Westminster Urges Carers To Find Support

Westminster Council is calling on carers across the country to get help from a network of support. Over 12,500 people in Westminster care for a loved one with a disability with 88% of those not benefiting from the support and assistance on offer from a ‘family’ of carers.

This figure is expected to be much greater as many carers are ‘hidden’ in the community. It comes during Carers Week and as the nation and the Council reflect on those caring in our community, which in Westminster makes up 7% of the population.

Across the city children as young as eight and mothers as old as 83 are caring for a child, parent, friend or other relative who have a physical or mental disability.

Some carers don’t realise they are ‘carers’ and are entitled to support from council-funded community groups and the state. Others are reluctant to come forward due to fears that social service departments will intervene and others are unable to register due to language barriers within ethnic groups, with 145 different languages spoken within Westminster.

Cllr Ian Adams, Westminster Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services said: “If Westminster is a mirror image of carers across the country then there are millions throughout the UK feeling burdoned and isolated when there is help out there.

“Three-hundred and sixty-five days a year thousands of young people and adults are caring for a partner, relative or friend. Thousands more care for their loved one without making the most of the support services on offer. We want these carers to come forward and become part of a wider family of carers that offer guidance and much needed respite.

“During National Carers Week we should take this opportunity to recognise the challenges of caring for a loved one and look for new ways to offer more help and support where needed.”

Carers can feel isolated and struggle to make ends meet as they balance the pressures of work, school, caring, money and their personal life.

New figures from the Carers National Association also highlights the need for sufficient support for carers in the community after 63% of those surveyed felt a loss of identity as a direct result of their caring role.

Three-quarters of carers had not had a regular break from their caring activities in the past 12 months, including 38% who had not enjoyed a single day off.

Westminster Council funds the Westminster Carers Network and Westminster Young Carers which provides those who have registered with support and advice from other carers across the city and a team of volunteers.

They are also able to provide carers with much-needed respite as they provide school children who care with temporary tutors or volunteer carers so they are able to complete their homework.

Rosalind Waddon, 65 looked after her mother, and her son is also in residential care as he suffers from severe learning disabilities. Rosalind cares for him at weekends and holidays. The experience has prompted her to raising the profile of caring and providing others with support.

She said: “There is so much more help out there than there used to be and it’s a shame that many do not make the most of it, and it’s even sadder that many choose to suffer in silence. Caring can be extremely isolating and support is crucial.”