Unpaid carers share views with Minister for Care and Mental Health

Carers’ Hub Lambeth were joined by the Minister for Care and Mental Health, Gillian Keegan MP and Helen Walker, CEO of Carers UK when they hosted a coffee morning for unpaid carers during Carers Week on June 9 (the theme of the week – Making Caring Visible, Valued and Supported).

The pre-existing challenges facing many unpaid carers have been hugely exacerbated over recent years by the Covid 19  pandemic and the impact of the cost of living crisis. This has negatively affected the mental health and wellbeing of many of the carers we work with here in Lambeth.  Carers’ Hub were pleased to have this opportunity for our carers to speak directly to the Minister, and share their views and thoughts on how carer wellbeing can be improved and better supported. 

Carers raised a wide range of crucial concerns with the Minister. This included the need for more respite for carers, the impact of caring on carers’ own mental health and wellbeing, the need for culturally appropriate support, the importance of increased awareness and support for young carers, difficulties accessing Continuing Care funding within the NHS, challenges with housing and benefits system impacting on carers, poor quality of paid care increasing the burden upon unpaid carers,  systemic failings within the paid care sector and more. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated, sharing their experiences so impactfully and helping  to convey the pressures facing unpaid carers directly to the Minister.

Many of the issues raised with the Minister were also relevant to local decision-making, as well as decisions taken at a national level. We will ensure that the points raised by the carers are fed into the up and coming refresh of the Lambeth Carers Strategy. To find out more about the refresh of the Lambeth Carers Strategy and to share your views please  visit: https://beta.lambeth.gov.uk/adult-social-care-and-health/carers/lambeth-carers-strategy

Alice Dias, CEO of Carers’ Hub said: 

“We were honoured to welcome Minister Keegan to one of our groups during Carers Week. The points raised by our carers have once again highlighted that there is still so much do for carers to feel supported, listened to and valued.

“Here at Carers’ Hub we will continue to raise awareness of the importance of unpaid carers in our borough, and will work with carers and our partners to highlight  the change needed.”

Pictured with Lambeth carers, Minister Gillian Keegan MP (back, sixth from left) Helen Walker, CEO Carers UK (second left) Paula Bryan, CEO Carers4Carers (fourth left) and Alice Dias, CEO Carers Hub Lambeth (front, second left).

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