News

The State of Caring Survey is the UK’s most comprehensive research into the lives and experience of carers. The 2020 survey is now open and will close on 17 May 2020.

State of Caring 2019 – what you told us:

Last year over 8,000 current and former carers shared their experiences and helped inform our State of Caring 2019 report. Read more in the full report here: carersuk.org/stateofcaring-report

Caring costs: Almost 2 in 5 carers (39%) responding to our survey said they are ‘struggling to make ends meet’. Over two thirds of carers (68%) reported regularly using their own income or savings to pay for care or support services, equipment or products for the person they care for.

Cuts to support: 1 in 8 (12%) of carers reported that they or those they support received less care or support services during the previous year due to a reduction in the amount of support from social services

Carers put themselves last: 53% of carers said that they are not able to save for their retirement, and almost two thirds of carers (64%) say that they have focussed on the care needs of the person they care for, and not on their own needs.

What we did with your evidence:

• Your evidence of the impact of caring was at the heart of our manifesto for the 2019 General Election campaign, where we called for all political parties to increase support and recognition for carers. Nearly all political parties included reference to carers or caring in their manifestos.

• Your responses enabled us to provide comprehensive evidence as part of our ongoing work with Sport England to investigate the barriers carers face in taking part in physical activity.

• Building on evidence from previous years, your experience of working while caring was included in our response to the Government Good Work Plan consultation, making the case for employers to provide more support for carers. As a result, the Government has committed to consulting on the introduction of Care Leave for working carers.

Get in touch:

If you have any questions about the research or would like to request a paper copy of the 2020 survey, please contact our policy team by emailing policy@carersuk.org

 

We regretfully write to inform you that both Practices of Borough Medical Centre will be closing on 31^st March 2020.

Kindly inform our patients who may still not be aware of our closure and assist where necessary ie. contact us for any queries.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the services you provided over the years.

Have you recently waited for hospital treatment? Or are you waiting right now? Healthwatch Southwark wants to hear about your experience.

Our empowering service provides you with information and knowledge of your rights so that you are able to ensure that you are receiving everything that you are entitled to. Your donations for this track will allow us to continue offering emergency planning and resources for carers and professionals.

Bell House has started its pilot dyslexia after-school club, where trained volunteers work 1:1 with primary school children. We are hoping to expand this in the coming months, and are looking to train more volunteers to help. If you have a background in working with children, and would like to be involved, please contact us here for more information.

UPCOMING MOVIES

Saturday 18th March 2020 – “Shrek Forever After”

Saturday 1st February 2020 – “The King’s Speech”

Saturday 15th February 2020 – “The Pursuit of Happiness”

Saturday 7th March 2020 – “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”

Saturday 21 March 2020 – “The Favourite”

Nominations for the Southwark Care Awards 2020 are now open until 29^thFebruary. Anyone can nominate a carer in Southwark on this link:https://consultations.southwark.gov.uk/children2019s-and-adults-services/care-awards-nominations/

The Southwark Care Awards celebrates paid and unpaid carers who look after an adult in Southwark and the impact that these everyday heroes have in our local communities.

The awards ceremony is going to take place on 29^th April in HMS Belfast and will include a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, a three course dinner menu with wine, tea, coffee and chocolates, 1940’s background music and an opportunity to explore the museum.

Three nominees will be shortlisted from each of the nine categories and the winner in each category will be announced at the award ceremony. The categories are:

1. Home Care worker
2. Care Home worker
3. Support worker in a day centre
4. Supported living worker
5. Floating support worker
6. Family/Friend carer
7. Volunteer carer
8. Young Carer
9. Open category

Please help by spreading the word and the nomination link to your contacts. Thank you!