Sefton Council wants anyone in the Borough who is a carer for a family member, friend, or loved one to help it draw up a Strategy aimed at giving them better support.

According to Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures there are around 30,000 people aged over five in Sefton who are considered unpaid carers. That’s just over 10% of the Borough’s population.

Support and advice

Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “Unpaid carers are those who look after a person who would struggle to manage without additional help and those carers can be as young as five. Many of them may not consider themselves as carers, but under our proposed new Strategy, they would be entitled to support and guidance.

“That’s why we want to hear from these people who are the real experts. With their input we can ensure the final Strategy takes into account what is already helping them and what we can work to improve in the future.”

Now open until Sunday 24^th March, the short All Age Carers survey can be found online at Your Sefton Your Say. The survey includes an easy-read version explaining what the survey is for.

Anyone who is unable to access an online version, or who needs a large print version can call 0151 934 2888. Comments on the draft strategy can be sent to yourseftonyoursay@sefton.gov.uk.

A copy of the draft strategy can be found on Sefton Council's Carers pages.

Helping unpaid carers

The draft of the new All Age Carers Strategy lists 11 key aims for supporting unpaid carers across Sefton. These aims include offering support looking after the carers’ health and wellbeing and helping them to plan for crisis situations. It also sets out to make sure that unpaid carers are treated as experts and their voices are listened to when it comes to discussing the care of their loved ones with professionals.

Cllr Cummins continued: “It is hard to quantify just how much time 30,000 carers put into looking after family members friends or loved ones or to imagine where we’d be without all that selfless and unpaid effort.

“These people deserve all the support we can give them through a new Strategy that gets it right, which is why we are relying on their input. 

“So, if you are a carer in Sefton, please take a few moments to take part in our consultation.

“And if you know someone who is a carer, who maybe not even realise it, please take a bit of time to help them tell us their story.”