A carer is someone who provides unpaid care, often alongside work or education, for someone who otherwise couldn’t manage without their help for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to age, illness, disability, addiction or poor mental health. Carers are living across Bolton and are really important for the people they care for. Their support means that many Bolton people can continue to live independently in their community and on behalf of Bolton Council and the people they care for, I’d like to say a massive thank you.
Did you know that unpaid carers can have a carers assessment? A Carers Assessment looks at the caring role you are carrying out and is an opportunity for you to share the areas that are going ok, and to discuss areas that might make it easier for you to carry out this role. You can get a Carers Assessment by emailing EITTeam@bolton.gov.uk or by ringing 01204 337860.
Bolton Carers Strategy 2023-2025 was developed as a result of important conversations between carers in Bolton and services that can support them and reaffirms the commitment of local services to work with Bolton carers to help protect their personal wellbeing and help them to undertake their carer role. You can get a copy of this strategy online via the QR code at the bottom of this page or by ringing the Families Information Service on 01204 332170.
Every two years Bolton Council carries out the Survey of Adult Carers in England (SACE). This is a national survey that helps inform national policy – there are multiple choice questions and questions that enable carers to make their own ‘free text’ comments. In Bolton we use the findings from this survey to help us understand what it’s like to be a carer in Bolton, and how we can support Bolton carers to continue their caring role. This national survey focuses on carers who have accessed support through the Council only, but we know there are many more carers out in our communities, and we will continue to work alongside all Bolton carers to help deliver Bolton’s Carers Strategy.
Now that the national data has been published, I’m sharing the findings of the most recent Carers Survey that will be helping us develop our local plans. The survey was sent to 1326 carers, and 421 completed surveys were returned. Our response rate of 32% was slightly higher than the 30% response rate across England.
Thank you to the carers who responded to the survey, and to all Bolton Carers for the invaluable support you give.
Rachel Tanner
Director of Adult Social Services
Bolton Council
