New and Improved Carers Service in Oxfordshire

Carers Oxfordshire, the service for all unpaid adult carers in Oxfordshire, is excited to announce major improvements as the contract is renewed.

Action for Carers and Rethink Mental Illness have once again won the contract to deliver the Carers Oxfordshire service from Health and Social Care. They will be continuing to provide all the same excellent support that local carers have come to expect from Carers Oxfordshire along with some crucial improvements to the service.

“It used to be that people would have to go to the council to continue the process of accessing the support that they were entitled to after being referred to us,” says Kay Francis, Head of Service for Carers Oxfordshire. “Carers told me they were often disheartened and that it was clunky and time consuming for carers, who already have so much on their plate.

“But I’m pleased to announce that from April 1^st Carers Oxfordshire now have the responsibility for the entire support process, meaning that we will be able to provide a more personalised service, focused on support that’s right for the carer. We know that this will result in real tangible improvement for carers looking for the support they need.”

Another key change is that Carers Oxfordshire is now able to give support to parent carers, those who are aged 18 and over and care for a disabled child. And the service can now offer their bespoke and award-winning training package, A Carers Journey which gives all carers that practical help when they need it.

Preventing Gaps in Support

“As we slowly ease out of lockdown, there is a lot of apprehension from carers, many of whom are caring for people on the clinically extremely vulnerable list,” says Kay Francis. “And it is scary, especially when there is so much uncertainty around dates, new strains and just what this ‘new normal’ will look like. But by continuing to deliver the service we have ensured that there won’t be any gaps in support for carers at this difficult time.

“We also want to reassure carers that we understand their apprehension, but we are here to support them every step of the way for as long as they need us.”

For over ten years, carers have been reaching out to Carers Oxfordshire for advice, information and for a reliable partner on their caring journey.

“A key feature of our service that I am particularly proud of is, that many of our staff have been carers or are currently carers themselves, meaning they understand the highs and lows of caring,” says Kay Francis. “They know that caring can be stressful and lonely while also being incredibly fulfilling and life affirming. Many of our carers say to us, ‘I wouldn’t have it any other way, I just need that bit more support’ and that is why we exist.” 

Who are Carers Oxfordshire?

Carers Oxfordshire is a free service for all unpaid adult carers in Oxfordshire.

Their goals are to:

• Help people recognise their role as a vitally important carer so that they can access the support they are entitled to.
• Make the caring journey easier by enabling carers to navigate what can be a confusing system.
• Work with carers to help them find ways to care for themselves as they care for someone else.
• Encourage and champion all carers in their caring role.

To find out more call the Carers Oxfordshire team on 01235 424 715 or email carersinfo@carersoxfordshire.org.uk.

 Carers Oxfordshire If someone relies on you, you can rely on us

Carers Oxfordshire supports over 11,000 unpaid adult carers every year.

Carers Oxfordshire support carers to:

• Navigate the support available to them.
• Feel more confident in a caring role through bespoke courses.
• Complete the carers' self-assessment and plan for help in a crisis.
• Learn from and share with other carers and enjoy companionship through local support groups.
• Find time and ways to make space for their own wellbeing.

Action for Carers Oxfordshire is the lead organisation within the Carers Oxfordshire project, working with Rethink Mental Illness.

Visit our websites, carersoxfordshire.org.uk Follow us on, Twitter and Facebook.