Have your say on how council supports unpaid carers in Central Bedfordshire
A consultation has launched on the new Adult Carers Strategy
Unpaid carers and those who receive care in Central Bedfordshire are being invited to have their say on the council's new Adult Carers Strategy for the next five years.
The strategy aims to support adults caring for family, friends and neighbours living in Central Bedfordshire.
There are around 30,000 unpaid carers in Central Bedfordshire, which constitutes 10 per cent of the local population.
According to Carers UK, 81 per cent of carers across the UK are providing more care than before lockdown, and 78 per cent of carers report that the needs of the person they care for have increased.
The strategy contains four priorities to make sure unpaid carers remain emotionally and physically well, and receive training to support their cared-for person better.
The priorities will also ensure unpaid carers can have a family and community life alongside their caring role and are given a possibility to share their views to help shape local services.
The strategy was developed by Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group, as well as carers and voluntary and community organisations that help represent the views of people they support.
Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, said:
"The support and contribution of unpaid carers to those they care for is incredibly valuable – in some cases, carers selflessly put their lives on hold to offer support.
"Our strategy outlines how we will continue to support unpaid carers, the measures already in place and what more we will put in place to achieve this.
"We are keen to hear from as many people as possible on our strategy, so the consultation is open for 14 weeks until March 2022.
"In particular, we’d like to hear from people who provide care and whose lives are impacted by their caring responsibilities and those who receive care.
"Your views are incredibly important to us, so I’d urge as many people as possible to give feedback over the next 14 weeks."
The consultation is running until 3 March, 2022.