Last week a new service for unpaid and family carers was launched.
Shropshire Council’s new Carers Support service will offer support to carers. Crossroads Together, Carer Advice team 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.
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