Release date: 3 April 2024
West Sussex County Council is reinforcing its ongoing support for people who care for family members, friends, and neighbours with a new five-year contract to offer them information, guidance, and emotional help.
The contract, which began on 1 April, has been awarded to Carers Support West Sussex, a local charity with expertise and specialist knowledge in supporting unpaid carers.
The county-wide service will provide a dedicated Carers’ Helpline, carer support groups and a dedicated specialist service to young adult carers aged 18 to 25.
It will offer access to Carer Wellbeing Workers who can provide information, help and guidance and enable carers to be identified as early as possible in their caring journey.
Carers will also be able to receive support from Carer Assessors and Welfare Benefits’ Advisors over the telephone or at seven local hubs, at five acute hospital and eight community hospital sites in West Sussex and at East Surrey Hospital, which is managed by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
Councillor Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults, said: “We have a long history of supporting amily and friend carers who provide crucial care to thousands of our most vulnerable residents.
“Our new contract with Carers Support West Sussex demonstrates our ongoing commitment to making sure carers feel valued and supported, both in their caring role and as individuals.
“Caring, particularly over time, can negatively affect a person’s health and overall wellbeing so it is important that unpaid carers are able to access the support they need, when they need it, in the way that works best for them.
“We are really pleased to continue our partnership with Carers Support West Sussex in the pursuit of this goal and the priorities set out in our adult social care strategy.”
Caroline Pope, CEO at Carers Support West Sussex, said: “We are delighted to continue working with West Sussex County Council and offer services for and with unpaid carers across the county. Being a local charity that held the contract previously gives us great insight and experience of what our carers want. Our plan is to hit the ground running and make the transition into the new contract as seamless as possible. There will be a few changes afoot, so do stay tuned into regular news updates from us.”
The contract is for five years, with an option to extend it further up to a maximum of seven years.
Visit the Carers Support West Sussex Carers Hub to find out about the help you can access if you are a carer who provides unpaid support to someone who couldn’t manage without your help because of old age, a disability, an illness, mental health problems or an addiction.
You can register as a carer by visiting the Carers Support West Sussex website or by calling 0300 028 8888.
