Helping To Raise Awareness And Needs Of Unpaid Carers

Published on: 8 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 7 Sep, 2016

The Diocese of Guildford’s Communities Engagement Team helps churches and their parishioners across Surrey in their work supporting their communities. In the second of a series of stories that focus the wide range of services offered by the team, Clive Richardson talks about his role in helping to raise the awareness of unpaid carers.

Clive said: My role is to help raise awareness of the needs of unpaid carers, that is, those looking after someone else, to parishes and other faith groups.

“I work in partnership with local carer support groups and Surrey County Council.

Clive Richardson.

“By making parishes more aware of carers and their needs, I hope to support the local pastoral care they already supply, and enable them to pass the information onto others working in the community, ensuring that carer support reaches where it is needed.

“To this end, I visit churches, the clergy and their pastoral teams to speak about carers’ needs and also to find out what is already on offer.

“Many local communities have quite a rich and varied number of activities going on, but sometimes information about them is difficult to find.

“Because of my parish visits, I am able to pass on details and contacts, so that good ideas and best practice can be shared.

“I also organise two events, the Carers Tea and Evensong at Guildford Cathedral (this year on Thursday, October 13), and a new event titled Young Carers in February 2017. These events give recognition to the dedication and commitment of carers, as well as providing an opportunity to connect with other carers.

“I have met some lovely people whose dedication to those they care for and the sacrifices they have made are humbling, and I think they deserve all the support and help we can give.”

On the Diocese of Guildford’s website, within the section on the Communities Engagement Team, it is noted that in Surrey there are an estimated 110,000 carers – children as well as adults. A man looking after his wife. A parent caring for a disabled child. A child looking after a parent with mental health issues. A woman helping her elderly parents. A mother and father supporting an adult child with mental health or substance misuse issues.

42% feel they wouldn’t have support from people in their community in an emergency.
40% feel they get no encouragement or support.

The Diocese states: “These aren’t statistics, they’re people, and they need help. Caring can be full-time. It can isolate, it can leave people emotionally stressed, and it can be a financial struggle. They might just need a friendly piece of encouragement or maybe some of the support on offer in the community.

“We aim to get carers the support they need, by linking them with the right people and organisations.”

Clive Richardson can be contacted on 01483 790330 or 07990 956392. Email: clive.richardson@cofeguildford.org.uk

Click here for the website and more details.

Click here for the previous story in this series on the Diocese’s Surrey Faith Links project.