On Wednesday 12 June, Warwickshire County Council hosted the annual Coventry and Warwickshire Joint Carers Conference in partnership with Coventry City Council.The conference, which took place duri...
On Wednesday 12 June, Warwickshire County Council hosted the annual Coventry and Warwickshire Joint Carers Conference in partnership with Coventry City Council.
The conference, which took place during Carers Week 2019, had around 100 delegates in attendance, including local politicians, informal carers from throughout the county, and professionals working in health and social care services.
This year saw a focus on the problems faced by ‘hidden’ carers, meaning people who may not realise that they are carers and therefore don’t know how to access the support they are eligible for. Warwickshire County Council is working with Grapevine, a charity that helps people in Coventry and Warwickshire who are experiencing isolation, poverty and disadvantage, to try and reach out to these people and get them access to services.
Following an introduction by Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of WCC, attendees were addressed by a range of experts including directors from both local authorities, a spokesperson from Carers Trust Heart of England (the providers of Warwickshire’s Carers Wellbeing Service) and a representative from the Warwick University team that developed Care Companion, an interactive support tool designed for carers to use.
A local carer also told her story to the conference, highlighting the importance of engaging with people who may be struggling to care for a loved one without realising that they are entitled to support.
Grapevine delivered an interactive session addressing the issue of hidden carers with professionals and carers from across Coventry and Warwickshire, on what actions are needed to improve the engagement of support services with hidden carers.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “There was a great atmosphere at the conference and attendees responded really well to the thought-provoking sessions which presented the reality of being a carer and why the right support is so important. Making sure that Warwickshire is a great place for carers means ensuring that everybody knows about the help that is available for them. Many people, especially those who care for a parent or other relative, may not realise they are a carer and this is something we are striving to change.”
For more information about services for carers in Warwickshire, please visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/carers