New strategy outlines priorities to ensure unpaid carers get the support they need
A new strategy has been published that outlines priority actions to ensure that unpaid carers get the guidance, help or support they need to continue in their caring role while maintaining their own health and wellbeing.
Developed in partnership by professionals and carers, the All Age Carers Strategy is due to be approved by Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet at their next meeting on Thursday 18 July.
It is estimated that there are around 17,000 unpaid carers in Herefordshire, although this figure is likely to be higher as many people don’t consider themselves to be a carer. Unpaid carers often put the needs of others before their own, and the role they play in providing support and care for family members can go unseen and unrecognised. This is especially so for young carers who can be juggling their school and home life, which can have a huge impact on their educational achievement.
The carers strategy identifies a number of areas where the services and resources available for carers of all ages can be improved and made easier to access. The priority areas are:
Value and recognition: It is important that unpaid carers feel recognised and valued, and that help and support is available for them.
Young carers: The strategy recognises the particular challenges faced by young carers in their caring role, in education and other life experiences.
Technology-Enabled Care (TEC): There are opportunities to introduce new technology to help support the cared-for person, and provide additional reassurance for carers.
Carer assessments and support: Carer assessments are important for identifying and directing individuals to sources of information and support, so accessing them should be straightforward and stress-free.
Information, advice and guidance: Information for carers must be clear, high-quality and easily available from different sources.
Staying healthy: Carer wellbeing is important - carers will often put the needs of the cared-for person ahead of their own. The strategy aims to help them maintain good health while balancing their caregiving and other life demands.
The overarching vision for the strategy was developed with carers:
Herefordshire is a carer friendly county, where carers of all ages are recognised, valued, heard and enabled to live a healthy, fulfilling family life.
Councillor Carole Gandy, Cabinet Member Adults Health and Wellbeing, said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in our communities, yet they often go unseen and unrecognised. Improving the advice, information and support available to them is a priority for us. It’s important that we work with them on initiatives that directly improve the quality of life of unpaid carers in our county, promoting wellbeing and independence in their caring roles.”
The All Age Carer Strategy is available on the council website as part of the Cabinet papers for Thursday 18 July.