The role of local carers, and the support they require, has prompted the launch of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation’s Trust’s first carers’ strategy at it’s headquarters at Prestwich Hospital.

The Strategy sets out how the Trust is working with partners in health, social care and the voluntary sector to support the thousands of Greater Manchester carers who look after people with mental health problems.

The Strategy recognises and values the important work of family and friends, young and old, caring for people who need help due to a mental illness, addiction or dementia. It sets out how the Trust will involve and support carers across Bolton, Salford, Trafford, Prestwich, Manchester, and Cumbria as well as how they will work with local organisations to make life better for carers.

According to the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, out of 280,000 carers that are known in Greater Manchester, 70,000 (nearly a quarter) spend 50 hours per week as carers, higher than the national average. 24,800 (c.9%) are young carers aged under 25 which is 2% more than the average in England. Similarly, more than 100,000 (c.38%, 107,391) are aged between 25 and 49, 4% more than the national average. This directly impacts on the health and wellbeing and employment prospects of carers.

It is estimated that a 5% reduction in the number of carers would result in an additional 17m hours of care being required to be commissioned across Greater Manchester per year.

The strategy aims to ensure that: ‘Carers are identified and supported; are involved and well informed; are engaged and communicated effectively with; and have their own needs met to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle outside of their caring responsibility.

A separate priority in the strategy is around young carers to recognise the high proportion of young people carrying out a caring role and ensure that GMMH staff are confident in involving, signposting and supporting them in the work they do.

If you are a carer and would like to be involved in how the strategy is implemented you can contact the Trust’s Carer Lead on 0161 357 1246 or email carers@gmmh.nhs.uk.

Copies of the Strategy will be distributed to local carer groups, and are available at GMMH’s central NHS buildings as well as on their website: www.gmmh.nhs.uk.

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