Three quarters of unpaid carers in South Gloucestershire feel they “don’t get the support they need” according to a new survey.
More than half of carers responding to the recent survey said they didn’t have access to good quality information about the support available to them, and four out five said they weren’t able to take a break from caring to support their own physical or mental health.
But more support for unpaid carers is underway, as South Gloucestershire Council chiefs are preparing a five-year plan to improve awareness of carers, and provide better respite breaks too. The council’s health and wellbeing board heard details of the plan on Friday, July 15.
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Rebecca Harrold, the council’s manager of the adult commissioning service, said: “What we heard from the consultation was that a lot of carers don’t feel the support they need, more needs to be done to highlight the role, and a great feeling that there’s not a lot of awareness of carers in the community and among professionals.
“They need to feel more listened to and their role needs better recognition and more support. They need breaks that are more diverse and flexible. Young carers need breaks that aren’t school. They’re feeling burned out in their caring role and I think Covid has probably exacerbated that situation recently.”
The survey ahead of the new strategy found that 82% feel the council needs to do more to highlight the role of carers; 90% said there needs to be more awareness; 58% don’t feel listened to, understood or appreciated in their role; and one in four said carer’s assessments were not unhelpful, but were “a tick box exercise and doesn’t provide the support they need”.
According to the survey, one carer said: “I haven’t had a break in 20 years, but when I did get one it was quite difficult to access.”
Another said: “The council website is dated, not very user-friendly and not very helpful.”
Information and advice for carers, including where to get further support, can be found on the council’s website: southglos.gov.uk/carers or by calling 01454 868 007 for adult care or 01454 868 008 for children’s services.
More information about the council’s new five-year carer strategy should be revealed soon, including a detailed action plan about how more support can actually be provided.
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