How Carers Can Save Money
This article provides information on how carers can save money on shopping, days out, and more.
The responsibilities of a career are challenging enough, but we understand that budgeting can also be hard. Below you will find details of the many ways carers can enjoy discounts and special offers.
Discount for Carers
Discounts for Carers has partnered with major retailers like Hotpoint, Jet2Holidays, Argos, and Newlook to offer both paid and unpaid carers and their families great discounts. With over 506 thousand members and a rating of 4.5 on Trustpilot, it’s a reliable place to start finding a discount to suit your needs.
What you need to know:
- Over 1000 well-known retailers.
- Exclusive carer offers.
- The latest offers are emailed straight to your inbox.
- No fees and free to register.
- The potential to save hundreds of pounds.
The Carer Friendly Card
Offering a selection of weekly discounts and offers, The Carer Friendly Card is a physical and virtual discount card with an annual charge that is valid for 2 years. The card offers nationwide online discounts along with high street discounts that are mainly Birmingham based.
What you need to know:
- The cost is between £10 and £25 and is valid for 2 years.
- You will need to prove you are a carer via a GP, social worker, DWP, or local council.
- 100% of the profit is reinvested into carer-friendly communities.
- Prove you are a carer while out and about.
- Free online support.
- Provides ICE (in case of an emergency).
Join CarerSmart
CarerSmart is a free-to-join club. Carers can benefit from various discounts, cashback, and special offers. Registering is speedy and the site offers help and support for all carers.
What you need to know:
- Benefit from discounted lifestyle activities.
- Enjoy reduced insurance renewals.
- Discounted holidays and travel.
- Get cashback from high-street retailers.
- Best rates from energy providers.
- Free legal advice services.
Discount Codes for Carers
Here at MyVoucherCode, we have a range of NHS discount codes. You may be eligible for discounts from retailers like Simba, New Balance, Skin and Me, and White Stuff if you are an NHS carer.
What you need to know:
- In most cases, NHS identification will be required when making a purchase.
- The team at MyVoucherCodes sources the best discount regularly. Be sure to check regularly for updates.
- Some discount codes run for a limited time or there are a limited number of codes available.
Cinema Tickets
Cinema goes with benefit from the CEA Card that enables carers unpaid carers to accompany the person they care for free. Approximately 90% of the cinemas in the UK participate in the scheme.
What you need to know:
- The CEA Card has a £6 annual fee.
- The person you care for must be 8 years old or over.
- The scheme is run by the UK Cinema Association.
- You will need to provide a photo.
- Eligible benefits include DLA, AA, PIP, and AFIP.
- You can enter your postcode on the CEA website to find your nearest participating cinema.
Theatre Tickets
There isn’t a discount card scheme available that gives carers free tickets to theatre performances. However, many theatres do provide complimentary tickets, you will need to contact them directly and provide some relevant ID.
What you need to know:
- Discountforcarers.com offer theatre discounts for members. (see above)
- Check with individual venues for complimentary tickets for carers and companions.
- Agg tickets offer access services including how to book accessible seats online and the facilities available at your chosen venues.
English Heritage
Carers can enjoy free entry to all English Heritage sites across the country. There are over 400 English Heritage sites to choose from. You may want to check the website for access information before you visit.
What you need to know:
- You do not need evidence that you are a carer to gain free entry.
- The person you care for will need to pay for entry.
- You can call English Heritage before you visit if you would like a letter of authority to use when you visit but it’s not necessary.
National Trust
Up to two carers can enjoy free entry to all National Trust sites. The person that you are caring for will still need to pay the full entry price unless they already have National Trust Membership.
It’s worth knowing that the National Trust also offers an Essential Companion Card. This card makes visiting earlier and quicker.
What you need to know:
- The Essential Companion Card is free.
- The ECC is issued to the person who requires care.
- The cardholder can bring a different carer/companion at each visit.
- To request a card email enquires@nationtrust.org.uk or call 0344 800 1895
The Merlin Group
So many of the UK’s theme parks and attractions are run by the Merlin Group. Including, Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventure, Madame Tussauds, Sealife, and Legoland. A free carer ticket is available when the person requiring care buys a ticket.
What you need to know:
- The carer must be 14 years or older to access a free ticket.
- The carer will require ID at the ticket office, even if tickets are purchased online.
- You can visit the park or attractions website to check what ID is eligible.
- When the person requiring care purchases a Merlin Annual Pass, they can claim a free carer pass at the same time.
London and Whipsnade Zoo
If a trip to the zoo is on the agenda both London and Whipsnaade Zoo offer free entry to carers.
What you need to know:
- You do not need to book a ticket in advance, carers are admitted free entry at the door.
- A concessionary ticket price is available to those with disabilities.
- No ID is required as a carer.
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo says it’s committed to providing equal opportunities to all its visitors. Along with improving visitor facilities, Edinburgh Zoo also offers free entry to carers and companions.
What you need to know:
- One carer or companion can gain free entry with a full or concession price adult or child ticket.
- Relevant proof of entitlement is needed, such as an Access Card with a plus one symbol or a PIP letter. Check before you visit if you have other proof of entitlement.
- The proof of entitlement will be asked for when you enter the zoo, even if you have booked tickets online.
Sea Life Centres
If you want to get up close and personal with creatures of the sea, a trip to one of the UK’s Sea Life Centres might be an option. One carer is admitted for free with a full-paying ticket.
What you need to know:
- You must be aged over 14 years to get a free carer ticket.
- Photo evidence is required, you will need to show this at the kiosk on entry, even if you have booked online.
- Sea Life Centres include Sea Life London Aquarium, National Sea Life Centre Birmingham, and The Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
- Sea Life Centres are part of the Merlin Group so Merlin Annual Passes are accepted too.
RHS Gardens and RHS Shows
The Royal Horticultural Society offers discounted and complimentary entry at selected venues to carers.
What you need to know:
- The RHS Chelsea Flower show offers free entry to carers.
- ID is required upon entry, even when tickets have been purchased online.
- You can check the full list of free and discounted venues on the RHS website.
Sporting Venues
With so many sporting venues and events across the country, it isn’t possible to list them all but we do have some pointers for carers:
Level Playing Field is a charity that supports disabled sports fans from football to cricket. The website offers access and ticket information about different venues across the country.
Several football clubs in the UK offer concession rates for disabled fans along with complimentary carer tickets, clubs include Newcastle United and Sheffield Wednesday.
We would suggest that the carer contact the venue they are attending and check the policy in place.
Train Travel
If the person you are caring for holds a Disabled Rail Card the other adult that you are travelling with will also be eligible for a third off the full-price rail fare.
What you need to know:
- Discount applies to adult fares only.
- Season tickets for blind or visually impaired customers allow carers to travel at no extra cost.
- Evidence of disability is required to access the Disabled Rail Card, and carers will need to provide ID.
- It does not have to be the same carer travelling on every journey with the person they care for.
Bus Travel
Depending on what bus company you are travelling with carers can get free or discounted travel on buses in the UK. The Gov website has additional information on applying for a disabled person's bus pass.
What you need to know:
- The person you are travelling with needs to hold a Disabled Person’s Buss Pass or National Entitlement card if they live in Scotland.
- Contact your local council for entitlement information.
Hi, I’m SJ. I’m an editor and content executive here at MyVoucherCodes. I started my journey here as a deals expert which gave me the skills to become a money-saving expert. You can find my tips and recommendations in various publications including The Sun, The Mirror, and The Telegraph.
I gained a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing in 2018, and I’ve put my writing skills into many projects since then. My portfolio at sarahjaneoutten.com includes my work with Cardiff Times, Buzz Magazine and more.
I write poetry and short stories for pleasure and enjoy getting creative with watercolours and lino printing. I hope that I can merge my love of writing and art into a children's book in the future - watch this space!