Emotional Support and Counselling Service

Looking after somebody may affect your relationship with the person being cared for and with other people. Talking to a counsellor can often help carers to:

• understand feelings and emotions
• make decisions about their own needs
• reach solutions to their problems
• find an outlet for the pressure and stress of their situation

Southwark Carers offers a free counselling service for carers in Southwark.

Counselling offers carers the chance to talk in confidence to an independent person outside their situation who has been trained to listen, and who can help them express their thoughts and feelings freely.

We can offer up to 13 weeks of weekly one-to-one counselling sessions.

Counselling is done in our Carers’ Centre.

Each person has an assessment session with a member of the counselling team before counselling begins. If we can’t help, we can also give general advice about finding appropriate counselling or some other form of help elsewhere.

Other services in the borough include the Waterloo Counselling Service.

Support groups can be an important lifeline for carers. They can provide:

• the opportunity to share experiences
• information on local services
• practical advice
• social events
• emotional support

Support groups can often provide assistance with travel and help to arrange a sitting service for the person being cared for.

Many carers’ groups are open to all carers, in other cases groups may be linked to a particular day centre or disability. If you aren’t sure which one to join, contact your GP surgery or Southwark Carers for advice.

More information on Southwark Carers groups can be found here