Carers in Wiltshire are getting a boost with a new online service

It is open to anyone in a caring role – whether officially recognized or not

Support for unpaid carers in Wiltshire has received a boost thanks to the launch of a new online service.

The new Carer Friendly Wiltshire service is available to anyone supporting a friend or family member, even if they are not officially recognized as a carer.

This has been made possible through a collaboration between Wiltshire Council, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board and Forward Carers.

It includes a 24/7 chat function and the chance to speak to a carer coach to help you on your care journey.

The service offers resources for caregivers of all ages, even those as young as 10, such as videos, event calendars, a benefits calculator and virtual support groups.

It also allows carers to carry out an online wellbeing check, self-help plan and emergency plan to ensure all aspects of their role have been taken into account so they can avoid burnout.

Cllr Jane Davies, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “We want our unpaid carers to feel supported so they can enjoy life and achieve their goals and ambitions while caring.

“We’re making sure face-to-face support continues, but there will also be 24/7 online help so unpaid carers know they’re not alone and have a network to turn to.”

Hard to get help on busy days

Forward Carers program manager Holly Pyke told Greatest Hits Radio it can be difficult for carers to access support during the day.

She said: “Most unpaid carers provide support with managing finances, shopping, household chores, all these things for a parent, sibling or child.

“They may be working themselves, so accessing services that are open during working hours could be a real challenge for them.”

The online service they have created for carers in Wiltshire allows them to access it 24/7, whenever they can.

Ms Pyke said: “It could be in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep and that’s your time to be quiet and think about what support you need and what services you’d like to work on.”

Vital support for young carers

She added that it was vital the service supported young carers by giving them a place to find information relevant to them, as the role has a massive impact on everyday life – as she knows from personal experience.

“You don’t necessarily always provide care in the same way that maybe another parent in your family might provide care.

“The way you’re able to socialize, engage with your education and your identity is really very different from your peers,” she said.

She added that young carers need help to build and manage their emotional resilience.

“Being a child can be challenging, being a teenager is definitely very challenging.

“Having to navigate that, in addition to providing care for the people around you, can be really daunting and overwhelming at times. So having that emotional resilience is really important.”

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