Calling all carers!

Sunderland City Council has joined forces with the other 11 councils across the North East to launch a survey of carers in order to better understand the issues they face and provide better support.

The survey will allow Directors of Adult Social Services in local authorities across the North East to understand the experiences of those who provide invaluable unpaid care.

Fiona Brown, Executive Director of Neighbourhoods at Sunderland City Council, said: "If you're one of the thousands of people across the North East who helps look after relatives, friends or neighbours in their own homes, we would like to hear from you. 

"Whatever kind of care you provide - it could be helping with shopping, meals, cleaning or personal care - this survey will help us better understand the issues and challenges you face and help us to provide you with the kind of support you need."

The survey is open to anyone who provides any kind of care to anyone, it could be helping someone with learning disabilities to live a more independent life, providing support for a friend or neighbour who is facing difficulties with addiction, or helping to cook and clean for a relative.

Iain, 25, from Roker, said: "I work full-time, but help care for my gran, who's 98.  My auntie is her main carer, but I spend 10, sometimes 20 hours a week helping out, and I can get a call at any time of the night.  Looking after family is just what you gladly do - but it'd be nice to get a bit more help sometimes, like knowing how to get an early Coronavirus vaccination, so I can help keep my gran safe.  That's why I'm completing this carers' survey"

It will ask questions about the carers' experiences and any support they are already receiving, as well as allowing the carers to give feedback.

The survey of carers is now live and available online at  https://tinyurl.com/ADASSCare.