to be a carer, how to recognise the signs, and where to find support in Gloucestershire.
What is a carer?
A carer is anyone who supports a family member, friend or neighbour who needs help because of illness, disability, mental health challenges or ageing. You do not have to live with the person, and you do not need to provide care full time.
You might be a carer if you:
Help someone get to appointments
Sort out shopping, bills or medication
Offer regular emotional support or check in often
Take on tasks they would struggle to do alone
Many people do not realise they are carers. They think they are just being helpful or doing what families and friends do. But if your support is essential to someone’s daily life, recognising your role can help you access the support you deserve.
Why it matters
Understanding that you are a carer is not about labels. It is about getting help before things become overwhelming. Acknowledging your role can:
Protect your own wellbeing
Connect you to advice and local services
Help you balance caring with work or other commitments
Make it easier to take a break when you need one
You do not have to wait for a crisis to get support.
Support for carers in Gloucestershire
If you live in Gloucestershire and regularly help someone with everyday tasks or emotional support, there are local services available to help you. You might find useful information and services through Your Circle Gloucestershire, a directory of local resources.
Support may include:
Carer’s assessments to understand your own needs
Help with planning for emergencies
Counselling or emotional wellbeing support
Access to short breaks or respite
Drop-in sessions, carer events and training
Discount schemes to reduce daily costs
Advice on navigating health and social care
There is no need for a formal diagnosis or a set number of hours. If you are helping someone regularly, you could be eligible for support.
How Ellia can help
At Ellia, we work across Gloucestershire to support older adults and their families through companionship care and home help services. Many of the families we support do not realise they are carers at all. They might say “I check in on Dad each day” or “I help my neighbour with shopping now and then.”
These small acts can grow into something more significant. Over time, you might find yourself stretched thin, feeling tired or unsure what to do next.
Our companionship care provides practical and emotional support that can ease that pressure. It is not personal or medical care. Instead, it is a friendly visit, a helping hand or just some structure and company during the week. Whether it is a chat over tea, help with organising post or going for a walk, our support can make a real difference.
Could this be you?
Ask yourself:
Do I help someone because they could not manage on their own?
Have I changed my routine to support someone else?
Do I feel responsible for their wellbeing?
Would I worry about what would happen if I was not there?
If the answer is yes to any of these, it is worth exploring what support is available.
You are not alone
Caring often starts as something small and natural. It may not feel like a formal role, but it still takes time, energy and emotional strength.
Whether you reach out to your GP, explore local directories such as Your Circle Gloucestershire, or consider lightening the load through support from Ellia, it is okay to ask for help.
Caring for someone else matters. But so do you.
