Strengthening support for informal caregivers

Support for unpaid carers in Dudley borough has been boosted after Dudley Council confirmed a new partnership with Forward Carers.

The council has commissioned the social enterprise to provide care services over the next three years to complement the services the council already provides, including the care hubs.

In the new system, Forward Carers offers personal, individual preventive support, tailored to the needs of adult and young carers.

A range of workshops and training sessions are offered on essential topics such as legal rights and stress management, as well as community support groups where you can share experiences, gain peer support and build strong networks.

Forward Carers will also be working with Action for Children to develop and deliver a service for young carers. This service will include direct support groups, educational workshops and recreational activities designed to promote the growth, resilience and wellbeing of young carers.

Councillor Andrea Goddard, responsible for adult social care, said:

The well-being of caregivers and the people they care for is equally important.

There are an estimated 32,000 unpaid carers in our community who work tirelessly to care for their loved ones or friends. We need to ensure they get the advice and support they need.

We look forward to working with Forward Carers to expand the range of support available and complement existing services in the Dudley district.

Simon Fenton, CEO of Forward Carers, said:

Our commitment to supporting carers is stronger than ever and with these new services we aim to have a significant positive impact on the lives of carers in Dudley.

We are particularly excited about our partnership with Action for Children, which will increase our support for young carers. We look forward to working closely with Dudley Council and all our stakeholders to ensure the success of these programmes.

For more information about support for carers visit www.dudley.gov.uk/carers