Unsung carers asked to share their ideas for borough’s Carers Strategy

Carers across Wirral are being asked to share their thoughts on a draft strategy, which aims to support them better in the daily lives.

The strategy has, so far, been produced with help from groups of Wirral Carers, who gave their time to identify what is important to them and share their experiences and knowledge.

The next step is for more carers, paid and unpaid, to share their feedback before the final strategy is published.

Carers of all ages and backgrounds in the borough should feel valued, empowered and have access to the right support at the right time. Wirral’s Adult Carers Strategy will strive to increase support for carers. It will reflect the real lives of local carers and how they wish to be supported in the future.

It focuses on unpaid Carers, family, relatives, friends, and neighbours that provide practical and/ or emotional support to people for a variety of reasons including disability, mental health, frailty, ill-health, addiction and more.

In the development of this strategy, Carers were able to tell their stories about the times they felt they had to navigate the health, social care, and education system, providing examples of where they had received the support that they needed and when they hadn’t.

With the invaluable input of these individuals, the strategy has identified what is most important to Carers.

Many people with caring responsibilities do not identify themselves as a Carer, and for some people it can take several years to realise they are a Carer and that there is support and services that they can access.

Whether you are an adult supporting a friend or family member, a parent looking after a child who has additional needs, or a young person who spends a lot of time looking after members of your family, or anyone who provides care for another - you are invited to read the draft strategy and share your feedback by responding to a short survey.

To read the strategy and access the survey, click here.

Wirral Council is committed to making information accessible to everybody. If you require a paper copy of the survey, documents in another format or support completing the survey please contact us. If you would like support to complete the survey, please contact the Wirral Carers Helpline on Tel: 0151 670 0777, email: wsco@wired.me.uk or text CARERS to 87007.