Croydon council has a new five-year plan to ensure carers in the borough are well supported and feel empowered.
A carer is someone of any age who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who – due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction – cannot cope without their support.
To create the new strategy, which was approved by Cabinet on Wednesday 24 July, the council worked with focus groups of carers and listened to their feedback.
The Carers’ Strategy 2024-2029 takes an all-age approach and sets out how the council will help carers to be able to look after their own health and wellbeing. Support offered might be providing respite from their caring responsibilities, helping them get back to paid work, supporting young carers at school and working with council partners across health and care services, to have a joined up approach.
The priorities in the new plan focus on six key themes: young carers, carer identification and impact, carer experience, carer wellbeing, joining up health and social care (services and pathways), and carer role and rights.
As part of the plan, a range of respite opportunities will be provided, through an easy to follow process, for both emergency situations and as part of the ongoing support for carers.
Young carers, aged under 18, will get support where needed at school, or to access services, advice and resources to prevent them being isolated and experiencing poor mental wellbeing.
Training for unpaid carers will be developed, to make sure carers are informed about how to safely carry out their caring role whilst looking after their own health and wellbeing, and to address the loneliness and isolation that can affect a carer’s wellbeing.
The strategy 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.
“We all know that carers make a major contribution to our society. That’s why we and our local partners are committed to working together to make Croydon a borough that values the contribution and experience of carers.
I’m delighted to launch this Carers’ Strategy for Croydon to show how we will support them and help them feel empowered. Carers are often the ones holding families and communities together, shouldering significant responsibility, without always getting the recognition and support they deserve.
So we hope that this Carers’ Strategy effectively sets out how we will give them the right support at the right time during their invaluable work.”
Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon
