Thousands of carers are unknown

THOUSANDS of unpaid carers in Bridgend are completely unknown to the local authority, a new report shows.

According to the last census in 2011 there were almost 18,000 carers in the county, with council officers believing this to be a “very conservative” estimate.

But the council is only aware of between 2,000 and 3,000 carers who actually access services.

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.

Speaking at a Bridgend County Borough Council meeting the authority’s head of adult social care Jacqueline Davies said there were various pieces of work going on to close the huge gap and provide support to unpaid carers.

She said an event last September highlighted the need for carers to have easier access to a carer’s needs assessment as well as better access to community links, counselling, and preventative community-based activities.

Three further community-based engagement events took place in March with changes to the system including earlier advice and assistance being provided and plans to create a new Bridgend Carers Wellbeing Service.

The council is also hoping to provide a supported holiday service to provide short breaks for carers and those being cared for.

At the meeting Councillor James Radcliffe highlighted one of the barriers for carers in taking up respite offers.

He said: “People don’t trust a care home or carer to look after their loved while they’re not there – how are we going to persuade people to take a break?”

Ms Davies replied: “It is really difficult.

“People’s needs fluctuate from just needing an hour or two to 24 hours or a week.

“We are looking at a scheme where the carer and cared-for can go together on, perhaps, a city break.”

Carers development officer Kathy Proudfoot added: “We have got a Bridgend Carers Forum and people are continually telling us what’s working and what’s not.

“It’s really difficult for carers to hand over that care but part of what we do is explain the options available.”

She added: “We do find that once carers have done it once and they realise no harm has come to them and actually somebody else can look after them they’re quite happy going forward.”

The cabinet equalities committee took place on Monday, July 16.