Supporting those who support others

Thursday 02 May 2019

The invaluable role of voluntary and unpaid carers has been recognised through a plan of action aimed at increasing the amount of respite, information and support for those who support others in the community.

It is estimated there are between 2,000 and 4,000 informal, voluntary carers in Guernsey who provide care and support for family members, friends and others in the community often at the expense of their personal wellbeing, social life and work-life balance.

These carers - many of whom do not identify as such - are the subject of the States' new Carers Action Plan, which has been developed in conjunction with third-party organisations and carers themselves through surveys and group discussions. 

Health & Social Care President, Deputy Heidi Soulsby said it is important that people who are supporting others are supported themselves. 

"Through looking after and supporting their loved ones, carers perform an invaluable role in our society," she said. "The important part they play in the new model of care - the Partnership of Purpose is recognised and, with it, the requirement to provide carers themselves with help and support when they need it."

"The Carers Action Plan sets out the services and support that carers in the Bailiwick of Guernsey will be able to access in the future. These range from the introduction of carer’s assessments through to improved provision of information, advice and outreach support."

Pictured: Deputy Heidi Soulsby. 

Hundreds of thousands of pounds, which have already been set aside and approved in the States' latest Budget, is being invested in extra respite staff, a re-ablement scheme aimed at helping vulnerable people who have recently been discharged from hospital and other improvements in qualified staff, better signposting of services and more joined-up working. 

"This isn’t a Health & Social Care Plan, it is a community plan and it is It is all about supporting those people who support others so that they don’t become isolated and making sure they know what support is available," she said. 

Carers Guernsey Chairman Peter Harwood said the plan is a "positive first step" in the recognition of the contribution made by the vast numbers of informal carers within the Bailiwick. 

Carers Guernsey, Chairman Peter Harwood, pictured, led the Supported Living and Ageing Well Strategy through the States in February 2016, is an independent charity that has recently been established to support carers and represent their interests in the development of States policy. 

Caring can range from a few hours a week to looking after a loved one full-time. Mr Harwood said that can put a lot of strain on people and that is not always recognised until the situation reaches a crisis point or the carer's wellbeing deteriorates. 

"When we were doing the work on SLAWS we learned that there are probably 4,000 or so carers on the island, many of whom don’t identify as carers," he said.

"They are making a commitment and making sacrifices to provide care for loved ones but on equivalent research done in the UK what they do would cost up to £29 million if we had to pay for it. There are lots of carers of who won’t be providing that level of care, but it is important to make people aware of the value and importance of carers and recognising carers in setting up something like the Carers Action Plan. This plan is the beginning, not the end, and we are working on creating our own charity for carers."

A survey of carers found that many want to see improvements in the quality of services available to those they care for and prioritise this over receiving better support themselves.

Deputy Jane Stephens, Social Policy Lead for the Policy & Resources Committee, and Chair of the Implementation and Engagement Group for SLAWS, said charitable organisations who provide support for carers had played a key role in the plan's development.  

"The Carers Action Plan sets out a wide range of actions to improve the services and support that carers in the Bailiwick of Guernsey will receive in the future, including better information, advice and support. This will enable carers to combine their caring role with their other responsibilities – such as work or studies."

More information about the plan can be found online at gov.gg/carersactionplan.

Pictured top: Deputy Heidi Soulsby