What we've achieved
“My wife was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's, it has recently been revised recently to dementia. It's a very serious situation, and she is slowly getting worse. I'm doing everything in the house. Washing, cleaning, helping her get dressed and undressed etc. No one prepares you for this period of your life. It's like a wave sweeping over you, and you can't see and breathe.”
Caring is a journey that can develop gradually or overnight, often changing in pace and form, whether caring for someone at home, independently, or in residential care. The caring role can be rewarding, challenging, confusing and complex. It also creates issues around balancing relationships, cultural expectations, employment, finances, and personal wellbeing.
Carers tend to view support through the needs of the person they care for, but it’s vital that professionals and the community recognise carers as individuals with their own needs and rights under the Care Act 2014.
Our digital services continue to grow, offering 24/7 access to information, with a self-referral service for carers and professionals. We also provide carer awareness training, co-developed with adult and young carers, for health professionals, teaching staff and social work students delivered in person and digitally.
Our collaboration with the Riviam referral system for post-hospital care transitions continues to expand to include community partner referrals, ensuring carers get support when they need it most.
We continue to work closely with partners in the wider health care system including Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB), Community Wellbeing Hub (CWH) and the NHS.
Building a carer-friendly, community in Bath and North East Somerset remains a top priority.
