Care for the Carers news stand

Speak out about cuts to carer support

Jennifer Twist, CEO of Care for the Carers, an independent charity that supports unpaid carers within East Sussex, is asking for carers across the county to speak out about the £17 million cuts to local services agreed by East Sussex County Council earlier this week (6 February 2018). Annie Mannion writes.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a relative or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health problem or who needs extra help as they grow older.

Of the £17 million in cuts that the Council needs to make, £422,000 is due to be made by reducing funding of services for carers. A full public consultation on the cuts will run until mid May, and Care for the Carers urges carers to take this opportunity to have their say about the negative effects this cut to funding will have on their lives and of those who rely on them for care.

Jennifer Twist, CEO Care for the Carers

Impact of adult social care cuts

CEO Jennifer Twist appeals to carers in East Sussex to attend one of its three upcoming consultation meetings, to raise their concerns about the impact of the funding cuts. Following the feedback it receives during the consultation process, East Sussex County Council will be making further decisions on the future provision of vital services for carers in the county.

“Carers must not be seen as a solution to the social care funding crisis, or be expected to plug the gap when services no longer exist. This will lead to more carers experiencing ill health, having to leave work to care for a loved one, or simply being unable to cope,” says Jennifer.

East Sussex County Council Councellor, David Elkin, deputy leader and lead member for resources, said: “Even with the money a council tax increase would generate, and the additional efficiency savings we have been able to identify, we have some very tough choices to make to deliver a balanced budget.”

The suggested savings include proposals to reduce a range of adult social care services, but Jennifer says the impact of cuts like this is amplified for carers, who will lose services they rely on to care well for a loved one, as well as services they rely on themselves.

“We are hugely worried about what this will mean for the 65,000+ unpaid carers we represent. We are seeing a rise in the number of carers needing help, an increase in the intensity of caring roles and a growing number of safeguarding concerns – all coupled with a marked reduction in services available to carers and vulnerable people,” says Jennifer.

Care for the Carers is the Carers Centre for East Sussex and an independent charity supporting unpaid carers across the county. The charity provides free practical and emotional advice and a range of services such as counselling, support groups and training. 

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