Coronavirus brings increased pressure for unpaid carers

UNPAID carers, i.e. family and friends of people needing daily support, are under even more pressure and even more isolated now due to Covid-19. It is then doubly sad that Herefordshire Carers Support (HCS) closed down on March 31. For 25 years HCS has been the county’s only charity dedicated to Carers and we are proud of our record in supporting Carers, working with GPs, schools and the health and care system. Our charity is no longer viable following the withdrawal of Herefordshire Council funding in April 2019, in favour of a large carers charity from Cheshire. New Carers or any Carer needing help must now contact their CarerLinks service: 01432 663057 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or herefordshire@ crossroadstogether.org.uk. We have worked hard for an orderly close down, giving most benefit to the Carers we exist to serve. We have secured a future for Young Carers clubs/ activities and our Young Adult Carers service for two more years through funding our partner, hvoss, to host them (see www.hycclub.co.uk). We have supported local Carer groups across Herefordshire offering regular trips and events, giving Carers respite together and helping them relax. This will continue for another 2-3 years through transferring our remaining funds to our partner, Worcestershire Association of Carers (contact them on: infohfd@carersworcs.org.uk ). They will work across the two counties to make sure carers’ concerns are heard by decision makers. Too often organisations say “Carers do a great job” but don’t invest in supporting them. The amount our Council invests in Carers has dropped hugely in recent years, just when care needs are growing. We hope the Council does not live to regret its decisions. Finally, our thanks to all those very many people, local organisations and businesses who have supported us loyally over the years in so many ways, who fund-raised for us and generally waved the flag for unpaid carers. We would have achieved so much less without you.