Unpaid family carers urged to have their say on a new All Age Carer Strategy for Suffolk

Suffolk's Health and Wellbeing Board has received a report outlining progress of a new All Age Carers Strategy for Suffolk.
Published: 14 Jul 2022

There are an estimated 98,000 carers across Suffolk who provide unpaid care for their loved ones. In the UK, according to research from Carers UK conducted in 2020, this figure rises to 13.6 million. Their contribution is believed to have saved the country somewhere in the region of £193billion during the Covid-19 pandemic alone – during a time when many have faced unprecedented pressure, taking on new caring responsibilities for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

These carers give up their time, money, education, careers and relationships to support those they care for, often impacting their own health too. The All Age Carers’ strategy will also help support young carers in their current roles and through transition to adulthood, so they can continue their education, employment and goals in life.

A consultation on the draft strategy has been launched and it is hoped carers of all ages will have their say on the strategy and its five priorities which focus around; early identification of unpaid or family carers, improved information and advice for carers of all ages, ensuring younger carers have the same priority as adult carers, creating systems which work to support carers and help to improve the health and wellbeing of carers.

Speaking about the consultation Cllr. Beccy Hopfensperger, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care said:

The work of unpaid and family carers must be better understood and supported, and the new All Age Carers Strategy will certainly help to do that. I hope all carers across Suffolk take this opportunity to have their say and add their views to help build upon the co-production with carers which has already been fundamental in the strategy's development.

Details of the consultation, including a downloadable version of the draft strategy and both surveys (for adult or young carers) is available on the County Council's website.