Local authorities join initiative providing digital support to carers
1 million carers across England are benefiting from tech-powered support, as 1 in 4 (25 per cent) local authorities across the country have joined an initiative providing essential, digital services for all those who look after loved ones in their communities over the course of this year.
Nine local authorities across Cheshire and Merseyside have become the latest to join a new initiative aiming to provide digital support to carers. The service is being delivered by carer-led digital community, Mobilise, and can be accessed remotely via Mobilise’s online hub by anyone caring for a loved one in regions where local authorities are participating in the initiative.
Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to promote and provide services to unpaid carers in their area, to put support the wellbeing of carers and reduce the risk of carer burnout.
The digital support services include:
- An online peer community of thousands of fellow carers from across the UK – with the chance to share advice and experiences through a community forum and during regular events, such as the ‘virtual cuppa’
- Easy-to-use, self-service tools outlining the different forms of support which carers may be entitled to – including Carer’s Allowance – and guidance on how to navigate eligibility criteria and access various benefits
- Tailor-made support guides on everything from how to balance caring with full-time work, to managing personal health and wellbeing while looking after someone else
- Information on carers’ rights and relevant social care law, in line with the latest government guidance
An AI-powered ‘assistant’ is also available to help carers quickly and easily find the specific information, resources or support that they need.
Cheshire and Merseyside is home to some of the UK’s highest density areas of unpaid carers, with more than one in ten residents living in St Helens, Knowsley and Halton providing some form of unpaid care.
“It’s reassuring to know that my experience as an ‘unofficial’ carer for my husband is valued, and that there is support and advice available from Mobilise if and when I need it.”
Sheila Walsh, a carer in St. Helen’s
Chair of the Adults and Health Committee at Cheshire East Council, Councillor Jill Rhodes, said: “By joining this initiative, we’re taking a significant step towards recognising and supporting the invaluable contribution of our local carers. The Mobilise digital tool will empower unpaid carers to access the help they need, when they need it.”
Cheshire and Merseyside councils follow thirteen local authorities in the North East, who joined the same initiative earlier this year through a similar collaboration. This saw over a quarter of a million carers living in the North East alone gain access to additional digital support. The North East is home to the largest proportion of people supporting relatives or loved ones in any region across the UK.
With Cheshire and Merseyside onboard, a total of 38 local authorities across England have provided added support for carers so far this year as part of the tech-enabled initiative with Mobilise, on top of existing provision. The free on-demand services are aimed at supporting individuals across the UK with the day-to-day realities of caring.
Suzanne Bourne, Co-Founder and Head of Carer Support at Mobilise, commented: “It is amazing to see all nine local authorities across Cheshire and Merseyside coming together to harness the power of technology, and widen access to support for unpaid carers. They join many other local authorities across England in this mission. And, with Cheshire and Merseyside onboard, a quarter of all local authorities across England are now providing additional, digital support for carers. We can’t wait to see the impact for all those who provide care across Cheshire and Merseyside, and beyond.”
Councillor Del Arnall, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Knowsley Council, said: “Through joining this initiative, carers in Knowsley can use Mobilise to easily access a range of support services on-demand and link in with their peers across the UK to share advice and reduce isolation.”
For more information about the support now available in Cheshire and Merseyside, see here. To start accessing support today, the Mobilise app can be downloaded via the Apple App Store or Google Play, with more information available on Mobilise’s website.
