New website offers help to Merseyside Carers (11/07/2006)

11.07.2006

Carers in and near Liverpool now have a new website to turn to. This follows a recent survey that revealed that three-quarters of Carers have suffered ill-health as a result of their caring activities.

The new site set up by Crossroads Caring for Carers, funded by Futurebuilders England offers advice on services for carers of all ages. It explains how Carers can get information, support and breaks when necessary. Crossroads Caring for Carers currently provides 1,200 hours of support each week to Carers in more than 200 families in Liverpool, Sefton and Warrington.

Sean Barrett, Crossroads Caring for Carers Business Manager said:

“Carers in Liverpool, Sefton and Warrington who need support, particularly Carers under the age of 16, can look at the website (www.liverpoolcrossroads.co.uk) or phone us (on 0151 2221970) when they need advice and support. We recognise that a caring role can often bring difficulties. For many it’s not just a matter of doing a weekly shop or cooking an occasional meal, and carers without breaks can often suffer ill-health themselves. We want Carers in Liverpool, Sefton & Warrington to know that we are here to help if things get tough.”

Futurebuilders England has invested £181,000 in Crossroads Caring for Carers to enable it to help more Carers in the region. Futurebuilders Chief Executive Richard Gutch said;

“Crossroads is just the sort of project we were designed to support, as it addresses a real need in the community. This new website will allow more people to find out about the services they offer Carers so they can get help when they need it. We are committed to investing in more social care schemes of this type so would welcome applications from similar schemes wanting to expand their services.”

The Carers Week survey was the largest ever poll of Carers in the UK, involving over 5,600 carers nationwide. Stress and depression were cited among the most common complaints. One in three Carers spends more than 20 hours a week in that role. For one in seven, it's more than 50 hours each week. Three quarters said that their health had been affected by caring. Nearly as many said that health problems affect their ability to care.

For more information please contact Alice Grahame at Futurebuilders England on 020 7927 6346.

Note to Editors

1. Futurebuilders is the Government-backed finance scheme for the voluntary sector. It offers a combination of grants and loans to organisations planning to deliver public services. Organisations pay back the loans with income from contracts with public sector agencies such as local authorities and primary care trusts.
2. Futurebuilders has invested £181,000 in Liverpool Caring for Carers to enable it to increase Carer Support hours over the next 5 years.  This means that carers will be able to take up activities or increase working hours and have more time to themselves. The investment will fund a new finance manager, new office costs, IT system improvements and ca pacity building for corporate governance and marketing.
3. Crossroads Caring for Carers currently provides 1200 hours of care each week to more than 200 families and individuals throughout Liverpool, Sefton and Warrington giving Carers information, support and that all-important break. In Liverpool alone, there are estimated to be more than 80,000 Carers providing support to an adult with health problems or physical and learning difficulties. They range in age from 8 to 80.
4. A full breakdown of the recent Carers survey results, is available on request to [email protected]