How we help Is our service for you? What do we mean by carer? The term carer can be confused with someone who provides care professionally e.g. a personal care assistant. Most family carers just think of themselves as doing what any daughter, mother, brother, father, sister, friend or neighbour would and should do. Caring is not always a choice and difficulties can go unrecognised with many carers struggling silently, not knowing what help is available to them. Who can use the service? Carers in Southampton is a free service for adults who give their time, unpaid, to look after someone who needs additional support, such as a family member, a friend, or a neighbour. You must be resident in a Southampton city postcode or looking after someone who lives in a Southampton city postcode. What do we mean by unpaid? Unpaid means providing care in a voluntary rather than professional or employed capacity. You are still an unpaid carer if you receive Carers Allowance or other carer related benefits.