Unpaid carers across the Island are being asked for their views to shape an Isle of Wight Carers Strategy.
The Isle of Wight Council, Isle of Wight NHS Trust and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group are developing a strategy for carers on the Isle of Wight, in collaboration with Carers IW, Age UK Isle of Wight, People Matter IW and Healthwatch Isle of Wight.
Following the results of a survey aimed at carers, a range of both in-person and online focus groups have been organised to give both professionals and carers an opportunity to share their views, address concerns and improve services for the future.
The Focus Groups are being held on the following days:
Thursday 10th March – 14:00-16:00 at Carers Centre, Riverside Centre, Newport
Wednesday 16th March – 11:00-13:00 at Carers Centre, Riverside Centre, Newport
Monday 21st March – 11:00-13:00 at Carers Centre, Riverside Centre, Newport
Friday 25th March – 10:00-12:00 at Carers Centre at Mental Health carers group
To book your place or attend online, contact Carers IW on 01983 533173 or email [email protected].
Councillor Karl Love, Cabinet lead for Adult Social Care and Public Health said:
“Our Island unpaid and volunteer carers are a hidden community and often work unseen providing vital care to loved ones. The work in isolation and we want to do more to support them and listen to their voice. Unpaid carers can have poorer health compared to those without caring responsibilities, due to the stresses in their caring role. It is important that carers can access information and advice on balancing their caring role with their home life, finance, employment or education”.
Article continues below this advertisement “Carers IW, Healthwatch Isle of Wight and Age UK are running a series of focus groups to hear and gather together carers stories and experiences, which in turn will inform the Isle of Wight Carers Strategy.
“I want to encourage carers and caring professionals to take part in these focus groups, some of which, I hope to attend. I also want to thank our unpaid carers, an army of magnitude, for your commitment but most of all for showing your care to others and sometimes in very difficult circumstances. I look forward to hearing about your lives and stories and we want to try hard to make a real difference to your life”
There will be an Isle of Wight Council commissioning officer and representation from the voluntary sector, working together on the Carers Strategy at all sessions.
I have been caring for my elderly parents for over 10 years. My father has passed so just my mother to look after now. Last year I was diagnosed with cancer. If my mother went into a care home it would cost the council over £1,000 a week as we have no savings, yet I am expected to survive on £65 a week carer’s allowance. How is that right? Voluntary carers like myself are simply taken for granted, I get no help whatsoever from anyone and just have death to look forward to.
Bless you, please don’t feel bad.You and plenty more are the nations hero’s, I know someone who’s been a full time carer for many years. It’s a relentless 24/ 7 task. No matter if the carer is feeling tired or ill, they have to just get on with it.xx
Thank you for your kind words. I will carry on as long as I am able or until despondency gets the better of me. X