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From creating a ‘Minister for Carers’ and a specialist ‘Carers’ Hub’ to reduced GP charges and medicine deliveries… a newly-formed group is calling for strengthened support for those who spend their time looking after other people.
Carers Jersey officially launched yesterday with a three-year “strategy to action” plan to “highlight, preserve and look after” local carers.
The plan, which looks to implement changes to the existing system over a three-year period, was based on the Carers Strategy originally launched in 2017.
The vision for the new strategy is divided into five key priorities which range from arranging appropriate respite for carers to a focus on their voices and inclusivity.
These five key priorities are used to categorise potential implementations over a three-year action plan. In general, the plan aims to achieve ten outcomes as follows:
Carers Legislation to be enacted;
Carers feeling included, listened to and heard;
Carers to have access to the right information and given advice that is relevant to their needs;
Carers getting the right type and level of practical and emotional support;
Carers having time for themselves and a break from their caring role;
Carers being actively supported to access or remain in education, employment or training;
Carers being tangibly supported to maintain their health and wellbeing, alongside the person they care for;
Young Carers being encouraged to engage with community activities of their choice;
Young Carers appropriately supported to achieve full attendance and engagement with education; and
Carers Voices to be heard at assessment for both the person in need of care and the carer.
It also includes around 50 suggested action points, such as developing “a case for government to establish a Minister for Carers - potentially adding it to a director role already established” and identifying a “centrally located” building or hall “that could be used for carers across Jersey to meet and talk with other carers”.
To further their representation, Carers Jersey also suggests petitioning "Government for a Public Guardian for carers as an independent voice for carers."
They are also looking at establishing “a network of free delivery of medicines/shopping/nappies for carers when they are unable to leave the person they care for” and discussing the idea of discount cards for carers and reduced GP consultation charges.
Pictured: The five key priorities outlined by Carers Jersey.
The unveiling of the project, which is supported by the Jersey Community Foundation and Le Masurier was led by Dr Margaret Bayes MBE at the Royal Yacht on Wednesday. Dr Bayes is chairperson of the Jersey Association of Carers Incorporated.
'Us' is sometimes a difficult word for carers, she explained.
“Becoming a carer involves trading in self-care for selflessness,” said Dr Bayes, “so when we talk about help for 'us carers', it feels like a contradiction in terms."
“Carers walk a lonely path and can often feel invisible," she added.
Pictured: An image shown as part of the presentation shows only an arm of a carer, who often feel “invisible”.
If the plan is put into action, “Jersey has the opportunity to become a leading centre for care”, according to Dr Bayes.
“Sadly, the UK does not fare much better than we do in this area," she said.
Legislation was highlighted as an especially important area to focus on to implement the proposed changes. With comparisons being made to public smoking laws, the legislation could act more of a “recognition of the issues” and a “statement of rights” rather than being a vehicle for potential enforcement.
Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf, who among other local politicians was invited to the launch, agreed with the need for legislative action for carers but suggested that the issue was greater.
“There is a need for legislation,” said Deputy Renouf, “not just here, but for all social care."
“We have to ask ourselves, do we need to cast a wider net?”
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