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  2. Education
  3. What to learn, where to learn

Carers and learning

Many carers enjoy learning and doing courses. It is an opportunity to spend time on themselves. If you're a carer interested in studying, there is support available to help you find a course, funding and to arrange alternative care.

Finding the right course

Some colleges may run courses specifically for carers. These courses are often informal, friendly environments where you are encouraged to find a study programme that suits your learning style, caring duties and personal aims.

  • Further Education colleges

Other ways to get funding

Some colleges give reductions to carers on benefits and some provide help with funding for transport costs and course fees. Contact the college that has the course you are interested in for more information.

  • Find a university or college course

Alternative care

You may need to find someone to take over your caring duties while you study. Your carer's assessment by the local trust should include if you want to study and whether you will need someone to help you with your caring role while you learn.

Your local trust may have schemes available to help you take a temporary break from caring while you study. If you have not had an assessment, contact your local trust to arrange one.

  • Assessments for carers
  • Health and Social Care Trusts

Crossroads

Crossroads Northern Ireland provides respite care so that you can have time to yourself.

  • Crossroads - Caring for Carers

More useful links

  • Applying for a course
  • English, maths and IT
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What to learn, where to learn

  • Carers and learning
  • Choosing where to learn
  • Distance learning
  • English, maths and IT
  • Learning for leisure
  • Learning in your community
  • Returning to learning
  • Training and learning for work

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Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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