The theme for Carers Week today is younger carers. A young carer is someone under the age of 18 (they may be as young as five) who looks after a family member or a friend who has a physical or mental health condition or a drugs or alcohol problem. They do practical things like cooking, cleaning, shopping and going to doctors or to hospital appointments. They also give emotional support to the person they are caring for.  Older young carers, aged 18-25, are also known as young adult carers who may juggle education and, or work as well as caring responsibilities.

A recent Carers Trust survey of young carers and young adult carers included these quotes from young carers: is always or usually hitting them and their family.

“I’d love to have kid problems. Instead, I’m saving up to try and pay our rent and to see if I can squeeze in some food at the end of it.”  

“I wouldn’t say that my caring role impacts my life; I would say that it is my life.”

“We save the government lots of money by doing the work of caring, but we don’t get the help or support we need. I just want to enjoy my childhood as well as being a young carer.”

“Caring never stops. Especially when it’s time to sleep, your brain constantly worries about how tomorrow will be, hospital appointments, money etc. It’s in overdrive.”

“It’s hard to quantify. Caring isn’t just the time I’m physically spending with the people I care for; it’s also the free time I spend worrying.”

According to The Carers Trust, being a young adult carer can affect a young person’s health, social life and self-confidence – over 45% reported a mental health problem. Many struggle to manage their education, working life and caring role which can cause pressure and stress. And 29% had dropped out of college/university because of their caring role. This is four times greater than the national average for degree courses.

It is clear from the information above, that being a young carer has a huge impact and can understandable, affect their concentration, performance and progression in education.

What support is available in Dorset?

Anyone who identifies as a young carer living in the Dorset Council area can register as a carer. This means they can access support from Carer Support Dorset and MYTIME. Carer Support Dorset has a team dedicated to helping young carers, you can register yourself as a young carer or make a referral here or call them on 0800 368 8349 or email admin@carersupportdorset.co.uk

MYTIME, is a Dorset based charity that supports registered and unregistered young carers, MYTIME can offer:

• opportunities to take part in positive activities and a break from caring during school holidays with other young carers
• access to weekly virtual youth groups
• Employability Programme providing support with access to further education and work

Contact Young Carers Service

Email: earlyhelphub@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 224379

What support is available in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?

Anyone who identifies as a young carer living in the BCP Council area can receive the following support:

BCP Council works with children and young people (aged 5 to 18) who are identified as Young Carers to achieve the following outcomes:

• Young Carers are assessed to help them get the support they need when they need it
• children and young people who are young carers have support to develop their aspirations, resilience and self-esteem
• children and young people who are young carers get peer support through age-appropriate developmental opportunities
• the needs of young carers and their families are listened to and heard and families are supported to develop their family/friends/community networks to meet those needs and to access other services where required
• children and young people who are young carers reach their full potential and achieve a positive transition to adulthood regardless of family circumstances

Further information is available from the BCP Council’s website here.

Contact

External requests for Young Carers support and assessment should be made via the Children’s Services First Response Hub on 01202 123334 or childrensfirstresponse@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Requests can be made by young people, families or professionals.

BCP Council Officer requests for Young Carer support and assessment (i.e. from Social Workers or Early Help Workers) are to be sent to the BCP Council Young Carers email youngcarers@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

There is also Sibs Youth Club which is open to sibling carers aged 5 and a half to 17. Children and young people need to register with Sibs before they can attend.

Below is a list of charities who support Young Carers across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region:

MyTime Charity – support Young Carers aged 5 to 18 years including residential opportunities and workshops.

The Honeypot Children’s Charity – support Young Carers aged 5 to 12 years through respite breaks and outreach opportunities.

The Leonardo Trust – help young and adult carers. They offer counselling support to Young Carers and also provide support for Young Carer’s hobbies and interests.

SoundStorm provide support for Young Carers with an interest in music. Young Carers can hire musical instruments. Funding may also be available for musical instruments and music lessons.

An incredible 19 million people in the UK have provided unpaid care – but haven’t identified as a carer

A recent report Carers UK – ‘I Care,: Carers Week Report on Unpaid Carer Identification‘ has shown that most Carers simply see themselves as a parent, partner or friend.

• 29% of people who did identify or call themselves a carer took up to 1 year to do so, with another 29% taking over a year. This suggests it may take people some time to understand what support they may be entitled to
  
• The most common way in which people realised they were a carer was through the help of a family member or friend (29%). 22% said that a healthcare professional identified them as a carer. 11% said that a carer organisation or charity identified them as a carer.

Recognising yourself as a Carer (even if you don’t like this label) is the first step to seeking support. Do you carry out any of the following activities for someone who relies on you because of illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction:

• Pick up food/ shopping/ medication for someone
• Make regular check-in calls
• Support someone with physical or practical needs
• Help with their housework or chores
• Take someone to / or make appointments
• Support someone with their bills or correspondence
• Keep someone company or watch over them
• Provide emotional support.

If you do any of the above, it’s important to find your local Carer Support Service so that you can access all of the necessary support. If you live in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, register with CRISP here or call 01202 128787. If you are caring for someone living in Dorset Council area, register with Carer Support Dorset here or call 0800 368 8349.

Carer Identification
Dorset Council and BCP Council want to make life better for unpaid Carers and have funded the Carer Friendly ID card, so that carers can receive a FREE card to support them in their caring role. Our verified Carer Friendly ID Card, visibly shows that you are a carer when you are out and about so that confidential paperwork does not need to be carried around with you. It also saves having to explain that you are a carer and potentially making the person that you care for feel uncomfortable.

In Case of an Emergency
Our card is printed with your ICE (in case of emergency details) on the back so in the event of something preventing you from carrying out your caring role, the person who steps in will know exactly what to do. That’s peace of mind for you and the person you care for. 

Access to Discounts
Your card can also be used to gain access to benefits or discounts both online and in person. You can use your card to save money on days out, eating out, pampering sessions, shopping, home improvements hobbies and activities, plus lots more. Further information is available here.

How do I get a Carer Friendly ID Card?
The official Carer Friendly ID Card is provided by Forward Carers and is available for FREE to unpaid Carers who newly register with either CRISP (BCP Council residents) or Carer Support Dorset, (for Dorset Council residents). The card is also available for existing registered Carers who need to renew an expired card. Your old card (if in date) is still valid and can still be used.

It is important that Carers are recognised and supported in health settings such as GP surgeries and hospitals.  

How can my GP help me with my caring responsibilities?  

To get the support you need in your caring role, a great place to start is by informing your GP that you care for somebody. Once you inform your GP that you are a Carer, they can record this on your medical records. Many GP surgeries have a form on their website to help you register as a Carer, however not all do. Carers UK has developed some useful templates to help you register as a Carer with your GP which you can find here. 

If your GP knows that you are a Carer, they should be able to offer you more support, information and advice. 

Once you inform your GP practice that you are a Carer, please feel free to ask them what support/services are available to you. This may include:  

• Understanding some of your health needs and the potential impact your caring role has on your health. 
• Find out if your GP practice facilitate a Carer Support Group within the practice. 
• Arrange repeat prescriptions to be delivered to your local pharmacy or home address to save you from picking them up. 
• Being recognised as a ‘partner in care’ and having your expertise valued.  *Consent may be required for health professionals to share information with you about the person you care for. 
• Arrange double appointments for both you and the person you care for at the same time to avoid visiting the surgery twice. 
• Provide information on medical conditions/treatments for the person you care for to help you feel more confident in your caring role. 
• Inform you of services provided by the NHS such as continence services and patient transport to hospital appointments/ Carer coordinator service. 
• Arrange home visits to you or the person you care for if your caring responsibilities make it difficult to attend appointments at the surgery. 
• Provide supporting letters and information to enable you and the person you care for to access benefits such as Attendance Allowance or a blue badge scheme. 

Your health is Important 

Life can be very busy juggling daily tasks, especially if you have caring responsibilities, but it’s important not to neglect your own health needs. Attending appointments, check-ups and screenings is important for yourself as well as your loved ones. It can be easy to forget about your own health, even if you are feeling unwell, however seeing your GP can help prevent any further health issues and support you in recovering much quicker.  

If it has been a while since you have visited your GP, give them a call and arrange a health check. This could include checking your blood pressure, weight or having a conversation about you and your health.  

Free Flu Jabs  

The seasonal flu vaccine is free for Carers or anybody receiving Carers Allowance and is the best way to protect yourself and the person you care for from the flu.  

The thought of becoming unwell can be a huge burden if you have caring responsibilities, therefore receiving your flu jab can put your mind at ease.  

Talk to your GP to find out more or visit the NHS website.  

GP Practices running Carer Support Groups

Some GP practices offer support groups just for Carers, ask your surgery what they offer for Carers, if they don’t have something in place, this may be just the prompt that they need.

Support from hospitals

If the person that you provide care for is admitted to hospital, you could take this opportunity for some respite or you may feel like you would like to be more involved. You know the person that you care for best, their likes and dislikes, their communication needs and so on, so you may want to continue supporting with their care during their stay in hospital.

Dorset hospitals (Dorset County Hospital, Dorset HealthCare University, University Hospitals Dorset want to welcome, involve and support you, you can ask the carers’ leads below about the Carer Passport.

Carers Week is an annual campaign that raises awareness and recognition for the vital role of unpaid carers across the United Kingdom. This year Carers Week is running from Monday 5th – Sunday 11th June and aims to highlight the challenges faced by carers and promote support services available to them. 

The Carer Friendly ID Card and Discount Scheme is an initiative designed to provide recognition and support to unpaid carers and does so by offering the following; 

1. Identification: The Carer Friendly ID Card serves as official identification for carers. It helps carers assert their status and access the support they need. Carrying this card can make it easier to prove their caring responsibilities, especially when interacting with various service providers. 

2. Recognition: The ID card and discount scheme provide recognition for the valuable work carers do. It acknowledges their contributions and helps raise awareness about the challenges they face on a daily basis. This recognition can contribute to reducing the stigma and isolation often experienced by carers. 

3. Access to discounts: The discount scheme associated with the ID card provides carers with exclusive discounts and offers from participating businesses and organizations. These discounts can be in various areas, such as retail, leisure activities, travel, or health and well-being services. By offering these discounts, local businesses and service providers demonstrate their support and appreciation for carers. 

4. Affordability: Caring for someone can place financial strain on carers, as they often have additional expenses related to their caring responsibilities. The discount scheme can help alleviate some of this burden by providing cost savings on everyday purchases or leisure activities. This can make a significant difference in improving carers’ quality of life. 

5. Networking and support: The Carer Friendly ID Card may also provide opportunities for carers to connect with each other, facilitating the creation of support networks. It can be a platform for sharing experiences, information, and advice. Connecting with fellow carers can help combat isolation and provide emotional support, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. 

It’s important to note that specific benefits and participating businesses in the Carer Friendly ID Card and Discount Scheme may vary depending on the region. For detailed information about the scheme’s availability, benefits, and participating organisations in Dorset, please visit dorsetcarerscard.org.uk. 

Come and meet the Carer Friendly ID Card team during the week where will be attending the following events; 

Date	Time	Location	Further Information
Wednesday 7 June	11:00 – 15:00	Dorset Museum Victorian Hall	https://ourdorset.org.uk/event/caring-for-carers-info-event-mid-dorset/
Thursday 8 June	10:00 – 14:00	The Vitality Stadium	B2bexpos.co.uk/tickets
Friday 9 June	12:00 – 15:00	The Labour Club in Hamworthy	https://ourdorset.org.uk/event/the-adam-practice-carers-information-event/

For more information on other activities and events taking this please click here.  

Why is Fiona Supporting Carers?
“Hi, I am Fiona, a hairdresser working in Bournemouth. I joined the Carer Friendly ID Carers Card project to contribute in my small way to treating Carers with a discount and some quality time to relax and enjoy having their hair done.

My husband is a paid care worker, and I know how hard he works. I can only imagine how tough it can be for some people who do it daily for a loved one. On the other side of the coin, I had cancer as a young woman in my twenties. I needed all the support I could get and will appreciate those who cared for me for the rest of my life.”

Contact Details
Address: 696 Christchurch Road, Boscombe BH7 6BY (within Sandra’s Salon)
Call: 07792 714643
Email: bodhiroots.fiona@gmail.com

What Other Offers Are There?
There are other discounts available in the Dorset area so that you can have your hair and nails done, keep fit, have a massage and other self-care offers. You can also save money on days out, eating out, shopping, home improvements hobbies and activities, plus lots more.

Where Can I See These Offers?
Click here and then type in the area where you live, search in a designated mile radius and then select the discount category, for example, hair and beauty but also search under self-care, or wellbeing and complementary therapy. Further information about the discounts and offers available to Carers in Dorset is available here.

You may see our Carer Friendly Stickers in shop windows or posters, so that is another way of knowing if somewhere provides some kind of support or discount to Carers.

How can I get these discounts?
To access these discounts, you will need to show your Carer Friendly ID Card which has been funded by Dorset Council and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council. If you have an old Dorset Carers Card or CRISP Carers Card, these are still valid, as long as they have not passed their expiry date. If they have expired, you will receive information on how to request your new Carer Friendly ID Card.

If you provide unpaid care to someone and you live in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole, register with CRISP here or call 01202 128787. If you are caring for someone living in Dorset Council area, register with Carer Support Dorset here or call 0800 368 8349. The relevant Carers support service will then contact you and provide you with details of how to access your Carer Friendly ID Card.

Can I recommend a Business or Service?
Yes, you can. We are really keen to expand our offers and discounts to Carers in Dorset and would love to get more businesses on board. If you regularly go somewhere or use a particular product or service and you would like to save some money, either tell that business about our Carer Friendly ID Card or email Rachel.Close@forwardcarers.org.uk and she will contact them on your behalf. Businesses can find out about the advantages of supporting Carers, such as free advertising here and submit their offer here.

Forward Carers has 8 years’ experience of using different approaches to engage and co-design services with Carers, that reflect the diversity of Birmingham Carers.   

Carers Voice is an initiative created by Forward Carers to provide a platform for Carers across the UK to share their voice locally and nationally and have it heard by health professionals, social care and other services. Many Carers often feel unheard and under pressure, therefore we believe that Carers should have more say and equal input around the services that affect them.   

Could I be a part of Carers Voice?  

• Do you have lived experience of caring for somebody with a diagnosis including but not limited to; Dementia, Autism ADHD, Mental Health, Parent-Carers and Young Adults? 
• Are you a Carer of working age? 
• Do you have personal lived experience of caring? 
• Do you recognise the value of Carers being involved in services?  
• Do you want to help shape services and support available to Carers? 
• Do you want to be a part of positive change for Carers? 

If you answered yes to one of the above, then we would love to have you on board! 

Visit the Carers Voice webpage to find out more.

If you are a professional or from an organisation and would like to hear from Carers, please click here.

Peter and Julie England have worked tirelessly across Dorset for over 10 years on behalf of unpaid Carers. They have delivered the Carers Card in Dorset and achieved the best value for unpaid Carers so that they are acknowledged and valued by their community.

The time has come when Peter and Julie have decided that their priorities must change, they need more time to care for family members as well as themselves. The couple said, “Although we will miss you, we feel confident that you will be in safe hands with the new card provider, Forward Carers.”

Forward Carers is an award-winning not-for-profit, community interest company that has supported Carers to live fulfilling lives since 2014. Forward Carers’ mission is to create Carer Friendly Communities where everyone can play a part in improving Carer wellbeing.  

Eliza Atyeo, Carers Commissioning Officer for BCP Council said.

“On behalf of Dorset Council and BCP Council, we would like to extend our thanks to Julie and Peter England at Worldwide Procurement Services UK Ltd (WWPS), who successfully managed the Dorset Carers Card. Julie, Peter, and their team grew an extensive directory of discounts and concessions across the county that encourage and enable Carers to lead fulfilling lives, take a break and enjoy time away from the caring role.”

What will the change mean for Carers?
In partnership with Dorset Council and BCP Council; Carers in Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will still be able to access the existing discounts and offers through Forward Carers. Carers in Dorset can continue to use their existing Carers Card until the date on it has expired. As your card expiry date is approaching, please contact your local carer support service to let them know, they will then send you a link to apply for the Carer Friendly ID Card.

Any Carers that are registered with Dorset Council (Carer Support Dorset) or BCP Council (CRISP Carers Support Services) in 2023 will receive a new Carer Friendly ID Card. All cardholders will have access to a new dedicated website (www.dorsetcarerscard.org.uk) hosting a range of discounts and offers available across the county. Peter and Julie’s Facebook page (@mycarerscard) and Twitter page (@MyCarersCard) will also transfer across and be managed by Forward Carers.
Who to contact?
Forward Carers has recruited a new Project Manager, Rachel Close who lives in Dorset. Rachel will lead on the implementation of the Carer Friendly ID Card for Carers in Dorset and build relationships with local businesses and organisations to create meaningful offers and discounts to Carer Cardholders.  Rachel will work in partnership with the local authorities, community Carer services and groups to ensure Carers can access the scheme.

Rachel works part time and can be reached via email Rachel.close@forwardcarers.org.uk or by calling 07572790211. On Rachel’s non-working days, contact carerfriendly@forwardcarers.org.uk.

What will the change mean for businesses?
To ensure the continuity of the service, current discounts offered through the Dorset Carers Card will be transferred over to Forward Carers and added to the directory of offers on the new website (www.dorsetcarerscard.org.uk). Businesses are advised to check that their details are correct and notify Forward Carers of any changes or updates. Rachel will be in contact with registered businesses to introduce herself and distribute your new Carer Friendly business window sticker. Thank you to Peter and Julie for leaving us with a great legacy to build on and we wish you all the very best for the future.

Forward Carers is an award-winning not-for-profit, Community Interest Company and we are on a mission to create Carer Friendly Communities nationally, including the regions of Dorset. We want workplaces, shops, services, and communities to play their part in being more understanding of unpaid Carers, and how they can make their lives a little bit easier. Our aim is to increase the community’s consideration for Carers so that they are valued and supported in all areas of their life and work.

We are commissioned by Dorset Council and Bournemouth Christchurch Poole Council to deliver the official Carer ID Card and discount scheme to Carers registered with their local Carer Information Service. Carers often give up work or reduce their working hours to provide support to a family member or close friend which inevitably reduces their income. When businesses offer a discount or provide some other benefit or perk to Carers, it can make a real difference. It can make meeting a friend for coffee more affordable and provides the Carer with a little bit of ‘me time’ and a break from the demands of caring.

Introducing Rachel Close
Rachel Close has been appointed by Forward Carers as Project Manager to lead on the implementation of the Carer Friendly ID Card for Carers in Dorset. Rachel will continue the legacy of My Carers Card run by Julie and Peter England to support local businesses who already provide a deal or reward for Carers.

Rachel will also be striving to identify and build new relationships with local businesses and organisations to create meaningful offers, opportunities and discounts for Carers who present their Carer Friendly ID Card. Forward Carers and Rachel will work in partnership with the local authorities, regional businesses, community Carer services and groups, in the hope that we can create a Carer Friendly Dorset.

Rachel can relate to both Carers and to local businesses. Rachel supports her adult stepson who has learning difficulties and Autism and she also runs a business in Bournemouth with her husband.

Rachel said, “We have been business owners for over a decade, so we understand the responsibilities this brings, and I can relate to other business owners as I am no stranger to the challenges, lifestyle and benefits managing a business can bring.”

She added, “We are looking to expand our provision to Carers but currently our private school of classical art offers Carers with flexibility. If Carers can’t attend class due to caring responsibilities or their own health needs, we provide an alternative replacement class or discount their next term for classes they were absent. We also offer flexible payment plans that work with their financial arrangements.” 

“Most of my professional life has been spent working with Carers in schools, within local authority family support and voluntary sector/community groups. Carers views, realities and wellbeing has always been in the heart of my work. I’m looking forward to bringing all my experience to this role and helping to shape Dorset into being Carer Friendly.”

Rachel works part time (Monday and Thursday 9am – 4pm and Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 12 noon) and can be reached via email Rachel.close@forwardcarers.org.uk or by calling 07572790211.

During Rachel’s non-working times, contact carerfriendly@forwardcarers.org.uk. Rachel would love to hear from businesses in Dorset who would like to offer their support to unpaid Carers and from Carers themselves who would like to suggest a business they would like Rachel to approach on their behalf.

Forward Carers is thrilled to announce that we have been awarded a contract with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council) and Dorset Council to deliver the Carer Friendly photo ID card to unpaid Carers living in Dorset for the next five years.

Newly registered unpaid adult Carers with BCP Council and Dorset Council Carer support, will receive a free photo ID card. The Carer Friendly Carers Card verifes their caring role, displays their own emergency contact details and provides access to over 400 national and local discounts. Carers living across the Dorset conurbations can continue to use their existing card until it expires, after which, a replacement Forward Carers Carer Friendly ID Card will be issued.

As part of this partnership, Carers in Dorset will be able to access a new dedicated website (scheduled to go live in January 2023) where Carers can search discounts and offers available in particular geographical areas of the county.

Simon Fenton, CEO of Forward Carers said:
“We are delighted to roll out the Carer Friendly Carer ID Card to Carers in Dorset. Carers make a significant difference to society. Our Carers Card tangibly recognises their caring status and acknowledges their contribution by offering savings. It will make accessing services to improve Carers’ physical and emotional wellbeing more affordable too.”

Carers outside of Dorset who hold a Carer Friendly photo ID card will also reap the benefits from this new contract. They too will be able to access additional online benefits and local offers should they visit the West Country. More information regarding this will be issued in the New Year.

Local authorities in Dorset are aspiring to make their county Carer Friendly and encouraging more local businesses and services to get on board. This aligns with Forward Carers mission to create Carer Friendly Communities, where everyone can play a part in improving Carer wellbeing.

Council’s can contact carerfriendly@forwardcarers.org.uk to start a conversation about offering a similar scheme to unpaid Carers in their vicinity. Likewise, employers can assist their staff who juggle work and caring responsibilities at home by offering a range of support. Find out more about our Carer Friendly Communities Workplace programme here.