North Yorkshire Council is asking people across the county to help shape a new strategy aimed at improving support for unpaid carers.
The council is proposing a new all-age carers’ strategy that would provide a clear countywide plan to help unpaid carers of all ages feel recognised, valued and supported. The draft strategy has been developed following conversations with carers about their experiences and the challenges they face, and sets out an ambition to ensure people who look after family and friends in North Yorkshire feel valued and listened to.
Councillor Michael Harrison, the council’s executive member for health and adult services, said: “We aim to ensure that North Yorkshire is a county where carers of all ages and backgrounds are recognised, heard and supported to live well.”
He added: “Whether you are currently caring for someone, have cared in the past, work with carers or simply want to help shape support in North Yorkshire, we want to hear from you.
“Your feedback will help us develop a strategy that reflects the realities of caring and ensures the right support is available for those who dedicate so much of their time to helping others.”
Vital care and support
There are an estimated 54,000 unpaid carers in North Yorkshire, ranging from young people to those in their 90s. Many provide vital care and support for family members, friends and neighbours, helping them to live independently in their own homes and communities. However, caring responsibilities can have a significant impact on people’s health, wellbeing, finances and opportunities, and many people do not recognise themselves as carers, meaning they can miss out on support available to them.
The draft “caring for all” strategy sets out clear priorities that will shape the support carers of all ages receive. If adopted, it would replace the existing Caring for Carers plan, and focus on four key priorities: collaborative and accessible support for carers; helping carers stay healthy and well; improving identification of carers and recognition of their roles; and evidence-based, personalised support tailored to the needs of carers.
People in North Yorkshire are being asked to share their views from Monday 3 August until Sunday 27 September.
Heidi Watson, chief executive officer of Carers’ Resource, said: “Carers’ Resource has worked closely with North Yorkshire Council and other partners to prepare this draft strategy using the experience and knowledge gained by supporting unpaid carers in Harrogate, Craven and Selby for 30 years.”
She added: “We hope we have captured everything which you wanted us to, but as unpaid carers, you are the experts and this is your chance to make sure we include what is important to you if we haven’t already, so we do hope you will take part in this consultation.”
The survey is available on the council’s All-age Carers’ Strategy consultation page.
