DEVON County Council aims to make caring visible and valued after new figures suggest that there are now more than 130,000 people in Devon who are carers.

This figure has risen by half again because of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Worryingly though, just 21,000 of that number, roughly only one in every six, are accessing vital information and support that is available to them.?  

Carers Week runs from tomorrow, June 7 to 13, and Devon County Council, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Devon Carers are shining a light on it to encourage people who are carers for friends and family to recognise themselves as unpaid carers, and to come forward for help. 

Vera Tooke didn’t think she was a carer because Graham, who she cares for, is her husband. ?Graham has Parkinson’s disease and Lewy-Body Dementia. 

“There are people who need a little bit of help and those who need more,” said Vera.? “Looking after someone else is difficult, but I didn’t see myself as a ‘carer’.? The label didn’t feel right. 

“I was coping with the physical aspects of looking after my husband, but dementia is something else. I felt I couldn’t leave Graham to do the things I needed to do. I felt guilty and worried when I did. He was very much against anyone else helping him, even family.  

“I then admitted to myself that I was a carer and I contacted Devon Carers for a carer’s assessment. They were brilliant!

“A carers assessment has nothing to do with judging how you are functioning as a carer, it looks at your own needs as the carer.” 

Devon Carers recommended that Vera also contact Devon County Council’s Care Direct Plus, who assessed Graham’s needs and provided them with equipment to make life easier for him and for Vera at home.  

They also gave advice about respite care, so that Vera can pursue her own things.?  

“I didn’t know this help was available until I spoke to them. So, it is worth contacting them,” said Vera.? “I am immensely grateful for the help we are getting from Devon Carers.” 

Vera’s story isn’t unique. She is one of thousands of people across Devon working around the clock to help and care for relatives and friends who couldn’t manage on their own.  

But while the coronavirus pandemic has meant even more people in Devon taking on caring responsibilities, Devon Carers saw a 50 per cent reduction in the number of people approaching them for support between April and June last year.?  

Devon Carers, which is commissioned by Devon County Council and NHS Devon, provides information, advice and support for people who care for others, whether they need help because they are ill, frail, disabled or have a mental health or a substance misuse problem and couldn’t manage independently without their support. 

They, the Council and NHS Devon CCG are urgently appealing to carers to get in touch. 

Cllr James McInnes, Devon County Council’s new Cabinet Member for Adult Care and Health Services, said: “This Carers Week we are recognising the contribution that unpaid carers make in Devon and encourage them to contact Devon Carers where they can access much-needed support.”  

It’s not only adults. Children and young people in Devon also share caring responsibilities for their loved ones. 

Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s new Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Schools, said: “During Carers Week we want to acknowledge young carers. They do a magnificent job, are valued and we are committed to supporting them.  

“Many young people don’t realise they are carers as they help to look after a family member and they often put others needs before their own. This can result in young carers feeling worried and isolated.?  

“But support is available, so please get in touch.Devon Young Carers is on hand to help with everything from accessing benefits, your rights as a carer, tips on looking after yourself and putting you in touch with other carers to help support you.”  

Devon Carers is running a full programme of events just for carers throughout Carers Week and the timetable is full of online events from musical theatre and yoga sessions to name a few.  

Find all events information run by Devon Carers on their website and to book your place email them with your full name, date of birth, activity title and date to [email protected]. Please note these events are open to carers only.  

If you help someone who couldn’t manage on their own, or know someone who does, please get in touch.  

Support is available for adult carers at: devoncarers.org.uk/support or support for young carers is available at: https://www.westbank.org.uk/Pages/Category/young-carers  or call 03456 434435.