How to Get and Use Your Free Carer ID Card
Being recognised as an unpaid Carer can make daily life easier, but many Carers in Birmingham tell us this is still a challenge. In our survey, only 28.5% of Carers agreed they feel recognised and respected. Carers attending our focus group said they wanted to be recognised as an expert, while many said they wanted clearer proof of their caring role.
That’s why our Carer ID Card is so important. It’s a free, simple way to show you’re a Carer – whether at work, school, healthcare appointments, or out and about.
What is the Carer ID Card?
The Carer Friendly ID Card is available as both a physical card and a digital version on your mobile phone. It displays your photo, just like a driving licence, so you can easily prove your caring status.
Benefits of Having a Carer ID Card
- Verification of Your Caring Role
Show that you are a Carer in workplaces, colleges, or healthcare settings – whether you are in paid work, a Young Adult Carer, or supporting medical discussions. - Security
Carrying a card means you don’t need to bring sensitive paperwork with you. - Confidentiality
Quickly prove your caring status without having to explain your situation in front of the person you care for. - Peace of Mind
Your card includes In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact details, giving reassurance that the person that you provide care for will be supported if something happens to you. - Exclusive Discounts & Offers
You’ll get access to our Wellbeing Directory, discounts across Birmingham (see below), and hundreds of online savings through Discounts for Carers.
Where Can I Use My Carer ID Card?
Our Carer ID Card can be used in a variety of situations to effectively explain your caring responsibilities and the impact that this role has on your life. Your card can be used to:
- Explain lateness at work, as you may have to wait for paid carers to arrive
- Show employers why you need flexibility or, explain the need to take urgent caring phone calls
- Collect prescriptions from pharmacies
- Validate your role and provide valuable input to medical staff and social workers
- Access events, attractions, and discounts across Birmingham and beyond.
During the pandemic, Carers used their ID card to legitimately travel outside of their area and access priority shopping hours to support the person they care for as a key worker.
Local Discounts and Free Entry
As of October 2025, Carer ID Cardholders can access a wide range of discounts and free entry across Birmingham and the West Midlands, including:
- Free entry if you are with the person that you care for: Winterbourne House & Garden, Dudley Zoo and Castle, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Legoland Discovery Centre, Cadbury World, The Rep, Symphony Hall & Town Hall, Black Country Living Museum. (Some of these attractions require documentation for the person that you care for so check ahead).
- Concessionary rates if you are with the person that you care for, enjoy concessionary rates: Thinktank, Aston Hall, Sarehole Mill, Blakesley Hall, Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
- Discounts: Inflatable Ninja (10%), House of Silver (20%), Daisy Nail Artist (15%), NNB Law (10%), 10% discount off products and services, including online training sessions from The Black Dementia Company, plus more discounts from other providers.
- Special offers: Free yoga and relaxation sessions at Barefoot Birmingham. Free haircut, style and finish up until 03 December 2025 at Reflexions Training Academy. 50% off Reset Psychology’s transformational breathwork classes held in Moseley. Get 50% discount on the first two classes (Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi and Meditation) for Carers at HL Therapy. Use CODE: CARER50.
See the full and regularly updated list in our Wellbeing Directory, just type in Birmingham with a 10-mile radius in the search filter.
Carers’ Voices
Here’s what some Carers told us about their card:
- “My Carer’s Card allowed me to see my Dad in hospital outside visiting times.”
- “I use it for free entry to attractions – it saves carrying lots of paperwork.”
- “It was great to receive a digital card for immediate use whilst waiting for the physical card to arrive.”
- “I was able to persuade hospital staff to let me stay overnight on a Z bed with my Mom because I could prove I was her Carer.”
- “A Blue Light cardholder, got a discount in a shop so I asked if I could too with my carers card and I got it!”
- “Ordered a card for my daughter that cares for me and her Grandmother with parkinsons. So useful for her just to have the identification especially if out and about for supporting at events etc.”
- “I find Discount for Carers a great support package. I use them for travelling and to book hotels, I also use them for discounts on meals out.”
- “Found the card very useful for gaining access to hospital and Care Home during Covid restrictions.”
How to Apply
The Carer Friendly ID Card is free for all unpaid Carers registered with Birmingham Carers Hub, please visit this page on our website for further information about the card.
Apply online here and upload a head-and-shoulders photo.
You can collect your card from:
- Touchbase Pears (Selly Oak)
- Age Concern (Boldmere)
- Moorfield Hall
- Hawksley Community Centre
The full details including the venues address can be found in this timetable.
Help Us Grow Carer Friendly Communities
- Tried your card somewhere new? Let us know at info@forwardcarers.org.uk so we can approach them to officially join and offer a discount.
- Know a local business keen to help? Ask them to sign up to our free Carer Friendly scheme.
- Want to do more? Spread the word and encourage more businesses and services to provide offers.
Your Carer ID Card is more than just proof – it’s recognition, support, and peace of mind.
