Thursday 15 February 2018
Carers are being asked to complete a survey to help the States of Guernsey develop a Carers' Action Plan, which will identify key priority steps needed to improve the services and support available.
Islanders who care for loved ones carry out a crucial role, not only for families but also for the wider community. For some people, that supporting role can have a negative impact on their own wellbeing. Being a carer might mean they have to give up parts of their social life, reduce their hours at work and therefore have less income, or they might find themselves needing advice but unsure where to turn. It is important that people who are supporting others are supported themselves. The Carers' Action Plan will develop plans that will improve support for carers locally.
The survey can be found at https://gov.gg/carersactionplan and responses are required by 7th March.
Deputy Heidi Soulsby, President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, encouraged as many carers as possible to offer their views.
'All of us need some support from our family and friends sometimes. Many of us will also, at some point in our lives, have times where a family member or friend needs our care or support on a more intense and ongoing basis. As family members or friends we might make meals for someone, help with shopping, cleaning or laundry. We might help someone get up in the morning or go to the toilet. We might keep an eye on someone who is confused or at risk; or encourage someone to do things for themselves. We might be there to listen.
'The Carers' Action Plan will set out the services and support that carers will be able to access in the future. The States currently provides some support and services, such as Carer's Allowance and short-break provision, but this will be the first time we have set priorities across the whole of government about how to improve life for carers. Input from carers themselves is really important, and we hope that people will complete our carers' survey and let us know how they manage, what goes well and what they find difficult at the moment so that we know what services and support carers would like to have in the future.'
Deputy Jane Stephens, social policy lead for the Policy & Resources Committee, said:
'Carers play a vital role in supporting their loved ones, and often enable them to continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. The States of Guernsey recognises the important role that carers play and also recognises that carers themselves need support. We must do all we can to help people balance the responsibilities they take on as a carer, with those they have to manage in their own life - such as work or studies.'
Peter Harwood, Chairman of Carers Guernsey, a new charity being launched to provide information, advice and outreach support for carers in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, said:
'Carers face a number of challenges as they try to juggle their caring responsibilities with other commitments. Carers Guernsey - a new charity that has just been established - will provide advice and outreach support to carers and is keen to work with the States of Guernsey as it develops the Carers' Action Plan. We would encourage carers to give their views to the States to help improve the support that carers receive in the future.'
Anyone who wishes to find out more about the Carers' Action Plan can visit www.signpost.gg/carersactionplan, email carers@gov.gg or call 01481 732546.
