New contract announced in 30th year
The Carers’ Centre for Bath and North East Somerset has secured a seven-year contract to continue its work to support thousands of adult and young carers. This means security for the ongoing provision of vitally-important services and support for unpaid adult carers in the region.
The Carers’ Centre was established as a charity for unpaid carers – anyone looking after a loved one who relies on this support in 1996. In the thirty years that have followed, the centre has strengthened and grown its offer, now providing a support line and wellbeing services for over 6,200 adult carers and 1,000 young carers. It has won the nationally accredited ‘Excellence for Carers’ award and attracted funding from a wide range of sources, Henry Smith and Children in Need.
The contract with Bath & North East Somerset Council means that hundreds more carers will be able to access these services, including via an upcoming new AI tool on the Carers’ Centre website that will signpost users to relevant advice and guidance, alongside the support line. Each and every one of us is likely to care, or be cared for, at some point in our lives, and the support carers provide saves the taxpayer a huge amount of money. Providing carers with the support they need, in turn, is essential.
‘We are delighted to have won this new contract with our key partner, Bath & North East Somerset Council,’ says Jacqui Orchard, Chief Executive. ‘Being able to continue our core service provision for our community of carers means everything to us. We can also now continue to extend our reach, as we know there are thousands more carers out there in need of our support, many of whom do not see themselves as carers and may be navigating the challenges in silence.’
Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: ‘All carers should be recognised, valued and supported to live good lives. The Carers and Family Support Service provision is crucial in supporting unpaid carers, both young and adult, by ensuring they get timely help, access to the relevant support, and allowing them to maintain a life outside of caring. We look forward to continuing our partnership work with The Carer’s Centre and seeing the impact this invaluable service has on even more carers across B&NES.”
Additional funding is required to fund added-value wellbeing activities, so the centre is continuing to fund-raise and will be entering a team in the Bath Half in 2026. The centre also has a range of volunteering and some trustee openings available. To join the community visit the website; and look out for details of birthday celebrations, later in the year!