There is only one month left for unpaid carers, and those who receive care, to have their say on our Adult Carers Strategy consultation. The Strategy covers our approach over the next five years, outlining support for unpaid carers living in Central Bedfordshire.

An unpaid carer is someone who looks after a family member, neighbour, partner or friend who needs help. This care and could be for a few hours a day, a few days a week or around the clock. Many caring responsibilities arise unexpectedly, without any training, knowledge, or preparation.

The Adult Carers Strategy contains four priorities we hope to put in place over the next five years to ensure unpaid carers:

• are offered more appropriate information, advice and support, and are given opportunities to share their views and to help to shape local services
• have the opportunity to have a family and community life that includes things of interest to them alongside their caring role
• remain emotionally and physically well
• receive training to enable them to support their cared for person better

It was developed with input from Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group (BLMK CCG), carers and voluntary and community organisations that deliver services and help represent the views of people they support.

It’s thought that the number of unpaid carers across the UK has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Carers UK report that 81% of carers across the UK are providing more care than before lockdown.

The consultation document and the consultation questionnaire are available online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations. The consultation is open until 3 March 2022.