New carers support service launches

Shropshire Council’s new Carers Support Team will offer support to thousands of unpaid carers across the county 

A new service for unpaid and family carers will launch this Monday 1 February 2021.

The Carer Adviser team, currently employed by Crossroads Together, will be moving into Shropshire Council’s new Carers Support Team and will continue to provide advice and support to adult unpaid and family carers across the county.

The free to access service will offer a wide range of resources designed to improve unpaid carers’ quality of life. These will include:

• Specialist information, advice and signposting
• 1:1 support
• Developing peer support groups
• Virtual groups
• Carers Register and identification card
• Future and emergency planning
• Supporting and promoting carers events. 

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, and Chair of the Shropshire Carers Partnership Board, said:-

“Supporting residents in Shropshire who find themselves in the role of unpaid carer is very important for the council, Our Shropshire Carers Support Team is looking forward to progressing the carer support work previously provided by Crossroads Together.

“We’d like to extend our thanks to Crossroads Together for providing a Carers Support Service on our behalf during the last five years and for the support they have provided to unpaid and family carers in Shropshire.

“This is a great opportunity for us to provide an integrated approach to helping adult carers of adults with care needs and ensure they get the right support at the right time.

“We know that lockdown has been particularly challenging and isolating for many informal carers.

“Therefore it is important for us to reassure informal carers that there will be no disruption in the service. Our new Carer Support Team will be on hand to provide advice and support and provide a listening ear when carers are feeling overwhelmed or finding it hard to cope.”

The 2011 Census showed there were around 34,000 known carers in Shropshire. This number did not account for people who do not identify as carers – ‘hidden’ carers, and young carers from 5 up to 18 years of age.

The new service will bring real support to informal carers’ across Shropshire and strengthen the council’s priority for people to stay healthier, happier, independent and active.

Crossroads Together and Shropshire Council are working closely together to ensure a smooth handover, to make sure the support currently being provided to carers moves from one organisation to the other without interruption. The Carer Advisers will continue to work with carers they are currently supporting. Crossroads Together will continue to provide the Carers Pen Pal scheme in Shropshire. 

Unpaid and family carers and professionals looking for information, advice or support can contact the Shropshire Carers Support Team on 01743 341995 or by email shropshire.carers@shropshire.gov.uk

Further information 

Our All Age Carers Strategy highlighted the importance of recognising the value of carers and supporting them to get the help and assistance they need to remain healthy and independent, so they can continue to be effective in their caring role.               

 Facts and statistics 

• The 2011 census shows us that there are around 34,000 known carers in Shropshire. This number does not account for people who do not identify as carers – ‘hidden’ carers, and young carers from 5 up to 18 years of age.
• Shropshire’s population is ageing. In 2001, the 65 years and older population represented 18.1% of the total Shropshire population. This has now risen to 20.7% in 2011, compared to 16.4% for England and Wales. This is likely to impact on increased need for care and thus carers.