Release date: 16 July 2026
Recognised, seen and involved: a new strategy for West Sussex’s unpaid carers
West Sussex County Council in partnership with NHS Surrey and Sussex has launched a new strategy for supporting unpaid carers in the county over the next five years. The strategy, which sets out the main priorities for health and social care to best support carers, follows a detailed review, with input from carers of all ages.
It sets out six priorities to support carers up to 2031 and aims to ensure:
- Carers of all ages and from all communities are identified, recognised, and seen as important partners in care.
- Technology is used to make the lives of carers easier. Non-digital alternatives will be available to ensure no one is excluded.
- Isolation is limited and emotional wellbeing is supported by encouraging and enabling carers and young carers to have an active life outside their caring role; including fulfilling their education, employment, and training potential.
- More carers understand the out-of-hours options available and have an emergency plan in place for when they need it.
- The financial hardship of carers is recognised and limited where possible.
- Those working in social care within WSCC and the NHS will lead by example in supporting their own workforce who provide unpaid care outside of work.
The new strategy, The West Sussex Joint Commitment to Family and Friend Carers, has been endorsed by the West Sussex Health & Wellbeing Board and forms part of the new Adult Social Care Strategy which was published earlier this year.
The County Council and the Integrated Care Board (ICB) jointly commission Carers Support West Sussex to provide information, advice, guidance and support to unpaid carers across the county. This includes a dedicated helpline, conducting statutory carers' assessments, hospital and community-based advisory hubs, and emergency planning services. A range of other commissioned and non-commissioned organisations also provide valuable support to unpaid carers in West Sussex.
Cllr Richard Bates, Cabinet Member for Adults Services, said:
“We greatly value carers for the work they do, which supports the care system and helps us manage increasing need and increasing complexity of need.
“This strategy is for everyone, because care touches all of our lives. As someone who has been a carer, I know first-hand both the rewards and the challenges that come with supporting a loved one. At some point in our lives, many of us will become carers, if we are not already, or we will rely on the care of family and friends to help us through difficult times.
“The voices of carers and young carers are at the heart of this strategy. I am sincerely grateful to everyone who has shared their experiences so openly — helping us understand what makes a difference, what enables them to continue in their role, and what can make caring more difficult or stressful.”
Allison Cannon, Chief Nursing Officer at NHS Surrey and Sussex, said:
"Carers make an invaluable contribution to the health and wellbeing of people across our communities every day. Many provide vital support to family members, friends and loved ones, often alongside work, education and other responsibilities.
"We recognise that caring can be both rewarding and challenging, which is why this new carers strategy for unpaid carers is so important. It sets out our commitment to ensuring unpaid carers are recognised, listened to and supported, and that their knowledge, experience and contribution are valued as a key part of the health and care system.
"By working closely with carers, local authorities, voluntary sector partners and NHS organisations, we want to improve access to information, support carers' health and wellbeing, and help ensure they can continue in their caring role for as long as they choose.
"We are grateful for the extraordinary difference carers make every day, and this strategy represents an important step in strengthening the support available to them now and in the future."
Read the full strategy to learn more.
If you are a carer and would like to access support or are interested in getting involved to support local improvements, find out more at Carers Support West Sussex, email info@carerssupport.org.uk or call 0300 028 8888.
