Dorset Council welcomes new vision for carers

A new vision for carers, outlining a commitment to creating a better future for the nearly 69,000 unpaid carers across the county, has received support from Dorset Council.

The vision, which has been coordinated by the Pan Dorset Carers Steering Group, highlights Carers UK figures that show there are 11 million unpaid carers in the UK, contributing during the Covid pandemic £540m every day.

"Together with Carers - A Dorset Vision" says that only a fifth of carers in Dorset (14,000) are known to carers' support services, adding that while being a carer can be rewarding, it can also be incredibly challenging - emotionally, physically and financially - and many carers experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Steve Duckett, chair of the Pan Dorset Carers steering group, said: "Carers need to be valued and listened to; their personal needs and wellbeing need to be addressed with good support, accessible information and opportunities for taking that important break from the daily grind.

"For some, devoting time to care for someone important to them is rewarding, but it is vital that assistance is available to gain new proficiencies, such as organisational, practical and resilience skills."

Dame Philippa Russell DBE, Carers UK Vice President, said: "I congratulate Dorset for having engaged carers themselves at every stage of the development of their vision - and action plan - for a Dorset carers vision. As a long-term carer myself, I feel excited by the sense of energy, creativity and mutual respect which runs throughout the proposals. It offers recognition, respect and responsibilities to carers themselves, and recognises and builds upon the new strategic relationships between carers, services, community and voluntary sector.

The vision wants to:

* ensure all carers are valued, visible and heard

* provide all carers with choice and opportunities to take breaks from their caring role, as well as access to support in a crisis

* understand carers' personal needs and situations and treat everyone fairly

* support all carers to have a meaningful and fulfilling life, alongside and after caring

* provide information, advice, guidance and practical resources to enable carers to carry out their caring role

* ensure carers' own physical, emotional and mental wellbeing are supported

* be honest, consistent and work together to manage expectations.

And it encourages carers to get involved through:

* reading the vision and its objectives to be informed

* thinking about what you would like to change for you

* reaching out to services to get support

* being recognised as a carer

* helping us spread the good news.

Councillor Steve Robinson, Cabinet lead for adult social care and former Chief Executive of Prama Care Dorset, said: "Having known and supported many carers over the years, I'm very aware of the strength, love and compassion that is needed to do this often incredibly challenging, yet vital role.

"At times a carer can feel completely isolated and that no one appreciates what you are doing. I'm therefore very happy to support the "Together with Carers" mission of supporting and bringing together carers with others who "get it" and can understand the burden they each bear. It's a much needed response to a critical need."

Notes to Editors

If you are a carer and wish to contribute to this transformative vision, please reach out through emailing dhc.carersdorset@nhs.net . Details of the vision can be found on the Our Dorset website - https://ourdorset.org.uk/pdcsg/

If you are caring for someone in the Dorset Council area please contact Carer Support Dorset - Tel: 0800 368 8349, email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk or visit www.carersupportdorset.co.uk

If you are caring for someone in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, please contact BCP Carer Support - Tel: 01202 128787; email carersupport@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or visit www.bcpcarerssupport.org

Ends