Support for Croydon’s carers will be enhanced with the awarding of three new contracts to providers, ensuring the health and wellbeing needs of carers are being met.
The changes support Croydon Council’s Carers’ Strategy 2024-2029, which takes an all-age approach and a focus on supporting the health and wellbeing of carers.
There was an extensive commissioning process for the contracts, which have been designed in consultation with carers. The consultation and co-design of the new service with carers highlighted that they wanted a new approach to the delivery of support services to carers. The newly designed services will start on 1 April 2025 and will provide:
- Adult carer’s assessments and health and wellbeing delivered by Carers First
- Adult carer’s mental health support and counselling delivered by Mind in Croydon
- Young carers’ and young adult carers’ service delivered by Off the Record
John Whitgift Foundation has been delivering support to Croydon carers over the last 25 years and the Council is working in close partnership with both the Foundation and Carers First to make sure that there is a seamless transition for Croydon carers. This includes holding sessions with carers and partners to answer any questions they may have and provide information about the new service and support available to carers.
The Carers Strategy 2024-2029 supports the Executive Mayor’s priorities of allowing people to lead healthier and independent lives for longer, as well as ensuring children and young people in Croydon have the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential.
The priorities in the plan focus on six key themes: young carers, carer identification and impact, carer experience, carer wellbeing, joining up health and social care, and carer role and rights.
“Life-long carers are the glue that hold families together and we recognise the vital role they have in our community. It is essential that carers have the health and wellbeing support needed.
“We have been working closely with carers and our partners to create our Croydon Carers Strategy 2024-2029 and the awarding of these three new contracts.
“There will be no loss of service to carers and we are working in close partnership with both John Whitgift Foundation and Carers First to ensure there is a seamless transition for Croydon carers. My thanks go to the John Whitgift Foundation for their many years of service.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
