Every week more local unpaid Carers (Family or friends of someone who cannot manage without their support) are joining Torbay Carers to access the support they need.
There are more than 15,000 unpaid Carers in Torbay, that’s 1 in 9 of the local population, with numbers higher in the Bay than most of the country.
Unpaid Carers support relatives or friends who could not manage without them. They might offer help with medication, washing, shopping or meals, or just making sure that they are alright.
Pat Goss, from Torbay’s Carers Register Management Group, asks “Does someone rely on you? Are you an unpaid Carer? Do you know someone, a friend, relative or neighbour, who is looking after someone (unpaid)?
“You may not see yourself as a Carer or know about the support available to you.
“Over the past twelve months another 878 Carers have come forward to make contact with Torbay Carers, joining the 5,200 already known. However, we know that there are many thousands of Carers across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham who may not be aware of the help and support available”.
“The way to get help is to identify yourself as a Carer to a health or social care professional, such as a nurse, a community care worker, a GP, a receptionist or someone else. You can also see your Carers Support Worker at your Doctors’ surgery, drop in to the Carers Centre in Paignton Library or contact Signposts for Carers on (01803) 66 66 20.
“Carers in Torbay can get help from lots of services.
“Torbay Carers is a free NHS service which can help you access additional support.
“There are free education courses, a quarterly Carers newsletter, ‘Signposts’ Information Service, free hospital parking and discounts in local shops.”
All Carers are entitled to a Carers Health and Wellbeing Check to see what support is best for them.
“You may like to speak to someone about your financial situation and explore what financial support is out there, whether it is to do with work or benefits for you or the person you care for, or planning ahead (for example thinking about setting up Power of Attorney)”.
“You may sometimes ask yourself what would happen if you weren’t there to provide care. The Carers Passport / Emergency Card can help to alert the appropriate people that you have identified as a back-up if anything was to happen to you. “So, if you, or anyone you know, would like support in your caring role, contact Torbay Carers by calling (01803) 66 66 20, emailing signposts@nhs.net or visiting https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk/services/carers-service/
