Council seeks carers' views on city's support services

Carers in Plymouth are being asked what improvements they would like to see in services that are designed to give them vital support in their daily lives.

Plymouth City Council is putting together a new strategy to help the 27,247 known carers in the city. The Carers Strategy sets out what support is already available for both young and adult carers and what the Council aims to do in order to improve the services. The plans for the next five years have been drawn up with the help of carers, young and adult.

A public consultation is now being launched so everyone in the city can see the plans and help shape future services.

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Adult Social Care said: “Being a carer is an incredibly demanding job and we need to make sure the services on offer in Plymouth really do meet the needs of carers of all ages.

“We really value the care and support provided by family members, friends and neighbours and it’s important we have services that offer a rapid ‘emergency’ response when things aren’t going to plan as well as on-going support. This new strategy will bring together the work of the various organisations involved in supporting carers so that we can all co-ordinate our efforts and provide the best possible service.”

Based on the census in 2011, Plymouth has 27,247 carers. 11,623 state they provide more than 20 hours of caring per week for someone. 58 per cent of carers look after someone with a physical disability, 13 per cent care for someone with a mental health problem, 20 per cent for someone with a sensory impairment and 10 per cent for someone with dementia. The latest figures show that Plymouth has approximately 200 carers under 18.

There is already wide ranging support available for carers funded by Plymouth City Council including an Enhanced Carer Support Service that provides counselling, training, respite breaks and support, an advice and information service, Plymouth Online Directory that includes carers information, training courses with St John Ambulance, information and support sessions and events at Plymouth Libraries and a quarterly information newsletter. The Council also has several initiatives designed for young carers including support groups, counselling, school clubs, short breaks and outdoor activities.

The strategy is available on the Council’s consultation portal web site at http://plymouth.consult.limehouse.co.uk/public/jcasc/cs/css

People are invited to comment before Friday 3 January 2014 either by responding on the website, by emailing asc.consultation@plymouth.gov.uk or by contacting staff at the Carers Hub, Guild House, 156 Mannamead Road, Plymouth, PL3 5Q. Tel: 01752 201890