The effects of the COVID pandemic has impacted us all and life may now look very different for people with caring responsibilities, especially those who are looking after someone that they care about for the first time.

Carers Trust Heart of England offer a range of services to Coventry and Warwickshire carers including information and advice, networking, emergency support services and planned replacement care. Some carers are also eligible for breaks from their caring responsibilities to maintain their health and wellbeing.

However, the impact of Covid-19 has meant carers have been at greater risk of isolation due to less social contact and social distancing, day services have reduced capacity and many carers will also have concerns about their own futures.  

We are pleased to announce a new package of extra services has been funded by Coventry City Council which means that we can offer even more support to family carers in the city, recognising their vital role in helping to reduce pressures on health and social care and looking after the people they care about.

This additional carer support includes:

• Virtual day support will help carers to take a break and feel supported to carry on their caring role with an opportunity to participate in virtual day centre activities, connecting with other carers and reducing social isolation
• Carer Community Connection which aims to improve carers mental and physical health by supporting carers to connect to the community by accessing and developing activities
• Digital inclusion for carers by enabling carers to access IT equipment with one off-direct payments, supporting carers to use IT and online platforms and by developing a range of courses to support carers
• Grief and loss support via a series of carer-focused workshops exploring the stages of loss and grief and advice on dealing with difficult emotions. We will also be offering carers self-care support which will enable them to cope in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic
• Supporting working carers by working with employers in Coventry supporting and enabling employers to develop their support to carers which will empower carers to remain in the workforce.
• Reducing carer hardship and poverty by providing information, advice and signposting to job coaches and financial advice. We will also be providing one-off direct payments to carers when they are experiencing financial hardship to ensure that practical difficulties can be addressed easily
• Enhancing support for BAME carers in Coventry by ensuring BAME communities are enabled to access carers services and information
• Supporting Young Carers if more support is required as a result of Covid-19, their caring responsibilities and returning to school

We will be sharing details of these new services in the coming weeks however if you would like to find out more in the meantime, please contact our Wellbeing Team on the below contact details:

• Tel: 02476 632972
• Email: contactus@carerstrusthofe.org.uk
• Website: www.carerstrusthofe.org.uk/contact-us/