Caring for Carers in Cumbria

At 3.15 p.m. on Monday 9 June at the Crown Hotel, Wetheral, Carlisle, County Councillor John Mallinson launches the multi-agency Cumbria Carers Strategy. The strategy has been developed in consultation with local carers and carers associations. Cumbria Social Services and local Primary Care Trusts. It aims to improve services for carers and enhance carers' support.

The event has been organised by the county's five carers associations and coincides with the beginning of National Carers Week, raising awareness of carers, the invaluable role they play in society and the need to support them in their caring role. County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social Services says,

"I am pleased to be invited to launch the carer's strategy for Cumbria. The Carers Strategy aims to support those in the community who look after others. Carers enhance people's independence and contribute significantly to the care economy. Ring fencing money to support carers is very important, enabling the purchase of breaks for carers who provide substantial and regular care to both adults and disabled children. Ring fencing carer support helps all carers including young carers under the age of 18. I would like to thank everyone involved in Cumbria Carer's Strategy Group for their work in developing a comprehensive carers strategy for Cumbria."

Marilyn Curtis is Director of Furness Carers Association. Speaking on behalf of Carers associations across the county, she says,

"Carer's from all over the county are meeting with other invited guests to celebrate the launch of the Carer's Strategy and to share their experiences of being a carer. Carers do such an incredible job for those they care for and the wider community ensuring support of vulnerable adults and children. . Networks are being set up across the county to make sure that the targets set out in the strategy are met and are implemented in a way that meets local needs. " 

The strategy is based upon four key goals

• To improve carers access to appropriate and up to date information at the times and places it will be most helpful to them.
• To raise awareness of carers' right to an assessment of their own needs, and to increase uptake of carers' assessments.
• To ensure there is support for carers to help them in their caring role.
• Opportunities for cares to have a say in how services are developed and run.     

The carers' strategy is part of a wider initiative called the Prevention strategy, aiming to promote greater independence and support people in their own homes.