Wokingham Borough Council is reaffirming its commitment to helping unpaid carers by relaunching its Carers Support and Guidance service.
Unpaid carers provide care for a friend or relative and often do not see what they are doing as being a carer. It is important to reach out to these residents who will be able to benefit from a range of support. At the last census, 7.3 per cent of the population of Wokingham Borough was identified as unpaid carers.
The new service will be delivered by the Wokingham Carers Partnership from the beginning of April and will build on the services previously provided by Tuvida.
The Wokingham Carers Partnership is made up of three organisations from the voluntary sector: Age UK Berkshire; Promise Inclusion; and Berkshire Youth.
This newly revised and enhanced service will provide advice, information and in-person guidance for both adult and young carers across the borough, with an increase of £80,000 per year in funding to allow the council to reach and support more carers.
The new service is being developed in consultation with local carers, who have identified the following priorities:
- Information in the right format and at the right time
- Help to stay emotionally and physically capable of continuing with their caring role
- In-person support and guidance when they need it
The council is committed to supporting residents who are carers, both in and out of this very important role. This means providing timely and effective advice and guidance, as well as opportunities for respite through short breaks and social gatherings with like-minded people.
Cllr David Hare, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “I am pleased to see the start of this new service for carers, which will help people across the borough who work hard to look after some of our most vulnerable residents.
“Although being a carer can be a rewarding experience, there are lots of ways that it can leave carers needing support and it can also affect their own health and wellbeing. One of the core aims of the service will be to allow carers to balance their role and live a life outside of caring.
“That is where we can step in and offer advice that is practical and timely. Our carers do an amazing job caring for vulnerable residents and they deserve our support. This will enable those who are cared for to remain at home and independent for as long as possible.”
Nationally, unpaid carers deliver an estimated £132 billion worth of care to loved ones and family members every year, according to Carers UK.
To get help from this new service, email carers@ageukberkshire.org.uk or call (0118) 959 4242. These contact channels will not be open until the service goes live on Saturday 1 April.
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