Unpaid Carers – We are all ‘Stronger with Support’

Do you know someone who is providing unpaid care for a family member, friend or neighbour? It is something people do without a second thought and although rewarding, providing regular care for another person can impact your own health and wellbeing. It can be tiring and sometimes lonely but help and support is available.

Buckinghamshire Council is raising awareness of the range of support available to unpaid carers through its ‘Stronger with Support’ campaign which launches this week.

An unpaid carer is anyone who regularly cares for another person who could not manage without them and is not paid to do so. The care provided can include washing, dressing or giving medicines, taking someone to a doctors' appointment, shopping or cleaning, paying someone’s bills and organising their finances or providing emotional support to another person.

In Buckinghamshire there are an estimated 55,000 carers but insight shows that less than a quarter are registered with Carers Bucks, the partner organisation providing support to carers in the county, therefore many may not be accessing the support available.

Unpaid carers in Buckinghamshire can access specialist advice, information and support. From financial assistance to networking support groups and respite services to digital support, carers are encouraged to register with Carers Bucks to ensure they are able to access the full range of support available.

Isobel Darby, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Identifying yourself as a carer is the first step, as many people may not even realise what they are doing is caring. If it is something you are doing regularly for another person and that person is reliant on your help, that is caring. People often become carers without realising. It can start with taking on the occasional task for a friend or loved one which then increases over time until you are providing vital regular support without which that person could not live independently.

"We want to make sure people know about the advice, information and support that is available to them so they can make sure they are looking after their own health and wellbeing.”

Isobel continued: “Even if you are not a carer yourself, if you know someone who has caring responsibilities for another person, be sure to get them to take a look at the website.”

For more information visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/stronger-with-support.