The Newham Wellbeing Partnership is drafting a new strategy to support carers. The main aim is to recognise, appreciate and promote ordinary citizens who sacrifice a lot in order to support their loved ones, whether they are sons, daughters, partners, parents, neighbours or friends.

This partnership, co-ordinated by the council’s Adult Social Care department, includes members of Newham Health Collaborative, Healthwatch Newham, East London Foundation Trust (ELFT), Barts Health NHS Trust, the Clinical Commissioning Groups of Waltham Forest and East London (WEL CCGs), Carers and Carers FIRST.

The group has been working together on an action plan for the next four years (2021-2024). In this process, more than 500 carers in Newham have already been consulted, but the Cabinet Member for Education, Health and Adult Social Care, Zulfiqar Ali, wants to hear from more. He said:

“We want, first of all, that Newham carers get in touch with the council to let us know that they are carers. There is a lot of support that we can provide. Carers can email their views, aspirations and ideas about how the council can support them to commissioning.assistant@newham.gov.uk”.

Alternatively, carers can call 0203 373 9788 ext 39788 or fill up an online survey available here. The consultations close on November 27 at midday.

Carers often don’t identify themselves as such because they see the caring role as part of their daily life. This hinders their access to information and resources. The plan is to offer flexible and person centred support at a local level, through a preventive approach, before the carer reaches a crisis point.

The strategy draft is quite detailed, but some of the main actions due next year include the design and implementation of a logo and branding for the carers of Newham, the review and relaunch of the carers charter (the current one is available here) and the creation of an integrated and user-friendly carer resource.

It is also due to launch a three-year event programme. The goal these events, and the whole strategy in general, is to understand what are the needs of carers and to make sure that, while they are focusing on the health and wellbeing of their cared for, they don’t forget their own.

The respite is crucial for the wellbeing of all carers. It is important that they don’t underestimate the importance of taking a break from their caring duties and make some time for themselves.

The situation of young carers is particularly concerning. These are defined as children or youngsters who provide regular, ongoing care and emotional support that goes beyond “helping out”. According to Newham Wellbeing Partnership, “around one in each 20 misses classes due to their caring responsibilities.”

The impact is also considerable on young adult carers (those aged between 18 and 25 who are caring for another adult). Adequate support must be provided to them, to ensure they can continue their education and achieve their academic and professional potential.

The restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic will be one of the main challenges in the process of implementation of this strategy. Councillor Ali stresses out that “the momentum needs to be maintained” and, at the same time, wants to guarantee that the “service quality doesn’t suffer.”

Read also: Have your say – Health care in the age of the pandemic by Hannah Ward (Senior Projects Officer at Healthwatch Newham)

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