Valuing and supporting Dorset’s carers
Carers Rights Day: 23 November
This is an annual national campaign that brings organisations together to help unpaid carers know their rights. This year, the theme is ‘Your rights: today, tomorrow and in the future’.
The impact of caring
On finances
Carers UK released new research in October 2023 which finds that thousands of unpaid carers are struggling financially, being forced deeper into poverty by the high cost of living and their limited ability to earn an income. It highlights how carers, particularly those receiving Carer’s Allowance, are extremely vulnerable because of the additional caring costs they face and the earning restrictions associated with the Carer’s Allowance.
The research is based on findings from the State of Caring 2023 survey, which was completed by 11,000 unpaid carers. Read the report: The impact of caring on finances (October 2023)
On health
In November 2023, Carers UK published a second report based on the State of Caring 2023 survey, highlighting that a widespread lack of support and recognition from health and care services is severely damaging unpaid carers’ mental health.
It shows that people caring round the clock for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives do not have adequate support from the statutory services that are in place to help them – leaving many exhausted, steeped in thoughts of hopelessness, fear, and dread, and urgently in need of support. Read the report: The impact of caring on health (November 2023)
Opportunities to learn and stay well
A new guide, written by carers for carers in Dorset, aims to inspire carers to develop new skills, gain confidence in caring for someone and to look after their own wellbeing.
When you’re a carer it can be easy to forget to do things that reduce your stress and make your life a little easier, or you may feel you haven’t got the time, money, or confidence to do things. The new guide aims to change this by providing advice on overcoming your worries, eligibility for courses and how to take the next step with help from Carer Support Dorset.
- If you live in Dorset: Explore the Dorset guide
- If you live in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole: Explore the BCP guide
Hospital stays
Emergency back-up support for carers
If you’re a carer and you have an illness or accident that requires you to go into hospital, or you have an emergency or crisis which delays you getting to the person you care for, Carers in Crisis may be able to help. They can provide an emergency back-up plan which helps the person you care for if you are suddenly unable to provide your usual support, including arranging respite care.
You can join the scheme if you are registered as a carer with your council. Find out more: Carers in Crisis emergency back-up scheme
If the person you care for goes into hospital
If the person you care for goes into hospital, let hospital staff know as soon as possible that you are a carer so that they include you during the admission assessment. When the person you care for is discharged from hospital, your needs should be assessed as well as the patients (if the person you care for agrees to this).
Carers UK has more information about how to prepare for someone coming out of hospital and what to expect.
Dorset Hospitals Carer Passport
Last year hospitals across Dorset launched a new Hospital Carer Passport to help carers be recognised and supported while they are caring for someone who is in hospital. The Carer Passport scheme generally includes the following, though each hospital’s offer may differ:
- Flexibility with visiting times
- Inclusion in care
- Inclusion to assist at mealtimes
- Involvement in discussing and planning for discharge
- Access to information about patient care (with relevant consent)
This new scheme meets one of the recommendations we made in our 2022 Carers Report on the experiences of supporting loved ones leaving hospital to recover at home – a process called Home First.
Share your experience
Is the person you care for going into hospital?
If the person you care for is going into hospital for planned care, we’d like to hear about your experience of the process to help improve local services. Please get in touch and we’ll use your stories to create case studies to help improve local services (your story can be anonymised).
enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk
Freephone 0300 111 0102
Supporting Dorset’s young carers
A young carer is a child, just like any other. The only difference is that young carers are responsible for the care of at least one member of their family, though they may be as young as five years old themselves.
Levelling the playing field for young carers
Dorset based charity MYTIME Young Carers recognises and celebrates the incredible young people who do so much to support those that they care for. They work to help young carers access the support, friendships and the opportunities every child deserves.
Young carers experiences of health and care services
Watch this video of young carers speaking about their health and care experiences.
Information and support
If you’re a young carer or you know a young carer, here’s some useful local contacts:
Children’s First Response Hub (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)
01202 123 334
childrensfirstresponse@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Carer Support Dorset (Dorset Council area)
0800 368 8349
Feedback about carers services in Dorset
Do you use local carers services, support groups, training, advocacy, online tools, counselling, carers card or short breaks? What do you find the most helpful? What else would you like to see provided for carers in Dorset? Let us know and we’ll share your anonymised feedback with the councils to help improve support for carers.
enquiries@healthwatchdorset.co.uk
Freephone 0300 111 0102
