Tag: Carers Week

£250,000 recovery fund for Capital’s carers

The City of Edinburgh Council and VOCAL, Voice of Carers Across Lothian, have announced a new Carers Recovery Fund.

Recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unpaid carers, the City of Edinburgh Council has committed to an investment of £250,000 to support unpaid carers. VOCAL will serve as the lead partner, managing the delivery of the fund.

Prior to the pandemic, 65,084 people in Edinburgh had caring responsibilities, 13.7% of the population. For many their caring role increased massively and it is estimated that across Scotland nearly 400,000 additional citizens took on caring responsibilities.

Research released for Carers Week by the Carers Week charities found that 71% of unpaid carers in Scotland have not had any breaks from their caring role during the pandemic.

Of those who got a break, over a third (36%) used the time to complete practical tasks or housework, and almost a quarter (24%) to attend their own medical appointments.

Three quarters (77%) reported being exhausted as a result of caring during the pandemic.

More than a third (36%) said they feel unable to manage their unpaid caring role.

The Carers Recovery Fund is an important step towards further investment in carers as the largest providers of care in our communities. The Fund will be allocated as a one-off payment to individual carers, and can be used to support carer health and wellbeing, enable carers to take a short break and to improve the financial wellbeing of carers.

Cllr Joan Griffiths, Carers Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m so pleased we’re investing £250k in this Carers Recovery Fund in recognition of the extra challenges and additional pressures they have faced during the pandemic.

“Many carers have been unable to get a break from their role and have suffered a loss of support networks so this one off investment recognises the dedicated, unheralded and unpaid work they do.

“This funding is really important in the current climate especially for young carers who have been badly affected by not being able to meet their friends through lost school time. Anything we can do to support them is welcome news and we look forward to working with VOCAL on this project.

“The Carers Recovery Fund is part of a wider £21m package boosting our work for core ambitions of the Council – tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and enhancing wellbeing for everyone here in Edinburgh.”

Sebastian Fischer, Chief Executive of VOCAL said: “We look forward to working with the City of Edinburgh Council to administer the new Carers Recovery Fund for unpaid carers across the city.

“As the Carers Week report has shown, many carers have not been able to access a break due to the pandemic. Now, more than ever, the health and social care system relies on unpaid carers.

“It is vital that their right to regular breaks is recognised. This investment is a statement of intent and will have a positive impact on the lives of individual carers across different caring roles.”

Care for Carers from NHS 24

People across Scotland are being reminded about the information and support available to carers from NHS 24.

As part of 2021’s Carers Week, the national health board is highlighting its online service ‘Care Information Scotland’ to help people with caring responsibilities find what they need in one handy place.

NHS 24’s Associate Medical Director, Dr Paul Perry said carers play an important role so it’s vital we support them: “Looking after a loved one, a friend or neighbour can be rewarding but it can also be demanding, physically and emotionally.

“Carers need support too and our service, Care Information Scotland, offers a wide range of advice and information. Bringing all the different resources together in one place makes it easier for people to find what they need and helps us to care for our carers.”

Local organisation Capital Carers (formerly Nort West Carers) has organised a full programme of events and activities for Carers Week:

For more information visit: www.careinfoscotland.scot

Carers Champion: Together let’s ‘Make Caring Visible’ in 2020

Edinburgh’s Depute Lord Provost and Carers Champion, Councillor Joan Griffiths, writes on National Carers Week:

This is the start of national carers week and never more than now has caring for others been so discussed and quite rightly recognised as being so incredibly important.

This year’s theme is ‘Making Caring Visible’, which is very appropriate as we need to also recognise the incredible contribution unpaid carers are making to our society in what are currently extremely challenging circumstances.

I would like to give my heartful thanks to the estimated 65,084 unpaid carers living in Edinburgh – 13.7% of the city’s population. What’s really important is acknowledging the hard work and dedication of every person carrying out this role as well as identifying and making sure that everyone caring for a loved one is given the support they need for their own health and wellbeing.

Unpaid carers are people of all ages who look after family members, partners, friends or neighbours due to their physical and mental health needs. Often, the person could not live in their own home unsupported without this care. It’s not unusual for an unpaid carer to be looking after someone for some time and not realise that is what they are doing. 

This year, people across the country are continuing to face new challenges as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Many people are taking on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older who need support. 

If this applies to you, I want you to know that you can receive help, support and advice from a range of different carer organisations and services in Edinburgh.

Usually, this support can be provided face to face with a carer support worker but at the moment we are living in unprecedented times and this has to be offered on the phone or by video conference following government guidance.

What’s important though is that help is still available and carer organisations would be delighted to speak to anyone who thinks they are caring for a loved one in this way. There is a lot of support available such as access to relevant information and learning and social opportunities. Alternatives to short breaks under the current circumstances can be discussed as well as counselling services and help with finances.

Unpaid carers are also entitled to request an Adult Carer Support Plan or a Young Carers Statement and again these can be completed over the phone or by video conference.

Each day this week well be highlighting different themes including carers, information and advice, carer health and wellbeing, short breaks, young carers and personalising support for carers.

Over the course of this week I would appeal to everyone to share this information as widely as you can through your own networks and social media if you have it. This will help us to make sure that our unpaid carers can access the help and support that they need, now and in the future. Together let’s ‘Make Caring Visible’ in 2020.

If you need support with your caring role or would like to talk to someone please contact the Edinburgh Carer Support team on 0131 536 3371. They will be able to support you directly or connect you to the relevant service.

You can also contact them online at https://www.edinburghhsc.scot/support-for-carers/further-support-for-carers/.

 Further information for unpaid carers during the current coronavirus pandemic can be found at https://www.edinburghhsc.scot/coronavirus-information/carers/.

This contribution first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News

£300,000 for Scotland’s young carers

Carers Week launched with additional support.

£300,000 from the £350 million communities funding to support people and communities affected by COVID-19 is being given to support young carers across Scotland.

Young Scot will receive £200,000 to provide online subscriptions and e-vouchers for young carers. Meanwhile £100,000 will go to expanding the Time To Live small grants scheme.

The additional funding comes as National Carers Week begins.

Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Joe FitzPatrick said: “There are an estimated 29,000 young carers in Scotland making an invaluable contribution to society. However, many of them don’t get the same opportunities as their peers, due to having more responsibility and less free time.

“Many of those young people may be under even greater strain than usual, and not had a chance to take a break from caring due to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“That’s why we are providing this funding to support as many young carers as possible to access opportunities such as e-vouchers, subscription packages and short breaks that can help improve their quality of life during this time.

“This is in addition to our Young Carer Grant of £305 per year. Anyone aged between 16 and 18 years old who spends more than 16 hours per week caring for a person in receipt of certain disability benefits can apply – and I would encourage them to do so.

“And young carers can access these new opportunities via the Young Scot website and their local carers centre.”

A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 (or 18 and still at school) who provides or intends to provide care for someone else. 

The Young Scot package is available to all young carers aged 11-18 and can be applied for via the Young Scot website.

The Time to Live small grants are available to young carers of any age through their local delivery partner – usually a local carers centre. Carers can find out where their nearest delivery partner is via the Shared Care Scotland website.

Eligible young carers can apply for the Young Carer Grant via the Social Security Scotland website.

 

 

Millions have to use annual leave for caring duties

  • 4.4 million people have to use annual leave for caring duties – Phoenix calls on Government to accelerate legislation to provide greater support for employed carers
  • 3 in 5 working carers (60%) in the UK had to take annual leave to carry out caring duties in the last year, taking on average 6 days from their annual leave allowance
  • 2.5 million[ii] employed carers say their employer does not support carers’ needs for additional leave
  • 3 in 10 UK workers (30%) may have to give up their existing job due to unsupportive employers
  • 7 in 10 people (71%) support a statutory carer’s leave
  • Phoenix CEO and Government’s Business Champion for Older Workers, Andy Briggs, calls for current Government proposals for a statutory right to 5 days unpaid Carer’s Leave to have accelerated implementation, and for employers that can, to offer these days as paid.

In the last year, 4.4 million employed carers took annual leave specifically to care for someone else, taking on average 6 days out of their annual leave allowance, research from Phoenix Group today reveals.

While the UK Government is currently consulting on the introduction of working carer’s statutory rights which notably includes five days unpaid leave, Phoenix Group, a leading savings and retirement business, is calling for the new legislation to be brought forward and for employers who can, to offer the five days leave as paid without delay.

Andy Briggs, Chief Executive Phoenix Group and Government Business Champion for Older Workers, explains; “Employed carers should not have to decide between continuing to work and caring for loved ones. 

“Just like working parents, working carers face ongoing challenges as a result of their commitments and need specific support. As we recognise the important role of all carers this national Carers Week and the additional pressure many face due to the pandemic, we call on the Government to accelerate legislation on statutory leave for those carers who want to continue to work, while caring for someone who depends on them.”

Worryingly, when asked, three in ten UK workers (30%) believe they might be forced to give up their existing job due to an unsupportive and inflexible employer if they needed to help care for a dependent or relative, which is heightened among working carers with almost two thirds (63%) agreeing.

As today marks the start of Carers Week, an entire week dedicated to raising awareness of caring, it is poignant that only one in five (19%) UK workers say their employer currently supports carers’ needs for additional annual leave.

Just over half the UK workforce (52%) admit they would really struggle to afford to give up work and care for a loved one, but without greater flexibility and support in the workplace, it’s clear that many feel they may be forced down this route, giving up their financial security in order to care for a loved one. Just over a quarter (27%) would need to go part-time or reduce their hours.

The research also shows that people in the UK are advocates for employed carer’s rights, with the majority (76%) stating that businesses should support those who have carer responsibilities. Seven in ten people (71%) approve of statutory carer’s leave, which would be unpaid in line with statutory parental leave, while over two in five of us (43%) support statutory paid carer’s leave.

COVID has shone a spotlight on the importance of carers, yet over half of UK workers (57%) believe that their company is no more or less likely to support employees who need to manage caring responsibilities in the future.

A recent report from Carers UK shows that almost a fifth (17%) of working carers reported either having lost or given up their job or being unable to work because of the social distancing rules.

Carers UK estimates that paid carers leave of at least five days a year could save the UK economy around £3.5bn a year.

Briggs, who is calling for all businesses that can to offer at least five days paid carers leave, said: “Rights for employed carers have long needed to be formalised.

“COVID has served to heighten awareness of the support required as many are struggling to balance work commitments with caring responsibilities. We know from our research that time is sacred to carers, with 59% saying they consider more flexible working hours a fair employee benefit.

“The proposed statutory changes will provide a healthier work-life balance for unpaid carers and employers will be able to retain valuable members of their workforce.

 “We are calling on all employers that are able, to offer a minimum of five days paid carers leave, to relieve some of the pressures employed carers face, enable them to continue in current employment and ensure annual leave remains sacrosanct.”

Anne Willmot, Age at Work Director at Business in the Community, adds: “This research from Business in the Community member Phoenix Group makes both a compelling case that the introduction of Carers Leave for working carers is both urgently needed and has widespread support.

“Our own research shows that while 90% of Line Managers feel confident in responding to the needs of carers, employees report that line managers often lack awareness of what is possible and how to implement policies.

“The quality of support from line managers often relies on their personal experience of caring responsibilities.  We strongly encourage employers to offer paid carers leave and this will particularly help those on lower incomes to continue to balance their work and their caring responsibilities.”

Madeleine Starr MBE, Director of Business Development and Innovation at Carers UK, said: “This pandemic has shone a light on the huge number of people trying to juggle their work with caring responsibilities – for some, a new caring role they have taken on since the start of the pandemic.

“As carers begin returning to work, it has never been so important that Government and UK employers recognise the challenges they face juggling work and care. For some it becomes too much – every day, 600 people give up work to care. Many more reduce their working hours or turn down a promotion because of their caring role, which has a significant impact on their finances and wellbeing.

“It is crucial that employees with caring responsibilities get dedicated support and we have long campaigned to get them a right to at least 5 days of care leave, ideally paid. This would support the economy: helping to keep more people in work, and ensure carers’ health and wellbeing is also looked after.”

Carers Week runs from 8th – 14th June 2020.

392,000 become unpaid carers in Scotland in a matter of weeks

  • Nearly 400,000 additional people in Scotland caring for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives or friends since the Covid-19 pandemic
  • Unpaid carers and those not caring just as worried about stress and responsibility of providing unpaid care
  • Scottish public demands better deal for unpaid carers
  • Carers Week charities call on Government to recognise unpaid carers’ efforts and rebuild country’s care and support services. 

New figures released for Carers Week (8th – 14th June 2020) show an estimated 392,000 people in Scotland have become unpaid carers a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This is on top of the 729,000 unpaid carers in Scotland who were already caring before the outbreak, bringing the total to 1.1 million.

Approximately 239,000 women (61%) and 153,000 men (39%) have started caring for relatives who are older, disabled or living with a physical or mental illness.

Typically, they will have been supporting loved ones from afar, helping with food shopping, collecting medicine, managing finances and providing reassurance and emotional support during the pandemic.

Some will have taken on intense caring roles, helping with tasks such as personal care, moving around the home, administering medication and preparing meals.

Over 227,000 (58%) Scots who have started caring since the outbreak are also juggling paid work alongside their caring responsibilities, highlighting the need for working carers to be supported as they return to offices and work sites.

The six charities supporting Carers Week – Carers Scotland, Age UK, Carers Trust Scotland, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Oxfam GB and Rethink Mental Illness – are calling on the Government to recognise and raise awareness of the role unpaid carers are playing during the pandemic and ensure they are supported through it, and beyond.

Both unpaid carers (74%) and adults without caring responsibilities (76%) said managing the stress and responsibility of being an unpaid carer was/ would be the top challenge when caring. Scotland’s families are under a huge amount of pressure managing their caring roles and are worried about how they will cope in the weeks and months ahead. 

Simon Hodgson, Director of Carers Scotland, said: “Recognising the contribution of unpaid carers to our society and properly supporting them has never been more important than during this pandemic.

“Unpaid carers should not be taken for granted by the Scottish and UK Governments in this crisis. They must ensure that carers physical and mental health is looked after as well as introducing measures to protect financial wellbeing, career and education.

“It is imperative that, moving out of the pandemic, the Scottish Government ensures that care services are reinstated as quickly as is safely possible to reduce the pressure that so many carers are experiencing.

“They must also work with carers to rebuild and renew our care system so that carers are supported and families have improved and better access to the services and support they need to live better lives.”

Polling of the general public shows unpaid carers have become more visible within society since the pandemic began. There is a majority consensus in Scotland for unpaid carers to receive more support from the Government than they do currently.

  • Nearly half (43%) of the Scottish public who have never cared said they are more aware of unpaid carers than before the outbreak.
  • More than two thirds of the Scottish public (72%) do not think that unpaid carers have been supported by the Government during the crisis.
  • Nearly 4 in 5 (79%) of the Scottish thought the Government should increase support for unpaid carers: such as better financial support as well as investment in care and support services so that carers can take a break.

The six Carers Week charities are calling on Government to urgently deliver a plan for social care reform and set out long term investment in care and support services. This would give unpaid carers the opportunity to take breaks from their caring role, and stay in paid work if they want to.

The headline supporter of Carers Week 2020 is British Gas, who will be hosting a virtual Care for a Cuppa session with its employees with caring responsibilities, and Nutricia also supporting.

Scotland ‘risks a forgotten generation’

  • Report shows children in care treated like second class citizens
  • Calls on importance of independent advocacy to be respected
  • Offers immediate solutions to halt rights infringements

The charity Who Cares? Scotland has published first of their kind statistics, revealing that young people in care across Scotland are continually having to fight for basic rights every single day. These have today been published in a report entitled, “We Don’t Have to Wait.” Continue reading Scotland ‘risks a forgotten generation’