CPU 1939 Carers Respite

There are approximately 27,000 unpaid carers in Nottingham City, 8.8% of the total population (2011 Census). This is a slightly lower percentage than the average in England (10.2%). As noted above, the true figure is likely to be much higher since many carers don’t self-identify. According to Census data more adults in Nottingham aged 35 and older are providing more hours of care per week than the national average figures. 17% of Nottingham’s carers are aged 65 and over, 45% of those carers aged 65+ provide 50 hours or more per week. Overall this gives a picture of slightly fewer carers in Nottingham compared to the national average, but providing more hours of care per week. As noted, there are recognised links between the hours of care provided, and the impact on both the health, and the financial situation, of carers – it’s noted that carers who provide more hours of care per week tend to have poorer health and higher levels of poverty.

The aim of the Carers’ Respite service is to improve quality of life for carers in Nottingham by providing timely breaks for carers, to prevent carer breakdown, ensure that carers are supported to remain in their caring role, and prevent unnecessary referrals to social care services.

‘In order for time away from the caring arrangement to be an effective break for the carer, the carer needs to know that care is being provided in their absence to the same quality that they provide – otherwise their time away is affected by guilt, and their relationship with the person with care needs is subject to strain. The need for a breaks service, in short, is the need for a service which provides an equivalent substitute to the care which the carer provides’. (‘The Social Value Act and how to understand the true value of a carers break’ Carers’ Trust 2013).