Rotherham Council and key care partners in the borough will be gathering on Carers Rights Day on Thursday 24 November to formally launch The Borough That Cares strategic framework.
The strategy, commissioned by the Rotherham Health and Wellbeing Board, sets out the vision for confirming Rotherham’s status as a Carer Friendly Borough.Carers provide unpaid care to family or friends who have a disability, illness or are in need of support later in life. The strategy has been co-produced with carers, colleagues across the Council, Health, and the voluntary sector. Delivery of the strategy ambitions will be achieved through strong partnership approaches to ensure that carers in Rotherham stay mentally and physically healthy, and economically active, for longer.
The impact of Covid has led to further increases in the numbers of carers, as well as carers taking on responsibility for more intensive levels of care. Evidence suggests that many carers feel isolated, under-valued, taken for granted and overlooked. This combination further impacts upon the physical, mental, and economic health and wellbeing difficulties that are already experienced by many carers. Carer services across the borough understand that carers have a range of needs and, by working together as a caring community, we aim to ensure that all of our groups, organisations, staff teams and volunteers find flexible ways to meet the needs of individual carers.
Underpinning the strategy is a three-year roadmap, with each year grounded in a specific area of focus: creating carer cornerstones in year one, creating communities of support in year two, and solidifying a carer friendly borough in year three and beyond.
Councillor David Roche, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet member for Adult Care and Health, said: “This strategy can’t come at a more pertinent time, and shows our commitment to working together as a team to identify, acknowledge, and support our carers in Rotherham.
“Being a carer often means that a person is providing support out of love or friendship for the individual they are caring for. Caring roles vary, and anyone can become a carer at any time.
“Our carers need to know that they are valued and get the support they need. This strategy aims to do just that, in a practical and real way.”
Kate Davis, Chief Executive of Crossroads Care Rotherham added: “so many Carers in Rotherham are struggling and Crossroads Care are here to provide a one stop shop of services and information to support them in their caring role. We are pleased to support this strategy.”
The Borough That Cares will be launched officially at Carer’s Corner – the Crossroads Care café and shop – in Rotherham Town Centre at 12.30pm on Thursday 24 November 2022.